Not sure if this has been posted before:

Newcastle have refused midfielder Rob Lee's request for a transfer. Chairman Freddy Shepherd told the club's official website: "Following on so quickly after his testimonial match, the board believed Robert's request to be inappropriately timed and that he should play out the extension of contract he requested to the end of the season."

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2001

Answers

Simple really

You aint going nowhere Rob, because we have no money to replace you so naff off.

You really think if Freddie could have signed a Carrick or a Johnson or a Davids he would be spouting this loyalty stuff

Or If Bassedas was not utter shite and a complete waste of a precious 4million quid

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

I'm glad he's staying - at least until, or if, we finally get round to signing an adequate replacement. I'm totally underwhelmed by the current alternatives.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Interesting article on TOTT, that should promote some controversy and disharmony on here:

LEE AND SHEARER - LEAVE OFF!!!!!!
By Don Murray (17/10/2001)

For the life of me I cannot see what all the fuss is about offering Robert Lee and extra year at Newcastle. In The Journal this morning there is an article praising Shepherd and Robson for having 'the guts' to offer Rob Lee a contract to take him to his Testimonial year (this year), but in the next sentence say: "it is time for Lee to make the most of this year on Tyneside which he fully deserved but had no right to expect."

The fact that Robert Lee is arguably playing the best football of his career at the moment, and only Craig Bellamy is stopping him from being Player of the Year, I can understand why the ex-England international is a bit miffed at being shown the door in May.

Shepherd insists Lee stays and sees out his contract and slammed the player for "the timing of the transfer request", which indicates all hopes of having him here in 2002/03 are just about gone. But believe me, I'd rather have a 36-year Rob Lee dictating play in the centre of midfield than any other player we have on our books.

But it seems as though it's "Shooting Season" at the moment, as Alan Shearer took yet another blast from the local media for allegedly not being good enough to wear the Newcastle United shirt.

Neil Farrington (Sunday Sun) must have been struggling for a story because once again, when in doubt, get the controversy going and slag off the Toon number 9. As though Alan Shearer hasn't had enough troubles with injury and surgery ... Mr Farrington asks (and answers) his own question:

"Will Shearer be guaranteed his first-team place when Carl Cort returns from injury next month?"

And true to form, having lined up the question he wasn't going to give anyone the chance to answer it!

"On recent evidence the answer should be NO!"

Alan Shearer has gone through the most traumatic injury of his career and bounced back weeks ahead of schedule because he happens to love playing for the Toon. He is black and white from tip to toe, and when he wasn't in the side towards the back end of last season Newcastle looked like a porn star without a nob! They couldn't produce the goods for love nor money.

If wanting to play desperately for your club is a sin, Shearer is a sinner, and Marcelino and his foreign buddies are heroes. Let Farrington cast the first stone.

Alan Shearer may not be match fit, but that ironically comes through playing matches (which he is doing at the present time - THANK GOD!). So if Alan is a bit ring rusty, it's hardly surprising. But to think Carl Cort is going to step straight into the side and be expected to be more match-fit than Shearer ... defies belief!

Hard hat firmly donned!

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

clarky,bit of truth on both sides here

Lee: lets assume he is he best option right now, this does not necessarily mean we should extend his contract. unless we also assume that in the next 12 months we won't buy a better player or that none of the current squad will improve to oust a player who will only decline. this assumption may be a reality but lets hope not.

lee wants a contract now because he's fit and playing decent football, in 9 months he may lose form, get injured or be replaced in the team, any of which will affect his market value at nufc or any other club. he's basically trying to use his clout while he's got it. why shouldn't the club wait and see in this situation.

Shearer: everything you say about his committment etc is true. however, the goal drought at the end of last season could also be down to dyer's injury. the goal feast this season could be attributed to robert and bellamy and their pace. shearer looked like a rag doll against liverpool and wham, he can still finish and looks ok when the team are dominating but he can't influence a game any more. i don't think he's ever going to achieve "full fitness" again and yes i think cort (if he can get fit) will be a better bet.

i hope shearer calls it quits before too long, he deserves to go out at the top and the club desreve a bit more for 2 million per year.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

GeorgeB - of course I agree there are two sides to these particular coins. Remember, this wasn't my article but I posted it because I believe both players are taking undeserved and unecessary criticism.

Imo, they are both genuine lads who love the Toon, and have served us very well. I truly don't like to see/hear fans turning on them, and seeking to join the tabloid journos in taking every opportunity to take shots at them as they near the end of their marvellous careers - especially when they are still giving 100% for the cause in every game.

Of course they try to pick the best time to negotiate their own position - why should we assume they would do anything else? We do we seek to apply double-standards when these guys do precisely what we would do in a similar situation?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

I have no problem with Rob Lee requesting a transfer. Just like I have no problem with NUFC turning it down. What p!$$es me off is Lee using the press to air his grievances. A true professional would have had it out in private and accepted the decision. IMHO, Rob Lee has dropped (slightly) from this high perch. But until we have a replacement, he'll do a good job for us.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Barton's response was interesting, saying if the club wanted to wait till the new year to talk about next season's contract, it was fine with him. Ultimately, this is all it boils down to. A danger with great players, especially those that have shown loyalty and commitment for a considerable time (Lee, Shearer, Barton, Speed), is that sentimentality gets in the way of decision making. Lee can ask for a new contract, but it's not a heinous crime to delay that discussion until January. As well as Lee is playing, he no longer has that bargaining power. We must remember, we survived without him last season, largely. No offence to Lee, but we need to be thinking next phase, and commiting another year or two of wages to him at this stage in the season isn't in the interests of the club.
I know Clarky's only getting a conversation going, but the article about Shearer didn't seem too bad to me, and Shearer will be able to take it. If Cort comes back and plays well, Shearer's position will be under pressure. There's a danger of being over-protective to our heroes, especially when like Shearer they have faced undue criticism from many quarters over the years.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2001