Speed is Viana's benchmark

By Matthew Jones
July 31 2002

Manager Sir Bobby Robson has warned Portuguese new-boy Hugo Viana he could start the season playing second fiddle to Gary Speed.

Manager Sir Bobby Robson has warned Portuguese new-boy Hugo Viana he could start the season playing second fiddle to Gary Speed.

Despite 19-year-old Viana's huge price tag and European Young Player of the Year accolade, Robson insists Welsh international skipper Speed is ahead of him in the Magpies' midfield pecking order.

"Gary Speed is the benchmark for Hugo," said Robson. "If he wants to play first-team football then he's got to knock a player of Gary's quality out of the way, and that won't be easy.

"Gary is still a very important player at this club and he has kept himself in great shape over the summer."

Robson added: "I am facing some very tough decisions with just two weeks to go before the start of the season and some very talented players might be disappointed when they see that first team sheet."