As we tend to agree that the transfer system excuse is a smoke screen, the real reasons must be one of these or all three:

This is not a good time to buy players, teams near the bottom will not part with their good lads & likewise teams near the top. As we are not going to qualify for Europe nor get relegated, why pay too high a price when we can wait ‘til the summer pick off the likes of Thompson from Coventry, Clarkie from Fulham.

It’s better to make some signings in the Summer as it creates excitement & interest hence we all renew our season tickets.

We’re short of cash, being crippled by wages of Lee, Shearer etc & simply don’t have the budget.

If it’s the latter, how do we raise more cash. Rights issue (unlikely as the reverse has been muted)? Bring out a new top? Raise a fan’s debenture loan? Amy other ideas?

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Answers

Bring back Kevin Keegan as Bobby Robson's assistant. The million quid that you would pay him would ensure that no one dared to give up their season ticket. By that time the transfer system probably will be abolished , and qwith RR and KK at the club, NUFC would again be an atractive proposition for top players.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Great idea, doubt it would happen

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Buy a Japanese player then we'd sell shit loads of shirts!

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

The Toon's dilemma is no different to any other business - invest to prosper, or dither and die.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

....I should perhaps have said - "invest wisely". Most business leaders understand that if you don't invest wisely you also "die".
It's all simple stuff really.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Could always put the seat prices up. I myself would gladly pay three times the current sum to watch such outstanding flair as was served up on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

AS you've quite rightly pointed out, the season is all but over.

Because of this, why don't we play our inexperienced players and turn them into more experienced ones.

We should get Dyer's shins sorted out, keep Cort and Dabizas until next season and make sure everyone is ready for next season.

Why not play people like Glass, Gavilan and the like?

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

AS you've quite rightly pointed out, the season is all but over.

Because of this, why don't we play our inexperienced / fringe players and turn them into more experienced ones.

We should get Dyer's shins sorted out, keep Cort and Dabizas until next season and make sure everyone is ready for next season.

Why not play people like Glass, Gavilan, Kerr, Caldwells and the like?

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

I don't think this season is over. We have a major relegation battle to fight

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

For all those those who believe the season is over, just ponder on this. If just one of our three South Americans (Solano,Bassedas, Cordone) are cited as being employed in the EU without a valid passport, the Toon will be deemed to have played ineligible players with the very real possibility of having points deducted. I've read that 6 points is a possible punishment.

Let's hope this is all just smoke - however, consider for a moment that we might have 31 points and not 37, and are playing worse than Man City.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Thanks, Clarky. I feel much better now. ;-))

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

It's not the clubs fault if these players are found to have dodgy passports, they played them under the understanding that they were EU citizens. They have done nothing wrong as long as it can be proved that the club did everything that they could to ensure that the passports were genuine, which they will.

There wil be no points deductions.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

I'm simply reporting what I have read Rik, so let's hope your assumptions are correct. However, my advice is don't bank on it - if it comes to it the issue will become one of how much effort did the relevent Clubs make to ensure everthing was kosher, and did they use 'best endeavours', which has a precise legal interpretation.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Any ideas which other EPL teams are potentially in the same boat without a proper passport?

However, I think I'm with Rik. At least I hope I am. If a player has a passport issued by the relevant government, then who is the club to question that?

Now, if on the other hand, they were complicit in acquiring a "Mandy", then it's time for the lifeboats. Bail out at the front.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Screacher,

There are 21 EPL players under investigation - we are the only one with three! There is at least one at Sunderland, either Thome or Arca, and Marinelli at Boro.

I read a story just yesterday that some Greek Government Official has denied they ever processed a passport application for Solano, and something to the effect that nationality has to be conferred by the father's lineage. Solano's Greek passport is apparently based on his Grandmother's national status.

Believe me, this is not a clearcut situation - and my inclination would be to target 9-10 points to ensure safety rather than three.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Thanks Clarky. I suppose they'll aal be carted off ti Al K Traz if found guilty. 21 players, but those are presumably all those with "foreign" passports. Many will be kosher (so to speak) but there will no doubt be one or two dodgy deals. Without wishing to make any prejudgements, could that be what has casued Nobby's form to drop? Mind you, adversity and pressure don't seem to have affected Lee Bowyer's game and the personal consequences of his case are significantly worse than a footballer with the wrong passport. Most EPL South Americans would walk into a club in their own continent.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

........indeed, it could run thru the whole squad. Hmmmmm.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

Interesting thought Screach - hadn't occurred to me!

The Journal this morning reckons that if Solano goes off to play for Peru this weekend (ie. possibly BEFORE the Everton game) there is a possibility the Immigration Authorities won't let him back in!!

To be honest, if he buggars off before the Everton game, given our injury situation, I'd tell not to bother coming back.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001

If the FA follow the French example we won't lose any points. Only St Etienne lost pts (6) as the club themselves was heavily involved in changing the passports of two of their players. Others, who signed dodgy players in good faith, were let off.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

Thanks KT - that actually makes me feel a lot better as I don't believe the Toon will have connived in any way over passports.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

The FA Can't fine us. They set a precedent last year with Derby County. They had a player, an Argentinian I believe, who was stopped at immigration and refused entry because his passport was dodgy and I think that he played games last season. Derby weren't fined any points an if they had been they would possibly have been relegated.

Don't Panic

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

Thank you Corporal Jones. They don't like it up 'em you know. You can stop crying now Pike. Stupid boy.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

The Derby player, Esteban Fuertes, is now playing France for Lens, but under as a Non-EU player.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001