Midas Soccer, normally as bad as TeamTalk have been maintaining their stance all week that we haven't put in a bid for Jeffers.

On discovering that Everton have yet to receive an offer for his services, striker Francis Jeffers will now see out the remaining year on his Goodison Park contract with the aim of joining Arsenal, on a Bosman free transfer, next summer.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson will now make a £5m move for West Brom's Lee Hughes.

Jeffers is a confirmed Newcastle target but Robson simply refuses to pay the required £8m for a 20 year old, currently injured, who has just 12 months left on his current contract.

Contrary to last week's reports, as we keep telling everyone (is anyone listening ?), Robson has not made a bid - and has no intentions of doing so.

The Everton striker, who had also been linked with Leeds United, will now give his all for Everton, aiming to impress The Gunners' enough to hand him a massive deal when he's 21.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Answers

don't believe anyone but the horses and their mouths

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Lee Hughes? A good player in nationwide but good enough for premier league?

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

I'm sure all toffees will be impressed by Jeffacake "giving his all" to impress another club - twat.

Lee Hughes could be a good signing, if we can prise him from his beloved Brom. £5m sounds fair.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

two words

marcus.stewart

i think hughes would be a great player for us

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

I agree re Hughes. He wouldn't need extra baggage handling at the Airport for his ego!

Always looks a good finisher and has the basic strength to make it. Maybe not the paciest forward we would hope for but Shearer was never that quick.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Marcus Stewart will not score 15 goals next season - one season wonder. Just like that other bloke who was top scorer last season.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Very interesting report - could well be accurate.
Like Bobby, I feel sure the Everton fans - who certainly deserve better than this from one of their own - will be hugely impressed by Jeffers' selfish decision.
This situation beautifully captures everything that is now rotten with the game of football.

Strangely enough I have a feeling Lee Hughes at £5mm could be less of a gamble than Jeffers for the Toon. However, I can't really accept swifty's comparison with Marcus Stewart.
Stewart was truly a PL player playing in the Nationwide - everytime I saw him on telly he impressed me with his movement, passing and finishing ability. I could never understand why no PL Club had taken a chance on him - with his fairly slight physical build for a striker being the only possible reason.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Stewart scored goals last season becauswe he was new and because the defenders had never played against him before, the same as Phillips and the same as Cole. Both of them struggled their next season in the Premier and I see no reason why Stewart will be any different. Hughes however may be good (for one season....)

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

so is the conclusion then that if we go for Hughes it would be for one season only ?

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

yes and then flog him for double next season and buy the new up & flog him - it's simple

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Teamtalk are saying that Birmingham, who had a £3million bid for Hughes turned down last season, are ready to up their offer.

Apparently Hughes has a clause in his contract which says that if a club offers £5million or more, he is free to speak to them.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Phillips did not "struggle" because he was found out, he missed pre- season and Quinn was cynically kicked off the park ever Saturday. Even then, 18 goals is not what I would call "struggling".

ML3

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

If we are after ONE striker, then I wouldn't be too impressed with Hughes. He would IMHO be not as good as either Cort or Shearer. If he is in addition to ANOTHER striker then he would be good value for money at £5M. I'd be happy to see him as a stand in for one of the other strikers. Basically what I'm saying is that we need FOUR strikers, and he'd be good as #4.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

What about Ameobi? We shouldn't stifle his development.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Still think Ameobi needs more years to develop, I'd introduce him when Shearer hangs up his boots.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Hughes is a goal getter, i don't think, Shearer aside, we have on. At 5m he is better value than that big eared scouse git.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

apologies to any one on here with big ears

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

If anyone one here has got Big Ears, will they please give him back to Noddy. He has been looking for him everywhere!

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

Will the lame joke police please go to the BBS, will the...

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

.....mind, it'll take them a long tome to get there if they're lame. Better to get the loonies out as they are fit.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001