Souness Warns Kluivert

By Matthew Jones
December 10 2004

Having already questioned his desire to play, Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness has sent a warning out to Dutch striker, Patrick Kluivet - "If you don't perform, you get shown the door. That is the world we operate in."

Kluivert has been handed a place in the starting XI in recent weeks, but he does need to show some goalscoring consistency.

The Dutch striker arrived at St James' Park in the summer, signing a 12-month deal - with the option to extend by two years.

Graeme Souness has already questioned Kluivert's desire: "My only doubt about Patrick is his desire. Patrick is a world-class football player in anybody's book, and if Patrick wants it, Patrick will get it because he's got that much class and athleticism and ability, it can only be a state of mind."

The Scot has newly added:

"It is a challenge to keep him motivated and retain his hunger.

"That has to come from within. I don't think the contract changes it.

"He is a big player; he has been around the block. He knows the pressures that come with this club.

"From our side we will make that decision at the end of the season about what he has done.

"If you don't perform, you get shown the door. That is the world we operate in.

"If you look at Patrick, he has three or four great chances every game.

"If you look at the facts, they tell you he is a goalscorer of the highest quality and I think he will do it here.

"The physical nature of the game has taken him by surprise but if you look at Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg, they took a good year to come to terms with what our football is about.

"Patrick is an excellent player and it will happen when the penny eventually drops."

Souness said: "Patrick will be judged on his goals, that's the price on the ticket if you're a striker.

"The fact is we are in the performance business and if you don't perform, then you're shown the door. We will make a decision at the end of the season."

Having scored only three goals in 12 league games, Kluivert is bound to be dissapointed. Souness added: "Patrick will be disappointed with his goals tally.

"But his track record is of a goalscorer of the highest calibre and I'm convinced he can reproduce that form here.

"The only question mark is how much he wants it. The quality is there but how hungry is he?"