March 2nd 2005

Newcastle-Online.com, in our never ending quest to bring you the latest news and views delved into our mail-bag to fetch out the contact address of a Sporting Lisbon fan who first got in touch with us back in pre-season, asking us about hotels in Newcastle. Anway we thought we'd return the favour and ask him about Hugo Viana, NUFC and the UEFA Cup. This is what Jõao Rocha had to say...

Q: What was your reaction when Newcastle signed Hugo Viana?

I was surprised he was sent to Newcastle. Sir Bobby Robson trusts the Portuguese footballers after he worked in Portugal as trainer of Sporting and later Porto but Viana has many things to learn. Going to a big Premiership club like Newcastle was perhaps the wrong thing to do for him at that time? We have a saying in Lisbon, walk first then run fast. He ran away too soon. Maybe the money was a big thing for him and Sporting? There was lots of talk of Viana being sent to Italy with Juventus who would loan him back to us. Perhaps that had no truth?

Q: Was Viana worth £8.5m?

No, definitely not. He hasn't had a football education yet and has lots of growing up to do. We in Portugal like to value our players too high with foreign teams. Lots of younger players move away for a lot of money and come back different players because they didn't get bigger status. Quaresma who was sent to Barcelona, Gomes who was sent to Fiorentina, Porfirio who was sent to West Ham in England, Simão who was sent to Barcelona too and Postiga who was sent to Tottenham in England. There are more but perhaps you know of these best? These players all moved for a lot of money but didn't achieve bigger status.

Q: Why has Viana and other Portuguese players failed to make it at other clubs from other countries, is it because they just aren't good enough?

No, I wouldn't say so. They are good players but maybe not suited to other teams? Football in Portugal is different. Lots of technical play and the League isn't so strong so some players stand out more but put them in a different team in bigger Leagues and they don't stand out. Others do achieve bigger status. Ronaldo, Figo, Rui Costa, Pauletta, Deco, and lesser known players have become big players for their teams but lots do not as you said. Perhaps it's the weather in England :)

Q: Is Viana good enough?

He will be a special special player but not in this day. He has lots to learn. He has started to score more goals and give gifts (assists) for his team-mates but its too soon to call him a great player. He has had to live in the shade of Rui Costa and he has lots of pressures to perform for the NT remember (National Team). In many years Viana will be a special special player but perhaps not yet.

Q: How has Viana performed this season?

He didn't do good things when he came back but he soon started to play and along with Rochemback, Liedson, Douala and Ricardo he has been Sporting's biggest player. I did wonder if he still could be a big player when he came back because he was a different player but the trainer and president have shown patience with him. Viana makes lots of balls for Liedson and others. They like to play with each other and they do good things for Sporting. Sporting fans are happy and so is Viana. He is playing with a smile and his tricks are fun for him.

Q: Can Viana become a great player for Newcastle?

No, I don't think so. I seen Newcastle at your stadium twice and on TV and your team does not play technical football. Viana is a technical player who likes to have fun with the ball and to do many special things. He has said he was unhappy at your team because he had to do many things he can not do. He also feels pressure off Newcastle fans and didn't enjoy the Premiership. This was a bad move for him and too soon. I understand he didn't always play? Perhaps this was why he didn't perform big? No, I just do not think he is the player Newcastle need. In Sporting he gets to show his technical play and has confidence from the trainer and fans. He gets asked to make balls for Liedson and does simple things for the team.

Q: Would you like him to stay at Sporting Lisbon for good?

Yes, I would and he has said he wants to stay. The trainer and president want him to be in the team and want to do things together. If Newcastle and Sporting can agree on this then he will come back to us for many years.

Q: We will need some of our money back if he is to stay in Portugal, can your club afford it?

This is tricky because Sporting do not have lots of money like Premiership teams do. Perhaps we can associate a deal together over many years?

Q: Would your club swap Liedson for Viana?

Ha ha ha, Liedson is Sporting's biggest player and the president doesn't want to sell him so no :)

Q: Will Viana be a Newcastle player next season?

I would say no, no he will not be. Sporting are determined to do big things and we need him because he will be a big player in many years. If we can associate a deal he will join for many years.

Q: Sporting Lisbon play Middlesbrough in the next round of the UEFA Cup, can you beat them?

I understand Middlesbrough are Newcastle's rivals yes? (Ed: Err no...) I don't know much about them but Hasselbaink is a big player and he will be big for them. I am confident in my team. Sporting will beat Middlesbrough I think.

Q: Sporting Lisbon Vs Newcastle in the UEFA Cup Final?

You won't like me to say this but perhaps it would be better for Sporting if your team got left behind? Newcastle are a big team with big players and are one of the favourites. Sporting need luck and need to avoid the best teams if we are to be champions :)

Q: What were your impressions of St. James' Park, our City and Newcastle fans?

Your stadium is very big and beautiful. I had heard all about the size of your stadium but nothing prepares you for how big it really is. It definetly looks better up close than in pictures. I enjoyed my two trips to your City, it was very cold in December but you have a nice City and Newcastle fans were really friendly twice when we met them in Newcastle.