According to The ronny he wants to come back.

Oh lordy! Now we're really in trouble. The man's a loon of the first order.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Answers

Is he contracted to a club at the minute? If not why not a short three month trial period!!!! Why not it is snowing after all!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Tino would be a great thing

the game is an entertainment

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

I know it's seldom a good thing to return, I can't think of another player who could make me feel so happy just watching him run around. I never found out why he left as he did - there were some allegations about some incident at a quayside restaurant and Shearer saying he couldn't see any way Tino could stay. Anyone know what really happened there, or was it just another malicious sale by TSM? We had a striker crisis when he scored three goals in one of the greatest games we've ever played in; could he do it again?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Apparently he could come on a free but the work permit would be a problem. Having said that, I would take the risk on him in the present circumstances. The Entertainers!!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Tino's only 31 now and he says that he's in the same condition that he was when he first arrived at Newcastle. He talks of his love for the English game, the atmosphere and his respect for Bobby Robson.

He says he knows the work he would have to do but he would enjoy leading the line for the club and getting them back near the top. Tino, Ameobi amd Lua-Lua, who knows what they'd get up to!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

I'd have him back. Don't care if he never did anything... just to see him run (walk) out in that B&W shirt!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Sign him.

Subject to the normal medical checks, evidence that he is still the player he was, and appropriate checks that he will fit in to the existing team on a personal level. One of the most sublime talents I've ever seen in the B&W, fabulous player, heart in the right place, and does a great line in goal celebrations.

Free? Hmmmm - is there a downside here? Get him!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

If we can get him on a free till the end of the season what are waiting for? Much better than the likes of John Hartson that we keep getting linked with.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

He says all the right things!

FAUSTINO ASPRILLA has revealed that he would like to end his career with former club Newcastle United. The forward has been playing for Fluminese, after being loaned out for the season by Palmeiras, but he has admitted that his affinity to St James` Park means he wants to finish his well-documented career with The Magpies.

The 31-year-old has insisted that he is in prime condition and he believes he can help solve Newcastle's front-line woes.

Speaking to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Asprilla said: "I enjoyed my time very much at Newcastle.

"I love the fans and would like to end my career at United.

"The supporters want Newcastle back at the top of The Premiership and I can help by working hard and scoring lots of goals."

Asprilla revealed his respect for Magpies boss Bobby Robson, and hinted that a language problem affected his first stay on Tyneside.

"I'm very happy that Bobby Robson is the manager," Asprilla revealed. "I respect him because he's an important person in British football.

"We can work together to take Newcastle back to the top - and it helps that he speaks Spanish.

"There's no place in the world like the Premier League in England. I miss the style of football, the crowds, and the atmosphere.

"I think football in The Premiership suits my style of playing and I can't wait to play there again, hopefully with Newcastle.

"I'm in excellent condition, the same as the last time I was with Newcastle. I know I would have to work hard and play hard but I'm prepared for that.

"Newcastle know I can score goals, lead the line, and do a job."

Asprilla joined Newcastle from Parma in February 1996, a season that saw them lose a 10-point lead at Christmas to be pipped to The Premiership title by Manchester United.

The Colombian, however, will always be remembered on Tyneside for the hat-trick that gave Newcastle a 3-2 Champions League victory over Spanish giants Barcelona on September 17 1997.

Whether he could recapture past glories, or the club would be willing to sanction the deal, is debatable, but the dream of Asprilla donning the black and white shirt once again is sure to warm the hearts of the Toon Army.

In May, it was hinted that Asprilla was on his way back to England, with his national coach revealing that a club was close to signing him. A deal never materialised, but to read the story

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

but to read the story.. What? the suspense is killing, Debuilder.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Ahh I haven't copied the link, it should finish "Click Here".

The ending was therefore so crap I thought it was not worth printing,yep that's my story and I am sticking to it!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Get him. To see him run onto the pitch just once would do more to raise morale than just about anything I can imagine. All things considered, he's free, he wants to come back, he's a player and a half, we love him - only thing is, how would Messrs Shearer and Lee feel about it?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

I Hope Messrs Lee & Shearer have little say in it. Bring him back.

I remember an interview in the Mag with the interpreter, he was showin Tino around the town when a load of lasses flashed him, he turned to the interpreter, this is my kind of town.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

I'm surprised at all the positive response to Tino. Saw him play for Columbia last spring and he was worse than pathetic. I seem to recall that his original arrival at St. James' Park coincided with the infamous slide in league standing. People on this thread have argued in the past that he was in no way to blame, but I saw his arrival as representing a disruption to a team that had been getting the job done. Still, I guess he might work out as a temporary stop-gap. phoenix

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Oooooooooooh!!!!!! Yes please!!!!! I`d love him back! (:o)

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Dave LF,

So a "crocked striker who's past his prime" is OK if he's called Asprilla, but not if he's called Ferdinand?

Serious reservations about Tino's return - would prefer Les, and would only consider either of them as a stop-gap for the remainder of this season .

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Clarky Definitely Ferdinand ahead of Asprilla. Unfortunately Asprilla seems to WANT to come here (don't think any other major team would be interested in him), and how could we get Ferdinand? I sure wouldn't want to pay Asprilla much in the way of wages. phoenix

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

I'd take 'em both Clarky. Shouldn't have let either go, IMHO. Come on, isn't a UEFA place worth a gamble?

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Screacher,

YES, YES, YES.
I'd come to believe I was the only one on here that felt getting a couple of low-cost players (eg. Hendry, Sturridge, etc. etc. etc.) in as an 'insurance policy' against getting into a relegation scrap AND to help with a UEFA Cup qualification push is precisely what the Board should be doing? Short-term - yes. Sensible? Abso-bloody-lutely, IMO!

Decent players like this are changing hands all the time while we sit on our hands like friggin marble statues.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Whoops - got a little over-excited there. Dangerous at my age!

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2001

Wasn't tino part of the team that won the world club championship last season? Can't be that bad can he. As for a thirty one year old being passed it, try telling Shearer that. I would have TINO back any day, Ferdinand is a bit older and has had too many injury problems, he's past his best.

Tino YES

Ferdinand NO

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Ferdinand would cost - Tino is free

Sir Les is looking for one last pay off to bank roll his retirement - if his performance on Sky TV the other night is anything to go by he won't be doing that.

I say both

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Some very bold comments there

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Oops

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

off yet!

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Get him here, and quick. Idon' care if we don't need him, I want him.

I've also said elsewhere that Sir Les would be a fair bet.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

ROBSON RULES OUT ASPRILLA RETURN (Teamtalk)

Bobby Robson has ruled out any possibility of a move to bring Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla back to St James' Park.

Robson was commenting after his side's superb 3-1 victory over Leeds at Elland Road when asked what he thought about the striker's admission that he would like to return to the club.

He said: "Asprilla is not in our minds."

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

awwwwwww.....

I think he'd have put a smile on the face of EVERYONE...apart from Keith Curle, obviously ; - ).

Still, if The Man says no, no it is.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

I think the reason he isn't to be considered is that NUFC don't want the local Newspaper buying their players for them.Imagine what the Ronny Gill would print if BR actually signed TINO. Anyone linked in the press generally is dismissed, shame really but you can see their point.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

You don't think, Rik, it might have anything to do with the fact that's 31 or 32, injury prone, will have inflated wage expectations, and is a complete loose cannon who has just 'banjoed' an opponent in a friendly match?

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

It is dfficult enough to work out what Lua Lua is going to do when he gets the ball, it's just as difficult to tell what Ameobi is going to do, when the two of them are on the same pitch it impossible to read, can you imagine what would happen if you then also introduced Tino into the equation.........

Loved him when he played for us, but like KK, Daveeeeeeed, Sir Les and the others.....they are Toon Past, we want Toon Present and Toon Future.....lets go forward, not back.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

I'm with ITK (and it just so happens with Mr Robson) on this one. Toon Future not Toon Past. I think Tino lacked consistency. We are 6th now. We're going to need consistency over this last third of the season. Whatever wages Tino might earn should be given to the players we want to keep in re-negotiated contracts.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001