Just finished reading "Barca - a people's passion". It's a sensational book (particularly in its treatment of the Franco regime). YBR does get discussed and the conclusion is that he wasn't liked because he was seen as pro-Nunez and also didn't understand that the fans didn't consider that he understood Catalonia and why they needed to win with style: he merely provided results. They weren't happy that he bought Ronaldo either. There is no discussion of the fact that he took over from Cruyff and was never on a winner - he was tring to replace "el salvador" (not unlike Dlaglish trying to take over from the Messiah). What is most interesting is that the book suggests that Robson's claims to have been disturbed by the politisisation of the club is a bit disingenuous as he had been a collaborator of the Nunez regime ever since recommending El Tel as manager and acting as an unofficial scout for Barca for many years. Jesus, the machinations on our board must seem like a tea party for Bobby after all that! The book does quote a Barcelona newspaper finding Sir John Hall's approach to Robson "risible". "The football world has gone mad if Newcastle seriously think they can lure a coach away from FC Barcelona. Newcastle may be a big club in English terms, but you can't possibly compare their international prestige or potential to Barcelona". They talk about what a fan of Newcastle Bobby was but say taht he had watched "players they've (Barcelona) never heard of like Jackie Milburn, Albert Stubbins and Alf McMichael". Cheeky buggers.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2000