Stevo

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Bobby Robson is weighing up a pounds 3million move for Russian international defender Yuri Nikiforov from PSV.

Any info on this guy?

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Answers

Yuri Nikiforov is 29 years of age, turns 30 in September. Ukrainian born (in Odessa)but chose to play for Russia, 49 caps in total. Spent most of his career at Spartak Moscow but had a couple of seasons with Sporting Gijon before joining PSV two seasons ago when Robson worked as interim coach. Only familiar with him during his time here. First season Yuri struggled, as did most of PSVat the start of the season though they rallied to claim the 3rd spot. At the start of last season many had written him off, not least as PSV have a surplus of centre-backs. Yuri played well though, won over his coach, and was a regular in the side that cruised to the Dutch championship. Despite having bought yet another centre-back Nikiforov is considered a first-team regular and he played on Saturday in the Dutch Charity Shield. Leeds were linked with him a few weeks ago. He's under contract until 2002. Most PSVers on their webboard do not want to sell him. He is genuinly popular, although he can be prone to occasional unneccesary blunders.Some have questioned his speed. The Dutch competition is so different in terms of the pace of the game, and time on the ball, I find it difficult to say how he;d cope with the Premiership but on his day he looks composed and solid with good distribution. Though PSV have plenty of centre-backs Yuri wasn't thought surplus to requirements and most thought 4 million pounds a touch on the small side. Bobby knows Yuri well from his PSV year.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Thanks Stevo.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

He looks the part, attackers would think twice about leaving their half.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

That's a combination of Dabs and Marcellino, not a Russian centre back!

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

A touch of Rob Lee in there as well!

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000


Well what about this one

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Here one can see the effects of perestroika. Before and after...

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Bloody Hell! He and Dabs are going to be like bookends (hopefully a bit more mobile mind).

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

That's a bliddy awful shirt mind.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

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