I haven't seen any new criticism? If anything Bassedas has looked like the player he should be in recent games.

Bobby Robson has once again leapt to the defence of one of his foreign imports, giving his backing to under-fire Argentine Cristian Bassedas. The defiant Newcastle boss has responded to renewed criticism of Argentine midfielder Christian Bassedas by insisting the £4million signing needs more time to prove his worth on Tyneside. The former Velez Sarsfield star looked overwhelmed by the pace of last Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby, but Robson claimed: "We have one of the best personalities the club has ever had in Christian. "He is a superb boy with a great attitude and we are absolutely convinced about him."

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Answers

Eeh, wtf are these journalist on really? =[

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

I thought he a had a good game against the makems. Put himself about, scrapping for the ball few good passes and that. Certainly looking a different player than the waste of space he was when he got his first PL games.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Perhaps they are using reverse psychology to spark a groundswell of support. He is one of the unfortunates who gets howls of outrage when he does anything wrong while hardy perennials are applauded and consoled with cries of "Hard lines!" for precisely the same transgression.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

This is from the same source who talked about Harper turning 26 'in a few days' a month after his actual birthday. They must dig thru old notes on slow news days to make up stories. ;-)

BTW, there's an interview with BadAss on the official sh*te. Says he and his wife love the area, have bought a house and his kids are already becoming Geordies.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Overwelmed by the pace of the derby match? I thought he had his best game in a B&W shirt. certainly the best midfielder on show.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001