If you were BR, would you stick with the players that played in the last few games, or make a few changes for the Leeds game? Supposing that ferguson, Dabizas and Gallacher are still out, I think I would make a couple of changes. I would bring back Harper (what did he do wrong anyway?) Play Griffin at right back, Goma in the centre, Barton on the right with Hughes doing a man to man on Kewell. I would stick with Domi, Lee and Speed, but give Gavilan a start. he didn't do a thing wrong on Saturday, his passing and crossing were excellent. I'd put Solano on the bench along with Robinson whi is worth another look at , also on the bench I'd put Glass. Upfront You would have to stick with dyer suporting Shearer but try to get Domi and Gavilan up to support them more than they did at Leicester. Leeds are having a bad spell, we've got nothing to lose in playing some of our players of the future. Man U and Leeds had to start playing ther youngsters at some point and I think that we've reached that point.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2000

Answers

Pretty close to you on this one Rik. Rather than Goma though, if I were Bobby I'd be looking to get my money's worth out of Helder. One last spell to seal a permanent move to the Toon and all that, as well as the fact that I'd like to see how he goes in a three man defence against pace rather than height. .

Midfield and up front look good to me - I'd definitely keep the experience in the 'spine' of the team (Harper, Helder, General, Speed, Al) - but I'd personally like to see some liberal use of the subs. As well as Robbo I'd like to see YBR chuck a jumper to the forgotten Jamie McClen, Fumaca and Victor Cominelli (that well-known US remixer). Or at least a couple of them.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Shearer needs a rest BUT unfortunately for us all, we simply have no-one who can replace him, esp. without Big Dunc.

Harper MUST replace Given (he's GIVEN me too many nightmares!).

Another reson why Al cannot be rested; I've a US$1,000 bet that he'll score more goals than Yorke!

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

It`s like deja-vu this - scraping around to find someone to play up front with Big Al. I think I`m feeling more disappointed about that, than with last weeks performance. I am certain this will be the first thing wor Bobby will be looking to fix in the closed season........

yours.... ever hopeful!

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Spot on Galaxy - for once in my supporting life the Toon have copious amounts of defensive cover (if not exactly an ambarassment of riches). It's unthinkable that YBR and Gordy Milne won't be flat out over the close season aiming to fix what is blindingly obvious to all & sundry ie. insufficient quality in midfield and up front.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Had a bizarre dream the other night (actually I usually have wierd dreams every night).... anyho... We had Howey up front with Shearer!

This is experimentation time. Gavillan must start though Wor Bobby said he'd get his chance when Nobby went to Peru.

Stick young Chopra up front with Al, he must be out of nappies now!

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

Read in an interview awhile back that Harper played forward before becoming a keeper. How bout sticking him up front, with the added bonus that he can track back to help Shay. ;-)))

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000

I was happy to hear all of the support for experiementation with the young'uns. I agree with Loony Toon (and most of the rest of you). Ruudi may have not done us many favours, but he did get some of the youngsters a run around. The season is effectively over for us. Now is the time for serious experimentation. McClen certainly has worked hard for us in the reserves and gave it his all in the nightmare against the Makems. I would like to see him and Gavilan getting in a full game with the big boys.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2000