A cause for celebration?

Newcastle United defender Marcelino has started training with the first team after being out for most of the season with injuries. The Spaniard cut short a rehabilitation programme at Lilleshall after his groin injury responded well to treatment.

He has only played one game this season, at Manchester United on the opening day, where a finger injury sidelined him for six weeks.

He has only started 14 of 71 games since joining Newcastle 18 months ago.

The sooner we see the back of him the better!

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2000

Answers

I don't think even Bobby could turn this one around. I imagine he'll play a couple of games with the Spanish transfer window opening very soon, then flog him to the highest bidder.

Again like so many of our flops he had the reputation but not the attitude, why bother deciding to come here in the first place? Hopefully we can get a few bob for him.

Whereas in some cases a part of me wanted the player to stay and really hit it off, I'd rather get shot of Marcellino as soon as possible.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2000

I'd rather he was fit and available to play with so little cover in central defence. Although I've seen him play like a twat, he is also capable of much. Also, playing him a bit puts him in the shop window, like Charvet.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2000

In stark contrast to Marcellino's attitude, here's what Kevin Gallacher had to say about the possibility of getting a new contract:

"It will be great if the manager offers me a new deal. But, if I get a goodbye handshake, I will thank him for inviting me to Newcastle and involving me with the club." He knows which side his bread is buttered as some would say.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2000

Bobby - shouldn't that read culpable?

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2000