Meanwhile Robert was still considering Newcastle's final offer at his Paris base last night but his agent suggested personal terms were no longer a problem.

However, Robert has yet to be convinced about United's long-term ambition and their ability to bring more world class players to Tyneside this summer.

the song remains the same

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

Answers

approaches pointless?

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

Why sign him, he'll end up just like the others.....how many times do we have to be stung before we learn the lesson?....

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

I just wonder what Bobby Robson's involvement in transfer negotations is these days? It appears that this may now be exclusively the province of Shepherd.

If so, this could be meaningfully contributing to the inherent problems we have in attracting top players. He is reputedly a tough negotiator, but without wishing to be unkind, the guy doesn't exactly emit enthusiasm and vision and I can't imagine he's the kind of guy young, cosmopolitan egotists, with an inflated view of their own importance, would find engaging.

I have real doubts we are making effective use of Bobby's natural enthusiasm, indeed aura, in this important arena.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

I think this is exactly the problem, a job for Bryan perchance?

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

or not, am i mad!

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

I seem to remember Bobby saying last season that he identifies the player he wants and then Shepherd moves in to scupper negotiate the deal.

I would have thought getting Bobby and Shearer to go and talk to the targets could help in persuading a few of them to sign.... or not.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

That could well be our biggest problem. YBR definitely has an aura about him, and a person would have to be stone cold dead not to get caught up in his enthusiasm when he speaks.

The brief time I was around Shepherd last summer...well, he honestly didn't stand out other than being the only daft get in a suit on a blazing hot Columbus afternoon at the stadium bar filled with folks in shorts, tshirts and toon tops. He didn't strike me as anything more than joe-average businessman. Seemed nice enough, but the type that's hard to tell if he really means it, or he's just going through the promotional motions(mind, I tend to be suspicious of anyone 'corporate' in dress or demeanor ;-) ). Dunno if that's typical of him or not. If so, I can't see potential world class signings being overly impressed either. Especially when the club doesn't appear to offer anything other than a big paycheck right now.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

These world class players should be jumping at the challenge of dragging the team out of the continuing mediocrety (Spelling?) they find themselves in. Anyone can join a team of top class players and look good - where's the challenge in that? the challenge is shining in a team full of tossers. Im Joking -of course

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2001

Shepherd was never going to be able to be a John Hall. It was 100% inevitable.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2001