Apparently he impressed them with his display against them the other week. At least we may know sooner rather than later what really is going on with or Alain.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Answers

Do we have a replacement other than Caldwell lined up for him. Robson's acceptance to his departure for the right offer must mean he has something lined up. Faber from PSV?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Grapevine holds that Robson has spoken to 2 centre backs, one of which is Faber. I'd still like to see Goma stay if possible, but we are still badly short on defenders. We've sold Pistone, Charvet, Domi, Howey, Dumas and Stuart Elliott and brought in no-one.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Pablo Paz?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Could have been Paz, he's gone to Everton though hasn't he?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Pablo refused to go to Everton on trial, he wanted loan deal with a view to a permanent deal or else he is happy to stay in Tenerife.

I still have my reservations about him as he's only 5'8" tall and Hughes is hardly tall is he.

Faber sounds a good player but has had injury problems in the last year. Whatever happened to Fernando Miera? Helder, how's he doing?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Story last week somewhere had Faber and Paz in the bag once Goma and Marcy go. However the Spanish/French transfer windows have now closed so the quadrupel deal is off til the summer (unless of course Goma goes to The Blues).

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Faber is about 29-30 years old and maybe the rock which Aaron can flourish beneath.

If we can't get Faber what about Southgate. It's been discussed to death on here but at least he wouldn't do a Marcellino on us!

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

"We've sold Pistone, Charvet, Domi, Howey, Dumas and Stuart Elliott "

Opens the eyes a bit!! What is the size of the squad now compared to before Robson took over. Interested to see the wage bill as well.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

My money is on "Ever Moas" , he's 30 year old £2 million ratedUrgyayan South American currently playing for Metaxa in Guadelahara Mexico. He's been checked out by Peter Metcalfe NUFC's Carribean scout. His report rates him very highly, he's got over 40 International caps and has a German dual nationality passport. Only thing is Chelsea are also interested and with Poyet being there they probably have the edge.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

But if Chelsea get Goma?

What is this guys proper name Rik and where did you get such info!?

If his real name is "Moyes", Villa are interested as well.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Name EVER MOAS. It was on that Spanish football news site at the weekend. The site beggindswith a C (cannilnonla.com, or something. It's the only Spanish site that News now throws up when you go a search for NUFC news.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

To be honest I'd rather have a British player. We may pay more for him but at least we know what we're getting.

Villa let Ehiogu go for £8 million or was it £9 million, how much then for Southgate who is older by far?

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

I suspect Cliff is spot on - it seems probable that Faber and Paz are the two players BR has lined up. Paz's refusal to go to Everton on loan also suggests he has another permanent transfer lined up.

Frankly, I don't fancy either of them.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Clarky,

When you say 'fancy', are you talking in football terms or otherwise?!

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2001

Robson is reportedly keen to persuade Goma to stay at the club and having been picked for the French side, Goma may think playing for the Toon is not necessarily a bad move.

If Goma decides to stay, we would still have to bring in another quality centre back to replace Marcellino but surely any signing we make should be better than what we've got to progress.

What does it mean for Aaron Hughes? Robson has said recently that Goma, when fit, is our best defender.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

I don't fancy Paz or Faber in any manner either. It would be nice if Goma stayed, although we haven't had too many clean sheets even with him and Aaaaaron. Hopefully they could grow as a partnership. I keep touting a foreign central defender in the hope that somebody at the club looks at him: Sandi Knavs, Slovenian international, plays in Austria. Young, strong, skilful. He will be the business in a year or two. Fingers crossed. Meanwhile Griffin must start.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

Whoever it is I only hope we can have 6-7 defenders who serve us for a season and no more.

Goma,Hughes,Griffin,Quinn,Caldwell,Barton, New Fella. Some may think there are weaknesses in this line up but if they get the chance to play week in week out the understanding will develop.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

Of course, we have Nick the Greek to come back. I disagree re Goma being that good - he has at least ten minutes off in EVERY game he plays. He's got those Howeyesque lapses of concentration.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

DB, Bobby has said that Aaron is playing way above his age so I think a new bloke would be to kind of take the burden off him a bit.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

I'm sorry but Nik The Greek falls into the Warren Barton category for me. I get nervous enough about games but to think back to the Barton and Dabizas days makes me shudder.

Positional sense of a leaf in the wind!

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

I agree. The thing is, we got three consecutive clean sheets in September, the best performance being Chelsea at home which featured Aaron and Gomez at the heart of defence. If we stuck with that and instilled some sort of work ethic in the middle of the park, we'd be fine.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

Forget the defence, just attack and score more goals than the opposition.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

The teams with the meanest deences usually end up, over the course of a season, near the top.

Attacking helps defending but you have to have the ball to attack!!

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

Has anyone actually seen an article where Goma is 'making noises about staying?'

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001