Robson has revealed that he's down to his last four defenders and will probably go out and buy another central defender. Who do you reckon the?

Lawrence (trinadad giant)

Southgate

Dailly

Lebeouf

Ullathorne

or Anne Other?

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2000

Answers

Yeah - I heard Marcelino stuck his finger up it. What's wrong with the Resorves? Time to blood one of the Caldwells?? If we buy another central defender, it will surely mean the end for Marcelino and another of the crocks.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2000

Marcelino can bugger off back to Spain. He's another overpaid pampered tart, one of a long list. 6 weeks off because of a dislocated finger - pulease! Gerry Taggart played with 3 broken fingers.

Don't know anything about the giant Lawrence, but Southgate never impresses me, Dailly is a 1st Div player, Le Boeuf is detestable... BUT when the team is playing as badly as it has over the last 8 days you don't look to kids to bail you out, it could ruin them. The defenders we're left with are going to HAVE to stop letting soft goals in, but the real problem is the midfield. It reminds me of Liverpool's 4 years ago, flatters to deceive. Big reputations but nothing behind it.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2000

someone who will hold his place even when the others are fit Eghioug (spelling!) - but #8mil is a tad steep

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

I agree that Eghiogue(sp) is over-priced at #8m but if we could prise him away for about #5m I would go for him.......

Can I also throw in the suggestion of Clark Carlisle down at QPR......this kid is awesome and although he is only 20 year old, he has the ability and head of someone ten years his elder......and he would only cost about #1.3 tops. On another positive note, our trading of players from QPR hasn't been to bad in the past.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

Goma had an operation on his nose last night and will be out for around two weeks. He played pretty well in the circumstances yesterday.
Boro offered #8 million for Ehiogu several weeks ago and haven't even had a response, so he isn't going to be leaving Villa for less than that amount.
I simply don't understand why Marcelino doesn't even appear to be in consideration for a come back yet - just how long is this toss-pot going to be out with a finger injury? Unbelievable.
We'll probably have Charvet playing at CB on Tuesday, and hopefully Bobby will get someone else in for Saturday's incredibly important game at Man City. In the absence of real alternatives, he may be panicked into paying #3 million for Christian Dailly, even though he (correctly) believes he is overpriced.
Amusingly, the S/Sun reports that the Toon are being linked with Brazilian "Argelino Fucks" - I kid you not!!! He is presently a team mate of Tino at Palmeiras, having returned to S. America after playing for Porto. The paper goes on "for obvious reasons, the player is better known under the name "Argel".

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

Argelino Fucks Can you imagine the commentary when Motty and/or Windsor are sent to conver a Toon match.....the mind boggles.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

saw marcelino after leaving the strawberry prior to spurs game. his whole arm was strapped tigthly to his chest in a huge sling.looked more like a shoulder dislocation than his finger! a commanding centre half has to arrive pronto and again not one that will eventually warm his overpaid arse on the bench- or swan around kingston park was goma et al are fit. gregory gave the impression that he was looking to cash in on ugo yesterday on tv is he worth it will bobby have the cash

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

apologies for typing and spelling a wriggly nine month daughter getting impatient on my lap

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

forgot to add that Dailly,IMHO would fall into this category. Sorry but a club pulling in 52,000 every other week can do better than Blackburn reserves. Still Bobby knows better than me

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

Let's get this into perspective. We have 3 crocked CHs at present. We have 2 games this week (one against Orient) and then a long lay off while England fanny around trying to qualify for the WC.

I would be tempted to play Hughes and Charvet in the middle on Tuesday night with Griffin and Domi as FBs. Surely that combo could hold a 2 goal lead?? (Please God, don't prove me wrong). So, that then leaves Man City on Saturday. Do we really want to pay mega-bucks for a CH just for one game? I would either stick with the 4 named above, go for a loaner for a month or possibly blood one of the Caldwells, tho I accept it could break them - however I remember seeing a certain A Hughes make his debut in of all places the Nou Camp. Didn't do him any harm. Otherwise we had better bring in a top class CB and stop p*$$*ng about. Sorry, but I don't think Dailly falls into that Category. Southgate and Egiogh Ugo do but I doubt if we could afford them. As much as I detest him, Le Poof could do a job (and he speaks the lingo). If we do bring in a high priced, highly paid CB, we had better be certain of offloading at least 2 of those we already have - and I don't see that on the horizon. Sometimes you just have to ride out injuries (fine, coming from me who criticised like hell when AS got injured and we sold Sir Les, but in my defence, that was long term - this is short term).

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

If we're trying to get it into perspective Screacher, let's also remember that one of three crocked CB's is Marcelino and another, Dabizas, is likely to out for a long time yet. So, assuming Goma is fit to play again after the international break, we effectively still have no CB cover until Dabs is fit - other than the kids, of course.

Goma has done well for us since he came in, other than perhaps v S'ton, and I actually thought he and Hughes played OK yesterday. However, we still need to acquire a good commanding CB, IMO.

BR doesn't seem to be the type to make panic buys. I suspect he has considered Christian Dailly as a potential utility squad player, who could play CB, FB, and also in midfield as necessary. However, he has stated that he doesn't believe he's worth Blackburn's #3 million asking price.

I have a feeling BR will be trying to get in a loan signing - in the Helder mould - and look to groom someone like the big Trinidadian triallist for the longer term. However, in the short term we are walking a tightrope - and what happens if say Hughes picked up an injury?

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

Well, Mr C, you're right to point out the lack of cover, but by the time that the ManCity match is over, we have anoth 2 weeks to go before the next match away to the Smoggies. Surely Marcelino will be fit by that time and Goma will be back too. Barton should also be (almost??) back, allowing even more opportunity for Charvet to provide cover in the centre if needed.

Actually, I'd prefer the loan deal if we can find the right player. But that's a big if.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

Buy Dave Challinor as a centre back He would be brilliant.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

OK Rik - I'll rise to it.

People laughed when Leicester signed Elliot - too slow they said -

Similar when Gerry Taggart went to Bolton - he's doing OK now.

What about Mark Fish ? He's class and turned ManU down a couple of years ago - so must have good judgement.

How much would Challenor cost & have we enough towels to keep his balls dry.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000