who though?

Bobby Robson would like to do his summer shopping - now.

And he said today that the player he wanted to sign is "quicksilver, with a big future, who could be here for 10 years."

The Newcastle United boss has continued to cut the club's wage bill this week with Christian Bassedas following fellow South American Diego Gavilan out of the door on loan this week.

And with question marks over the futures of Robert Lee and Warren Barton, and Preston North End still on the trail of Wayne Quinn, the United boss makes no bones about his desire to sign.

He told me today: "I need a couple of top midfield players. But one would do.

"And if I get him there would be no reason to buy anyone in the summer."

Both Feyenoord's Brett Emerton and Jermaine Jenas of Nottingham Forest fit Robson's "quicksilver" description of the player he wants.

There is not that much difference between the two players apart from the fact that Feyenoord want £8 million for Emerton and Forest half that for their teenage midfielder.

Both Feyenoord and Forest have said that their players are not available but I am sure this would change if United put some big money on the table.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Answers

ap

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

anyone else see the Feyenoord v PSV game on Ch5 the other night?

I was watching Emerton closely and it was a dreadful game [0-0] but i wasn't all that impressed with Emerton. Couple of half-decent crosses and that was about it - certainly not anyone to seriously worry Nol on that performance.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Emerton has looked hopeless on the telly every time I've seen him, certainly no £8m player and not a patch on our Nob.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Bobby has to be referring to Jenas I think.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

agreed. 8m is about 7.5m too much on that performance. hard working are not words that spring to mind when describing him.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Emerton wouldn't be classed in the 'quicksilver' mode either, he looke da solid player in the World Cup play offs, not a speed merchant.

'Quicksilver' is Dyer/Bellamy, dunno whether Jenas is that either. In fact I struggle to think who it could be, where are the Championship Managers people when you need them ?

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

I've been playing Championship Manager quite a bit recently, I've got Barnsley sitting pretty in 3rd in the Premiership which is some achievement - Luax2 is top scorer in the league with 24 goals in 29 appearances (this is season 2004/05 by the way)

Haven't got a clue who he could mean. Jenas isn't exactly quicksilver but he can keep up with a fast paced game well enough. I would personally like to see David Prutton in black and white - he has a huge future for whoever signs him.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Must be Michael Owen!

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

can he play in midfield ?

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Michael Owen is basically a footballing conveyor belt that leads to the goal. However, it's running too fast and breaks down qute often.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

Funny you should say that - David Prutton is in the midfield of my Championship Manager NUFC side. I also signed John Carew a few days ago - Fulham obviously have access to my PC!

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002

I liked Prutton first then bought him on Championship Manager, bought for £3m now worth £18m and a regular for England. Oh yes.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002

Just seen that Sunderland are linked with Gregory Dufer, a 19 year old Belgian midfielder. I saw this lad play for Belgium u-21s against Scotland in May and he was the fastest player I saw last season. Faster than Bellamy and Dyer.

He's must be our man !!!

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

I looked for a central defender on CM 01/02 and signed a Swede called Tihinen. It came up with a report that fans had gathered Shearer style to greet him at the ground and how happy they were with the signing. Anybody know what he's like in the real world. I've never heard of him.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002

He played on loan at WHU last season - I thought he looked canny when I saw him on telly. However, they didn't sign him so he couldn't have been all that good.

Actually, I seem to recall the Toon being interested in him prior to him joining WHU.

-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002