From the Ronnie:
You will see that far from Steph's assertion that Cordone doesn't speak English, he has been jabbering away to Alan Oliver. In fact, his English is already so advanced that he is able to effortlessly slip colloquialisms into his speech such as "I feel really gutted for Christian". Either that or Alan Oliver is now multi-lingual since this isn't the first time he has exclusively spoken to a United star who has no English, is it? Either that or he's still a lying, slimy bastard who takes far too much credit for other people's work :-)

NEW boy Daniel Cordone has promised to serve up a feast for Newcastle fans and he pleaded with them today: "Don't judge me on my fee."

The #500,000 bargain buy, who was only expected to be a member of Bobby Robson's squad, is in the frame for a place against Manchester United at Old Trafford a week on Sunday.

And the Argentinian could turn out to be a bargain buy at a time when players are suddenly bought for crazy money.

But in an exclusive interview Cordone told me today: "All I want is two things. A good run in the team and I don't want the fans to judge me on my transfer fee.

Delighted

"The Newcastle fans have been absolutely brilliant since I arrived and all I ask is that they judge me on my performances not on the fact that I only cost #500,000."

Freddie Shepherd is delighted with the deal which makes Cordone a United player for this season with the option of another two years at no extra cost.

Barry Silkman, the former Manchester City midfielder, is Cordone's agent in this country and is obviously biased towards his man.

But even allowing for this, Silkman's assessment is worth noting when he says: "Cordone can turn out to be one of the most exciting players in the Premiership."

The partnership up front between new boys Cordone and #7 million Carl Cort has so far been one of the few highlights of United's pre-season friendlies.

And although the former Buenos Aires Racing Club striker has tended to fade as the game has worn on, he insists everything is OK.

"Don't forget, I have not had a break from football because our season in Argentina has just ended," said the player dubbed 'The Wolf' in his own country.

"I am not training as hard as perhaps I can but I am still fit and at the moment we are trying to work out the best way of maintaining my fitness."

United diehards I talked to on the way home from Holland on Sunday were a little pessimistic about their side's prospects for the new season.

But Cordone will have none of this: "This is a super club and I am loving it here. I was surprised just how professional the club is run by Bobby Robson.

"It is clear that the manager has worked abroad because he has so many ideas not usually associated with British football.

"And while I have not seen that much of Kieron Dyer because he has been injured, he seems a very good player."

The only blackspot for Cordone since he arrived from South America at the beginning of June is the injury to fellow Argentinian Christian Bassedas.

"We have a terrific rapport and I am really gutted for him," said Cordone.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2000

Answers

'Don' Cordone later added: "Haddaway 'n sh**e, man. Ay've bin lorning me Geordie fer a while now, like, an' I feel like a lurkal aalridy"

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2000

You're quite right Bobby, it must have been my suvvern accent wot he had a problem wiv!

PS piccies now available on Training ground report thread.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2000