1. Is delighted with new deal and is as happy about staying in Newcastle as he us about getting security. 2. Says he is pleased with his personal season and thinks the team have done OK bearing in mind the injuries. 3. Thinks it would be better to have a settled partner in defence but says they just have to get on with it. Doesn't mind who he plays with - just loves playing - but adds that Alain Goma will be a big miss. 4. Praises the youngsters to the high heavens. 5. Says we can get into Europe but need to be more consistent. 6. Says we pay a fortune to watch them play so it's ultimately us the team want to win things for but obviously they have their own ambitions in terms of playing well. 7. Says that we are fine-tuning like Man United were a few years ago, trying to get a balance between young lads and experience but he thinks within a few years, we'll be up there. 8. Says he couldn't really be at a bigger club, what with how good the manager is and the fans and ground and so on. 9. Says Alan Shearer is a great captain and born leader and they have more confidence with him on the pitch but that Warren, Gary and Rob are great to learn from, too. 10. Praises how well the S Americans have settled in all things considered and says that they are all really enthusiastic about the club. 11. Says that he and everyone else is gutted to have lost the derby but the plan (hope) is to turn them over at the SOL and finish above them. 12. Says that it's nice that everyone is being so nice about him but he just wants to play well for NUFC. 13. Talks about Northern Ireland team.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

Answers

Thanks Dougal, good to hear his views. Interesting points about fine tuning etc and it shows how imporatn players like Lee, Shearer and Barton are to the young players.

I suppose without them we are an inexperienced team but in the next two years will Barton and Lee be around? The integration of new players will be more important this summer than in any other time I believe.

A solid captain-like centre back to nurture Hughes would be my highest priority and would bring Hughes that next step to ensure he is improving each year. Goma could do this if he decided to stay but in the end I think he'll move on.

Experienced players (Premiership)?

Given, Barton, Solano, Shearer and Lee. Apart from that the rest are relatively inexperienced and still have a lot more to learn than the older lads.

Not far away though!?

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

I would like to add Speed and Gallacher too.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

I thought it was nice that the magazine was practically wetting itself over what a nice bloke he is - we can use that sort of positive publicity. Agree that there is an age bottleneck in the team. Still, people like Nobby and the gaolies etc will be a bit more experienced by then..

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

Just as long as he doesn't start babbling about how much better we are than the hackems again. ;-))

Actually it does give you a lot of hope for the future and faith that Bobby the Builder is getting things right.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

>>Just as long as he doesn't start babbling about how much better we are than the hackems again. ;-)) Quite, I couldn't agree more. Well, by the time we play them, Dabs'll be back to say something like "Quinn and Phillips are predictable - we can handle them".

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

LOL. I think Bobby should put a gag order on the entire team in the week leading up to that one. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001

I think Bobby should invite Lee Clark to parade around the Stadium of Shi*e pitch in a black and white shirt just before kick off (SAFC v NUFC). It would drive the Mackems mad but would be absoultely hilarious to watch.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2001