Fromtheterrace.co.uk are reporting the following:

Nuno Gomes set for Newcastle - Fiorentina’s unsettled striker Nuno Gomes is understood to be keen to join Newcastle.

Serie A club Fiorentina are in a terrible financial state. So much so, that many of the players haven’t been paid and now they face losing some of their stars on free transfers.

Portuguese international Gomes has complained to the Italian Football League and wants his contract to be ripped up. As well as hurtling towards Serie B, Fiore will have to do without the 25-year-old who has scored 16 goals this term – quite an achievement considering the team’s precarious league position.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson is well aware of Gomes’ talents and is waiting to see if he’ll be available for free before making his move. The Magpies may also be tempted by Italian midfielder Marco Rossi, who also wants to move on without a transfer fee being payable to Fiore.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Answers

He's a great, great player, but where would he fit in?

I couldn't see a Bellamy / Gomes partnership fitting in too well and Shearer isn't going to be just dropped from the team.

He is one of the world's best strikers, but I have a feeling it would cause unrest if we signed him.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Paul - both Shearer and Bellamy have played far too many minutes of far too many games this season. CB is now paying the price: hopefully, the same thing won't happen to AS.

If we qualify for Europe we need to deepen and strengthen the squad, and need to move out several squad players who just aren't good enough to actually relieve those playing every week.

I reckon we need to bring in perhaps 4-5 players who could actually play in the 1st team, not simply warm the bench and cruise the Quayside.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

This is a difficult one me'thinks, for a team that was aiming for top six our squad is reasonable, to get into the top three we look bare and don't really have the quality. Only three places, different kettle of fish in terms of squad size and quality but we weren't to know this last season. Hindsight and all that. Personally I don't rate shola (and I hope he rams that down me throat), luax2 is a better option off the bench, Cort is still on match fitness but could be good for us. That's 5 strikers we should have 5 first teamers not 2+3 reserves, but again it's all hindsight. In terms of Gomes, take him on loan with a view to and end of season move if he's any good, he'll still cost us an arm and a leg in wages so it's not a freebie exactly and IMO Bellamy has proved there is still quality in the Britsh game that doesn't have to be paid 50k a week. Play Robert up front on Saturday, see how he goes....

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Must say, I'd play Robert up front just to see how he does and to give Bernard a run out (he must be getting p...d off at the moment). Robert may not be up to it physically but I think he's the best bet of all the available options.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

In this instance, I'm not sharp-shooting the Club, Rog - I'm simply looking forward to what is likely to be needed next season.

You make precisely the same point well in saying we need 5 1st teamers, not 2 + 3 Reserves. I would probably say we need 4 1st team strikers, and as of now wouldn't rate Shola or Luax2 in that category.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

seriously Clarkey I am not in argument with you, you are indeed correct, but I've seen this for donkeys, our 'reserve' team squad should be just that, personally I'd like to see a continuation of the youngsters coming through into the reserve team, it should indeed be preparation for the first team not as you said 'not quite good enough to make first team football XI', seen too many 23-24 year olds still with 'potential' written next to their name, great if they are 18-19 but that can't go on.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

I don't think we'd do that well with 5 strikers on the field.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

I agree to a point.

In an ideal world it would be great to have 5 class strikers who can replace each other.

I'm just not sure we have the reputation to have a world class player on the bench every week. Manure could get away with it and do get away with it all the time. Players are honoured just to be at the club. Unless our reputation has spiralled upwards on the world scene then it might be hard attracting big name players to be no more than squad players.

I have to admit though I'd love to see Nuno Gomes play for us next season.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Let's face it, every f**ker who's reaching the end of their contract will be connected to us until the end of the season. Not to count too many chickens, but Europe / Chump's league is all but assured and that's a big magnet to players (and their agents).

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

We have to have a world class first XI available for CL games and a very good second XI available for cover. You just have to look at Arsenal's scorers last night and ask how many of them are world class as opposed to very good Premiership players. Well for me Pires, Henry, Viera and Bergkamp have all been, or are, world class players.

We have Shearer who was 5 years ago, and that's it. Bellamy may be, and Dyer even more likely, but that's it. Robert at his best was the best domestic player in France last year so he may be too. Shay is dummy throwing distance way from World Class.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

We have to be careful, though. It's all right bringing in these players but we do have some talented kids and need to make sure they get their chances, either with us or on loan. Had Offiong and Chopra been playing for first division clubs, we might have had the faith in them that we have in Jenas. Equally, everyone has been very optimistic about Gary Caldwell but where is he going to fit in.

I'm not saying don't get rid of the Coppingers and McClens, who just aren't going to make it with us but I do think YBR should take a long, hard look at the kids and see who can be brought through. Chopra and/or Offiong may save us millions.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

As I understood it the contractual problems at Fiorentina had at least been partially resolved and the chances of Gomes et al leaving imminently/for next to nowt had receded somewhat. Could be wrong, but I think this story might be out of date.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

where as last season it was Leeds being linked to every player, it will now be us. I say ignore it. Last night Depor RIPPED apart star studded Juve with pace and youth. It was very enjoyable.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

Sorry, Macbeth. Given could not throw the dummy far enough to be world class.

Cannot handle crosses and does not command the 6 yard box nor his defenders.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002

He's still a bloody good keeper though.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002