Newcastle

NEWCASTLE HAVE denied reports of a #7m bid for Wimbledon's Carl Cort - 'Cort's not one of the players we're looking at,' said a spokesman. Bobby Robson is close, though, to landing Portuguese stars Joao Pinto and Fernando Meira on free transfers - and a deal to bring Villa's Steve Watson back to St James' for a cut-price #1m is imminent. The moves will be financed by the sale of Didier Domi (below). 'I am still a Newcastle player,' says Domi, 'but my preference is to join one of three French clubs, including PSG . If somebody puts money on the table, I know Bobby Robson will say yes.'

Thoughts on all or some.....

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

Answers

I wouldn't mind seeing Watto back. Not the most skillful player but he has heart, and YBR will be able to bring out the best in him. As for Pinto and Meira, don't know too much about them. Domi leaving is a given, wish he would take Maric with him though.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

I think I would take Watson back - though it doesn`t always work so well, bringing someone back into a club. I was a fan of the Pinto bros., assuming they are brothers, it will be interesting to see how they play in this tournement. However, I won`t be holding my breath on any transfers, I want to see them on the pitch in Black and White before I believe they have joined the club! (:o)

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

The Sunday Sun reckon Kiko is now staying at Athletico, courtesy of an extended contract, so we can forget him.
They also reckon The Toon and the Smoggies are both chasing Anderlecht star left winger Bart Goor at ca. #4mm. I thought he looked tasty in last night's game - fast, tricky and knows where the goal is. He actually looked rather remininscent of Stephen Glass, but stronger.
They reckon Mr. Heed is still chasing Lorenzo Amaruso from Rangers despite him disdaining to even regard the makems as worthy of consideration - he reckons "players these days say one thing and change there minds a few days later". Quite true actually. However, Bayern Munich fancy Amaruso and can offer him CL competition.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

Forgot to mention - I'd definitely take Watto back for #1mm.
Despite a surprising amount of criticism and lack of enthusiasm for his return on here, I thought he was a talented player and totally committed to the cause. IMO, he suffered from being rather too versatile (ie. messed around), and if he came back I'd liike to see BR and the coaching staff concentrate on developing him as a CB who could play the ball constructively out of defence.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

I've said it before but I'll say it again. I wouldn't want Watto back as a RB - we've got enough cover there and his distribution was terrible.

Interesting thought tho Clarky to play him at CB. Did he have many games there when he was with us? No doubt he would give 110% for Toon, but at what additional cost to the weekly wage bill?

If you're going to bring in a mature player, he's likely to be on a decent wedge so would want him to play in the majority of matches. Not sure Watto would. I'm yet to be convinced it's a good idea. Probably will be 2 weeks into the season when he's played a couple of blinders for us! How old is he?

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

I believe he's 26 Screach. I remember KK once saying he thought Steve would eventually settle down as a creative CB, and that has always stuck in my mind.
Implicit in my suggestion that we take him back, is that we clear out most of the dross to make the wage bill more manageable - a situation where a committed and versatile squad player like Stevie could become invaluable.
I doubt he's on a massive salary at Villa and nothing like what players like Charvet, Marcelino, Goma and Maric will be earning for sitting on their @rses most of the time.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

I felt some of the best performances from Watson were at centre half and I always saw that as his best position. It gave him the opportunity to be good in the air, and he is very strong. A million is a bargain really.

At right back we have Griffin and Barton, and left back Pistone and Hughes, although Hughes is probably better at centre half as well.

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

Forget CB, he'll be invaluable as an emergency striker! Any time the Scousers hove into view, send Watto up front: that'll get them kacking :-)

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000