When Dabizas was asked about the status of his contract with Newcastle he said, "We exchanged fax with the Newcastle management and I think that by the end of this month everything will be squared away. Newcastle wants a four-year contract where I want to renew only for three years. Also, he have a little issue with the money as well and I hope that this is not going to become a bigger problem. We shall see..."

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I don't exactly know where this came from, only that it was translated onto a greek web site. It's not really news - I just want to get some opinions on who believes he should stay or go next season. And no crap about cover, He's either next to Howey from the start or gone. Helder has potential and seems committed but is only on loan. I think we need to keep all 3. It's only money!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Answers

hes playing very well these days but does lack a bit of physical presence that Goma+Helder have.

Id definetly keep him - thought he was our best player on Sat vs Chewsee.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Helder is quoted on the official s*ite and in the Ronnie as very much wanting to stay in Newcastle. So if Dabs isn't fully committed and we got enough selling him to pay for Helder...I've got no problems letting him go. My only worry right now is whether we'll keep enough defenders healthy at one time to be able to do without him.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Dabs is to me, the most committed central defender we have. Not necessarily the most skillful or best defender but definitely committed. I wonder why he only wants 3 years and Toon are talking about 4?

And now the cr@p about cover. We need 4 good central defenders because of illness, injury, suspension and loss of form. I would go for Goma, Helder, Howey and A N Other. Hughes and Dabs could fit that last role, tho Hughes could also be regarded as a "utility" defender. I think Marcelino will/should go, uless there are doubts over Howey's fitness and/or we can't afford to buy Helder.

Hey - this fence is pretty comfortable. Anybody wanna join me?

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

To be perfectly honest I'm not totally convinced about any of them!

Howey was terrific - once upon a time. His main assets were his pace and a calmness. After so many injuries and so long out of the PL, can he really regain his best form? Who knows.

Dabs is committed to the cause and can be inspirational, as per last Saturday, but he can also be a headless chicken and a liability. He has improved immeasurably under BR, but he's not truly top class IMO.

Hughes has also made great strides now that he is getting some coaching and personal guidance. He never lets us down, and just might prove to be very good indeed with experience. Excellent squad player.

Helder has looked quality at times, but was horrible at Blackburn. His long-term future here probably depends on BR's conclusion regarding Howey, Goma and Dabs, plus of course the transfer fee. If that's more than say #1 million, I think he'll return from whence he came (?).

Goma - who knows? I've only seen him twice - once he was truly awful, the other time he looked promising. My instinct is that he wasn't worth #5 million, but is a recognised name in the business and BR could well off-load him - given a willing buyer, of course.

Marcelino - again, who really knows? As with Goma, he's done OK at times and yet looked like a little boy lost on others. He's had a tough time to be honest and I suspect he's a good player, but perhaps a CB who is not really equipped physically for the PL. Again I suspect BR will look to sell him.

Not a pretty picture overall, IMHO. Who goes will probably depend on who can be sold at a reasonable price, with the exception of Hughes and probably Howey. I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see yet another CB coming in during the close season.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

Hi Screach,

About the 3 years, it's either a bargaining tool or homesickness or a lie!. Most former Olympiakos players promise to return towards the end of their careers. Actually, it's a common practice from what I've seen; footballers are sort of like salmon.

He just wants more money and he wants to play. It's up to the powers that be to decide. I feel he has found a home and will only get better. He is also on our short list of players-of-the-year just for being out there, not even considering any goals he's scored.

But you can argue that there are better defenders out there and I will agree with you. However, I would much rather find better players in the midfield, more specifically, a better central midfielder.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

we should certainly keep Dabs---also Helder who(apart from the Blackburn game) has been superb since he came--yes of couse keep Howey and hope he can regain his past form. Goma I still think will prove his class-he has shown glimpses of it, but really cant say the same about Marcelino who has yet to convince in any of the games I have seen. as for Hughes-grand player,yet to find his best place but a wonderful young player who has always done a good job for us wherever he has been played Alan

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2000

The back end of last season saw (before the semi that is)Howey really steady the ship and the entire team started to play better (it seemed) I felt then he was a huge loss. Howey cools things down, Dabs can only play well when he has a cool head and organiser next to him, otherwise he's on hi arse and giving pen's away. We are seeing his best form since he came right now and clewarly enjoys the pairings with Helder, Marcelino, and Frankie Dumas when here (who i thought was excellent). Dabs is fab then as a number two. Goma, thought he was very cool and we should keep him if we can, Marcelino now has a bottling reputation, so defo sell as he will also get the highest price out of the lot. Helder is better but could cost us a canny slice and we may not have the bunce. I'd do a swap deal for Marcelino though. We need the general at the back, whether that's Howey or Helder, you need that leadership. My favoured pairing? I'd love to see how Goma and Howey get on.

We need four so we can cover from Marcelino, Goma, Helder, Howey, Dabs and Hughes. My guess is that Marcelino and Helder go because we ain't got the cash.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2000

This was in an Aussie paper 8 Dec '99 ROBSON READY WITH A GIFT FOR A GREEK Born-again Newcastle defender Nicos Dabizas is ready to commit his future to Bobby Robson. The Greek international has emerged from his miserable exile under Ruud Gullit to re-establish himself as a key member of the United side who have dragged themselves out the Premiership doldrums. Dabizas confirmed his return to form with two goals in as many matches ,the second bringing victory in 2-1 win against Tottenham. But it is his rock solid displays in an ever changing back line which have caught Robson's eye and strengthened his resolve to tie up the former Olympiakos defender beyond his current contract. The manager confirmed after victory over Spurs that Dabizas had been to see him about a new deal and, while he was giving little away, he he admitted that he would be doing all he could to keep him at the club. That will come as huge boost to the player, who was told in no uncertain terms that he had no future on Tyneside as Gulitt wielded the axe following last seasons FA Cup "I would likke to stay here for the rest of my career," said Dabizas "Iam very happy at the way things have been going lately. "I have talked to the manager about a new contract and he wants me to stay. Obviously, I want to stay and I want to stay for a long time. "The fans are great here and Ifeel that this club is going places under the new manager."

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2000

I'm very cynical about footballers who say they want to commit themselves to a club for the rest of their career - sounds a bit desperate, sort of looking for one last pay day. If a player is really good then the club will make the move to keep him. However, I have a soft spot for Dabs. He always gets stuck in and seems to care though I'd like to see Goma and Helder as our first choice pair in the centre. Sol Campbell could be available during the summer? Dream on.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2000

Sol Campbell's future? ...to: Barton

Good point about Campbell. Where do you reckon he'll finish up, and for how much? Not Spurs, methinks. I think Taggart could go for him, but his board are notoriously tight and he could well be valued in the #15mm area. The Arse could also fancy him, but doubt spurs would sell him to their major rivals.

I'd love to see him in b&w - he's just the sort of commanding CB we need. Unfortunately, due principally to TSM & TDO's profligacy, we've become the poor relations again.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 2000

selling Marcelino to pay for Helder would be very good business!

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2000

I`d keep Dabs. He has improved and show plenty of commitment. O.k. he`s goofed up sometimes too, but I`d still like to see him stay.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2000

Good point Galaxy- yes he goofs sometimes, even Japp Stam goofs sometimes (did you see Batistuta's goal on Wednesday?)

There was another story similar to the one on the top of this thread in the greek web site that I follow. It's not worth posting here because I don't believe a word of it- something about him and an italian team (but not Fiorentina!); It's all just him negotiating for a better paycheck, that's all. I think we all agree the team has benefitted (did I say benefitted? is that a word?) from Dabizas' contributions this year.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2000