They claim we may go back and try to sign Helder. The Spanish transfer window is currently closed so that would mean another loan deal.

The story then goes on to say that we cannot offload Marcellino due to the transfer window but he could go to Italy but their transfer window shuts in a month! The Journal also claim that Bobby might be willing to sell Goma if the price was right.

It would be good to see Helder back and Marcellino go. I can't believe Bobby would sell Goma after some of the performances he has put in this season and the spirit he showed whilst playing with a busted nose will have impressed Bobby I'm sure. I'd like to see Goma stay and establish himself.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

Answers

Teamtalk has us interested in Richard 'Tub O'lard' Dunne! Looked decent against Estonia but if he can't get in the Everton team we don't want him do we? Do we even need another Everton reject?

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

The Journal article also said that Helder hasn't been playing for his Club because of a series of injuries. This guy is another injury-prone good player that we would well advised to steer clear of, IMO.

The Ronnie carries the Richard Dunne story. Reckons we are competing with Charlton and Man City for his #3mm signature.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

When does the law of diminishing returns kick in ? The new names surely can't all expect to play every game, on top of the guys who've been here a while. What's the optimum number in a squad system before it gets counter-productive ? Bobby could end up having his work cut out if he signs many more.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

Dunno if this is old news but the "Fiver" suggests that we're chasing Honduran defender Milton Jocon Reyes.

How many players in the squad do we now have?

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

It'll soon get to the point where there's so many players in the squad YBR can't remember who they are. Hang on a mo........

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

My reading of the situation is that Bobby still isn't happy with the squad, and that are still a few who will be leaving.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

I think this is all a total wind-up which is expected as it has been very quiet on the NUFC front since the end of the Acuna saga. They need something so why not resurrect the Helder deal. As it is, they can't exactly come out with, "SHEARER BOMBS FOR ENGLAND AGAIN!!", anymore.

I honestly think Bobby can't be seriously considering Helder when we are almost back to full strengh at the back and with Goma and Hughes doing an excellent job of it so far and the rest basically doing a good job as well. Anyway, do we really need another Howey?

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

We need another centre half. Enough said. Hughes yes..perhaps Goma..Dabs crocked..Marcelino has just not worked out. Clarky expressed a view that there is a decent player in Marcelino. True perhaps, but I was shocked at just how skinny the lad was as we saw him after leaving the Starwberry prior to Spurs. Looked more like a maraton runner than a centre half. My wish would be a real quality central defender alongside Hughes or Goma...but that means big money

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

I'm with Clarky on this. I really rated him but he's not worth the cash because of his injury history. I'm still at work and I'm still bored.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000

Well, now that we have Hughes, Goma, Marcelino and the Caldwells (one of whom made an excellent debut aainst Man Sh*tty), buying/borrowing another would seem inappropriate without getting rid of one first.

OK, you might argue that we're only 2 injuries away from a crisis, but remember Charvet also filled in there satisfactorily when needed. Don't get me wrong - I thought Helder was excellent whan on loan to us. But as stated elsewhere on this thread, he's hardly the fittest player we've had.

To be honest, if Southgate is still at odds with Villa, then he'd be a good acquisition. But not without losing at least one of those we have already, and as Johnny Foreigner seems to have his window shut for the winter, I can't see that happening for a while.

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2000