  A BCS model characterized by a phenomenological pair potential with on-site
($V_0$), nearest ($V_1$), and next nearest ($V_2$) neighbour coupling
constants, and an empirical quasiparticle dispersion taken from angle-resolved
photoemission spectra is considered. The model can consistently explain the
experimental data concerning the pair state of the hole doped cuprates. Three
ingredients are required to make the interpretation possible: the existence of
flat bands, a very small effective on-site repulsion, and a slightly dominating
effective nnn attraction $V_2$ of the order of 60-80meV with a ratio $V_2/V_1
\approx 1.5$.
