The Mirror:

"FOOTBALL: ROBSON'S POUNDS 6M BELL

BOBBY ROBSON is making a pounds 6million bid to bring Norwich City's Welsh star Craig Bellamy to Newcastle United.

The veteran boss has set up a surprise move for the gifted Bellamy, who has just recovered from a bad knee injury."

6m? - Cost me 10m to bring him to Newcastle on CM.

Bellamy can play anywhere in attack and also wide on the left, a problem position for Robson.

Robson has money to spend and could throw fringe players like Des Hamilton and Gary Brady into the deal. Both were on loan at Norwich during last season.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Answers

Bellamy? Wewll goodness gwacious me!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

First time any of us have heard that Robson has money to spend.

That said the lad had a good little piece on him in FOURFOUTWO quite a while back.

Season before last he had a good 'un, but as article said he suffered from a very bad knee injury last season.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

A hairy deal if ever I heard of one.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

I used to live in his old house in Durham. We got a letter addressed to a Dr Bellamy. Sorry this should be on the other thread.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

If he turns out to be as good an investment as Dyer, he'll be okay. He was getting rave reviews before his injury and if Bobby could nurture him as a left winger we may just be onto a winner.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Of all the transfer rumours this is the one that I think is right.

Brought to you by the club which has Helder, Ferguson, Howey, Griffin, Marcellino, Glass. We HAVE to buy all the other teams crocks, don't we?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Sure, this is Crocks Utd - come right on in.
I recall seeing Bellamy on TV as couple of times. My recollection is that he's out of the "heedless chicken" mould.

Gudjohnsen, Joa Pinto, Enrique, Guardiola, Bellamy ...... in the immortal words of the Bard "f**k me!"

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Gus, you neglected to mention in your long-term crocks list Goma, Pistone and Charvet (remember him?). I'm gonna write to YBR requesting he immediately sign Darren 'Me mam says I'm poorly' Anderton and Lesley 'What, play football and miss out on all them luvverly lasses?' Ferdinand. We should only have to pay them approx. half a mill a year combined, then we can truly claim to have the best ever team sat in the sick-bay. Say we are top of the league ......

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

I left them off on purpose Loony, All the others will be staying with us I think

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Gus

Can't disagree with the likelihood of what you suggest - though see my own preferences on the 'Toon Squad' thread.

PS. congrats on the w/end win. Zetland were beaten (again). I hope Bobby Robson's scouts weren't watching the defender I've been touting on here, as he ended up having a very ordinary game (due mainly to groin strain and no subs available).

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

I don't disagree with you, however I am not as unhappy about it as you.

With the influx of South Americans on short term deals I think YBR has a cunning plan. I think it goes like this. Last year we ended up OK. I know who I want in and out. I will use that nucleus to sort out the cheaper buys to replace the older players over the next 2 years. If some of them turn out to be Perezes, I'll get rid of them. If they work out we have a team at the beginning of next season who have been playing together for a year.

Between now and next season I will have made the cake, so I will look for the icing. In comes the missing player and the upheavals are not great and we are in Europe at least.

It is not a cunning plan as cunning as other cunning plans, but it works when you do not have buckets o'cash to spend Willy Nilli (I think he is a Dutch friend of YBR)

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

And I thought I was just being realistic, not unhappy :o}

BTW - I think Willi Nilli was from the Arctic, not Holland. He has a cousin called Chilli Willi, who wears a Dutch cap on his head to fend off the cold. But I shouldn't worry about it if I were you. Easy mistake to make.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

PPS. Chilli Willi is a penguin. I'm not sure if YBR actually fraternises with penguins, though I stand to be corrected if anyone knows otherwise.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

I think Bellamy is a left footed version of Kieron Dyer - in other words; smallish, lighweight and nippy - only with a better sense for goal.

Found the 442 article about him. He's a cocky little so&so. He scored against Italy on his debut for Wales.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

Reports suggest Newcastle United are preparing a six million pound bid for City's Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy.

Toon boss Bobby Robson is set to make the surprise move after receiving rave reviews of the talented striker from new chief scout Charlie Woods. Woods has joined Newcastle from Tottenham and it is believed he was behind the London club's efforts to sign Bellamy last season.

Robson is thought to be attracted by the versitility of the Welshman, who can play up front or wide on the left, a problem area for United. Robson has money to spend on players and could throw Des Hamilton and Gary Brady, who were both on-loan at Carrow Road last season into the bargain.

Bellamy, who has competed his recovery from a serious knee injury is keen to move up to the Premiership after his career stalled last season because of that injury. The Canaries will want to hang on to Bellamy, who forms a useful partnership with Welsh colleague Iwan Roberts, but if a substantial bid is forthcoming, they may be unable to resist the Magpies interest.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000