Newcastle boss Bobby Robson today hit back at claims that he tried to pave a way out of West Ham for midfielder Trevor Sinclair.

Robson defended himself and insisted that he was not the source of any leak: "To some degree, my reputation and my credibility was attacked by a few papers and that's rather hurt and distressed me."

He added: "You know yourselves that I don't do business in that way. I never have done and I never will. I'm very experienced in buying and selling players. I will never discuss club business with you until that club business is completed. All this with Sinclair, as it is with other players, has been papers fabricated and speculation by the papers."

"I understand West Ham's anger and I have a certain amount of sympathy for Glenn Roeder, a young manager coming into the circus. I understand how he feels. We did have words together yesterday and I need to talk to him again today personally because the whole thing is fabricated. It's very sad. He's been misdirected. I'm very angry about it. It's caused irreparable damage, I think."

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Answers

Cue a Marlon Brando type call from Bobby "i like you son, but i'm gonna have to kill ya"

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Another episode in which newcastle are dragged through the mud. As I said in an earlier thread, I wish we could keep approaches quiet until the player has signed. Ipswich have got it right in saying that they are about to sign a spanish midfielder for 4 million. That way the public are intrigued and it does'nt give the opportunity for other clubs to come and steal the player from under our noses. I hope the transfer furore dies down for a week or so as Newcastle at this rate will become the leper of transfer dealings!! AM

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

What can the club do? On Anova, you get headlines - Magpies deny Sinclair swoop (Wed) Sinclair to United (Thurs) Robson/ Roeder angry (Fri)

the only Comment by us was to deny rumours.

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

journalists = scum

How much more before the general public realise?

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001