1. Did you return to training this morning?

Yes, thank God. Having done nothing all week, it's a real pleasure to get back to training. I'm not doing ball work, rather weights and so on but I should be back to ball work tomorrow and if all goes to plan, I'll be back in the team.

2. You seem happy to be back?

Definitely, it's crap to do nothing. I couldn't touch a ball last week. After some rest, though, I can't feel anything in my hip. We'll have to see what happens when I'm doing ball work tomorrow but, all things being equal, everything should be fine and I can prepare for the Leeds match.

3. Did you watch the 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace?

Yes, I was at the ground. Crystal Palace may be in the first division but they played very well. As usual, we were slow-starting but we won, Shearer and Acuna scoring. Olivier Bernard replaced me but played more defensivly than I do.

4. Was the team still unbalanced?

Yes, that hasn't changed.

5. Have you spoken to the manager about it?

Yes, I spoke to him this morning. I couldn't talk to the other players as they are having two days off but we are going to talk to them when they get back. At the moment, I have a phsyio at my personal disposal and I'm training with the kids from the Academy.

6. There are 6 very important months coming up for you. What are your objectives?

I have to find my best form fast. I have scored 4 goals in the Championship and I don't know how many assists. It's up to me to improve on these figures. Once my injury has cleared up, I am going to do my all for my team and really enjoy playing. I want people to see the Laurent Robert on his PSG form. For Newcastle, we have to target a Champion's League place to get people talking about us and hopefully win the Cup. I read in a French paper this morning that I had fallen out with the manager and that was why I had been dropped. Who makes this rubbish up? There's nothing in it at all. As far as the French national side is concerned, it all depends on my performances for the Magpies.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Answers

Howay, Lolo, give us your Boro away form!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Thanks again, Dougs

"Olivier Bernard replaced me but played more defensivly than I do."

Does he really think he has any defensive qualities in his game?

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

I like how he's consulting Bobby on team play while the other lads are off. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Bobby-

The thing is, he is capable of tracking back and putting in a good tackle. He's done it several times. But the occasions when he opts out tend to stick in the mind rather more.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

The other thing is that as long as he is pelting down the wing with the ball at his feet, we are in no immediate danger, as, on form, he almost never gives the ball away.

BTW, in the light of their home defeat against Monaco at the weekend, the cries from PSG for the return of Lolo are almost deafening.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

He could make the difference against Leeds.

This is Leeds without Rio, and probably with Ian Harte on the left. They will have learned from last time and help out Harte with Nobby's threat, so Robert will have more room than normal.

If we give him the ball (as you should do with a winger, who shouldn't have to win it himself) then we could score a few, especially with Shearer's current form. What's the bet on a 3-0 defeat?

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

If the lads carrying a knock the last thing he needs to do is tackle back. Tackling is the best way for a forward to get injured.

Once he's 100% fit he'll track back like he was early on.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

Thanks once again dougal.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002

To save him tackling back put distin in at left back , hes a left footed player and has played there for PSG.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Hmmm - not convinced about Distin as a LB. Mind, it would probably be the first time 4 CBs have played in a back four!

Actually, I just watched the Leeds video in glorious GustoVision. I take back (some of) the comments I made earlier about Robbie Elliott. He had a good game. Let's hope Gus sent a copy to the club as well so they can see what they are all capable of before Saturday's game.

I still prefer SD as a CB. His height is very useful against the likes of the Fat Ozzie B@st@rd (no, not Gus). Also, his pace against the likes of Owen and Anal-car would be useful. This pace could be useful against a pacey right winger (can't think of any we're due to play in the near future) but Bernard could do a decent job under those circs too.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

Come to think about it, it could be a very interesting 'contest' between Verruca and Dabz on Saturday!

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

The Leeds match on Saturday has all the makings of a grudge match. The one thing we can depend on is that they won't take us lightly, having won three of our past three matches against them.

The one thing I'm pleased about is that Lolo moans about the lack of balance when he's not playing so it suggests that he's not making excuses for himself.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002

BTW, I may be wrong but I think SD said that he was prepared in extremis to play at LB or in midfield but wouldn't do it for a career.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002