"Good riddance - team spirit and the club's colours aren't in your vocabulary" "You come from Reunion Island and hate the cold - you'll be forgotten in this mediocre team that always finishes twelfth (12th? That would have been a bit of variety, pet) and we'll laugh at you when you aren't in the World Cup squad". "Lolo, wherever you go, I'll always love you". "You are leaving us, when we are on the point of winning the Championship for a shit club that has no ambition..shame on you". "Goma is a big shit"

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Answers

PS. He will be publishing a long interview on his site later today.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

I saw that too Dougal. If he's psoted the interview before I knoxk off for the day I'll write a quick translation. It had better be soon though, as these 30 deg temperatures are asking for a cold beer, and I've never been any good at saying no.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

He's just posted his interview so I'd better start translating it. Mind you, it's almost beer o'clock.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

You signed for Newcastle today. Why did you choose this club?

It's a great club, that is very very good on a sporting level. I'm going to discover a new championship that will without doubt suit my style of game. I've still got lots of things to learn and Newcastle will permit me to reach a new level. The training conditions are magnificent, and even better, I will be working with a great trainer, Bobby Robson.

How long have you signed for? 5 years.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Have you talked with your new coach? Yes, we've talked a little. I'm wiating impatientiently. He knows my qualities of scoring and passing. We'll discuss more at the first training session. In any case, I'm going to do everything that I can to integrate in the team and bring the little bit that Newcastle has missed to get back their previously high levels.

You are going to play alongside players like Dyer, Speed, Solano and the talismanic capitan, Alan Shearer. What is your feeling about this team? The team is very good and that is why I have come here. I hope that we a regoing to have a great season.

Have you rushed to discover St James Park, the Magpies stadium? This evening I'll be there for the match against 1860 Munich. I will be presented to the public. I've visited the stadium, but it was empty. When it's full it should have a superb atmosphere.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

God his english is terrible ;)))

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

'The training conditions are magnificent' ????????

I worry for him already

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Perhaps PSG train in a field full of cowpats

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Are you worried at how you'll adapt to England? No, not at all. I'm coming with my family and everything is going to go well.

Did you have any information from other French players who have played in the Premiership before coming to your decision?

Didier Domi, a former Newcastle player, gave me some good details on the club. Other than that, I've discussed the English game with Nicolas Anelka. In all, everyone said that Newcastle was a super club, as much in England as in France.

The English press has a reputation for being hard on players, especially foreigners. Do you know how you are going to deal with this? It's really the same in all countries. When the team is going well, no-one is ever attacked. In constrast, when it doesn't go as well, the media will always find a player to have it in for. I've learnt a lot on this subject at PSG and the errors that I did make, I won't make again. It will be different here.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

"In all, everyone said that Newcastle was a super club, as much in England as in France."

Sorry Shep, you were right - we are a seen as a MASSIVE club abroad!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

I can't see how Domi would say a good word about us!!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

A comparison with David Ginola is inevitable. You play in the same position and your paths are similar, from PSG to Newcastle. Will this add a little bit of pressure? No. I hope to be better than him.

What summary can you give after two seasons at PSG? Super, I had two magnificent years in Paris. At the end there were some incidents, but other than that, I only have good memories of PSG. The fans were always good with me. I would have preferr to have left PSG on better terms.

What do you mean? I didn't want to leave Paris. It was PSG who wanted me to leave. Staying another year at the club wouldn't have bothered me, but PSG recontacted Newcastle to advance things. I discussed things with my agent and my wife, and we decided to have a new adventure. In any case, my former teammates, by the wished me good luck through their captain Frédéric Déhu.

Do you have a message to gove them? I hope that the club and the players have a great season. I'm going to go to their training camp to say goodbye.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

What effect will your transfer have in terms of the French team? I was already an international with PSG and it will be necessary to continue with Newcastle. If I have a good season I should be able to get a in the team for the World Cup. It's up to me to play well now.

When will you start training with your new club? Next week.

How have you got by in English? I understand everything and I'm starting to speak. An English teacher has been put at my disposition. I don't have any concerns. I've only been here two days and I'm already managing OK. In a few months I should be completely bilingual. A bientôt.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

That's all of it. He puts up interviews like that a couple of times a week. It's fairly normal for French players to be very open with the media over here. They often give interviews at half-time on leaving the field.

I was surprised to see that he liked our training facilities, and that Domi said Newcastle was a good club. However, he seems keen to get stuck in and make a go of it. I think things are looking up for the new season, and if he scores a few goals early on he'll become a legend. And, unlike Ginola, he tracks back and puts plenty of effort in defensively.

As it's now definitely beer o'clock I'll tune in tomorrow for successful match reports.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Thank for the translation Kiwi!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Ah - but iz 'e worth eet?

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Thanks for the translation KT, very positive.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

I can't see how Domi would say a good word about us!!

Actually Gav, Domi made very complimentary remarks about club and city in the chronic some time after his arrival. Described the city as "cool" and wasn't on about the Siberian blasts from KP. I was very sorry to see him go - he seemed to lose it mentally towards the end.

I'm very pleased to see that many of The Good Shepherd's words in the Sunday Sun were fully endorsed by Robert (perhaps Freddie handed him the script!) Excellent. And the training facilities was a bonus piece of news (probably to the lads as well!).

You can see that the PSG fans were unhappy to lose him but then presumably they aren't a big enough club to hang on to a player like that. He belongs at a massive club. BTW where is Paris?

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Paris? Aah think it's just a bit fartha sooth than Weshin'ton Jonno.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Sounds very promising, though I'm a bit worried abou him thinking we've got good training facilities, and that he's taking advice from Domi and Anelka. Ooooo...yes, beginning to feel that pessimism creeping in agagin. When do we play Troyes? I think I can work myself into full blown misery by then. Anything to keep us winning! ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

We should be able to beat Troyes fairly comfortably. They are a hard-working, well-organised team with no stars. Their main strength is thier teamwork and mental strength. The whole budget (training costs, transport, wages, etc) for the team is 100 million francs, ie less than Laurent Robert. They are the poorest team in the French championship.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001