Extract from the paper.

"Nothing has happened since then and, if I am honest, I don't really expect it to. I am fit, I am training hard and I am going about my work in a professional manner. "However, I have not been selected for a first team squad all season, so why should that change now? I do not expect to get back in the team but every player lives in hope. "That hope is what keeps me going and I will continue to give 100pc effort when I am selected for the second team." "I've been in the same situation for most of my Newcastle career and, contrary to what some people might say, I have often been fit but not selected," he added. "People keep asking me whether I am fit. When I tell them I am, they then wonder why they don't ever see me at St James's Park. I can't answer that. "All I can do is play hard, train hard and wait for that outside chance that the manager will pick me again. "But I accept there is little prospect of that happening. I counted on that being the case, but it hasn't been easy. "I can't remember having a bad game for the first team or the reserves and I am proud of my performances for the club. "I won't give up. I will keep going for my own peace of mind."

He reckons he's been fit to play even when people have said he's injured. Is it true? All I do know is that we don;t need him with wha weve got. At 30 we have younger fitter and more reliable CH.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Answers

"I can't remember having a bad game for the first team or the reserves and I am proud of my performances for the club. "

I'll start with Watford away...

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Charlton .... compare and contrast Distin throing himself at a City shot on Sunday with Marca shying away from a shot a Charlton

Maybe his memory is injured at the moment ?

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Charlton away - turning his back on Svensson as he scored their 2nd goal. Unforgivable. Clearly a memory transplant required.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

You beat me to it clarky. Charlton was unforgivable.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

There was a letter in The Mag from a bloke who had been at a talk-in involving a couple of our players. They said that Marcelino has worked really hard and is a really good pro and has just been unlucky. He apparently knows the fans hates him and barely dares set foot outside in case he gets lamped. He is going to tell his version of events when he leaves. Could be interesting..

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Thinking of Marcelino brings into focus how good a buy O'Brien was for me. Distin is worth every penny of the £4mil asking price imo. And To think TDM thought Dabs was shite.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Wimbledon away - 5 yd sliding tackle, missed man and ball by 10ft.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

If he really were fit and doing a good enough job in training, YBR would pick him. Or we'd have other clubs coming in for him. I mean, Bobby actually got money for Perez and Maric! I do feel sorry for Marcelino as a person for being stuck in a difficult and unpleasant situation, and for his bad luck with injuries. But he needs to take a look at his own contribution to the problem. Has he shown the right attitude to his manager and coaches all along? Does he really have the kind of talent (ala Robert) that will allow people to forgive an occasional sulk? I hope he does find a new club over the summer. Maybe the change of scenery is exactly what he needs. Even better if we can get some money for him!

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002