BBC Teletext is reporting that Robert Lee has handed in a 'shock' transfer request following a breakdown in negotiations on extending his contract. No further info as yet.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Answers

Thanks for the memories Rob....seeya....

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

AP

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Best news all season, see ya!

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

a free then

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

At last, Bobby's Hand has been forced... we can start to rebuild the midfield and if Barton leaves then I hope that the replacements will make the toon a force once again. Happy times ahead I hope... AM

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Who's Shearer going to wind up on the radio now then? AP = Apathetic

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Hopefully this may galvanise bobby into getting that midfield "piece of the jigsaw" he has been talking about.

That's if we aren't completely skint like...

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Re- replacements. Who and more importantly When? At the moment we have Griffin who is crocked and no real quality to deputize for Lee. If they go now, it will only take a couple of knocks to Acuna/Bassedas and we will be in the proverbial with Dyer still a long way off playing. I would prefer the replacements to be bought first before they go.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Lee's been a great player, but he's past his best. All the best to him at his new club (hope it's a PL one).

This reminds me of what one of the England players said about the England squad. "Before Sven, there were two camps, With the older players now having gone, the squad is united, and we are a better team."

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Well, his testimonial cheque must have cleared. No doubt Sparxx will blame the poor turn-out at his testimonial ;)

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

I wonder if his transfer request would merit being put with Ciara's 'resignation letters'?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

It'll be interesting to see if / how he plays tomorrow. He might raise his game seeing as he's in the shop window. I reckon that Edgar Davids bloke could be a good replacement. Good name Edgar, and not a bad player either.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

I wish......I'd quit my job and move home if we signed him :))

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

My tongue was so far into my cheek it was coming out've me ear there Gav.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

........ glad you clarified that DSS!

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Rob Lee's words:

"'....basically because of the contract situation between myself and the club and the differences we've got in opinion, I've requested a transfer from Newcastle.

Obviously it's not something I wanted to do and it's the most difficult decision I've ever made in my football career, but it's something I need to do and hopefully everybody will understand why I'm doing it".

What's the betting on him joining KK at Man City?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

"hopefully everybody will understand why I'm doing it"

Erm, because you think you deserve more money than the club does?

Sorry, Rob. Thanks for everything - a cockney legend for NUFC...enjoy Charlton / West Ham / MCFC etc...

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Wonder why he doesn't just see out his contract and go on a free? He can't seriously have expected a fat new contract at this stage in his career. At best he'd only get a 1 year deal, and realistically should be at reduced wages. At least if we can arrange a transfer we might get some money for him.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Yup it's odd Ciara...he should only be allowed to go before the end of the season if we get a suitable replacement in before then....

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

I've always thought that Speed and Lee , basically do the same job in midfield. They are neither defencive nor attack minded, they just hang around in the middle of the park filling the gap.

Without Lee, perhaps Speed (or Acuna) will drop back and do a more usefull job of protecting the defence with a more creative player such as Dyer or Bellamy in front of him, spreading the ball to the wingers, and getting into the box themselves.

Letting Lee go might not be a bad thing. There' also the question of Bassedas. Perhaps he'd given up getting into the team as Lee and Speed were always going to be first choice. Perhaps he'll come good given a few games?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Wishful thnking re Bassedas Rik - the bloke's simply not good enough.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Re- bassedas, I keep wondering WHY Bobby Robson bought him. (Don't answer with Waddsworth) .

Hasn't he played for the Argentine national side? Surely there's a good footballer in there somewhere.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

If we can get a couple of million for them both it could be enough to get another midfielder with what little we have. I believe we have SOME money to get that missing player that is always mentioned.

Unlike others I think we have enough cover to last until that person is found.

I seem to think I would like to see a M/F of Solano, Acuna, Distin and Robert or Bassedas in place of Acuna. Use distin in the holding role and let Bassedas and Acuna see if they can really do the job.

How much worse could it be than what we have now with Speed and Lee in the middle? Whoever suggested Shearer in the middle needs their head read, after Liverpool walked past Lee and he could not catch even McAllister I do not think Shearer would be any better.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

There's a bit of me that feels quite sorry he's going but that's the sentimentalist part of me, the realist, who wants sucess for NUFC understands that players must move on.

I would like to think the club will get a good replacement in asap.

Just hope there's no hard feelings, as he's been a great player for us.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Lee is in the squad tomorrow. I really hope he doesn't play. I hate to see people play for Newcastle when hey don't want to.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

I agree Jim. I am very interested to see how Bobby Robson handles this. He has made it clear in the past that he doesn't tolerate transfer requests lightly. This is obviously about money, unlike the Glass affair which was about getting a regular game. Personally I am glad Lee was here, but it is time for him to step down or move on. Ditto for Barton, and Shearer is getting there as well.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Let's just remember that we have no idea 'what' the Club have offered Rob Lee - if indeed they have offered him anything beyond his current contract. Similarly, we have no idea what Rob is looking for. There are wild assumptions being made that Rob is seeking an extension at his current wage, presumed to be £26k per week, but these are unsubstantiated guesses.

In these circumstances, imo he should definitely play for us tomorrow, and there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that he will continue to do his very best for the Club - as he done for 10 years now.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Bobby Robson's reaction :

"I'm extremely sorry, but he won't change his mind. He has that right and will take it from there.

The club has the right to make sure that Robert Lee honours his contract. He's under contract - players have to realise that as well - but he's asked for a transfer so we will think about it.

I wouldn't think for one moment it would affect his head because he's a good professional and a fantastic player. He will take some replacing."

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

How many days ago was his 10 9 year testimonial?

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

If he leaves before 10 years then I'll send him a personal letter asking for my £20 testimonial ticket money back.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Do get rid of both Lee and Barton sounds like a dream. Not that I dont like them, they have both great (well..) things for this club but we need new players now.

Thank you Lee for the past and thank you for forcing Robson to hurry up the chase for your replacer.

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

I have kept quiet on this since yesterday as I didn't feel my initial reaction was right. Now I've had time to calm down I still think the same.

Who the hell does Robert Lee think he is. The club give him a testimonial at less than 9 years. At 35 years old he is complaining that the club are not prepared to discuss a new contract with him. Right then I'm going to ask for a transfer. Don't want to play for you any more. Well go then.

This isn't Shay Given tossing the toys out of the pram when he doesn't get his place back. Given is at the point of his career where he is ambitious to play, desperate to play for his country and hurt if he isn't in the side. Lee is none of those things, and demonstrably hasn't got the legs to play twice a week anymore.

What I don't want to hear is that he gets a move but starts to argue about severance pay for the remaining part of his contract with us.

I will always like him in the same way I love Beresford, Sir Les, Venison for what they were as part of the Keegan teams. I feel he is a bit too full of his own importance if he believes he should be getting a (lucrative) contract that would go up to June 2003, when he'll be 37 and a half. No Robert, you've spoilt it.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

He has been my favourite player for the last 9 years but now he can piss off. He shouldn't be in the team from now on. STick him in the stiffs and if noone comes in for him let him rot there for the next 7 months.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

Undeserved reaction guys - you have no idea what really lies behind this matter, so why jump all over Rob Lee? Is he not deserving of at least the benefit of doubt?

Just remember the toe-rags he is dealing with before you jump to hasty conclusions.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

Clarky, I have respected and admired Lee for a long time. He has been the perfect professional and handled the Gullit situation very well. But let's face it - he's 35 years old. Does he deserve another playing contract? If we gave him one it would be a huge step back. Yes he is still our best midfileder but will he be in 6 months? And if he is where will we be as a team. He should play out this season and then leave at the end.

When Alan Oliver makes new acusations re Nobby's passport we go mad. We accuse him of trying to unsettle the team. Which do you think has more impact on the team? A newspaper story or the vice captain handing a transfer request. He should't have done it.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2001

What I find strange is that no one has leapt in and bought him yet ?

MUST be an obvious West Ham signing, just must be. We'd need Carrick in return of course, plus they'd have to pay us the difference in valuations

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

mac,

it's early days but i'm sure there have been enquiries. no doubt. the reason nothing has progressed is presumably because of a/timing [fri] and b/they're as astounded at what he's asking as our board are.

Regarding the board. I think they're playing this little game VERY WELL. so far. They've said they will discuss a new contract in the New Year and that's what they're sticking to. This is the situtaion, why should we change it for the sake of one player. Good management, otherwise we'd have all sorts of players demanding this and that.

Sounds remarkably like the John Barnes situation at Liverpool to me.Someone remind me what JB did after he left Liverpool?

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

Played in our win over Barcelona ?

Our leading goalscorer ??

Managed one of the top two teams in Scotland ?

Emmm

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

Presumably, you've got some inside information on the RL situation min?

From where I've been sitting at most games this season, Rob is still by far our best central m/f player - and our wonderful management have only succeeded in upsetting one of the most loyal players we have ever had, to the point where he feels the need to ask for a transfer at a most inopportune time.

In addition, the hints from management are that the request will be declined, and he will be told to play on - hardly a situation guaranteed to get the best out of either Rob Lee or the team. Yes, that's really terrific management - at least it's entirely in character.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2001

Clarky,

presumably you have some inside info on Rob Lee's transfer request.

Enlighten us.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001

Perhaps Rob Lee is aware as the rest of us that he can no longer mainatin form over the whole season. He's therefore despearte to negotiate something whilst his stock's riding high rather than wait till January when Dyer'll be back, he'll be playing shite or injured and who knows who else might also be competing for his place, whether McClen, Bassedas or someone new.
I don't have any real knowledge, inside or otherwise, but from where I'm slouching the Board aren't being out of order at all over this one. Sorry Rob, as loyal as you've been, I'm not sure if renegotiating at present is in the best interests of the club. End of story.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001