It's only taken me a few hours this time. I have already justified to myself the sale of Goma. He's foriegn, doesn't want to play for us, he's foriegn etc.

This HAS to weaken our side. If he had been staying, or hadn't let on he wanted to be away, then we all would have had him in our team pick for Saturday. We all want the Caldwell's to be good, of course we do, but taking the positive view that the loss of a mature defender, with sound experience, is good cos it lets kids come through smacks of a selling club. If the replacement was better then okay, but there isn't a replacement. We are selling before we buy, nice for all clubs to know we have some dosh, that'll help at the bargaining table.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Answers

Goma will inevitably have something to say about his time at the club which may change some opinions.

Also I'll wait until I see the two centre backs lining up for us at the start of next season before I believe Robson has got the men he wants and believes in.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Mac - we are selling because Goma wants to go and would be gone at the end of the season anyway. We are likely doing it now because the xfer deadline is fast approaching and FS reckons the whole thing will be up in the air at the end of the season, so £4M now is better than nowt in 4 months time.

Yes - losing Goma now might weaken the side, but to be honest, unless we are docked points-for-passports, the powers that be probably reckon we are safe in the EPL for another season and YBR can wave his magic wand in the summer. Also, Goma hasn't played a huge number of games, due to injury etc, so will his loss be so great? Do we look at him with rose-tinted specs, forgetting his lack of concentration (he's hardly presided over a clean sheet) and focussing on his commitment etc?

I dunno - but on the basis he wasn't going to stay anyway, best get the cash while it's still on offer. Besides, Farcelino is no doubt raring to go and stike up a fearsome (for us) partnership with Dabz.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Christ Marcellino and Dabs!! Scary thought.

We've got four young promising centre backs at the club and one of them well may be very lucky enough to secure a place in the first XI next season. The other three will have to play their role till then.

At least we'll find out how good they are.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

The iCNewcastle page is funny. Consecutive articles state (A) Bobby will not be rushed (B) he has bid £2m for O'Brien

I'm comfortable with the O'Brien bid, I've always loved him ever since he scored that goal against Sunderland

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001