Bobby Robson is clearly attempting to manage our expectations in today's Journal. Referring to Olivier Dacourt's return to the Leeds team today, Bobby said "I like Dacourt and we tried to get him in the close season. But he was just too much for us. He was £7mm, whereas Acuna was only £1 mm, and that's more like the market I'm in. If you look at Mark Viduka, Rio Ferdinand and Dacourt that's £30mm of talent at Elland Road even before Robbie Keane comes into the equation".

"I'll be lucky to get that much to spend in five years".

He says he has accepted that Newcastle have some way to go before they can think about attracting players of Keane's quality again.

The article goes on to say the Toon Board were prepared to bankroll Keane's transfer from Inter, and indeed made a determined effort, but the switch to Tyneside was far less alluring than Elland Road for a young player with the world at his feet. Bobby says "The Chairman had everything in place but the lad spoke to us and said he wanted to go to Leeds. You look at Bowyer, Radebe, Woodgate, Ferdinand, Harte, and Kelly - the list is endless. Keane will be working in a nice team and it's no surprise he wanted to go there".

"I think our stadium is a big asset, and when I try to persuade players to come here I show them the stadium and tell him we can fill it. St. James' Park is there forever, and although a lot of money was spent to bring it up to the present standard - to the detriment of the Club's purchasing power - it is a huge bonus. Now we have to assemble a team to match the stadium, and match our supporters, but it will take time. It's not a ready-mix situation. With our injury problems we do need a couple of top-class players but it will take a little time."

There you have it - from the horses mouth.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2000

Answers

I am not convinced, they still say that there is money but I have my doubts. As for the stadium, I got some fantastic pictures at ST JAMES' 2000 They are pretty big, I think they could be used as desktop wallpaper.

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2000

the point of this, I take is that the board were willing to go get Keane, but it was his choice not to come here, ok, so he doesn't come, how about financing some others who would be more than willing to come and play for us....surely we could still use those funds....

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2000

The thing is do we really need another striker? when it's obvious that we still need a left sided midfielder (Seth Johnson) and will need two or three defenders over the summer. Sure, we are likely to off load Domi (prat - man am I pissed that he's chucked it in), Goma and Marcelino and get some dosh in return. But enough for quality replacements?

-- Anonymous, December 26, 2000