Lee that is. Lolo has gone silent altho' it's Thursday (he normally does after being overlooked for L'Equipe de France):

LEE: I FEEL WANTED AT DERBY

Rob Lee says he already feels welcome at Pride Park after completing his switch from Newcastle to Derby.

Lee agreed personal terms with the Rams on Thursday morning after a fee believed to be in the region of £300,000 had been agreed between the two clubs for the Magpies' longest serving player.

The former England midfielder, who has signed initially until the end of the season, goes straight into the squad for the home match against Sunderland on Saturday.

"I wouldn't have signed if I thought Derby were going to be relegated and the manager doesn't believe that either," he said.

"There are still 13 games to go and we just need to put a few wins together. Winning is a habit and if we can get ourselves on a roll we can push up the table.

"It was a tough decision to make after 10 years with Newcastle but I was very impressed with John Gregory and he sold Derby to me. I wanted to continue playing. I think every player wants to be wanted and John Gregory made me feel very wanted."

But Lee hopes that Newcastle can go on and win the title.

"They certainly have a chance of winning the Premiership and they have some good games coming up. The club hasn't won anything for a while and it deserves to win something so maybe this could be the year."

Derby boss John Gregory, who made Lee's former team-mate Warren Barton his first Rams signing last week, said he hoped to bring in further reinforcements as the club fights relegation.

"I am hoping to have made some more by the time we next play at home," said the former Aston Villa boss, whose side host Manchester United on March 3 after Saturday's encounter with Sunderland.

"We haven't really time to balance the books. Whatever it takes to stay in the Premiership the board are encouraging me to do. They have managed to scramble together whatever it's cost to bring in Warren and Rob and they are trying to support me the best way they possibly can.

"I am trying to bring in another one as soon as possible and although there will come a stage when we have to offload players, that's not the number one priority at the moment."

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Answers

Robair must be in the huff. If he thinks his recent performances merit inclusion in a side brimming with talent, he's clearly mistaken. Although of late he has been getting better. (Hope this doesn't end in tears)

As for Lee - didn't realise how much Gregory rated our team. It's a bit scary, I suspect he would jump at the chance to manage us. Thank god he is now in employment.

Feels like the end of an era but it was time to move on. He'll get a good reception at Pride Park - as long as he doesn't score any goals, scuffed shots or whatever.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

So who is going to be Shearer's best mate now then?? From my understanding Lee and Al were best mates etc, etc. This now makes Shearer one the oldest if not the oldest first team player. I did notice that Rob Lee's contract was only till the end of the season with a twelve month option. If Derby get relegated he'll be a Wham player come August.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Al's new best friend will be Gary Speed. Definately the oldies in amongst a gang of lads.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

90 pound fer a haircut? Wor lass spends the same and then gets all upset when I don't notice that she's had a tenth of a millimeter cut off. Yep, shearer and speed. Ah, the generation gap.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

I'm starting to wish I had never mentioned the haircut thing! If I ever get to meet any of you you will expect some elegantly couffured (sp?) individual. That sadly is not me.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Ahh linda, divvent be so hard on yersell pet. Women always seem to get stuck with higher maintenance costs, hair, manicures, pedicurs, waxes. The whole whack. I am just lucky if I am still breathing in the morning.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Back in the liberate 80s I worked for a 30 year old (ish) female boss. SHe told the tale of getting a letter form her bank telling her she was overdrawn and that they'd looked at her statement and she shouldn't really be wasting money spending £20 on a haircut !!!!

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002