But , can't get into Newcastle's first team.

Diego Gavilan might not be able to get a game for his club - but he has done his bit for his country this week. The 21-year-old winger helped Paraguay to a 2-0 win over Yugoslavia in Tokyo's national stadium - part of the three-nation Kirin Cup which also includes host nation Japan. The South American side will win the three-nation annual invitation tournament if they register a victory in their match against hosts Japan on Sunday.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Answers

Aye, but we also signed a world cup winning striker who was absolutely shockingly bad.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

I don't think the apostrophe, ever played more than 3 games for France.

I rate Gavilan, from what i've seen of him he looks like a very fast winger capable of a good cross. I don't think playing on a Rugby pitch has done much for his reputation , i'd like to to see more of him playing on St James' turf.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

It must be more than 3?!? It would seem more than foolhardy to start a world cup final with a virtually untried forward.

Dunno about Gavilan - never seen him play. If he was that good wouldn't there be more than a few top clubs knocking on the door?

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Stephane Guivarc'h never had a chance at SJP. He was a current international, signed at major expense, and discarded like a well worn sea-boot and in the blink of an eye. This provided the perfect example of how not to go about acquiring players and build a squad.
Disgraceful episode.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Yeah I was a bit puzzled at Guivarch's departure. Although he had a dodgy world cup campaign, he did score on his debut for us and left after only a few games. I felt a bit sorry for him really as he did nowt wrong.

Gavilan should hopefully make a breakthrough this coming season. If he doesn't I expect we'll see the end of his career with us as an international is not going to improve being played in the reserves all the time. I know a few people who like him as a player but I've only seen him a couple of times through substitute appearences. There was also that Coventry game a while back where he scored a canny goal, but I missed the match.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Stephane went North and didn't exactly become an overnight sensation, I agree he wasn't given much of a chance here but I have no regrets that we let him go.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

The real question Tony is why did we bloody sign him, play him twice - or whatever it was - and then sell him?
This guy cost us £3.5mm - and we were incredibly fortunate to get our money back.
Do we have any clue whatsoever? Answers on a post-card please to Mr F. Shepherd, Fawlty Towers, Bournemouth .........

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Now Clarky you were comlaining about not gettin gmoney back on players a bit earlier in the week, now you're having a go when they did manage to extracate themselves from a bad signing

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Entirely consistent macbeth. Both Coventry and the Toon were unbelievably lucky in getting their money back, and both buying Clubs - Rangers and the Toon - were just plain dumb. With me?

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

I think the answer was on a postcard to TSM & well done Gullit & Shepherd for getting the money back. Didn't we half sell Sheareror something at the time?

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Gavilan has looked class in the reserves when I've seen him while still being lightweight. He can pass and is comfortable. He was bought as one for the future and YBR has commented that he hasn't come on as he'd have expected.

He must get some chances this season. I have a video on my PC of a delightful Domi through ball that young Al smashes into the Manure net to make it 3-1 - Gavilan was the 1st to get to Al and congratulate him. Not relevant really but I enjoyed the memory.

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001

The playing surface, the opposition and the demoralising environment ensures that very, very few players shine at Central League level. I've noticed this phenomena over many years.

I really believe Gavilan has natural talent - more for instance than Luax2 - but when I've seen him in the Reserves over the last 12 months he's looked utter cr@p and thoroughly demoralised. However, he is an international and a player who looked good in his only 1st team appearance.

I feel sure that if we wait until the lad looks like George Best playing for the Resorves we effectively consign him to waiting until hell freezes over. We really must give the lad a run of a few games in the 1st team to adequately assess whether he really has what it takes, or not. If not we should get rid - we'll never find out while he plays for the Reserves.

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001

Especially playing in conditions like Whitley Bay last winter. He looked a completely different player from what I saw in training when he on trial. Not only would a run in the first team give him a chance to play under proper conditions, but it could do his confidence a world of good.

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001

At the rate we're clocking up new signings, Gavilan will be laughing all the way to the first team.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2001

According to icNewcastle, Paraguay lost 2-0 yesterday to Japan - little mention tho of Diego's contribution. I think a postcard from the lad is long-overdue ;-)

If he's not going to figure in the 1st team this season, might he benefit from dropping down a league or two to get some experience in the NW? I realise that some of those games could be a "cloggers charter" but it may also strengthen the lad a bit for the rigors of the EPL. From what I've seen, he has talent, but as Clarky pointed out, he seemed very demoralised playing at KP.

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2001

I would like to see him start (or appear at least) in the inter2bob games as this will give him a chance to play in the first team against opposition that shouldnt be too difficult to beat. May get his confidence up a bit!! AM

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2001