Barton call seals move to the Dons ROOKIE striker Paul Robinson sought the advice of his former Newcastle United team-mates Warren Barton before joining Wimbledon, writes MILES STARFORTH.

And the full-back had no hesitation in recommending the club where he learnt his trade to the 21-year-old.

The #1.5 million forward is now hoping he can help fire the Crazy Gang back into the Premiership at the first time of asking - and a meeting with his former club.

Robinson, who signed a four-year deal today, said: ''It all happened very quickly but I did have time to call Warren, who is in America.

''He told me what a good club it was and now I'm just looking forward to the new season.

''Hopefully I'll be able to get some goals and we'll get straight back up. I'm very excited about playing alongside the likes of Jason Euell and John Hartson.

''The manager Terry Burton impressed me - he and the club are very ambitious and want to get out of this division as quickly as possible.''

Robinson had talks with United manager Bobby Robson

on his return to pre-season training at Chester-le-Street.

And he was told, with the club having signed Carl Cort and Daniel Cordone, that he would be no closer to first team football.

Sunderland-born Robinson said: ''The manager said he didn't really want to lose me but what I need at my age more than anything is first team football.

''While I would have been more than happy to fight for my place if I thought I had a chance, I realised it was best to move on.

''Wimbledon got in touch and I was very impressed with the club when I went down there.

''It's going to be wrench moving to London as I've spent all my life in the North East, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.''

Robinson, signed from Darlington for #250,000 by Kenny Dalglish in 1998, scored one senior goal for Newcastle.

Wimbledon boss Burton said: ''Paul played 11 times last season alongside Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson and will be a good buy for us.'' and... NEW boy Daniel Cordone opened Newcastle United's account for the season and pledged: "I am hoping this will be the first of many goals for the club."

His consolation goal apart, the Argentinian's showing was the highlight of a rather disappointing United performance as they were beaten 3-1 by bottom MLS club Washington DC at the RFK Stadium.

And certainly Cordone, who has only cost #500,000, gave Bobby Robson notice that he is aiming to fight the #15 million pair of Duncan Ferguson and Carl Cort for the right to partner Alan Shearer.

Added Cordone: "It was nice to score on my debut but not so nice that we did not win.

"I thought my goal would have put us back into the game but unfortunately this did not turn out to be the case.

"I feel that I am settling in more and more each day and I am getting to know the United players more all the time."

Judging by his performance at the RFK Stadium United look as though they could well have picked up a snip in Cordone.

Certainly Freddie Shepherd is happy with the deal United have worked out.

The United chairman explained: "We have paid Racing Club of Buenos Aires #500,000 for Cordone until the end of the season.

"But despite reports saying that he is on loan, this is not the case because we have an option on him for another couple of seasons at no extra cost to us."

Meanwhile Robson expects Steve Howey and Robert Lee to be free from injury for Wednesday's second friendly against Columbus Crew in Ohio.

Duncan Ferguson should also be ready after not being risked on Saturday night because he was feeling under the weather.

And this will leave Didier Domi, who has been experiencing chest pains, as the only United player not ready for action.

But skipper Alan Shearer, a substitute for Cort midway through the second half on Saturday night, will again start on the subs' bench on Wednesday.

and.... TOMMY Craig today praised Newcastle United's young stars after they helped record another emphatic pre-season victory.

Gary Caldwell, Stuart Green, Jamie Coppinger and David McMahon all impressed as United defeated Alnwick Town 6-2 at the other St James's Park.

Coppinger narrowly missed out on what would have been his second hat-trick in a week after his three goals against Ashington in midweek.

But it was at the back where Caldwell, whose brother Steve missed the game with a shin injury, who stole the show.

The 18-year-old was comfortable at both full-back and centre half and his pre-season form has pleased second string coach Tommy Craig.

Steady

He said: ''It was a good performance. It was important to get another good workout and it's always nice to score six goals, whoever they come up against.

''But I thought Alnwick, in the early part of the game, made a real go of it - we had to work hard for our goals

''Gary Caldwell is making the progress I was hoping he would make and Stuart Green got on the scoresheet for the second game in a row.

''I'm pleased to see them making steady progress as they've got the potential to make it.''

Craig also had praise for Marcelino and Temuri Ketsbaia, who were left behind when Bobby Robson took his first team squad on tour to the United States.

''Marcelino and Temuri Ketsbaia came to Alnwick and performed the way I hoped they would, their attitude was excellent.''

It was Ketsbaia who opened the scoring in the game, which was staged as part of the Northumbrian side's centenary year celebrations.

He drilled a low free kick past Alnwick goalkeeper Wayne Belisle in the fourth minute.

Robert Cockburn equalised seven minutes later after a mix up in the United defence left John Karelse stranded.

He chipped the ball over the Dutchman but Newcastle were back in front on the half hour through Gary Brady. Coppinger added two and Green another before half-time.

Irish teenager David McMahon hit United's sixth on the 56th minute when he fired home a rebound from just inside the box.

After Coppinger had failed to connect with a couple of crosses the action turned to the other end.

And Cockburn scored the goal of the game when he latched onto a sloppy pass 30 yards out to run to the edge of the box and lash home past Jonathan Brain, on for Karelse.

United: Karelse (Brain, 60); Green, Beharall, Hamilton, Marcelino, Caldwell, Boyd, Ketsbaia, Coppinger, McMahon, Brady.

and... Washington fans make their point, I think! Alan Oliver NEWCASTLE have received first-class hospitality from all-and-sundry in the capital city of the US.

But the whole United party were left scratching their heads at the huge banner which hung out of the RFK Stadium on Saturday night.

For it proclaimed: "Welcome Newcastle United. Texaco Cup winners 1975

United could not work out if this was American humour or were the Washington fans making a point about the length of time since their opposition's last silverware.

REMEMBER England's moron fans in the Low Countries of Belgium and Holland in Euro 2000?

Well the American supporters certainly showed them how to behave.

For when the band struck up God Save The Queen before Saturday's game in the RFK Stadium, the American fans stood boldly and quietly to attention. And those who were wearing headgear immediately removed it.

THE Magpies attracted a 17,610 crowd for their friendly in Washington.

But this would have been a lot bigger if Nobby Solano had been in their side instead of on World Cup duty with Peru.

For there is a huge Peruvian contingent living in Washington and had Solano appeared in a black and white shirt on their local ground, they would have turned up in their thousands.

UNITED found themselves in the swim after Saturday's game.

For Bobby Robson packed off his whole squad for a session in the swimming pool at the impressive Georgetown University yesterday morning.

Then it was a rush back to their five star hotel to crowd round the telly to watch Tiger Woods win the British Open.

The American superstar duly holed his match-winning putt 10 minutes before the United party were due to leave on a sight-seeing tour of America's capital city.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2000

Answers

oop missed a bit: and yes there is a picture of Lewinsky with a toon Scarf......bad PR...euch. UNITED have found themselves in a shoppers paradise here in the fashionable Georgetown area of Washington.

But one shop they will surely be giving a miss is Gap which is literally just a stone's throw from their luxury hotel.

For this is the shop where Monica Lewinsky bought that dress which almost brought down the President of the United States of America.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2000

Black and White scarf - surely it wasn't just a black scarf after the attentions of Slick Willy.

...It's the dirty mac with the hood if you wouldn't mind getting it for me...

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2000