CC becomes the latest in a long line of players who can say the right things. Will he be different to the rest by actually delivering what they say they will.

Newcastle's £7 million man Carl Cort today warned his teammates to forget about Europe for the time being - and instead secure United's Premiership status.

Cort returned to the line up against Middlesbrough on Saturday after more than six months on the sidelines and was made man-of-the-match for his performance.

But the former Wimbledon striker's second-half goal was little consolation after Newcastle stretched their run without a win to five games.

"We've been dropping points recently to teams you would think we'd be able to beat, especially at home. Manchester City and Middlesbrough have both come to St James's Park and won," said Cort.

"Everyone was very disappointed with the Middlesbrough game and we don't need to be told that we still need points to avoid relegation.

"And obviously after Saturday we've got to achieve that before we can think about Europe, that seems to be getting further and further away at the moment.

"But I honestly don't know what the problem is, I can promise the fans that it's not a lack of commitment. It would also be wrong to blame injuries as if you look at the individuals out there we should do better.

"They're all internationals and quality players - we just need to pick it up in these last nine games.

"We need to defend better as a team, one of our problems has been keeping a clean sheet and it's up to all of us to defend when we haven't got the ball.

"We've got time to work on a few things in training now but really a two-week break is probably the last thing you want after a home defeat, you just want to get out there and put it right."

The 23-year-old Southwark-born star linked up with teenage forward Shola Ameobi in attack for the Middlesbrough game.

And he believes they can form an understanding up front for United in the absence of Alan Shearer, currently out with a knee problem.

He said: "Shola's been fantastic, he's been thrown in at the deep end but done really well. He's showed a lot of character and a lot of spirit these past few months.

"And last Saturday I enjoyed playing alongside him but of course we need Alan back as well, he's a real inspiration when he's on the pitch and when I joined one of the reasons was to play alongside him."

Cort, who has now scored three goals in six appearances for Newcastle, was also relieved to have come through the full 90 minutes without a problem.

"On a personal level it was good to be back, having been out so long. It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt," said Cort.

"I've been working hard on my fitness these past few months and I felt fine. Obviously it was nice to score on my comeback but I'd have rather had the three points."

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Answers

it's not a lack of commitment. It would also be wrong to blame injuries ...They're all internationals and quality players

I don't dispute any of that so the malaise is a serious puzzle to me. It reminds me very much of the start of last season when we kicked off with 1 point from 21 and the lads were unrecognisable as a team.

At present, as far as I am concerned this is something to do with coaching/motivation. Robson said that he knows how to build winning teams and for some reason they are not playing as a team just now. The trouble is that once you put a run together like this it's hard to break out of the vicious cicle of low morale-defeat-lower morale etc. I think Robson/Wadsworth have serious questions to answer here, and they should be asking serious questions of the players.

Anyway - I like Cort's attitude - I'm sure the rot will stop soon but I'm disturbed it's gone on so long. 1 point from 5 games? Wasn't that Gullit's record when he walked last season? Time for Bobby to demonstrate his water walking abilities once more I think.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Yes let us presume he's putting on those flippers as we speak and Europe here we come!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Hmmm - flippers might be a bit to adventurous. What about a rubber ring and water-wings?

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001