From miDas

The arrival of Robbie Keane at Leeds has, according to close MiDAS sources, increased Newcastle's Kieron Dyer's ambition to move to Elland Road. In response to the fact that Leeds' interest is well documented, and will be followed up by a firm bid, Newcastle have slapped a £15m price tag on the 21 year old England international. This is a cash-only price and The Mags will not entertain Leeds offering any players in part exchange, and that includes Ian Harte and Darren Huckerby. The message to big spending Leeds is simple - "If you want him, you'll have to pay for him." Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has now revealed that all of his squad's fringe players are up for grabs as he scrambles around for the cash. Leeds offered £9m plus Ian Harte and Darren Huckerby on Thursday and Bobby Robson 'retreated' to think it over.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

Answers

Huckerby's a donkey that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Harte is OK, but is certainly not top-class.

If that's the limit of our ambition we might as well all pack up and support the Falcons.

I'll be really p*ssed if we swap YKD for Huckerby - that is most definitely not a Club showing ambition.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

agreed clarky. It would be like turning the clock back to the late 80s with the departure of Waddle, Gazza and Pedro the Great. Dyer's probably our best asset alongside a fully fit Shearer and i for one, despite recent criticism, don't want to see him go.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

It wont. We've been down this road and ended up relegated.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

Does anybody mind if I have a sly Crimbo-I-told-you-so smirk ? It's been my constant worry that we'd revert to type which is why I get so boringly pedantic about our club attitude.

If you don't think big you ain't big. They're running the place as a friniggg business, but they don't come across as big time businessmen.

Getting into full flow there, but borrax, it's too close to Xmas.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

I agree with the comments about Huckerby but not about Harte....he's class, pure class! an aggressive player who weighs in with a few goals.....a winner....

Not certain I'd do a swap for Dyer but I'd pay cash for him....any day!

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

Make it 15mil plus Harte and Bridges and I'd be very tempted. Though with bobby and the team rallying round Dyer, and Dyer himself showing a little fire again, my opinion that he should go has softened a bit. 9mil is a bit laughable.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

The problem Gav is that Harte may be good at free-kicks etc. but he is NOT a great defender.

IMO, first and foremost FB's need to be able to defend and support the CB's. If they also make a contribution going forward then that's great.
We've had a succession of FB's who have not been good enough defenders, and all really good teams start by establishing an ability to defend solidly - something we've lacked for countless years.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

Leeds ae going to be one of the teams that will be up against NUFC at Ihe end of the season hoping to get a Uefa SUP SPOT. iF WE LET THEM HAVE DYER, WE COULD END UP LOSING OUT TO THEM IN THE LEAGUE. I would not sel him to anothetr team in the PL. If there is a £20 million bid from Italy or Spain mind you , it would be tempting.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000

I have probably been one of YKD's biggest critics on this board. More for his lack of "interest" at times, but I honestly believe it would be a BIG mistake to let him go at any price. He is deffo one for the future and we should hang on to him.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2000