Olivier Bernard discusses old Newcastle partnership with Laurent Robert

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Former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard has opened up about his partnership with winger Laurent Robert, and labelled the Frenchman ‘unplayable’ on his day.

The pair are fondly remembered by Magpies supporters for the contributions they made for a number of years down the team’s left flank.

Bernard joined the club in 2000 from Lyon, with Robert pitching up a year later from Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Bernard managed to firmly establish himself as a fans’ favourite during his time at the club, it was Robert who really got supporters off their seats with his pace and shooting ability.

The now 43-year-old was famed for his wicked left foot, and Bernard knew as well as any the damage it and he could do.

He told the club’s official website: “I knew Laurent by heart – I knew when he would or wouldn’t track back and I could understand his game perfectly. We had a fantastic togetherness on the left-hand side of the pitch.

“His left foot was lethal and, on his day, he was unplayable and could win lots of games. He was a big player for Newcastle at that time and he managed to do very well for the club. He was a pleasure to play with.”

TBR’s view

There have been few like Robert at Newcastle since he left the club in 2005.

Perhaps Hatem Ben Arfa and current star Miguel Almiron can be compared to the winger, but neither of those players have the same shooting or set piece ability as the Frenchman.

His technique when striking the ball was highly impressive for someone relatively small in stature.

Those traits made him a constant danger for the Magpies, to the point where he didn’t even have to be involved in games for periods of time – in the blink of an eye he could change and win games, just as Bernard said.