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The 20 Questions

1.
Favourite Player of all time?
Liam Brady of Arsenal
 
2.
Best Player Played Against?
Ryan Giggs
 
3.
Best Player in Your Position?
Viv Anderson was the right back I admired most when growing up, latterly it's probably Cafu of Brazil although Stephen Carr of Tottenham is also an excellent player.
 
4.
Best Captain?
Peter Beardsley - for leading by example, he did his talking with his feet. When it comes to leadership on the pitch, then Tony Adams takes some beating.
 
5.
Best Mate in the Game?
I'm close to quite a number of players; Les Ferdinand, Stuart Pearce, Rob Lee etc. But if I had to single out just one, it'll be Robbie Earle. We go back to my days at Wimbledon and although we haven't played together for years, we always keep in touch and I'm sure we'll continue to do so.
 
6.
Best Atmosphere Experienced?
The Newcastle v Barcelona game Champions league game at St.James (17th September 1997). A hat-trick from Tino Asprilla really had the fans going and the noise was incredible.
 
7.
Best Manager played under?
All round, it has to be Sir Bobby. Not only is he a great man-manager, but his coaching methods and tactical knowledge are fantastic. Ruud Gullit was also an excellent coach, although he wasn't as strong as Bobby in other areas. Again, the man-management skills of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish were exceptional, whilst Ray Harford is a coach I respect highly.
 
8.
Favourite Ground?
As an Arsenal fan I've always been fond of Highbury, but for atmosphere it has to be St. James Park
 
9.
Biggest inspiration?
My own desire to be successful. After being told by a few people that I was too small to make the grade, I was determined to prove them wrong.
 
10.
Team I love to hate?
As an ex-Newcastle player, it's got top be Sunderland. The rivalry up there is mad. I went back to the Stadium of Light for Derby's last game of the 2001/02 season, and it's fair to say that both me and Rob Lee got a fair amount of stick!
 
11.
Best transfer at any of your clubs?
David Batty made a big impact for Newcastle, as did Les Ferdinand. David Ginola was a relative unknown when he signed for £2.5million, but I remember he played in a pre-season game at Hearts and was phenomenal. We just couldn't believe some of the things he did. We were tagged 'The Entertainers' by Sky TV, and if you had to put this down to any individual, it would have to be David. Overall though, I'd go for Alan Shearer and he lifted the whole club when he signed. The players were unaware of the negotiations and the first I heard of it was Les pulling me to one side, he said "You're not going to believe this, but we've signed Alan Shearer, they've just asked me to switch squad numbers so he can wear the No.9 shirt". Les was supposed to keep it quiet, but with such I signing he had to tell someone! Incidentally the media made out that Les wasn't happy with the number change, this simply wasn't true as he fully understood the significance of the number to Geordies and of course, Alan himself.
 
12.
Best Goal Scored
The one goal that I'll always remember was way back in 1991. I took a free kick against Liverpool in a game at Anfield. Bruce Grobbelaar was in goal and I curled it around the wall and into the net - what a great feeling!
 
13.
Best piece of advice heard and by whom?
Ray Harford…"No matter how tired you are, look at the opposition, they'll be feeling it as well"
 
14.
Worst Match and Why?
I was playing for Newcastle in a Youth game against Sheffield Wednesday, we went 2-0 down after ten minutes and John Carver subbed me. I didn't feel I was any worse than the other lads, but it was me who came off. Not a good feeling!
 
15.
Funniest Football Incident?
This was when Peter Beardsley took a corner for Newcastle and he missed the ball and kicked the corner flag???
 
16.
Do you have any match day superstitions?
I never put my shirt on until I'm just about to leave the changing room.
 
17.
Favourite Foreign Club
Juventus, I remember them with Michel Platini playing some fantastic football.
 
18.
You're single, and you've a date with Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Aniston, or Cameron Diaz?
In was in the States with my wife and in a hotel gym on the running machine when Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston walked in. I was about to finish the run but she was working out on a machine just in front of me, lets just say it was a longer run than normal!
 
19.
What was your ambition in football when you signed your first professional contract?
Just to play! I actually took a pay cut at Maidstone to turn pro so that tells you how much it meant to me. I've played for country and at Wembley in the F.A. Cup final so it's fair to say I'm happy with how things worked out.
 
20. You've won the league, you'll celebrating, you'll have a a)Pint b) Mineral water c) A short d) Champagne
Well John Gregory has imposed a no alcohol rule at the club, but I'm sure we'll crack open a bottle of Champagne if we got promotion!