Bellamy is NOT "Jesus Christ"

By Matthew Jones
September 12 2002

Sir Bobby Robson has warned Newcastle fans not to expect miracles from fit-again Craig Bellamy - insisting the striker is not "Jesus Christ".

Sir Bobby Robson has warned Newcastle fans not to expect miracles from fit-again Craig Bellamy - insisting the striker is not "Jesus Christ".

Bellamy came on as a second-half substitute against Leeds on Wednesday night to huge acclaim but failed to prevent Newcastle from sliding to a 2-0 defeat.

Indeed, Bellamy was lacking sharpness on his first home appearance for seven months following serious knee surgery.

But Robson said: "Everybody seems to think Craig is a magician, but he's not. He's not going to wave a magic wand, he's been out for seven months.

"He's not even ready to play a full game - if he was, I would have started with him tonight. He will be a late September, early October player.
"But everybody thinks he's the saviour, that he's Jesus Christ. Well he isn't Jesus Christ.
"He's a great player but he doesn't make miracles happen."

The Magpies slipped to defeat at St James' Park after goals from Mark Viduka and Alan Smith.