From team Sqwark Steve McManaman's agent Dennis Roach was in talks with Newcastle United today, trying to broker a deal between his player and Newcastle United FC, Roach is said to have patched up his differences with NUFC after the player expressed a preference to joining Newcastle United ahead of Premiership rivals, Middlesbrough and Chelsea. All clubs involved have met the #8.5 million asking price, and it seems that the move is now in the hands of the player and his advisors. Talks are tonight continuing between the club and the Mr Roach

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

Answers

I can't believe Bobby or anyone else at the club is having anything to do with that slimey git Roach. So much for principles.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

Oi Rik. What are you on? Has AG been tempting you with one of those little green numbers?

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

You'll see you disbelieving rif raff, When the deal is done later in the week all the main tabloids will be claiming "OUR EXCLUSIVE" and "WE TOLD YOU FIRST" But atleast I have this date stamped ,so the truth will be known that Rik knows his stuff, and his contacts are rarely wrong.. "Macca is a Geordie, Macca is a geordie la ,la 'la, laaa, ..... la, la la laaaa"

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

This doesn't make sense to me. For starters, where is he going to play? On the right wing or the centre of the park. And consequently, whose spot does he take? Dyer's or Solano's.

And it's just plain stupid to sign him, if he's going to play wide on the left. NUFC would better off buying a real left winger, such as Zenden.

I would love to see Macmanaman in the squad, but not at the expense of either of the afore mentioned Toon players.

And could we really play a midfield with both Nobby and Dyer, plus Macmanaman and A.N.other.

For all Macmanaman's attacking skills and control of the ball, he still is a player known to dislike the other half of the game. Namely defending and winning the ball back.

Personally there are other areas with in the squad where the money would be better off spent, like a commanding centre half or another left winger.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

I'm with Tre on this. I don't think we need him and the cash could be spent better elsewhere. Unless Bogarde comes on a free.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

The Journal reckons Macca has a strong preference to either stay in Spain or go to Italy, and quote Parma as the favourites to sign him.

IMO he's a class player and I wouldn't mind him coming here PROVIDED it didn't just create further confusion over both the overall team pattern AND Kieron Dyer's role.

If we are to buy him I just hope it is with a very specfic role in mind - in recent years we've bought far too many players with no clear idea of how we are to utilise them.

If we really are in discussions with Real Madrid over Macca I wonder if Solano could be part of the same conversation?

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

At one time I would have been over the moon to see Macmanaman in black and white but now I think we have players who are just as good. He would be good back-up but he won't want to swap a Spanish bench for a NE one.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

I see the drugs are still working.....

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

Gav, The best 2 footed winger I have seen this season has just come off the drugs and the booze and is playing out of his skin, I kid you not , but Andy McLaren is scoring goals, making goals, mark him in your file Tre.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

Who's he with Buff?

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000

OK Rik. I'll believe you. I suppose he's going to provide amunition for Michael Bridges, Matt Jansen and Robbie Keene to put away.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2000