But then again Stuart, articulate and thoughtful, has always shown a deeper appreciation of the profession he is in. That depth was given greater intensity by a year lost to a rupture of the cruciate ligament in his left knee at the start of last season - just two games after he was given the captain's armband. At this moment in time we are probably sitting on top of our realistic league."Reality has always bitten at Charlton, a club which, laudably, tells its players and staff exactly what state it is in - both on and off the field. And so Stuart and his team-mates know exactly why it is imperative that plans to increase the capacity of The Valley by 15,000 to 40,000 go ahead."The board has been very clever over the last few years, they haven't spent beyond their means but are open to the reality that if you want to progress you need to get more bums on seats A lot of clubs have chased the dream to their cost. The three teams above them are simply now operating on a different level. "An awful lot of people, many Premiership managers, would look at it like that," Stuart says. "We haven't got the financial clout to be competing with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal There are not many people who can.

Fourth place in the Premiership represents the summit, according to their influential midfielder Graham Stuart. His first start was in the derby at the Stadium of Light as Nikos Dabizas headed his side to victory over Sunderland in February, 2002.Jenas, last season's Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year, has made 71 appearances for the Magpies, a major achievement at a club who have Gary Speed, Kieron Dyer, Laurent Robert, Lee Bowyer, Nolberto Solano and Hugo Viana on their books.. Charlton Athletic are top of the league. "I'm delighted he's agreed this new deal, which is due reward for the impact he has already made at the club."Jenas, who already has four full England caps to his name, arrived at St James' with a huge pedigree, but few can have expected him to make the impact he has so soon. "Jermaine and the other top players we have at the club will have a major influence on our future," Robson said. "This is a fantastic club and a marvellous place to play your football. I hope over the next five years, we can build on our success over the last two seasons and I am looking forward to being involved with a strong and successful team.

Also, I would like to thank the fans, who have given me fantastic support since I joined the club."Robson and his chairman, Freddy Shepherd, persuaded struggling Forest to part with their prize asset in February last year, and they are equally delighted to have tied up his immediate future. Jermaine Jenas, the Newcastle United midfielder, has signed a new five-year contract which will keep him at St James' Park until 2008. Last month's Carling Cup victory over Leeds might be remembered for Alan Smith's throwing of a plastic bottle into his own crowd. But the most significant event was the way the 17-year-old from Hertfordshire tormented a Leeds defence anchored around a World Cup winner, albeit one entirely lacking in motivation.But, as Eagles left Roque Junior twisting in his wake, you thought of Ferguson's line about the teenage Giggs, whom he once likened to "a spaniel chasing a piece of wind-blown paper", and wondered if the Scot really wanted anyone else to control careers like these.. David Beckham made his first-team debut in the Champions' League, against Galatasaray. Darren Fletcher, defenders Mark Lynch and Danny Pugh, and the England Under-16 captain, Kieron Richardson, have already used the Champions' League as a finishing school.Chris Eagles might expect to play on Wednesday at Panathinaikos and will certainly be involved against Stuttgart next month. McClair's charges steamrollered to victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Youth Cup this year while Ferguson's central summer investments have been in raw, high-grade talent in the gossamer shapes of Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bellion, whose departure incensed Sunderland.Ferguson always takes the same route, blooding teenagers as substitutes in European games whose outcome has been decided or which are irrelevant.

Sir Matt Busby built three teams in the 25 years he ran Manchester United and Ferguson, ever competitive, would not mind a crack at creating a fourth. They were supposed to be the best young footballers around.Houllier's belief that Liverpool may overtake United in three years' time is not unconnected with the fact that by then Keane will have retired while the boys who won the 1992 FA Youth Cup will be well into the veteran stage or gone.This theory may have to change. Time will be the proof of their ability but from a point of view of potential it's as good as we've ever had. Legal proceedings will have no affect on that."Until the appointment of Brian McClair to run the Under-19 team, Ferguson was said to be concerned with the amount of young quality players at United.