Newcastle make bid for Thierry Henry. After approaches by an as yet un named businessman with links to .com finance and an Australian Civil Servant, Bobby Robson has made a bid for the French and Arsenal striker.

Robson was quoted as saying " he will be an important part of the line up and I expect there will be a lot of predictions of Newcastle 2 - 1 Henry the first scorer"

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

Answers

Didier Domi could be the next player to leave. Apparently Valencia have increased their bid for him to #5mm, and The Toon may now cash in.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

New boss Smith impressed by Pistone
Miles

EVERTON boss Walter Smith believes former Newcastle United star (star??? since when?) Alessandro Pistone will be a big hit at Goodison Park.

The Italian left-back has joined the Merseyside club in a #3 million deal after three years at St James's Park.

Former boss Kenny Dalglish had signed Pistone from Internazionale for #4.3 million in July, 1997.

After a promising start his United career went downhill under Ruud Gullit (surely "downghill as soon as he stepped off the plance?) before Bobby Robson restored him to the first team.

Now Smith, who is also close to signing former Newcastle full-back Steve Watson from Aston Villa, said: "I think Alessandro will be a tremendous addition to our squad. (aye, like they needed a Italian chef)

"He is a player I first saw when watching other players in Italy a few years ago. "He impressed me then - he's a left-back who likes to take part in the game and move up and down the pitch. He's aggressive and I think he will add to our game in that department." (aggressive, likes to take part in the game??? can't be the same Alice we know?)

Pistone suffered a broken leg in the derby at Sunderland in February this year but was back playing in under three months.

He won praise from Robson for his recovery - but was sacrificed to bring in cash for his summer rebuilding plans, with United having ample cover for the left-back spot.

Pistone, a former Italian Under-21 international, said: "I wanted to stay in England and that is why I signed for Everton.

"Walter Smith is a good manager and Everton is one of the biggest clubs in the world (hah hah hah!). I came here because I wanted to achieve things." (like, Most Disappointing Player award?)

Meanwhile, former Newcastle favourite Watson was due on Merseyside today for a medical.

He is poised to follow his former United teammate to Goodison Park in a #2.25 million move from Villa Park.

Watson had joined Villa in October, 1998, for a #4 million fee but he has struggled to hold down a place and was not even on the bench for their FA Cup final against Chelsea.

He is due to be the first to leave the Midlands club in what is expected to be a major clear our by boss John Gregory.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

Just an idea sparked by the b*ll*x on Teamtwaddle. We offered Kets and Des Res to the Cottagers in exchange for Clarky. Jean Tig turned it doon. I wonder, just wonder if he'd be interested in Silvia? Fulham's a happening place (so SBA tells us) just along from Chewsea. I reckon Fulham would be just the place for Silvia to resurrect himself, a place he'd like (Metropolis an' aal that) and we'd get somebody that YBR seems to like. I'd even hoy Kets and/or Des Res in for free. Howay Bobby - ye knaa it makes sense.

This is not an aboot turn (OK, maybe a slight change in direction for me). Clarky's aalreet - not a world beater but it would do wonders for the wages bill if 2 or three could be offloaded.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

Sorry if I'm being thick, but I don't understand anything in Gus's posting. Is there a gag in there I'm completely missing?

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2000

Last night's "Fiver" has it that we'll soon have seaman stains on our reputation.

Toon alleged to have bid #1million for this plucky little Yorkshireman.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Screacher

Maric for CLark - like it, it makes perfect sense. i.e. - it will never happen.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Maric for a bag of magic beans would make just as much sense...although we may have to throw in a NUFC season ticket to clinch the deal

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Dan, The Geordie Jew,

During the Euro2000 prediction competition, (which was a trial of this coming seasons Toon competition) Scratchy so unkindly and oh so very gently accused me of cutting and pasting his selections. The game in question was a France one. We both picked France 2-1 with Henry the first to score.

I then replied that if in fact he checked all the games involving France I picked the same score and scorer and I actually did cut and paste his selection for the final.

Sorry you felt left out, it was just something I thought was funny and we also had not had a new transfer rumours page for at least a full day.

Sad really what keeps some of us amused in the off season.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Hey Gus,

The beauty of this is it was also picked up by Jay and she pasted it into the Strawberry board. They looked at it as though it was real as well, and then someone else has picked it up and posted it on the RTG, Arsenal and Chelsea boards as being a real offer and a great possibility.

Oh how I laughed!

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000

Thanks for that ITK, I will now start sending my CV to the turd estate as a football writer.

With my background, I can actually write, have a dictionary, obviously know football, (See Euro 2000 prediction comp) and have a flair for stories, (see first entry on this thread) I fear I may be over qualified!!

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2000