with YBR saying he would be happy going into the new season with what he has...

This seems to be our lot from which to choose an 11

Is it strong enough to mount a top 6 challenge?

Given Harper Barton Griffin Dabizas Howey Goma Hughes Domi Glass Speed Lee Bassedas McGlen Dyer Gallacher Gavilan Solano Shearer Ferguson Cort Cordone

Concerns over central midfield  is Bassedas a tad lightweight?  and the left side of midfield, unless Glass comes good. Howey and Goma must improve injury record otherwise we are short here.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Answers

I still think that at best we're a 6-10 team in the Premiership.....we're lacking a defense and a creative attack...

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

As you touch on Pete it all depends on who gets those long term injuries. It will happen at some point, although the abscence of European football should help.

I reckon the squad is good enough to really go high in the EPL if they all stay fit, a good mixture of South American flair and Brit grit oh and Domi too, should see us having the best season for a while, which wouldn't take much!

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

There's nothing wrong with the squad at all: we just lack a killer instinct and get giddy about beating man United and Arsenal when what we really need to do is polish off the Bradford City and Wafords off this world. OPh, and we need to leran to attack and defend in the same game.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Last season:

Villa were rubbish and they did alright.
Leicester made do with elliott up front and did well.
Spurs had to depend on the 'prowess' of Armstrong.
Chelsea had Chris Sutton and a fading Zola.
The mackems(ptuh!) had one big player and a good little one.
Everton were rubbish but managed to remain unbeaten by all comers at Goodison except us and one other team.

This season will be no different. There are an awful lot of mediocre teams about and possibly 5 good ones. We are stronger now than all of them up to Chelsea, Liverpool, Leeds, Arsenal and Man Utd. I fancy us to wallop both Liverpool and Chelsea this season and take at least fourth place - if Leeds lose Kewell we could go higher still.

Spurs have spent a fortune on an extremely dodgy forward in Rebrov...watch that knee collapse in the first month. The mackems'(ptuh) 'quality' will show this season and they'll be found out. Villa have no chance at all: Gregory is mouthing off at Hendrie today, Southgate yesterday and hasn't replaced any of his players who are after a move away. I doubt Leicester can pull it off again, they simply shouldn't do as well as they do and MON should be the reason for that. Everton have gained flaws at both full back positions - one can't pass and one won't run. Liverpool looked to have turned the corner last season until they bought Emile and then collapsed again.

Seriously upbeat about this season. We've spent far more than I expected and have lost the 2 high-profile time-wasters from the squad (Silvio and Lionel). We'll be meaner and a lot more professional at each level of the club. YBR is continuing one of the good changes brought in by RG in that good youngsters are fast-tracked through the reserves for a taste of the big time to whet their appetities (McClen and Kerr in the States). By working hard to oust the dead wood, playing in the stiffs will start to mean something instead of being a limbo world where you collect premiership wages for conference-level football.

We have a crowd that are worth an extra man, a manager who is worth an extra man and a squad of players capable of matching the skill of all but some of the Leeds and Arsenal players: if we can get them to work as hard as the Manchester United squad we'll clean up.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

One game will do it for me, miserable sod or not. If we can come away from OT without losing, even I'll be seriously upbeat about this season.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Softie, that's why we love you - (and Mr W.Hill) - sense and sensibility in yer summary. I think 4th is a realistic target, higher if you can get on the Emmerdale set and start getting at Kewell.


-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

One advantage that will work greatly in our favour, I think is the fact that we won't be in Europe. Manure, Chewsee, Arse, Leeds and pool will probably slip a couple of times during those European weeks and we really only need to learn to win most of our games to stay in touch with them. Of course, that's easier said than done. Like to sound real confident but we all know that's tough due to the let down of the last few seasons. But I just get the feeling that we will be the main team not in Europe that is making life hell for those S*** teams mentioned above.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Very true Maverick (and how IS Kelly McGinnis these days by the way?) But I'm still sticking with this season being one for rebuilding - comfortably inside the top 10 will get my chair rocking. Anything more exciting and I may well end up on the floor ....

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Its a squad strong enough to compete in the Premiership, not worry about relegation, and finish in the top half, but I'm not confident of any more than that. Our central defenders continue to worry me. None seem particularly comfortable on the ball. None have ever struck up a convincing partnership with another. True we've been plagued by injuries in that area but its still too weak for my liking.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2000

With Domi flying back with an injury yesterday, Hughes had to revert to left back. I really wonder what he'll be like as a centre half as he matures. Could be a star.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2000

Be happy with 6 or 7 and a cup run or two - definitely rebuilding. And what's all this about Mr W Hill? Why's me' Uncle gonna be so happy? ;-)

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2000

I think we are still in transition from being the team that Keegan built to being genuine, durable, Premier League heavyweights that will consistently repeat top league status - and all that that takes, e.g., a youth policy that works, players who understand the essential characteristic of the squad system and relax and use it. Teams do win things while they are in transition - but we still have a problem with the defense. It takes experience playing together to produce a good defense and for a number of reasons we have not had that, though there has been improvement in individuals. We lack consistency.

YBR has done a fantastic job. It's always a great joy to watch a seasoned professional do an excellent job. How much better when he manages NUFC! However, I think there is still a lot to do.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2000