... would you leave Shearer out of the side?
Most match reports have Al down as being on the bad side of OK. Cort and Cordone anyone or will Al blossom alongside Cort?


-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

Answers

Most people have said that he has been doing a job other than being a striker. Chelsea would have put 4 past us had he not been defending set pieces. This isn't his worst patch by any stretch and he has made Cordone look absurd in the past two games - he's just not being good by his own standards.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

Al is knackered. He needs a rest and a chance to recharge his batteries. When did he last have more than a few days off?

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

I would consider bringing him off in the second half if he isn't doing too much. I can't every remember him being substitued, do you thinks he has something in his contract to stop him being brought off?

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

I also think he needs a rest. And it is true that he has had to lot more to do than just hover around up front looking for balls in to him. I think psychologically it would seem odd not having him on the pitch - but we do need to get used to that idea, and feel confident that we can manage without him if he can`t play.(:o)

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

He's not playing well by his standards, but it's always the same when he's playing without another (big) forward alongside him. AS has always played better with a partner - Sheringham, Les, Sutton, Ferguson. He scored most of his goals last season during the spell when Ferguson was able to play consecutive games. I'm hoping he'll be able to work with Cort, as Cordone doesn't seem to be on his wavelength.

But no, when everyone is fit I'd not leave him out of the side. He is still one of the best in the country - no combination of Cort, Cordone, Gallagher, Coppinger, Amoebi or Lua Lua looks anywhere near as good.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

I'd stick with him. when he's having a bad game you notice it a lot more than most forwards because the expectation is high. But when his scoring touch comes back is there anyone you'd rather see thumping it into the back of the net?

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

He CAN play up front but just doesn't sustain it very well. He had an awesome game against Leeds last season and was alone up front. He was as good as he has played for us...

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

I'd be a bit worried if he really needs a rest. It's only the start of the season, and he's already had the break when England were playing. There's also no midweek European games. I stay stick with him unless he has a knock. It's the young players with physiques like Dyer that are more in need of a rest.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

Remember, too, he'll have about 10 days off in early October with internationals. So should give him a chance to recover a bit. Also good for the crocks. :-)

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

No way! He'll silence the critics again as he has in the past.
He has looked a little sluggish recently, but I thought he played pretty well in all our three home games - even though he only got one penalty goal.
He's not as good as he was 3-4 years ago, but IMO he's still one of the best in the PL, and the best striker at SJP by a country mile.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

Perhaps part of the problem is that with our present line up the onus is heavily on Shearer to be creative, e.g., get into new slots, or do it in new ways that are not on a recent video report. Its easier to do that when you have a good understanding with other players. We have not had a settled side yet. Mind you, the reports of Shearer's two chances against Soton suggest he was close.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000