Newcastle finished the season with a 3-1 defeat at Southampton. Given that the match was of no real importance to both teams, how did you approach the game ?

Well obviously we wanted to win it because we haven't won there since 1970 ! So it was a bit of a personal and team challenge to set that right, but we couldn't manage it. We played too badly to beat Southampton even though they were down to 10 men. Obviously we're disappointed as it wasn't the best way to finish the season.

We were too greedy up front. If we had played like we played against West Ham (3-1 win), I think we would have won. Yeah, we really messed up offensively.

Yeah, I tried a shot and the goalkeeper managed to push it away, but Shearer came piling in, he only had to tap it to get it in. Apart from that I took two or three free dangerous kicks, and got in a few decent crosses but it just refused to go in. Personally I was relatively happy. 

It looks like Sylvain Distin will not be staying at Newcastle. Do you have any news ?

I believe that today he's at Manchester City for his medical. Its sad that he's packing his bags but I understand his position. Newcastle did not seem to believe they had to fall into line with offers from other clubs. Sylvain wanted to get a contract sorted for next year before going on holiday so it looks like he'll be signing in the next couple of days.

Either way, Newcastle has to recruit in order to have a good chance in the Champions League.

Obviously. If we're to have any chance in either competition, we need new blood. Whether they be attack or defence minded Newcastle needs new players. When Bellamy got injured, we had real trouble scoring goals for a while. A new attacker joining us might be a good thing.

In Montpellier. It was my son's christening yesterday and we had a great time. Yes, a very nice day. Tomorrow, I'm leaving for the Antilles to play in the "Black Stars" tournament. I'll be spending 10 days in Martinique and Guadeloupe where we'll play two matches. I'll be hooking up with Olivier Dacourt, Olivier Bernard, Sylvain Distin, Steve Marlet. On the whole all the guys from the Antilles who play in France and the Premier League. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. Salut.

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