When Bobby Robson returns from holiday this week, it seems certain one of the first things on the agenda will be an approach to Stephen Carr, to see if the right-back can be persuaded to reverse his decision to retire from international football. Carr was Robson’s last signing at Newcastle. ‘It’s something we have to consider very shortly,’ Robson said. ‘It’s the next sort of take on the meeting if I can describe it like that. As Steve (Staunton) says, we want the best players available. Stephen Carr is a fine player. Without saying yes, we’ll attack Steve Carr, we can’t tell you yet, but all that will come into this meeting we’re going to have in the very near future. When we decide we’ll let you know.’
Consultant drops early clanger
He is to be admired for his infectious enthusiasm and respected for his record and judgment, but the column can’t resist the temptation to pass on one of Bobby Robson’s famous gaffes, this time from his comments last week to Sunday newspaper journalists. ‘What we have to get is the very best of attitude from the players that we’ve got,’ Robson said. ‘We’ve got to get from them their biggest ambition, their biggest motivation, they’ve got to want to play for the green shirt and drop until they’re dead.’ So that’s what they mean by passion.
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Kelly continues family affair
The appointment of Alan Kelly as Ireland goalkeeping coach marks a proud moment for his family, which has produced a succession of keepers. ‘My dad, Alan, made his debut for Ireland 50 years ago, so this really completes the circle,’ Kelly Jr said last week. Alan Sr is based in the States now, having himself had a brief spell as Ireland manager in a caretaker capacity.
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Dean machine rumbles on
The will he-won’t he saga of Dean Ashton’s proposed transfer to West Ham dragged on yesterday with Norwich City issuing a fervent statement of denial. Chief executive Neil Doncaster said: ‘We have not agreed a fee for Dean with West Ham for £8m, nor indeed accepted any other bids for any other players with any other club.’ He did not comment on whether a bid of £8.1m had been accepted, nor £8.2m, or £8.3m, but he did have a meeting pencilled in with manager Nigel Worthington to ‘discuss the matter’ after yesterday’s home game with Watford.
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Jewell cool on England
Wigan’s Paul Jewell is the latest managerial talent to shy from mention of the England job. Asked whether would like to manage the national team, he said: ‘When I was I kid I dreamed of being a footballer and when I was a footballer I wanted to be a manager, but I have never wanted to be England manager. I enjoy the day-to-day running of a football club. People say every manager wants to manage their country and even Sven(-Goran Eriksson) hasn’t managed that yet, because he’s not English. It’s difficult because everyone needs their privacy. No-one is an angel. It doesn’t matter what you do on the park, it’s what you do off the pitch that seems to go with the England job.’
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Brazil employs army for World Cup duty
Authorities in Brazil are not leaving anything to chance as the World Cup trophy goes on display in Sao Paulo today. The army is assisting in security for the trophy, which will be kept in a vault before being transported to different venues by helicopter as it continues a tour of countries ahead of Germany 2006.
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Cudicini extends stay at Chelsea hotel
Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, 32, has signed a one-year extension to his contract, committing him to Stamford Bridge until 2009. Cudicini has played only five games this term.