Bramble: "I Want To Stay At Newcastle"

Last updated : 01 December 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor
Bramble is out of contract at the end of the season, and already several clubs have been sniffing about looking for a bargain basement signing.

Manchester City's Stuart Pearce checked him out last Thursday, and Ipswich are ready to offer him a future.
Bramble: "I want to stay at Newcastle United. I love the club and I am settled in the North-East. Leaving Newcastle would be a massive wrench. There are not many better clubs to play your football at in Europe than Newcastle United.
"I've grown up at this club, both as a footballer and a person and I'm not thinking about leaving.
"I've not heard anything about a new contract yet and, to be honest, that isn't up to me. I've spoken to the manager and he's told me to go out there, play my football and prove to everyone that I deserve one.
"That's all I can do. The rest is out of my hands, but I'm determined to show that I should stay a Newcastle player.
"Hopefully something will be sorted out soon, but as I've said, all I can do is play well and see what happens.
"You have to be strong to be a Newcastle defender, mentally it's tough because you probably get more criticism than at other clubs. Yes I've made mistakes, but I've always put my hand up and accepted the blame.
"I've always been mentally strong, even when I was a kid. I've got my family to thank for that. I've been low at times because sometimes the criticism has gone too far in my opinion.
"But I've got family, friends and team-mates who lift me up again. I've never buckled under the pressure and I never will.
"If I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't be so keen to stay."