"It's a big honour to reach this landmark. Newcastle is a big club and people should not forget that. I'm very proud to have made so many appearances and I hope there are a lot more to come." Shay Given on making his 300th Newcastle appearance (December 1 2004)

"I thought Steven was exceptional. He went out there and he grabbed the opportunity. He did really well. He put in some brilliant tackles which lifted the crowd at times when they needed lifting. He's a local lad as well, which always helps, so I was really pleased for him." Jermaine Jenas on Steven Taylor's performance at home to Everton (December 2 2004)

"I can't stop that sort of thing and I have no problem about it at all." Rangers manager Alex McLeish on learning that Graeme Souness would be present in the stands to spy on Jean-Alain Boumsong (December 3 2004)

"My aim is to be true and play well with Rangers. I am proud to be a Rangers player. My near future is with Rangers and I want to give my best to them. If something happens, it happens but if I am happy here I don't want to go." Rangers Jean-Alain Boumsong on transfer speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle (December 3 2004)

"Titus is meant to be the strongest man in English football."Graeme Souness has a dig at Titus Bramble's defending during the 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea (December 4 2004)

"We will cross swords again, I guarantee, before very long, but as long as he shows me that enthusiasm, that determination to win games, that never-say-die attitude, he and I will never have a lasting problem." Graeme Souness on his relationship with Craig Bellamy (December 5 2004)

"Graeme's argument would be that this is not his team and judge him next year. What I'm saying is that we've got all the ingredients there now and it's got to happen." Freddy Shepherd expects Graeme Souness to turn things around immediately, despite his manager's claims that he needs time (December 6 2004)

"He wouldn't necessarily need managerial experience elsewhere. He could come straight on to the coaching staff, though that's Graeme's decision ultimately. But one day he'll make a great manager. People say great players don't always make great managers but I'd put my money on this one." Freddy Shepherd on his desire to see Alan Shearer become manager of Newcastle one day (December 6 2004)

"To suggest Shearer will be substitute for the remainder of the final year of his career as absolute nonsense." Graeme Souness on Alan Shearer (December 7 2004)

"Craig has admitted that he expects to score more goals playing alongside Patrick because he's suddenly playing a different role alongside a genuine creator. When Craig and Patrick play together, Craig is the main beneficiary." Kieron Dyer reveals that Craig Bellamy prefers playing alongside Patrick Kluivert than Alan Shearer (December 7 2004)

"I don't even know where Yeading is, and while I have contacts in football throughout the world, I must admit I have nothing on them. It's a famous draw for them getting Newcastle United at home, but while it is obviously a potential banana skin, we don't want to make them even more famous." Graeme Souness on the prospect of playing Yeading in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup (December 7 2004)

"It's not what one individual wants. It's about what's best for this football club."Graeme Souness on his decision to play Craig Bellamy on the wing again (December 9 2004)

"My only doubt about Patrick is his desire. Patrick is a world-class football player in anybody's book, and if Patrick wants it, Patrick will get it because he's got that much class and athleticism and ability, it can only be a state of mind." Graeme Souness on Patrick Kluivert's hunger (December 9 2004)

"I want to stay here as long as possible but people are speculating because I am having talks about my contract." Manchester United's Ryan Giggs on transfer speculation linking him with a January move to Newcastle (December 10 2004)

"I'm really looked forward to it. And that's not just the football game, it's going back to the stadium and seeing all the friends I made there. It's a great area and it will be nice to be back up there. I miss it massively, I love the place, love the club and love the people." Andy Griffin on his return to Newcastle for the first time since signing for Portsmouth (December 10 2004)

"If we can iron out the times when we are not so good, then we would be a proper team." Graeme Souness on the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth at St. James' Park (December 11 2004)

"At this football club I've quickly learned that the glass is never half-full, it's always half-empty, and that's something we have to address. We have somehow to get the message across to supporters that we are all in this together." Graeme Souness after Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at home to Man Utd (December 14 2004)

"Just show me the contract. For now I don't find it difficult not knowing what the future holds - as long as I'm playing football I'm happy. I have said before that if I have to go, then I will. Until then I will continue to do my very best in a black and white shirt." Olivier Bernard on his contract situation (December 12 2004)

"The fans have their opinions and they have the right to express those opinions. They pay their money and they expect us to win games, and I can understand their frustration - it's up to us to do our jobs on the field." Jermaine Jenas on the booing from Newcastle fans (December 13 2004)

"I don't get everything from him - that's why he's not started. We've not had everything in training and I don't get everything on match days from him, it's as simple as that." Graeme Souness on dropping Laurent Robert (December 13 2004)

"Frankly, unless Real Madrid were to come in for me, I'm really not interested in moving from Rangers at all." Jean-Alain Boumsong on rumours linking him with Newcastle (December 14 2004)

"I am baffled by these reports because I have not spoken to anyone. I am as frustrated as anyone by our lack of success, but I want to stay and win things with Newcastle." Shay Given on speculation linking him with a January transfer away from Newcastle (December 14 2004)

"There is absolutely no chance of Shay Given leaving St James' Park and nobody has contacted us about him. He is not for sale and that is the end of the story." Freddy Shepherd insists Shay Given is going nowhere (December 14 2004)

"I am sure the Newcastle fans will understand that while I am under contract to them, Sporting is my team and I would like them to win. I am disappointed and frustrated that I cannot play. It will be a great game but it will be a difficult night for me." Hugo Viana is hoping for a Sporting Lisbon win ahead of their UEFA Cup match with Newcastle (December 15 2004)

"We can confirm that our chairman David Murray received a verbal offer from Graeme Souness and thereafter, a few days later, a further written offer both of which have been rejected." An official statement from Rangers confirming that Newcastle have offered £7.5m for defender Jean-Alain Boumsong (December 16 2004)

"I can confirm we have been in touch with Rangers and I can confirm he (Boumsong) is one of the players we would like. But he is contracted to Rangers and he is their player as we speak, so it would be wrong for me to go into any great depth and tell you any more than that." Graeme Souness confirms that Newcastle have made a bid for Rangers centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong (December 15 2004)

"That is life as well as football. We are all happy to have nice things said about us and people cheering us, but it is not always possible." Graeme Souness on hearing his side being booed off at St. James' Park after drawing 1-0 with Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup (December 17 2004)

"Previous managers at Newcastle United have done a fantastic job, giving the supporters some great times with some great players. But the fact is Newcastle haven't won anything for a long long time under any of those managers. Graeme has a pedigree of winning trophies and he has to be given the time to build his team." Alan Shearer pleads with Newcastle fans to show some patience with Graeme Souness (December 18 2004)

"We have received that letter, and I am not going to tell anyone what was in it. They are boys, it was their day off and I am not going to comment on it any further." Graeme Souness commenting on a letter of warning he received from the Ritz Hotel in London regarding the behaviour of some Newcastle players during a recent visit (December 20 2004)

"We will be having words with him about that because he's not helped the cause in any shape or form with that." Graeme Souness on Lee Bowyer's sending off in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield (December 21 2004)

"The squad is good enough and I expect silverware by the end of the season. There will not be a settling in period. I want results now!" Freddy Shepherd on Graeme Souness (December 21 2004)

"The manager has no confidence in me. He doesn't talk to me. There's nothing. He just doesn't like me. He says I am lazy in training and tells people I am no good. All the time I am just supposed to sit on the bench. It looks like I am not going to play for Newcastle any more. I feel I have proved myself during three years in the Premiership but the manager keeps putting me on the bench." Laurent Robert on his relationship with Graeme Souness (December 21 2004)

"Whoever represents Newcastle should be at a good standard or they should not be here in the first place. Whether you are in the team and looking to keep your place, or whether you are on the fringes and trying to break into the side, everyone has a point to prove." Craig Bellamy demands more effort from his team-mates to turn things around (December 22 2004)

"In an ideal world my performance at Newcastle would not be held up to serious judgement until the end of next season. But I realise this is probably not a club where you get that luxury. It's my neck that goes into the noose first when there's a bad spell, I know that." Graeme Souness on criticism from the fans and media (December 23 2004)

"I think I have a fantastic group and everybody is fully focused and determined to do well for this football club." Graeme Souness plays down reports that there is unrest in the United dressing room (December 23 2004)

"I spent four years at Blackburn and I think I did a very good job whilst I was there. I think I left the club in a far better condition than when I arrived and I'm convinced the squad I left behind was the best-equipped group that I had at the club." Graeme Souness ahead of his first return to Blackburn since leaving them to join Newcastle (December 23 2004)

"Laurent Robert had a hand in the goal - a great pass - and scored a goal. We know that he can do these things when we are bossing games. My beef with him is when we are not bossing games, when it's all hands to the pumps, as it was at the start of the second half. It is then when we don't always see eye to eye. But we cannot diminish the influence he had on this game. " Graeme Souness on Laurent Robert's performance in the 2-2 draw away to Blackburn (December 26 2004)

"I made one good pass to Kieron and I scored one goal and I am happy. I think this proved that I want to play for Newcastle and perhaps this is a new chance for me. I respect the manager and I hope he will give me my chance again in the future." Laurent Robert on his performance in the 2-2 draw away to Blackburn (December 26 2004)

"I'm sick and tired of the rubbish that gets thrown at us. Ever since I've come to this club there have been stories of dressing room cliques and revolts. I don't know where they come from or who starts them, but they've got to stop. It does make me angry when you're in that dressing room every day and see the team spirit we have. It's like a bad joke." Jermaine Jenas lashes out at the reports claiming there is unrest in the United dressing room (December 28 2004)

"Some of the criticism the manager has received has been harsh as this isn't his team, but the results haven't gone well so I suppose he expects it. The boss has been great, but this game is all about results and he has taken flak more than anyone as he is in charge. Shay Given defends Graeme Souness (December 28 2004)

"James Beattie is not a player that interests us." Graeme Souness on press speculation linking Newcastle with James Beattie (December 29 2004)