So if he has three or four decent games on the trot - will y'all change yer tune? I seem to remember a lot of people who couldn't wait to cash in on Dabz, not to mention those who would have paid to have Barton taken away.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

Answers

One decent game on the trot would be a start!

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

Clarky, I'll see your one game and raise you to the rest of the year. If he can do it against leeds and Man U, I will have to ease up on the soft spanish pirate.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

Dan, I prefer him to the alternatives, Caldwell, (too young), Sun Jihai (not very good), Pablo Paz (too small) . I am 100% behind him as he's wearing a B / W shirt. After a nervous start, he was pretty good on Saturday actually.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

My tune remains unchanged.

Every player starting a Newcastle match starts with all previous sins forgiven as far as I'm concerned. I'd love to see Marcellino producing the form that rated him at £5m+ and if the crowd gets behind him then maybe he might start to enjoy himself and fancy staying.

Now where's Des Hamilton these days? Come on son ...

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2000

some people haven't changed their views on Barton

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

I'll give Marcelino the benefit of the doubt and get behind him until he proves to me otherwise...yes, there was that crap tackle at Wimbledon last year but i'm willing to forgive the odd game and give him a fresh start....

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

Marcelino played well aside from his backpass. It's not just Caldwell who needs to be fed in gradually against the "less threatening" teams. After Bradford and Derby he might even be able to put in a dood couple of displays against the next 2 (unless he hacks his leg off while cutting his toenails of course).

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

Wasn't it Marcelino who didn't jump with Molenaar when he scored?

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000

Yup, he was the one being shoved from behind.

-- Anonymous, December 19, 2000