10 Newcastle Heroes Whose Careers Nosedived Since Leaving
3. Laurent Robert
Laurent Robert, fan favourite at St. James Park for half a decade, spent the last three years of his career bouncing between clubs struggling to hold down regular starting spots and desperately clambering for a bit of stability. The French left-winger was known for his impeccable crossing ability, dead-ball skills and jaw-dropping goals during his time at St. James Park but having been kicked out of the club by boss Graeme Souness in 2005, Roberts career never truly recovered. Having fallen afoul of the volatile Scot in the wake of Sir Bobby Robsons dismissal, Roberts stroppy antics werent tolerated for longer than a season and he was sentenced to a season-long loan deal at Portsmouth. It proved to be an unhappy time for the Frenchman on the south-coast, as he scored just one goal in his 17 appearances for the struggling side and stormed out of Sunderlands Stadium of Light having been named on the bench. He soon penned a permanent deal at Ronald Koemans Benfica, and played just 13 league games before being shipped off to La Liga strugglers Levante after just one season. A goalless thirteen appearances were churned out for the Spanish outfit during his two seasons at the club, before signing for the worst side in Premier League history in Derby County. Robert played just four times for the pathetically assembled excuse for a top-flight competitor, and spent the remaining two seasons his career at first MLS side Toronoto and then Greek team Larissa.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
