According to Evening chronice - they had Lee checked out at weekend. I like him but he's hardly the top class mid-fielder we had in mind is he? I feel sorry for him - his hopes are continually raised by Alan Oliver who seems to be carrying out a campaign to get him back.

It could come to something though. Although the article says there are other irons in the fire so to speak.

He couldn't do any worse than Acuna, Speed and the absent Lee could he?

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

Answers

Also says that Chopra has been given a squad number - 28.

I know most of you will read the Chron for yourselves but thought I'd post it for people who haven't seen it yet.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

I agree, Lynda, re Clarkie. I also noted Hughesie saying that we have to stop losing at home. Er, yer think?

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

I know I laughed at that as well. Interesting to see that he thinks we can' afford to lose another one. It's a long season still ahead, he's mad if he thinks we won't drop more points at home.

Interesting article on Carrick also.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

Lynda, the timing of this Carrick thing is interesting. I really hope that he is one of our irons in the fire. I'm probably just getting light-headed, though...;0)

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

I wouldn't get my hopes up. Unless of course, his dad witnessed Sunday's nightmare and recognises that if we had Carrick we could be serious contenders for a UEFA spot through the league...

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

'Irons' in the fire - that was my phrase but just wishful thinking on my part. I never get any indication from any interviews he does that he has any real affection for the Toon. Could be wrong of course.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

I think that's one of his strengths - he handles the media very, very well. He's a true professional - committed to the club he plays for and won't be disrespectful to them. Listening to some of the comments players have been coming out with this season, he's a breath of fresh air.

Which is just yet another reason why we desperately need him in a B&W shirt, quietly going about his business in the midfield, tackling, passing, shooting, scoring. I suspect this is one signing that, if it happens, we'll only hear about when he's signed.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

You're right, Min: Trevor Sinclair has put himself in a position where he'll have to go the Makems because the Hammers are so p*ssed off with him (not unlike Hamman with the Arsenal-Liverpool debacle).

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

The worry with signing Clark is that there is absolutely no guarantee that the playing setup here will suit him as well as that at Fulham seems to.

I think it would be a real big gamble, and he ain't going to cost peanuts, so I'd far rather they spent the money on somebody (don't ask me who) who won't have as many of us scratching our heads over the wisdom of it.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

I say as head scratching & risks taken Clarkie is a stone wall certainty compared to other £6m spent by wor Bobby. Bassedas, Gavilan & others.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

No disrespect intended, but shouldn't we be aimimg for better?

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2001

I just don't think we can afford better, TG. I've just been looking through the Toon Annual Report, and the finances look fairly dire to me.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2001

I've championed Muzzy Izzet on here for a while - though now I see he's valued at £8-10m, I'm not so sure. Villa or Leeds could snap him up within the week, apparently.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2001

Another joke from wor Dan, eh? I agree - not worth £8-10M (unless you'll hoy in aal the utilities and stations).

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2001

Sam Dalla Bona?

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2001

Clarky?? Last seen in Embleton....................gnashing his teeth and cursing Fat Freddie.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2001

Where are Villa with their massive crowds and trophy-laden cabinets getting the money for all these purchases?

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Villa went ages without spending a penny on a player, which caused all the uproar at Ellis. They then sold Ugo and Gareth and Joachim and James and .... and only bought the Devil in disguise

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

I always thought Doug got unfair criticism. Of the 12 million they got for Yorke, they bought Watson, Stone, Dublin and Merson. They bought Boeteng as well as Angel and this summer got Hadji and that Balaban (??sp) as well as Rudolf and Mellberg. I don't think Doug's any more to blame than our board were when Kenny chose to buy Des Hamilton.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Actually Della Bona had also occurred to me Gus. I'm sure I read somewhere that he's looking to get out of Chelsea, but he probably wants to go back to Italy. I reckon he's a decent player, and the sort of young, energetic blerk we need.
At the right price, say £4-5mm, he'd be worth considering.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001