More Cort interview from today's Ronnie. He's saying all the right things, now if his football is as good, it's gonna be a great season! :-)

Carl Cort will be gunning for Newcastle's derby rivals Sunderland next season.

The #7 million striker has scored four goals in his only two appearances against Peter Reid's men.

Cort scored the first hat-trick of his career to dump the Wearsiders out of the Worthington Cup last season.

And Peter Reid would have been sick of the sight of Cort when the 22-year-old banged in another in the Premiership fixture at Selhurst Park early this year.

Now the 6ft 4in forward, who signed a five-year deal with United on Wednesday, can't wait to play in his first Tyne-Wear derby.

The former England Under-21 star said: "It was my first hat-trick and I also scored against them in the league.

"And I know it would be special to score against Sunderland in a Newcastle shirt.

"They're massive games up here and I can't wait to play in a North East derby. Hopefully I can keep my goalscoring record against them."

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

Answers

Well he has started on the right foot, lets hope he scores another hat trick against them next season.

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

IMDO, CC has a lot to prove and will want to do so as quickly as possible. I don't think KK has settled on his replacement for Big Al, and although I'd never expect CC to make the early qualifiers, he has every chance of making the squad should we qualify or even in the later qualifiers. He's big and he's young and unless Peskey comes good (doubts there) we may well need a big CF. I'm not sure YMO will last the pace, Fowler has yet to prove his fitness, and Cole seems out of favour. Would you bet National sucess on a Mackem? Thought not.

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2000

Wonder what the odds are against Young Carl in the full England squad this Autumn - I'm with you Screach - I'd rather trust a Mag than a MAckem and once Al has taught him a bit he could be the main man.

Or am I caught up in the usual Mag pre season optimism.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

To be honest Josh, I think this autumn might be a bit premature. I guess it depends on the size of the squad, but presumably AC will be drafted in to replace AS from the Euro squad. KP will stay - he's done nowt wrong. Perhaps one of the three (THREE!!) 'pool players may be dropped depending on fitness and/or ability. Peskey has yet to prove himself to be more than a flash in the pan - a non-stick one at that!

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

Peskey has done nowt in an England shirt - there's a voice of opinion that the same applies in a Red one. Similar Phillips - mind you he hasn't had a fair crack - but being a Mackem can he expect any better. I suspect he needs a big lump like Quinn beside him to ease things a bit and although Al would normally do it he's not been fit enough in the games they've played together.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

This is certainly an interesting thought, but one I'd not like to comment on until I've seen CC play a few games for us.
I really hope AC now gets a run in the England side so we can finally find out whether he's up to the mark - he deserves this IMO, and I actually think he's the only one of the current candidates to have any chance of making it at international level.
Heskey is young and could still improve, but he's a long way from being international class right now.
Even if CC does well alongside AS this season, I'd like to see him kept out of the England limelight to learn his trade. Then, if - as I expect, all the others fall by the wayside, the way will be clear for hopefully another Mag to come in and fill the no.9 shirt that AS has filled with such distinction.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

I'm with you on AC Clarky - there must be some history with KK that stops him getting a chance. The issue is that a 1/4 fit Shearer has been better than any of the rest and still is. If he can keep himself out of Internationals (and I reckon he's strong enough to do it) we'll benefiot.

The problem is England need somebody up front and all the above (bar AC & KP possibly) have had a crack and blown it. Owen needs somebody to help him.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000

Being dispassionate for a second, it's hard to disagree that the Munchkin deserves a chance. However, as you point out, the problem is that he appears to need someone to create the knockdowns for him to put away.
Firstly, we don't have such a beast, and secondly I just don't think this ploy would be successful at international level - you're really playing with two half-forwards, and will get buried in m/f.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2000