Says he could be on his way to Man City for #2 million. He's available on a Bosman at the end of the season.

Not sure about this. He has played very well recently. Our back up is Barton and Griffin with McGuffie as third choice. Griffin is injury prone, McGuffie is untried with very varied reports from the reserve matches and Barton's defending is another matter IMO.

It's a shame Griffin has a Big Dunc familiarity with the treatment room, not his fault I know.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Answers

Good deal IMHO. Didn't we get him for half a mil or something after Chelsea didn't extend his loan period? He's a reasonable squad player but never outstanding so I don't think it's a great loss, I'd rather have Barton or Griffin in at right back.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

He's a good squad player and I suspect BR would prefer to keep him.
However, in our precarious financial position I feel sure that if City offer #2mm for a player we got for #500k, and who could 'walk' at the end of the season on a FT - then he's gone.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I think NUFC payed #650k for him. If I were Robson I would offer him #10k a week for 2 years, If he wants more than that, sell him.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Rik, with our current wage bill it's almost a certainty that he's on more than 10k a week already!!

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Young Bobby does it again! #1.5 or #2 Mill for Charva is yet another excellent piece of business. He keeps getting shot of the dross and bringing in quality. the man's a God.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I agree with the financial side of this deal but with regard to the playing matters I have reservations about Griffin's ability to string three matches together.

I assume that Bobby rates McGuffie enough not to worry about it and that he is happy enough that the Central Defensive problem will be sorted out in the immediate future. If so, fair enough!

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I've been impressed with Laurent this season. If he goes, let's hope Bartinho or Griff are as solid.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

Scruffy McGuffie? You all seem v keen to sell. As far as I can see, if LC goes that leaves us with three full-backs. One injury/susp and there's no cover. What if, eg, Domi were out for two months? Griff in at LB and no cover for Barton. Hmm, don't like it.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

I'm with Dan on this one......I'd rather keep hold of him....he's been playing well recently and we would be very exposed if he does go and, as Dan says, we have any injuries/suspensions.

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000

The Journal this morning reckons the deal is very much "on", but at #1.5mm, not #2mm.
LC was a TSM signing, and I just wonder if he's on top wages - this could be part of the motivation for moving him on.
Even at only #1.5mm it might still be viewed as good business, but it does leave us rather exposed at FB. Also, if we are to replace Charvet, you also have ask what you can get these days for #1.5mm.

Griffin seems alarmingly injury prone, and personally, I'm concerned about Barton's return from injury. As I posted elsewhere, Barton himself said recently that his groin muscle tear was 12cms long compared with a normal injury of some 3cms. I'm not a doctor, but I find it difficult to believe such an injury could just heal itself. I have a real concern that he will come back, break down again, and then require surgery which could keep him out for another 3-4 months.
While he's played well recently, I'm not a great fan of LC. However, the timing of his sale looks very suspect. Of course, BR may well have a talented young FB that he wants to bring in.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

He has played well this season and his stats are about the best of any Toon player. Anyone who was at the Spurs Cup game at WHL last season will have seen how well he marshalled Ginola (who had the added advantage of having Pistone pass the ball to him every three minutes). However, with our defensive position, you can't help thinking that this measure is one driven by financial expediency rather than footballing matters. BTW, I bet Winston Bogarde wishes he'd taken up the offer to play for us.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

Don't forget Bernard. I know he's an unknown quantity, but he's another supposedly promising youngster who can play at full back. So we have Barton, Griffin, Domi and Hughes, plus some newcomers/trialists as cover.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

newcomers (unknowns)/ and trialists well that would fill me with tremendous cover if we fielded a back four of
Griffin (to be injured) Marcelino Bernard and Ullathorne,
yeah clean sheet without a doubt.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

Charvet wasn't anywhere near being in the picture a few months ago. And when he's gone, none of us will miss him. There's no point hoarding average players - it won't take the club anywhere, as Dalglish proved.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

But the point is, he's doing a good job, can play anywhere across the back four and we're very thin on defenders. With Dabs out Howey gone and Marcelino being Marcelino. I think we need to keep him.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

Bobby Robson mustn't rate Charvet, he was going to sell him in the summer and the recent musings about his importance seem to be selling talk.

If he is going to be replaced then a replacement right back should be better than anything we have at the club right now. So I can't seem him being replaced. Leaves us a bit thin, with our injury record.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

Bobby wasn't happy with him at the start of the season when a deal had been done with Charlton and he turned it down at the last minute. He has played well, but 1.5 mill for a player who will walk for free in the summer is good business.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000

do we need the money that bad .. howay you lot Charvet has contributed massively in this seasons GOOD performances , so why let him go ? Of coursei almost feel like arguing no points at all these days as Bobby is just TOO good at the business side of things . 2M and id let him go , 1M i wouldnt ... 1.5M and its got me thinking , so id keep him unless the coffers are that bear .. somethings cooking . Bobby has done more transfer wheeling and dealing than any other manager , the shrewd old sod : - ))

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2000