NEWCA STLE.

England. Sept 8: Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson signalled a new spirit of op-

ehness at the struggling English Premiership club on Tuesday by inviting both the media and the public to his first training session with his new players, reports AFP.

The open approach at Newcastle's Chester-le-Street training base was in stark contrast to the behind-closed-doors philosophy favoured by predecessors Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit.

A crowd of around 500 spectators gathered to watch the 66-year-old former England coach put his squad through their paces for the first time since his appointment on Friday.

It revived memories of the days when literally thousands turned up for former manager Kevin Keegan's sessions at Maiden Castle in Durham.

The first-team squad, minus those on international duty, waited for their new manager and after addressing them collectively and then introducing himself individually. Robson got down to business.

Still in his training kit. Robson admitted that he had thoroughly enjoyed the chance to get back to what he does best.

"I enjoyed it." he said. "I hope I'm enthusiastic. As a player I loved every morning in training and it upset me when I couldn't train every morning.

"Without’ working with the players I'm not really the same guy. so I've enjoyed being back.

"I've had a two-month break because I wasn't involved in pre-season training, so I’ve enjoyed working again.

"It was lively and the players

enjoyed it. It was important for me because only by training and being close to them will I see their qualities, their skills, their techniques and their attitudes."

Robson's reaction to the fans - "I hope they paid," he joked -was refreshing, although he admitted there may be times when the doors have to remain

"I know that some clubs have big security and don't let the

public into training grounds," he said.

"I had it at Barcelona but at PSV (Eindhoven) it was free and those who wanted to, come and watch training did, those who didn't, didn't.

"It's a little bit open here and to turn the public away we'd have to put up barriers and barbed wire and things like that and I don't wish to do that.

"On the other hand, there might be a day when we'd like to prepare the team tactically with a lot of privacy and I might have to somehow get around that.

"But generally speaking, an open atmosphere doesn't inhibit me and it shouldn't inhibit the players. The players should enjoy training in front of the public."

Robson's immediate task is to prepare his side for their trip to Chelsea on Saturday knowing that they will have to produce something special to improve upon their tally of a single Premiership point from six games to date.