David Geddis, one of Bobby Robson's old boys from Ipswich, is in the frame to join his former boss at Newcastle United.

United have never replaced former head coach Mick Wadsworth and Robson is on the look-out for a new coach.

And one-time ace striker Geddis sat beside his former boss at Kingston Park last night as Tommy Craig's side went joint top of the Premier League Reserve table by trouncing Aston Villa 6-1.

Geddis was a casualty when Steve McClaren took over at Middlesbrough in the summer and he lost his job as reserve team coach at the Riverside Stadium.

The word from Middlesbrough is that the 43-year-old Geddis leads a disciplined life and that he is meticulous in all he does - and this is just what United need.

Robson is on record as saying that whoever comes in will not be ahead of John Carver - testimony to the excellent work the young Geordie has done as first-team coach this season.

Both Robson and his current chief scout Charlie Woods are aware of the qualities Geddis possesses from their time together at Portman Road.

Geddis, hails from Carlisle and he was the youngest player in the Ipswich town side which beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley in 1978.

He then moved to Aston Villa where he won both a League Championship and a European Cup winner's medal and he is also a former England B centre forward .

Robson has been reluctant to appoint a new coach because things have been going so well and he takes the first team along

with Carver, Craig looking after the Reserves, Simon Smith taking care of the goal-keepers and Paul Winsper in charge of the overall fitness policy.

But with winter fast approaching, Robson is fully aware if one of his current coaching staff should go down with a bug then he will be caught short.

Former United vice-captain Paul Bracewell has attended some of United's training sessions lately and has turned up at quite a few of their Premiership and Reserves matches.

But Bracewell, the first manager sacked this season when he left Halifax , could yet find a coaching post at another of his former clubs - Sunderland.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

Answers

I know I'm getting old and memories aren't what they used to be, but didn't Geddis turn us down as a player in about 81, in the pre-Keegan era ?

Well if we weren't good enough for him then how come we're good enough for him now ?

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

'Cos he's out of work!

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

I wasn't born in 81, so I can't really say :)

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

icDeadPeople are now saying Geddis is joining us for a 3 month trial period. He'll work 'under' YBR and John Carver. No more details as to what he'll be doing, just that he is a disciplined person, the gist being maybe he'll impart discipline on the players?

-- Anonymous, November 19, 2001

What's the betting he's seen doon the Quayside or in that flap dancing club before the year is oot??

-- Anonymous, November 19, 2001