I agree with most of his comments but thought that we did well to come out of the first half 0-0. It was like WHL in the 3rd round, although we didn't have Pistone to go round passing the ball to a player of Ginola's calibre. The back looked solid enough, particularly bearing in mind that neither Goma nor Howey are at full fitness yet. Where we were let down was in the midfield - Speed and Lee had shockers. Even Bobby said that we couldn't even pass the ball or keep it on Saturday. This brings me to my concern. We were playing lovely football a while back but even then, a lot of the sweet passes etc came from the back - the likes of Helder and Domi. Neither of these two have started for ages. To me, they merely disguised how poor our midfield is and we are seeing the reality now.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2000

Answers

have to agree here . far too often the ball is going back / Speed takes the esy option / balls not threaded in the right channesl . Ive been of the feeling that the midfield has been bypassed a lot in favour either long balls to Al and Dunc , or long wing runs by Barton or Domi . lets face it the midfield penetration has been apalling . Lee hasnt scored ll season or evn looed like it . Dyers breaks through the centre have been telegraphed . Gallacher has ran in that area like a headless chicken . Now on the good side of all this YBR has played to the strengths , and let Lee and Speed bite hard in the midfield and win ball for the more creative players . Of course if we want to be top 3 (not top 5 ! ) material then we have to have a real presence in the middle of the park , for the creators and runners to feed off . This problem got talked about all the time in the Gullit and Dalglish era's ie we woul get to 25 yards out and not know what to do . This has been disguised by much more wily tactics ( and fitter players i may add ) through YBR . The problem hasnt gone away in my eyes , and needs to be sorted quick , otherwise that expanse of Wembley turf could be our undoing and OUR heartbreaker once more . Mind you if im saying all this im sure YBR is slitting his wrists over it , so im not worried , honest ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2000

Er - I thought I said the midfield was cr@p, especially Lee and Speed.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2000

I don't agree that Speed and Lee have been cr@p all season, and I also don't agree that Gallacher is a headless chicken. He is an infinitely more intelligent player than Ketsbaia, and just because he expends a lot of energy, often off the ball, doesn't mean he's aimless.

Re Speed and Lee, I share your opinions that it's an area we need to upgrade if we're going to really challenge next season, but let's be fair. There have been a number of games where they've dominated in midfield together. Unfortunately Lee has been unable to maintain form for more than a few games in a row, and it's a slow, inevitable decline. For a few seasons now, he hasn't been consistent, although he still remains a useful member of a squad. Speed is more of an enigma. But bottom line, he is a good Premiership midfielder - the sort you'd expect in any solid midtable team. He has a few excellent games, and some dire ones, but on average he is just 'good', nothing more, nothing less.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2000

With Speed being more crap than Lee. As I said before...we were completely clueless going forward until Domi and Gallacher came on. Our defense didn't look entirely comfortable, understandable with Goma not having played in ages, Howey still coming back, and Dabs having his usual Liverpool panic attacks...and a formation they haven't played very often. In spite of all that, I thought they did a decent job. Agree that we do need to beef up the midfield for next season. Lee and Speed have good attitudes and work hard(usually) but they're aging and will need replacing. That's one area we still don't have any back up for. And clearly when we need toplay a more defensive game(as at Anfield) we stand very little chance going forward right now.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2000

It was shocking listening to that game down here. I can't remember the commentator mentioning more than three NUFC players in one sequence more than once.

As to the team formation, The longer Domi doesn't start, the more I'm going to question Bobby's selections. As for the midfield, Robson has identified this area as the major area to rebuild in the summer, it just remains to be seen who ends up signing.

As for the style of play! Well we haven't had a settled backline yet!! Speed and Lee have hardly had a break all season wich is a concern for me as it's really starting to show as they are run into the ground and lose their form.

And yes we are playing a Long Ball game as Al and Dunc don't often support the midfield, which I have continually harped on about.

The only position on the field we have any consistancy is in Goal where Shay and Steve are essentially carbon copies of each other.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2000

I dunno - I was bayong for him to bring on Domi and Dyer at Goodison and they both made a massive contribution. However, Dyer started on Saturday and had a crap game - he's got a lot to learn. The problem is that, unless we are pasting someone (like 5-0) where they just don't get a touch of the ball, we can't attack and defend in the same game.

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2000