Despite finding the net 10 times this season, Bellamy has been criticised by his manager, Bobby Robson, for the dissent which has earned him four bookings.Although all four have been fined, a source close to the players denied there had been a stand-up row with Robson, who had taken the squad to Spain for a friendly against Huelva to mark the opening of the Second Division club's new ground."The players were unaware that they were under orders to attend the meal on Monday night," said the source "They went to a local restaurant for a meal on the quayside. There was no alcohol ban on the trip and they enjoyed a few quiet drinks before returning to the hotel later that evening."The first they knew of the trouble was when they got their itinerary on Tuesday and their names were down for the first flight home. There was no big bust-up with Bobby Robson, but they are devastated."This is not the first time that Newcastle's decision to take their players off for a mid-season break has led to unexpected headlines – a trip to Ireland under Kenny Dalglish finished with Alan Shearer having an altercation with Keith Gillespie outside a Dublin bar. However, Dyer's involvement will simply add to speculation that his long-term future on Tyneside is open to question.Despite his considerable ability, the 22-year-old has not shown the same maturity off the field that he displays on it. He is not close to the men Robson calls his "blue chip players", such as Shearer and Rob Lee, who form the core of the playing staff.
After his first season with Newcastle following his £6m transfer from Ipswich, Dyer suffered the indignity of seeing the News of the World publish allegations of videotaped sex sessions in a Cyprus hotel bedroom.Robson subsequently advised him to "duck and dive and keep a low profile", something Dyer has found hard to do; the bars and clubs of Newcastle's famed Quayside have provided too much temptation.In the summer, both Leeds and Manchester United asked about Dyer's availability and his friends feared he was being touted around as the club's single most saleable asset.Dyer, who has not played competitively in nine months after complications with a shin splints injury, remained, but with Feyenoord asking £15m for Robson's leading transfer target, Brett Emerton, yesterday's developments will merely fuel speculation over the man his manager calls "my little gem".. All managers make mistakes What marks out the survivors is learning from them. In August Sven Goran Eriksson sent out a pick 'n' mix selection to face the Dutch at White Hart Lane All managers make mistakes What marks out the survivors is learning from them. In August Sven Goran Eriksson sent out a pick 'n' mix selection to face the Dutch at White Hart Lane. This probables and possibles combination was so outclassed by the Netherlands' first XI Eriksson not only suffered his first defeat, he largely wasted 90 minutes' valuable playing time. Thus, against Sweden at Old Trafford on Saturday, he will begin with his strongest team, just as he did in the victories against Mexico and Spain After half-time the experiments will begin. With only five friendlies before the World Cup begins Eriksson has to both bed down his preferred starting XI and discover which of the fringe players should complete the 22.
"It is not many games but it is the same for every European country," said a sanguine Eriksson last night. "There is no room in the fixture list to play more."And injuries will always interfere with an England manager's plans. Two regulars, David Seaman and Sol Campbell, are already absent, another, Ashley Cole, has been rested, and Steven Gerrard yesterday suffered his now customary training ground niggle. The Liverpool midfielder withdrew from the session at Manchester United's Carrington complex with a groin problem He will be assessed this morning. Danny Murphy, yet to win an international cap, is being lined up as his replacement.Also on the sidelines were Martin Keown and Trevor Sinclair, with calf and ankle injuries respectively.
