Distin.what do we make of this? whats he like? don't we really need a midfielder though? hang on...

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Answers

We need a Centre Half more than anything. Either Caldwell might soon be ready to step into the breach, but I don't see any of Hughes, O'Brien (or of course Marcelino) ever making it as a first rate CB. Whether Distin is the answer I don't know, but if it's £1m a year for 4 years then maybe it's worth a punt. Our ex-PSG players might have had attitude problems in the past but they've all had the skills and quality to succeed.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

We need a mf more but a replacement for Dabs might be useful. Shame if it stops the development of Caldwell and OBrien though.

What about a new right back I say.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

We've got one Lynda - called Andy Griffin - only he can't get a game.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Interesting report on PlanetFootball about Distin's desire to play for the Toon:

SYLVAIN DISTIN is desperate to join his friend and former PSG team- mate Laurent Robert at Newcastle, and his agent has confirmed that he is on Bobby Robson`s list of priorities.

The central defender has been linked with Bolton Wanderers, but the player`s agent has stated that he prefers the North East of England rather than the North West.

PSG have made it clear that Distin can leave the French capital if any club match their near £5 million valuation of the player, and the 23-year-old is hoping Robson can raise the capital to finance his move to St James` Park.

Distin was previously keen on a move to The Reebok, but his desire has cooled following the news of Newcastle`s interest. Speaking to Planetfootball.com, Distin`s representative Willie MacKay said "Distin wants to go to Newcastle, he doesn't want to go to Bolton. He prefers Newcastle because he is good friends with Laurent Robert. They are the team he wants to go too. Robert told him how good it is there and he wants to join him."

When asked if a transfer may go ahead, Mackay added: "I know Bobby Robson likes him, he is an admirer, and they are in need of a central defender. Sylvain is their first choice, but I think it is finances with Newcastle that could be a problem. PSG are looking for exactly 42 million francs. But the possibility of a transfer is very much alive, and we will see if something happens next week."

Robson is acutely aware of a need for a central defender, having seen his side concede four goals at home to Troyes meaning they missed out on qualification for the Uefa Cup, and a defensive reinforcement could bolster their domestic challenge.

Some sense at last?

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Are we sure Robert is French? He likes it here. He's encouraging one of his friends to come here. My stereotype is in danger of breaking. :-)

And yes please on Distin! Surely we can find 5mil somewhere for a good defender.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

...... well we seem to have £10mm for a 30 yr-old striker!

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

I know PSG bought Ronaldinho for a mad amount of money but are they really hard up enough to need to flog so many high calibre players?

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

clarky, are you referring to the 29 year old striker there's been 'rumours' of us buying? The same 29 year old striker who a year ago said Big Al was too old to play for England (when Al was 29!) and that he should take Al's place?

I'm all for paying 5m. for a Distin and somehow spending the other (spare?) 5m on a budding younger striker or, better still, using it for (towards) strenthening our current, very poor mid-field.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

... well I was actually, Bud.

Essentially everyone on here agrees that a commanding centre half and a strong, mobile central midfielder are major needs, and a higher priority than another striker - except it seems the Toon management.

I suspect Doug & Fred are still obsessed with the Keeganesque approach of all out attack with little emphasis on defensive ability, despite the fact that we just don't have the players to even contemplate reviving that style - and am increasingly believing that it was one of them who contacted OT about AC.

The Journal this morning suggests that while the possibility of a deal is now dead - principally because of Taggart's intervention and insistence that AC is not for sale - there was definitely contact between the Clubs last week on the matter. In the same article it confirms that BR has no interest in signing the player.

Yet again - this suggests to me that "something is rotten in the kingdom of Denmark SJP!"

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2001