More links resurfacing about Domi's future. He has come out abd made the appropriate statement, the club need to quash these rumours now. We do not have another recognised left back who could play in the Premiership, including Carl Serrant!

The whole defensive situation is almost farcical now. After the public roolocking of Goma etc after the Espanyol game there is a real danger that there will be panic in the defence which will grow throughout the team, and it doesn't look too good with Man U next game.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Answers

We've had worse crises - Roma away, for example.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

We've come around a full year and surprisingly I had far more optimism about the last one.

The only centre back who we could buy that would settle in quick enough is Helder and he's probably injured!

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

That's agood point - whoever we buy will take time to bed in and last year, part of the problem was how long Goma and Marcelino took to bed in.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Have Marcelino and Goma bedded in then? ;)))

The Domi situation is looking dodgy.....especially this supposed injury that's kept him from training....I'm starting to suspect that they're just keeping him to one side until he's sold....

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

It's becoming really interesting (a more positive word than worrying ;-) ) , all Bobby's pre-season selling. What it does show is that he's still got the balls to grasp the nettle (ouch - stingingly naff metaphor) and take potentially unpopular decisions. Or more accurately decisions open to criticism, effectively putting more pressure on himself to succeed. There must be a big signing in the wings..if not I'd love to know his master plan...

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

There certainly seems to be an air of mystery creeping over the club's transfer dealings at the moment.

What with the fans' confusion over the amount left to spend and the queries about Howey, Dunc and now even Domi leaving, YBR must have players lined up?

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Bobby is doing the right thing. He's cutting out the uncertainties, and that is what we have been crying out for. The younger players must feel they have a chance now - Bobby is not supid. Better to have 22 players in with a chance than 7890 injured.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

It's easy to see why Howey and Dunc have been allowed to go. You can sum it up in one word. It begins with an "I" and ends with a "Y". YBR clearly wants to get a reasonably settled team in his mind and with the past record of both Howey and Yin this is not likely to be possible. This also must be taken into account when considering somebody like Helder. Even Doma and Marcelino fall into the same category. Shoot - things aren't looking too good in that respect, are they? The only reason YBR might consider letting Domi go would be that he doesn't see him as a FB - more a WB - and unless he decides to play 3/5 at the back, this will limit Domi's appearances.

As much as I advocated strengthening up front, I think a more urgent requirement is to sort out the defence. And if that means yet more cheap departures (Goma, Marcelino) then it may have to be done. At least he can't be blamed for the over-inflated prices we paid for them.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

I realise what your saying Siwft and it is correct but what I am aiming at is the uncertainties in the 1st team i.e. our back four not including right back. No one really knows the best solution and no one can be confident of who is going to play against Man U this Sunday, apart from Barton.

How many other clubs will be going into the first game of the season as unsure about their defence as we seem to be? Obviously Bobby knows what he's doing and we all look in from teh outside but you have to admit it is not too clear.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000