Craig Bellamy explains why he 'exploded' after what critics said about Newcastle United transfer

Craig Bellamy has admitted that his critics helped him to 'explode' at Newcastle United after he vowed to prove them wrong.

Sir Bobby Robson was a long-time admirer of Bellamy and even attempted to sign the striker when he had already agreed to join Coventry City in 2000.

The Newcastle boss eventually got his man a year later after the Sky Blues were relegated, but the £6.5m move was questioned by some after Bellamy's fairly underwhelming season at Highfield Road.

However, Bellamy had often been used out on the left by Coventry and Sir Bobby rightly identified the Wales international as the ideal strike partner for the ageing Alan Shearer because he could get in behind defences with his pace.

The pair formed an effective partnership - scoring 41 goals in their first season together - and Bellamy won the PFA young player of the year award despite missing the final months of the campaign through injury.

"I exploded at Newcastle because Coventry didn't go well for me," Bellamy told the Central Club podcast.

"Maybe, I expected more than what I was able to do but it wasn't a good year. I remember I went up to Newcastle and everyone was like, 'What have they signed him for?'

"I was seen as a failure at Coventry, but that gave me the fuel and I ended up winning PFA young player of the year that year, which was huge.

"To win PFA young player of the year basically says you are one of the best young kids in Europe.

"That was huge for me, but that was fuelled off a poor year. Everyone thinks I'm a poor player? Yeah? We'll see now. I'll show you in a good arena. Give me good players. I just took off, but I was angry as well."