1. You didn't play on Saturday? Are you better now?

Much better although there's still a bit of pain. I could have played on Saturday but I wasn't 100% and playing wouldn't have been fair on the rest of the team so I told the manager that I'd rest on Saturday to be fit for Arsenal and Leeds.

2. Did you go to the game?

Of course. It was very stressful as I couldn't do anything. Once again, we started badly, conceding a goal but in the second half, we saw a different Newcastle and the win was entirelu deserved.

3. From the stands, what did you think of Newcastle?

As usual, we have trouble getting the game over to the left of the pitch. We always play on the right, even when there are spaces on the left to exploit. I am going to talk to the manager about this because there's a lot of work to be done.

4. The weekend's fixtures went well for you?

Yes and we now have a big game tonight against Arsenal and another against Leeds on Saturday. We m ust take a point tonight. It's a huge tie but I'm going to treat it like any other game.

5. Is the team at a full complement?

Bellamy has served his suspension and he should be back so it should be the usual Newcastle team.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Answers

'so I told the manager that I'd rest on Saturday to be fit for Arsenal and Leeds. We always play on the right, even when there are spaces on the left to exploit. I am going to talk to the manager about this because there's a lot of work to be done.' Priceless. I wonder what formation our French friend is thinking of putting out? And will he tell YBR first?

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

"I'm going to treat it like any other game" - so we get 15 minutes and an inability to kick the ball 'cos of his hip :-((

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Really, unless he has genuinely given up on L'equipe de France, he should relish being on the same pitch as all those other French players and turn it on in style.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

If there is "still a bit of pain" in his @rse he shouldn't bloody play. How difficult is this fcs? A torn muscle doesn't heal in 7 days, and if isn't properly healed playing 90 minutes of footy will surely exacerbate the problem. I bloody well give in.

As for his comments about all play going down the right, I feel there is a natural tendency in the team to want to play through Solano as he is well respected by the players. However, to be honest, I didn't notice any shortage of possession for Bernard on Saturday.

If you want the ball Laurent you have to show for it, you have to want it, and if necessary you have to go looking for it. Simple really.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

....PS: learning to speak the lingo might also help.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001