SO what do I know about Thomas Tate ? He is 36-years-old and has more than a respectable record.

I think he feels hard done by the Steve Ottke fight in his last contest and the decision of the head-butt disqualification appears highly contentious.

It all adds to the rumours about American boxers never getting a square deal when fighting in Germany. Charles Brewer had a similar complaint. Anyone who can compete twice with Ottke has to be given respect and I expect a hard night - but not too hard!

I could stick around waiting for Hopkins and Roy Jones forever but I need to keep working. I pleaded with Frank Warren to get me a fight before Christmas rather than in January. I don't want to be on a diet and in training when I should be relaxing with my family.

I would like to treat Tho-mas Tate as another essential stepping stone to getting the big fight and I have to respect that Tate feels that he will get a fairer contest in Newcastle than Germany.

Just so long as he comes with an attitude to box me rather than the Jimenez attitude - that staying on his feet was a moral win (for him)! I always want an opportunity to show what Calzaghe is about and issue a wake-up call to Hopkins and Jones of this world.

I'm getting tired of saying this, but once again, whether Hopkins fights for six million dollars, three million or one million is for his own negotiators, advisors and his conscience.

But, when he quotes Frank Warren the highest figure and then takes the lowest for his next fight rather than fighting me, that smacks of a guy who is running scared and more interested in self- presevation.

Another Welsh Dragon caught the spotlight this week and that's Gary Speed. He seems to have been around for ages. Someone told me that he holds the record for the highest scoring midfielder in the Premier League.

It was nice that, on a high-profile night in the Champions League against Dynamo Kiev, he was the glue of the Newcastle performance along with Alan Shearer. Watching his display on a day when most of the Newcastle players, especially in the first-half, couldn't have trapped anything, made you appreciate his qualities even more.

A player who can rotate between attacking midfielder, holding centre midfield and can also play left wing-back for his country, all with impeccable performances and regular goals guaranteed, shows why he has rarely missed a game for any club he has represented.

He does the simple thi-ngs so well and the hard things when he needs to, like getting his head on things when boots are flying as his goal on Tuesday epitomised.

He was the catalyst that allowed the youngsters like Jenas and Ameobi the freedom to express themselves and yet make the occasional mistake knowing that he would co-ver for them.

That pulled Newcastle through on the night. Everyone would love to be the big star but Gary has made a career out of being Mr Reliable in a fickle world. He will only be truly appreciated when he is no longer there.

Craig Bellamy's injury would normally be a mortal blow for Wales. Yet such is the optimism, will and belief within the squad that there are two ready made replacements in Robert Earnshaw and Nathan Blake.

I've already mentioned this a few weeks ago, but I would opt for Blake, and have Earnie for the late dash for goals. Nathan has made a entire career about being a frustrating so-and-so who never lived up to his true potential.