Surprised this hasn't already cropped up going by the big deal in the chronic about us signing the munchkin.

Can't believe we're serious about this, if the club really have asked to be kept informed about Phillips' plans.

£12M ? Nee way.

I'm not even sure he'd be all that much use to us, I can't see him coming to sit on the bench. Surely his position is the least of our priorities.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Answers

It's utter bollocks.

£12m is over the top for someone his age, I would be annoyed if we signed him. If we needed a striker then maybe, but when we need players in almost every other position it would be a stupid buy.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

It would take a brave man to admit on here that Phillips might actually be a good aquistion. I know he is a Mackem but if Bobby really does want him I can see why and if so then who are we to doubt. Remember the negative stuff about Bellamy when he was signed. Drop big Al into a more withdrawn role and let Philips use his pace and undoubted finishing ability scampering alongside Bellamy. What pace this side could have. Robert, Bellamy, Phillips, Dyer, Jenas, Salano, Hughes, Griffin, Disdin, Bernard to mention a few. Certainly would rip most teams apart and be very exciting to watch.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

He's a good player, I don't think it would be brave.

The simple fact is, it's the economics of it all.

We have scarce financial resources and it would be a waste of them to spend £12m on one player in the position where we are arguably the strongest.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Lost yer geps again PB?

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Whats yer geps mean Screach?

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

If Rangers can pay 12 mill for Flo the Dipstick , is Munchkin worth 12 mill ? , a few replies on here suggest that we are strong in that department , I disagree for the following reasons, Football is now going thro another transitionary phrase and this has now reached club level from the international scene . IMHO that the day of the strong , big , center forward are a thing of the past . Defenders of class find this type of opponent easy meat, as big , if not bigger, strong if not stronger, with the added bonus of 90% facing the right way. Alan Shearer is very very good at this ploy, holding the ball up, roughing up defenders, to what avail, he has to rely on midfielders supporting quickly. Bellamy has helped enormously, (wait for it Dan!!) with his pace and mobility . In effect Newcastle in my eyes are attempting two completly different game plans attack wise, over the top to Bellows, knock it into Shearer. Some of you will come back with , `what`s he on about`, there`s Viduka , Heskey , I rate both of them as slightly more mobile than AL but their day`s are short lived . Having witnessed the Hideguti`s , the Revies, Nat Lofthouse and all types of center forwards we are turning the clock back , wee Hughie Gallagher , mobile Len White, Jimmy Floyd, Henry, that`s the way it is going, ok RVN is big, target man no. The term target man leaves me cold , is that somone you rifle the ball to out of desperation in the hope that he will pull you out of the mess you have landed in thro your lack of skill?. The Dutch total football arguably was the best in my lifetime, Man U and Arsenal are leading us that way again , we should not be found wanting, the only thing constant in life is change (apart from being Toon). I suspect YBR is aware of this, Jenas, Dyer,Bellamy mmmmm

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

I agree with you Buff. Earlier in this thread I advocate a similar proposal. I see where Bobby may be going. Pace allied with a high level of skill, combined with a good mix of youth and energy will win the day. Still feel Big al has a place in an embrionic side for a while longer albeit in a changing role though.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Shearer and Les, two physical strikers, neither the tricksiest or paciest, but it worked. Why? Well for starters they both had more pace than they have now, but they also had the likes of Ruel and Davide and Bob Lee when he could hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Two big men arent ideal in 'the modern game' but can still cause havoc if they're getting a)crosses from the byline and b) some bliddy spark from midfield. Al and Big Dunc looked dangerous for the five minutes they ever played together, and they didn't even have the quality of support. I wouldn'd write off two lunks up front on the basis of the Arse game, but if two of Shearer/Ameobi/Cort are ever going to work they need someone buzzing around in mf.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Sorry, bit pissed, may be talking shit, no idea. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Keith - last sentence in your post- yep agree

Dan, monday night slightly pissed?, all because Al did not make it onto Millionaire, bliddy groupies. My thoughts on the pacy/mobile forwards were way before the Arse match but watching them highlighted the fact.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Uptake's slipped into 'slow-on-the' mode, Screach. Can only assume this has already been done over ad nauseum on another thread.

I was just curious about whether or not Phillips would be worth the effort. There just does not appear to be any way he would be allowed to come to SJP, a situation the chronic likened to Blackburn point blank refusing to allow AS to go to manure.

For the price the Makems would want from us, surely we could find somebody more in line with what we need. Just can't see it ever happening.

Got nowt against him as a player. I even don't doubt he could still come good somewhere else, or even at the SoS, given the right support, just don't think we'll get a look in.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

I have always believed that pace especially with guile is better than brawn when it comes to strikers. Milburn had it, Mortenson had it Lawton had it and so did White and MacDonald. Brawn and height were necessary years ago when there were two genuine wingers who ran down the touchline, beat the full back and centred the ball for the big uns to head in. The modern game is different and Bellamy proves the point. It is nice to have Big Al in the side to afford some protection, hold up the ball and be on the spot to hit the ball into the net. But I am with Buff -- even though in our younger days a big centre forward was de rigeur -- speed and guile -- that is the recipe for success. I said as much before the Arsenal game and I am doubly convinced now. More important, I believe Bobbie Robson does too.

-- Anonymous, March 04, 2002

Spot on floridian.

I'm not sure though whether Phillips is the best available, even at a more reasonable price than 12 mill. But he should be under consideration - regardless of previous 'career mistakes' on his resume - as he is proven at PL level (and not disproven at European level, if you get my drift !)

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

sunderland wouldn't dare sell him to us. There would be riots in the streets and murray would never be able to show his face again. Pretty funny for us admittedly. They won't do it. Pointless even speculating (IMHO).

Ginga

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

Robson tried to buy Gudjonsen, he wanted Lovenkrands, he has bought Bellamy, (and Robert) pace seems to be key in his signings. The only one I struggle with is Cort who can trap the ball further than I can kick it, he does score despite that.

The only thing I can see with Shearer/Cort is that they will ulrimately give another option to our fast moving forwards come the last 5 minutes when physical presence may be vital

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

Philips is the Mackems best player by a mile but he's not worth £12m.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002

Philips 3 years ago would have been 12mil easily, i'd love him in the squad, but against European opposition he seems lost, and thats where we will need our strikers to be on song next year :-) soz Kev.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2002