1. On Saturday, Newcastle beat Bolton 3-2, with Bolton leading twice. You weren't far from catastrophe...

Not at all. It's true that through a coupke of moments of carelessness, we gave away two goals, but on the whole, we were very strong. We had numerous chances and the score line could have been much more emphatic.

2. How did you feel personally during the match?

Very well. It was one of my best games of the season, defensively and in attack. I saw a lot of the ball and I really enjoyed the match.

3. You had a great chance.

Yes, a great cross came in and I struck it well but the keeper saved it. I had other chances that didn't go far wide.

4. What were your tactics?

As usual, we played 4-4-2. Sylvain Distin played at left back, just behind me, and, at the level of comminication, it was much easier than with Elliott. With the latter, he is always 15 metres behind me and I don't see much of the ball. It was much easier with Sylvain and everyone could see it during the game. (Careful bonny lad).

5. You have done really well. Only two points behind Man Utd with a game in hand?

Yes but we have to stay focused. Everyone's waiting for us now and we have to do what's necessary to stay high up in the table.

6. What happened in training this morning?

In fact, I'm in Montpellier. I was supposed to be going back to Newcastle this evening but my son Mathieu is still ill. He has had a fever for ten days, first with a stomach problem, then with flu. The manager told me to stay in Montpellier until Wednesday and I'll go back to training on Thursday. To stay fit, I'm training with Montpellier with my little brother.....stuff about La Reunion...I'm taking Mathieu to the doctors now. Bye.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Answers

To be fair, he's absolutely right...

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

My Spurs mates were raving about Distin at left back last Wednesday...the answer to our problem? He's simply HAS to be better than Robbie Idiot.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

He's class that Distin but looked bloody awful going forward! It looked as though Robert was determined to bring Distin in to the game more to try and guarantee him a place - in fact at one time he waved Distin forward and took over the left-back slot himself.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Heard a very disqieting rumour in thee orifice today. Lolo isn't happy in Newcastle and wants to go back to France. And this was from a Toon supporter not the token Mackem. So, it probably mean he'll be off to Liverpool or Highbury at the end of the season :-(

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

I have to say he never looks that happy, in stark contrast to the rest of the side. However, these rumours are always rife and if he can't be happy in our side at the minute then there is no pleasing the bugger!

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

If he helps us win something this Season and then we sell him - recouping all our money, then I think all concerned will be happy. No room for unhappy bunnies in the camp.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Screach, I heard something along the lines of him not being overwhelmed at the weather in England etc but that as long as Distin and Bernard stay, he's basically not going to whinge in the open.

I'd have to add that he was only with PSG for two years and actually fell out with their coach after just over a year (getting banished to the reserves for a spell). So he doesn't have the best track record.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

BTW, I gather that he has been told he is likely to play against Romania in the upcoming friendly. This may be just the lift he needs.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

as per the French players at Arsenal he should be starting to get used to games by now, by the time we need him for the CL he'll be flying

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

It's not the like weather in the north of England should have come as any great shock to him if he'd bothered asking around or looking at a travel book. Hopefully a call up to the French side and promise of CL next season will improve his mood. ;-)

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Ciara, he played in Paris for long enough to get used to bloody dreadful weather...

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

I don't think he is unhappy generally. Perhaps there is a little thing going on between him and Shearer, but he is a supposed professional and should just get on with it.

-- Anonymous, February 04, 2002

Oh, that Gallic temperament eh! We knew what we were getting when we signed him. YBR's seen more talent come and go than Shearer's had goals :-) Wouldn't worry about it too much. If he goes, we'll get £18m+, if he stays we'll have a quality player developing his understanding of the team and the English game. C'est las guerre!

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Interestingly in the past week, Bellamy, Shearer and Hughes have all pointedly referred to Robert when being praised themselves. Maybe they are all watching Footballers's Wives and seeing how cruel Jase is being to Sal Biagi :0)

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Not having watched Footballer's Wives, I'm not sure if I get your drift, Dougal. 'Pointedly' referred - does that imply criticism of Robert, or the desire to see Robert properly appreciated?

-- Anonymous, February 05, 2002

Interesting comments on the PSG site about Robert. They are actually doing their nut in about Okocha going to Sunderland or Tottenham, both of which they believe to be tiny clubs. However, they start on about Robert. One talks about how, in his interviews, it's the same as it was at PSG - always talking about how well he played and they also say express disbelief that he wanted to take penalties over Shearer who, they say, is the Emblematic Player of Newcastle.

Much of this is fury that he left but it does suggest that it's his "perso" and not just us...

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

Actually, another one comments that he only plays for half a season every year...

It's actually quite interesting to read some of this stuff as they don't know they are being watched and it isn't just to p*ss us off as it was in the summer. Having said that, that they are STILL going on about it shows that they still love him really.

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002

Sunderland or Tottenham, both of which they believe to be tiny clubs

They're not entirely ignorant about football then? :-)

-- Anonymous, February 06, 2002