......well maybe not totally, but pretty well.

Euro 2000 is certainly turning out to be a superbe festival of football. Sadly, England have not contributed much to this at all. But that's England and something KK and the FA have to sort out.

What concerns me more is the gulf between the top European players and what we see in the EPL on a regular basis - especially at SJP. There's been a lot of talk about the class in the EPL and the fast pace. Well, I've got news for those who think the EPL is fast and skillful. By comparison, it is slow, with laborious build up. Sure, the top Euro teams are patient in their approach work, but oh so suddenly, they inject terrific pace, pinging the ball from player to player, leaving opponents standing.

What has impressed me most is their control in tight space. It reminded me somewhat of Newcastle at their best when we were known as The Entertainers. But it is a league ahead of what we have seen over the last few years. It's too early to say how Gavilan and Bassedas might change this. Certainly LKD has the ability and so perhaps does Nobby. But will we see these four on the park at the same time? Unlikely, unless we fill the midfield with five. And does any of them have the creative flair and spark that we need?

One thing I will say - based on tonight's match between Spain and France (an excellent game), I'm not sure we need to make any move for Guardiola. IMHO, he played a similar role tonight as Gary Speed, and unless we can get a lot back on the sale of GS, we could spend our money elsewhere. Munitis looked pretty useful out wide on the Spanish left and we still need another top class striker to allow Shearer more time off from playing in every possible game. But I'm beginning to wonder about a twin-pronged attack using two big men. If we could get a decent return on Ferguson, I'd be tempted to sell and go for a younger, more mobile striker. Shearer isn't as mobile as he used to be and we need somebody to work off him. Could LKD fulfil this role?

Having watched a fair number of matches recently, it is obvious that the top teams build a lot from the centre of defence. In Helder, we have a top class CB if he can stay fit. I also think that Goma could make it given an injury-free run. I'd be tempted to off-load Marcelino if there's any chance and I'm afraid I've seen nothing this past fortnight which would indicate a role for a slow Steve Howey (BTW - isn't it nice to see that Le Poof has no significant role to play in the excellent French team!)

At wide defence, I think Barton, Pistone, Domi, Hughes and Griffin give us enough options and in Harper and Given, we have a pair of useful, if not top class commanding keepers. As has been said elsewhere, using one (SG) in part-ex for Richard Wright might be a good move if the outlay isn't too great. I haven't been over impressed with Baia of Portugal and would keep Harper and Given in preference to him.

So, to be honest, this weekend has been a bit of a mixture for me. I have marvelled at the skills on display, but have finally realised that they are far ahead of those in our domestic league, even with so many (over-rated) foreigners. OK - I guess this depression will lift when we have beaten ManUre on the opening day of the season. But until then, I hope and pray that YBR is doing something to find that magic spark that we are missing.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2000

Answers

Screach

Yep it was a great game but the highlight to me was the Spanish finally starting to deliver. If Raul had scored that penalty I reckon the French would have lost it.

If Zidane had a left foot he'd be world class.

I was thinking of starting a thread called "Pah - How many would get in our team" with a spoof reason why each wouldn't. Perhaps it would read how many of ours would get in the French team.

Only ones I can think of are LKD as sub on the right and Domi as sub to Lizarasus. The rest are miles behind - can I join you in the depression queue.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2000

I'm just enjoying watching some class football for a change! Forget the comparisons - they only make you feel depressed! ;-) I'm ignoring the press for the same reason.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2000

felt the Dutch at times were quite special and while I don't like Kluivert generally he had a great game as did uncle Denis, but for my money, with the exception of ten minutes, I was gobsmacked by Edgar Davids, he was everything a midfielder should be, a cross between a young Roy Keane and Rob Lee. Tremendous.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Screacher comparing guardiola with gary speed is like comparing a bottle of champagne with a can of stale piss. other than that i agree with the theme of your posting i.e. we need to start again from scratch

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Ah! You have the advantage on us there mr oracle, I haven't ever drunk a can of stale piss before...or does Kestrel count? ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

He may not be precisely what we need to fill the obvious gaps, but I thought Guardiola was absolutely outstanding against France - and against a fairly decent midfield! Class.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Hmm Clarky. I didn't think he was as good against France as he's been previously. Will rewatch it as Eurosport are just showing it again right now.

Must dash, got a bottle of Bollicker on ice.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Ah? Who is the bottle of champers and who is the bottle piss?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Just wondering about how good Zenden has been playing on the left wing. There are some little whispers that Tottenham are monitoring him and that Zenden is valued at around 5 million quid and would wanr about 25k a week.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000