According to Ronnie (now renamed icNewcastle)YBR has identified the four targets he wants in the close season.

Yuri Nikforov, a 30-year-old Russian international central midfielder from PSV.

Mark van Bommel, PSV midfielder.

Pepsi Guardiola (yeah, yeah). Didn't look too hot at Anfield tonight.

Mickey Bridges - no introduction needed.

Lee Clark - ditto.

So why do they mention FIVE players? Would this lot make the difference? Well, I guees it's a central defender, 3 in midfield (inc the gap on the left) and a mobile (when fit) striker. I'd rule Pepsi-Cola out and not sure if MvB would be interested. But are they the "world class" players we have been led to expect(!)? I don't think so.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Answers

Bommel, Pep and Bridges sounds like the signings we should be very happy to get. Dont think we can get so much better players, not now.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

I like the attitude from Lee Clarke. If is good enough is another subject. Has anyone heard what's going on with Helder lately?

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

I believe Lee Clark is a very, very good footballer RTM - and in my opinion you're seriously underestimating him.

When he was last at the Cathederal Of Dreams - St James, he couldnt break in to the team and in my opinion this was not because of his lack of quality but because no manager (not even Keegan) had the balls to drop the likes of the *****established***** trio of Batty, Beardsley and the younger Lee if their form warranted it.

An example I can give in 'retro' of this bias would be: Rob Lee's form after an England international always seemed to drop, he seemed to get complacent yet Keegan never ever gave him a fright by dropping him.

To me personally it was obvious that Lee Clark knew he couldnt compete until he himself had become ****ESTABLISHED****. He had to move, to get the established tag. Thus, the Wear estuary clan got a pedigree footballer to classically sell to Fulham. NOW down the line he is established.

Infact when Lee Clark himself came into the side -and had a decent run- in my opinion he was a TOP, TOP, premiership performer. Better than what Speed is (a bit less productive though, you cant see him getting on the ends of crosses like Speed can, but at least he didnt have the milk bottle disease), definately better than Bassidas, and better than the now veteran Bobby Lee.

Put it this way Lee Clark IS a top premier performer, who works hard, doesnt give the ball away, moves off the ball well, he's attack minded as well as never shrugging off any defensive responsabilities, he can play make etc. With all that precise ability, what about this for a bonus -he's a Newcastle United fan, WHO IS hungry. What more would you want?

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

I hate the way these hit lists get publicised, no other club put eberyone on notice for their secret plans yet ours seems to get plastered over the local rag. My view, Guardiola looked like he plays a steady holding type role, we have lots who can do that. Lee Clark is better than any of our central midfielders. Bridges, I can't see the fuss, I work next to Leeds training ground & compared to Keane & Smith Bridges doesn't look in th esame league. THe others, I've never heard of - the same as I hadn't heard of Cordone & Badedas dath salts.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Nikiforov is the Ukrainian/Russian Dabizas look-a-like we've previously discussed. Yuri has been solid for PSV this season, but struggled a little when he first came to the club. PSV have a surplus of centre-halfs so there could well be something in this (though I'd rather have his defensive partner Kevin Hofland).

Mark van Bommel is a hard-working, controlling midfield player and club captain. Now an international I can't see PSV letting him go without a substantial fee. PSV won't be the easiest club to do buisness with right now. They've recently seen two of their best players sold for massive fees (Rivaldo + Stam), only to conclude within two seasons that they sold them too cheaply. The Chairman has made public his insistence they won't make the same mistake with Van Nistelrooy. As to Mark Van Bommel, he has some of the qualities we've lacked in midfield but I agreed with the commentator who recently wrote he expected more from a player of his status (he's good but no Edgar Davids). Quite what would make him come to SJP is anyone's guess (probably only €s and lots of them). Alas the only PSV player who has made his interest in Newcastle public is Ernst Faber, a decent enough RB/CH but only when fit, which hasn't been too often of late.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Screach/Dave-
I wouldn't get too hung up on these names,sounds like Ronny speculation rather than fact. Have they explicitly said they're after anyone (other than Guardiola?). If they say they're after four players, the paper has to demonstrate it's journalistic virility by naming some names. Then, if it happens to get one right, it can roll out the 'as we exclusively revealed' bull further down the line.
Stevo- good scoop on the PSV lot, ta.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Not convinced on Lee Clark. To me he is a world class First Division player, his medals show that. He is the midfield version of David Kelly who was similarly classy in the First Division.

Clark was never good enough to be in our midfield last time. It would always be a case of 'give him a chance' when Lee had an off day. It was never the case that any one ever suggested he was better than a 1996 version of Robert Lee. His key failing was pace, and I don't see that improving really.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Clarke's lack of pace was KK's reason for letting him go (so he says) and I can't see how all these years later he's got any quicker. His all round game is better, and he loves the club as much as any Mag - but I'm not sure it's enough.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Slow as fuck A crawler (please like me mags?) Doesnt like defending Ugly as fuck Hides when the going gets tough Probably the slowest player in the prem Pulls a disgusting face when he runs

Nuff said

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Yeah but he's got great taste in tee-shirts wank splash....

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Good point Gav. In fact, let's sign him up just to wind up the Chimps

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Thats another reason to sign him. He showed how superior it is being a geordie against being an inbred from the wear estuary.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

One more word about Lee Clark and I swear I'll scream! He's a good 2nd division (proper 2nd div.) and that's all. As for him loving the club; well would ANY of you play for Sunderland? I would rather beg on the streets of Tyneside than do that. Geordie, my arse!

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Actually SMB, I'd rather beg on the streets of mackemland than pull that loathsome Blackpool Rock strip on!

I was talking about this to a couple of mates last week - if I had been good enough to be a professional, I just know I could never, ever have played for SAFC.
Couldn't do it; not even for money; and certainly couldn't look as though I was enjoying it - a la Hutchinson, the toss-pot; couldn't even fake it.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Well said Clarky! I never noticed the way Hutchison went on after the first game and I saw it on telly for the first time tonight. In- Fecking-Credible! All the bollocks about him being a Newcastle fan, must be just that - bollocks. I'm not saying he must always have been a Mackem (although from what I saw tonight, it looks like it) but he most certainly could not, ever, in no way, have been a Newcastle fan. How in the world can you celebrate like that, when you know that your friends and family are as sick as dogs? He's vermin and if I ever see the swine in Gateshead........ There again, I fancy he knows better than to come back to Gateshead. Piece of SHITE.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

exactly!

witness Hutchison v Sir Les celebrating the goals he's scored v us since he left. That's not just RESPECT for the fans but, for someone who had no previous connection with Tyneside other than playing for the team, shows a dedication, a commitment and a loyalty [even maybe love] that some might say is beyond the call of duty...

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

The difference is simple - even though he is a Cockney, Les Ferdinand is genuinely a class act.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001