Who from our first team would you sell, bearing in mind that Bobby may have to see from the first team to buy (since there's hardly a queue for the likes of Serrant)? Must say that Nobby is looking like he's already in Madrid and will be away for most of next season for Peru. I'd flog him. Kets could go tomorrow. Given could go. Marcelino. Anyone else?

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

Answers

Sell Given, Marcelino, Howey, Dabizas, Solano, Lee, Speed, Ferguson, Ketsbaia, Charvet as well as the "famous 13"

That leaves Harper, Barton, Goma, Helder, Hughes, Pistone, Gavilan, Dyer, Domi, Shearer, Gallacher I do not think that the keeps above are the best players, its just that they are either high work rate players, (WB and Gallacher) or are players that will fit in around any formation with ease.

I dont think the rest are first team

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

There are many answers to this. It really depends on how YBR wants to reshape the team and who he intends to bring in.

The main jewel in the crown is Kieron Dyer and I'd be gutted to lose him, very skillful, years ahead of him. I'd listen to offers for anyone else although I'd be very sorry to see certain individuals go.

We have too many unsaleable "assets" at preset, likes of Serrant, Hamilton, Brady, Perez and apparently, Maric. We have too many centre backs and decisions need to be made there.

Kets should now be sold if possible. Good player - seems to be past his best.

Speed & Lee are not young men and it is that area of the park we should strengthen as well as the strike force. Should be an interesting close season.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

Aye I think you might be right. Gus has a sythe out I think?!!

I do Wonder, though whether we should start offloading people for nowt in order to clear out. I'd want to see a lot more young 'un's in next years reserves. Does anyone think Silvio might be redemable, pist One was, whom I rate these days, it would be good to have him back. The surprise for me was how IMO how poor Howey has been.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

Silvio has looked good in training and also scored a few for the resorves. If anyone can give the lad back his confidence it's Bobby.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000

A sythe, TM????

I was thinking more along the lines of a machine gun. But then again I have always been a moderate, not like some of the radicals on here eh Bud????

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2000

I agree gus, death to extremists!!!

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2000

A "sythe" gus, can't you Aussies spell?

I can almost forgive Tre for his spelling (and occasional spoonerisms), he being educated in Oz - the fact that my daughter is also at University in Queensland...!?

You've no excuse, having been to "finishing school" in Geordieland :-7

Radical, moi? Jamais, mon ami!

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2000

Hey Gus

I've just spotted Griffen cowering behind that tree over there. Is he to be allowed back, or will he also be downed in a hail of machine gun fire from Western Australia ?

Just wondering like. He seems to be getting a touch cold out there in the forest of mediocrity (where you last spotted our squad).

ATB.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2000

I coulden't resist.

Marcelino - Four first choice centre backs on the books as it is, asuming Helder is signed, plus a couple of bairns should be enough. Hope he still has a rep. in Spain. 4 mil.

Pistone - Any offer from Italy will do. Plus if Domi wants to play FB, he knows what he has to do and Robson will show him. 2 mil.

Nobby - as he is generating some interest and is likely to miss a lot of games on international duty. Though I'd want more than 5 mil for him. Plus I'd prefer Dyer and Gavilan playing the wings with bigger bodies in the midfield.

Kets - Headless chicken for sale, 1 mil.

I can't see the point in selling Given as we'd have to buy another keeper to play second string to Harper, or one who is a top keeper and that would cost more than we'd get for Given.

Let's face it, unless Robson unearths some previously unmentioned striker, the biggest names are Cort or Gudjhonnsen. Aslo if we we're to strengthen the backline we'd have to sell Goma, not resign Helder, and hope we could find our own Hyppia (sp?).

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2000

Bud,

If you go back to the original comment from TM re my slash and burn, you will see why I utilised the word sythe.

Loony, As I said I do not think the rest are 1st teamers so I am sure I can find another bullet in the mag for him!!!!

We have spent 3 seasons aspiring to reach the dizzy heights of 13th place and staying in that vicinity.

Nearly all of our purchasing has been either below par or panic induced. I include the likes of Ferguson, Maric, Karelse, Charvet et al, The only notable exceptions have been YKD, and Gallacher.

Domi, Helder and some of the others have not really impressed. Some should not be assessed yet, well maybe 1 in Gaviscon.

We either need the Van Nistelroy type signing ie BIG or more of the Gaviscon type young and READY to play first team, not ok in Div 1 and 2 and could perform.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000

Have we actually signed Miera from Portugal?

Jordi Cruyff is available on a Bosman at the end of the season, left wing berth? He looked decent before he went to Manure.

Also, Neil Sullivan is on a Bosman. Could we sell Given and get a keeper for free.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000