This is directly coppied from Sky Sports: http://www.skysports.com/skysports/storytemplate/storytoppic/0,,3560-1025469,00.html

MARCELINO STAYING IN TOON

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson has challenged Marcelino to prove his worth following clear-the-air talks with the unsettled Spanish defender.

The 68-year-old instigated the meeting with Marcelino, who has made just 22 appearances for the Geordies since his £5.8million move from Real Mallorca in 1999.

No offers were made for the centre-back during the close season, and he now says he wants to stay at St James' Park and fight for his place, a decision which has encouraged the former England boss.

Robson said: "I've had a meeting with Marcelino this last week and I'm pleased that he feels that way.

"The only way he can revive his own career and can get back to the player that he was when we bought him is to give it the full commitment and stay out of the injury zone - he's had a series of unfortunate injuries - and get himself fully fit and show what he's actually said.

"My own feeling is that what he's said is what we expect from every player anyway who's under contract here, but he's had the need, I think, to say it and that's fine.

"He's a big player, is Marcelino. He's a very big player and we paid a lot of money for him, a lot of money."

Marcelino himself admitted: "I want everybody to know that I am going nowhere and I am working harder than ever to persuade the gaffer I can make a go of it here.

"There have been a lot of rumours this summer linking me with one club and another, but I have made my mind up to stay at Newcastle, and I am fighting for my place."

"He won't be frozen out," said Robson. "He will have as much of a chance of getting into the first-team as any other player who's at this particular club. If he proves to be the best centre-half at the club, he'll play."

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Answers

Damn it, I spelt copied wrong. Sorry

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

He speaks better English than YBR. If he wants to make a clean sheet, he should do what Nissan did (nah, not move to Sunderland, but if Peyter were to offer say £4.5M why not). No, previously Nissan was known as Datsun. They were cr@p and had a very poor public reputation. Then they changed their name to Nissan and public oppinion (and the quality of their cars) improved dramatically. Doesn't Marcelino have another (proper??) name? Maybe we should use that.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Maybe El Donkio

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

His other name is Elena. He can mark Lillian in the derby. Maybe they can play skipping or something while the game goes on around them.

Seriously, I'm pleased to hear what both YBR and Marcia have to say. It's getting late in the day to rescue this career, but that would be the best outcome for us if it can be done.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Guess I'm feeling rather cynical, but if Bobby had to instigate the meeting then I tend to think Marcia just said what he wanted to hear in hopes of keeping a steady income for little work. I'd be very happy if he proves me wrong.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

>I am working harder than ever to persuade the gaffer I can make a go of it here.

Gaffer? Swift - what's the Spanish translation for 'gaffer'? El Gaffer? If that's not been written by the NUFC Press Office then i'd be HUGELY surprised...

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2001

Maybe he uses the word gaffer. He has been in Newcastle for 2 years now...

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Stay and fight for my place, eh. Join the queue of Stephen Glass, Domi, Goma, l'apostrophe, Maric...

As the song says, it's a long, long road, Marcy

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Incidentally, why does L'apostrophe always get wheeled out in these discussions? All I can remember is that we paid £3.5m I think, he stayed 3 weeks, new manager came, sold him for the exact same money, no harm done. One of TSM's best buys on that record!

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Didn't he say he wanted to stay and fight for his cliche place? He managed to embarass us with his World Cup performance before he put on a black and white shirt. A player that does that BEFORE stepping onto St James hallowed turf is a bit special

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Apostrophe never really got the chance to prove himself with us one way or the other. Probably a good thing as he's not exactly set the world alight in his subsequent moves.

Goma made no secret of wanting away, but never had to say he would 'stay and fight for his place'. He just got on with doing his job and was a part of the team on merit. He earned his wages while with us, unlike most of the other tossers(tm Clarky) mentioned.

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

I don't think Clarys initials are tm ciara!

And it is polite to use capital letters for his initials, I do not think it counts as shouting! :o)

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Or even Clarkys initials!!

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

LOL! That's cause I'm too lazy to look up the ascii code for a trademark or copyright symbol. ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001

Is that Arthur Askii?

(Ask jonno)

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2001