From Planet Football

ROBSON MAKES CHECK ON LEMBI by Gerrit van Leeuwen

NEWCASTLE UNITED manager Bobby Robson was spotted at Antwerp's Jupiler League encounter with Club Brugges, with Nzelo Lembi believed to be his chief target. The Brugges defender is rated in the £6 million class by his club, something which has prevented a proposed move to Kaiserslautern being completed, and the Congo star is unlikely to remain in Belgium for too much longer.

Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Southampton and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old since the turn of the year, but Kaiserslautern have come closest to prising him away from Brugges.

Lembi is keen to leave in order to play on a bigger stage, and Robson's interest will be a major boost in the wake of the failed switch to The Bundesliga.

After leaving Lokeren in 1995, the competitive African, who can also play in a holding role in midfield, has become his club's most valuable asset, and there seems little prospect of him leaving for less than £4 million.

Robson is continuing to track Paris Saint Germain defender Sylvain Distin but is clearly pursuing other options in the transfer market, as he still has money to spend, and is known to be determined to make at least one new addition to his squad.

The 4-1 thumping of North East rivals Middlesbrough on Saturday showed that, with Alan Shearer back to fitness and scoring goals, and Frenchman Laurent Robert looking a steal at £10 million, The Magpies can look forward to the rest of the season with renewed optimism.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Answers

We already have Dabizas, O'Brien Hughes and Caldwell, and TSB. I wonder who he's looking to replace ? Or if he's just adding to the squad how the youngsters will feel about beeing 4th or 5th in the pecking order when another CB arrives?

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

I notice the "exclusive" about Distin having already agreed terms with us has disappeared - as if by magic - fom the icNewcastle site.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Rik,

I would say they're all expendable, with the possible exception of O'Brien - who, for some inexpicable reason, again wasn't in the starting line-up on Saturday.

Dabz and Hughes have had many, many opportunities now to prove they can do it as a CB pairing, and yet they were bloody useless again on Saturday - until the sending off that removed one of the Boro strikers.

I suspect that BR has decided any combination of the first 4 you list are not going to do the business for him, and that he needs some new blood.

Steve Caldwell deserves his chance, and if he is patient I think he'll get it: if he is impatient, then unfortunately he will go.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Hughes has had more than enough chances. Age for age - you cannot compare him with Wes Brown. He is supposed to be a central defender.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

You cannot compare any of the central defenders Aaron is supposed to be learning from to Jaap Stam either but I agree that having played non-stop for a year (with a two week break), Aaron deserves a rest. I still think that our worst central defensive performance last season was Dabs and O'Brien at Anfield so I don't think they are the answer either.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Clarky, I think O'Brien will probably play from hereon in unless he knocks his ankle yet again.

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Nzelo Lembi?????? Is that the asian film presentation at the metrocentre picture house this week? Surely he should have went to see Planet of the Apes or summit! Roll on the Peter Reid jokes..........................

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001

Nah kev, we saw that last week, do not want to see it 2 weeks in a row!

-- Anonymous, September 10, 2001