The Colombian national coach has revealed that Tino is close to signing for an English Premiership club. Age 30, retired from International football........ooohhhh!!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Answers

Oh my God!!! Please!! Just wet mesel'!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I think Tino left just as I was getting involved with the BBS. I thought he was great. What was the general opinion on here? I heard him interviewed once, beautiful softly spoken Spanish. Loved his moments of brilliance, but I always felt he was struggling problems, other than football. Always worried that he might come to a bit of a sticky end playing for the National side. Would you have him back? (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Any ideas who's after him? It all sound sounds very vague. I couldn't bear to see Tino in another shirt.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I assume that De Builder and Geordie are enthusiastic!! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

It's probably 'Boro. He has all the attributes they got for i.e. ex Toon and South American and (probably) cheap.

I'd love to get him back, but I wonder what Shearer would think about it.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Pilgrim - was there a problem between him and Shearer? I have to confess, I got butterflies when I saw the heading of this thread! I`d like him back - I have a bit of a soft spot for him! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Gal,

I don't think there was ever a problem, but Shearer said on more than one occasion that no one knew what he was going to do next - including Asprilla.

I loved him. I was sitting near the corner flag he ripped out and waved with his shirt on it - one of my most treasured memories!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

.....and it is also reported that he has decided (or it has been decided for him) to retire from International Football, so IF he came back, we wouldn't lose him for days/weeks on end for meaningless matches in South America like we did before and like we do with Nobby.

Sparrowhawk is a different case as it is apparently written in his contract that WE can decide whether or not to release him for certain 'smaller' and 'friendly' matches.

Given that Boro are also reported to be looking at Lee Clark and Steve Watson.....it could be that they are trying to recreate the Keegan team down at the Riverside......what price Sir Les and further would Daveeeeeeeeed be able to put up with two headed monsters.......mind you, he has been able to put up with Armstrong and Anderton, so the answer to that must be yes!

It would be great though wouldn't it........echoing round SJP once again..................TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I know some people love the `off` season, and all the wheelin` and dealin` that goes on, but I hate it. You seem to spend the whole of the summer getting excited about transfer rumours that don`t come off! Now I`ve gone and got all excited at the prospect of Tino coming back - oh well, fingers crossed! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Having read the report further on Optasoccer it iterates that the club is not definitely a Premiership club....Fulham? I can't see Tino going for a Div 1 side. I reckon he'd come back here like a shot but would Robson like him?

All fantasy stuff but that is what the close season is about love it or loathe it.....what else would we do apart from sitting in beer gardens supping strong lager!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Now, before we all go orgasmic about the possibiilty of Tino returning [if only for one game olaying for somebody else :-( ], does anybody have any idea how his form has been recently? I thought I'd heard (from a taxi driver no doubt) that he was pants.

Galaxy - this is maybe your week (or not). Two personal sightings of Daveeed and a possible return of Rubber Legs. If I were you, I'd have a stiff one before embarking on the ironing today pet!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Against the flow here (not unusual!), but I definitely wouldn't have him back.
Exceptional talent, but to my recollection had far more awful games than good ones - even though he created some magical moments, most notably his wonderful hat-trick against Barcelona that will forever etch him into Toon folklore.
We need a team of eleven fully committed AND talented players to be successful, not 10 committed and the other playing as and when he feels like it.
Injury prone too, and we've got enough of those already.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

. If I were you, I'd have a stiff one before embarking on the ironing today pet!

I think meebes thats what she was hoping for Screach ; -)

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Screacher! Young man! Would you like to re-phrase that last sentence! Meanwhile, I`m off for a cold shower!!! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I'd have been happier if he'd looked like he was enjoying his football occasionally. Did the bugger ever smile?

For some reason I also thought 'Boro' when I heard this, tho remember Leeds nearly signed him before we did..mebbes they'd like a bit of experience up front? Or Chelsea? They like collecting ageing dilletantes. Villa? Merson might be looking for a new dealer...

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

It's usualy me that brings these threads down to base level, but it was String this time..........you trying to nick my BBS 'Gutter Reply of the Year' nomination in Galax's awards or what!

Talking about awards, don't forget to vote in the dailytoon.co.uk favourite player poll.......ends on Thursday so get them there votes in people!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Optasoccer said it wasn't necessarily a Premiership club he was coming back to. The club must be Julies, he always put in 100% there, and never let an injury hold him back. The bogs have never been the same since...

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

The missing link

Whilst Shearer, and others may have said that noone knew what he was going to do next he would still be a fantastic asset, he would certainly be able to unlock defences that we've had a problem all too often with this season. BTW did anyone actually see Wadsworth in Argentina??? South America?? Toon looking at a player??? Bassedas ????maybe, just maybe wadsworth was in Brazil talkink to Tino. Oh God I hope so. I now have to go and finish that bottle of wine I opened before I started cleaning.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I could forgive Tino anything. Just my opinion, but I thought he had more natural talent than even Ginola or Beardsley. The man walked on the pitch and I smiled and felt wonderful. No-one else could have scored that goal against Liverpool in THAT game.

I never understood the comments made by Shearer when he was on the way out back to Parma. Some stuff about him going too far this time, but no-one seemed to know what he'd done.

I know this is ridiculous paper talk, but it's got me hoping. I only hope that if he does come to England it's not to any other club.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Hypothetical question

Suppose he signed for the inbreds. Just how much of a reception would he get when he came back and how would everyone feel about him
  Sorry If I've put everyone off their lunch :-))))

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I seem to remember the rumour at the time being centred around the fact he was training on his own. Allegedly he caught a dose of something highly contagious and was isolated for a couple of weeks while the penicillin kicked in.....

I'd have the lad back like a shot; an interview with him in MOTD maga a while ago was particularly revealing both about him as a person and as a player; he said that he'd never enjoyed playing football as much as he did for KK at Newcastle. He also said he'd never played for such an understanding, committed, passionate bunch of fans, and that his great memories of football would be of his Newcastle days.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Hey, I only suggested Boro. There's nothing in the paper about it. I'd have thought Fulham was a good bet. :o))

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

More grist to the mill - plus an assurance from Nobby. Taken from the Orificial S*ite.

MY FUTURE IS ON TYNESIDE Nolberto Solano has taken a big step towards calming the nerves of Newcastle United supporters who feel the diminutive South American is on his way out of the club this summer.

There has been constant talk in Spain and in Solano's native Peru regarding a move to Real Madrid, talk which was today dismissed by the player himself.

" I think we have to forget this season, it has not been very bad, but it has not been good either, but we must look forward to next season, then I think we have more chance of playing in the UEFA cup, or even winning the league," says Solano openly, talking of the future as though there were no question that he would not be involved.

" All the time there is talk of Real Madrid, but only in Spain and my country, no - one from Real Madrid has been in touch with Newcastle United.

" I am a Newcastle player and I am happy here, very happy here and it would not be my decision to leave. Maybe if it is good money for the club, they get good money for me, I can go, but that is not my decision. "

Solano says, if anything, he would like to see more South Americans play in this country, especially with Newcastle, rather than him leave to play elsewhere.

" I think Bobby Robson likes South Americans, when he was with Barcelona he signed, Ronaldo, Romario and Rivaldo, so maybe he will bring more here, that is a decision for the club, but I would be happy because I like to speak Spanish! "

Hmmmmmmmmm.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

B*ll*x. Switch off the bold but forgot the italics. Sorry!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Just thought I'd turn off the italics.

I agree, he's the best player I've seen, just a bit too inconsistent. Sometimes the ball looked like it was glued to his boot, other times, well let's remember the other times. Like Barcelona, just in case any of you forgot....

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

You got their first Screacher

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

My idea of footballing heaven.

Touch and go whether Gazza was better but him apart the best I've ever seen.

Just as Shearer struggled when on his own up front Tino was crucified by having no one within 50 yards of them when the defence hoofed the ball up to him.

My shirt bears witness .... Tino 11

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I've heard that the Makems will sign him. We won't sign him as we would have too many oversees players. I think we are resticed to playing up to 3 in each game and the work permit thing makes it too risky to have more than 3. I believe that Bassedas and Gavilan will be OK as they have Italian/ Spanish dual passports but what of Gudjohnsson and Rebrov? If we get them we'll have too many overseas players. As for how we react seeing Tino in those awfull red stripes. I'll not Boo but won't aplaud him. He was great 3 years ago, but is past his best now.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Rik,

Stop winding everybody up!

By the way did you ever let your shirt go in that dodgy comp you were running?

I didn't bother to enter when you didn't fix the wrong question. I assume it was left in to give you a get-out clause! Definitely Mort material (see Dwarf thread) :-}}

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

"Oh we're off to sunny, sunny Spain, with Tino Asprillaaaaaaa...".

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Tino WILL either go to Blackburn or the Makems, Or he wont sign for an English club. I heard it from the horses mouth, The Cullercoats Betting Syndicate As for my shirt pilgrim no one has scored more that 8/10 so the fact that a date is incorrect wont be used as an escape clause. The comp ends on Sunday

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Tino's talent was awesome and he was a player I just loved to watch. Indeed, it is thinking on this point that makes me realise just why I hated TSM so much. TSM played him as a lone target man up front (with no midfielders and nine defenders) so that he could take some stick from the licensed thugs known as central defenders in the premier league. It's no wonder he got a few injuries and that immense talent was wasted.

Is it best to live with the memories of Tino's talent or should we risk the legend being tarnished in the twilight of his career?

Tough question. The same could have been asked when Pedro returned ....

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I was thinking of the Beardo return myself, as an example of a sucessful second spell, as it doesn't happen very often. But for Beardsley there was the returning home element as an incentive - and of course his never say die attitude and intense desire to win something with/for his home town club. I really can't see Tino being sucessful a second time around. He may want to relive what hopefully for him was a highlight in his career (he has never really performed up to expectations both before he joined us and afterwards), just as Juninho is trying to do with Boro, but you can't turn the clock back. I'd prefer to remember him as he was - although if the price and wages are low enough there's no harm in giving him a chance.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Agree that it wouldn't be best for him to come back. He's best viewed through the lens of memories like Barca etc. Besides which, if we are going to get another forward, we want someone young and not injury prone.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Jonno - that put a tear in my eyes and a lump in my throat. He is a legend.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

>>>>>>>.....that put a tear in my eyes and a lump in my throat.

Hell Dougal - sorry you're not feeling too well.

>>>>>>>He is a legend.

I know Jonno's a nice lad an' aal that but I wouldn't go as far as caalin' him a legend. Surely he's not that old?

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

He obviously still leaves people in either the love or hate category. In most things on this BBS I tend to agree with Clarky, but can't this time. I thought that he was absolute magic, and would be devastated to see him in shirt that wasn't black & white. When I think of him, I smile. Thats' me sitting on the fence.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

I'm with you TGJ - Chris Rea has some words in one of his songs - 'Less a way of Walking more a total flow' that's Tino to me.

Instant smile when he was on the pitch. Somebody with his limbs shouldn't have the skill he has (mind you Kanu is 1/2 way there).

I always say you shouldn't go back but we'd get Tino for nowt I'd imagine and probably for Marics wages. So he only plays 25% of the games - its entertainment isn't it.

If YBR can turn him round like he's done the team - go for it Bobby.

Sadly I reckon its a rumour.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

One thing I forgot - there was an article in one of the glossy footie mags just after Tino left us - beautifull story.

He was in an hotel foyer in South America after a match. While talking to some nuns he found out that they needed cash for some kind of medical equipment (can't remember details) - out comes his cheque book - #25000 given to Nuns. I think that was the amount I know it was pretty serious dosh.

The man is a star.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

Hey Josh. I didn't realise he was that dedicated to the B&W uniform!

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2000

From the "Fiver" 9 Yay

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS FAUSTINO ASPRILLA?

Colombia's Radionet radio has never heard anything like it. Carlos Valderrama and his crazy, crazy breakfast crew were chatting to the hilarious Senor Sniff-Sniff this morning, when who should appear on the phone but Luis Garcia - coach of the Colombian national team! Luis was in a chatty mood and before long conversation turned, as it often does, to Faustino Asprilla's career plans. "He is close to being transferred again to an English club," Luis said. "I believe this team is very interested in him." As you can imagine, the phone lines went a bit crazy after that.

Luis may not have actually spoken to Valderrama (his breakfast show finishes at 8am), but he's dead serious about former Newcastle star Tino. So the Fiver performed a quick survey of Premiership clubs to see if we could unearth the mystery buyer. The results were not overwhelmingly positive: five "we don't know"s, more than a few "we don't comment on transfer speculation"s, and one "if there's anything to say we give a press release to the Press Association" (thank you Chelsea's of Chelsea). At least Bradford told the Fiver they were "damn certain it's not us".

In fact, if Tino is to go anywhere, a return to the North-east seems the most likely option. Newcastle wisely decided not to pick up the phone when we rang. Middlesbrough seemed a trifle uncertain, their spokesman suggesting, "I've never heard Bryan Robson say he's a target." (But what about the secret targets he keeps to himself?) And then there's Newcastle's deadliest rivals Sunderland. "We haven't been given any information on that," the Fiver was told. So you're not interested in taking him on then? "That isn't what I said." Oh really.

Are you a Mackem? Has Tino been standing in front of you in the queue at Do It All? Has a mysterious person with a Spanish accent tried to buy your home? Let the Fiver know at the.boss@guardian.co.uk and we'll share it with the world.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

I thought Tino was ineffectual in most games. Turned it on in Europe, but not in the League. Pretty non-plussed about this, though I assume he would be extremely cheap at the moment as he has done bugger all since he left us...

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Have we all forgotten the terrible effect he had on the side in THAT season with KK , not for me thank you at whatever price .

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Bollocks Sting. Easy to blame one player isn't it? I've had this argument too many times.

TINO DID NOT LOSE US THE TITLE

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Sting writes :- >>>>Have we all forgotten the terrible effect he had on the side in THAT season with KK , not for me thank you at whatever price .

To blame Tino for the demise is incorrect in my view. United lost a 12 point lead because we had several extremely difficult away ties while Heath had a comparatively easy program (which they scraped through 1-0 in almost every case).

Our play was starting to look a shade pedestrian I thought, during the 1-0 away to Coventry which was prior to Tino's arrival. It was after that Coventry game that I had a nervous look at the fixture list and concluded that we would finish 5 points behind Heath. In the event it was 4. Tino was not to blame.

I agree that I think Tino should not return (not unless we have some very clear info on his fitness and current form). I merely made the Pedro comparison to stimulate thought and debate. I'd hate to see him playing against us and would hate to hear him booed by United fans.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Nice to see evryone's alive for a debate , thank you ! : - ) Personally speaking i follow your points with note / your own excuses , but firmly believe that Tino was a desperation buy by Kev to make sure we secured the title . In retrospect it was a foolish thing to do bringing a singular player into a side that was competing well as a TEAM . Tino is a fantastic individual as we all know and his ball skills fantastic .. like Ginola his flashes of brilliance can ignite a game . HOWEVER There were too many times where his vision and pace were poor , not just in THAT season but the following one aslo . If Al makes the comment he wa on a different planet i have to concur with him . Too many times chances were wasted . I think we are looking through rose coloured spectacles , and believe he should be a memory . Ok i admit being a tad rash in accusing Mr Asprilla of losing us the title , but certainly his influence added to the pressure and the loss of shape and nerves , you could hardly rely upon him . Still a no - no im afraid , and i do remeber all the good stuff , just trying to be realistic .

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Sting,

You sounded almost literate there...did you get someone else to write that for you?

Anyway.....I agree with you for what it's worth....loved him to bits but he frustrated as much as he dazzled and I for one was over the moon that we actually managed to sell him on for what we'd paid for him....

I'd rather have him as a memory than a fallen idol....

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Thanks Gav , however the usual lack of : - )) there makes me think you were being serious there you cheeky get . Ill keep me opinion to meself in future shall i ? ; - 0

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000

Oi tosser you know i'm kidding :))

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2000