I arrived at the Riverside later than intended and almost drove into a silver car that had stopped in the middle of the road as I came round the corner. Shearer? no - the registration was RL not AL. I waved to Rob Lee as I drove past. I'd already missed Shearer and Bobby Robson but they can't all avoid me that easily!

The rest of the players started arriving. I congratulated Kevin Gallacher on his Scotland goal and asked Steve Harper if he was playing on Wednesday. He said he hoped so. Cristian Bassedas drove in with Nobby. What a nice guy. He was smiling at everybody and asking how they were. I asked him if he was playing tomorrow but he didn't know. Nobby said hello and commented that he hadn't seen me for a long time! Missed Gavilan and Acuna who arrived at the same time so didn't stop. Kieron Dyer came in with Carl Serrant. Serrant seems to be popular with the bairns who all rush to get his autograph. Dyer looked a bit tired - maybe that's why he wasn't driving. Lua Lua arrived in a taxi which went straight in.

I went over to the pitch which was empty apart from the 3 keepers plus coach having a kickabout. The rest of the team arrived and started training. It was a shorter session than usual but especially for Buff, here is a brief timetable of what they did:
11.00 arrive on pitch
11.05 sprinting, jogging, skipping etc.
11.10 stretching
11.15 short passing
11.30 stretching, brief talk with Bobby
11.35 practice game
11.50 most players left but a few stayed for shooting practice
12.00 finish.

Not an awful lot to report. A number of players were missing - Barton, Domi, Cort (tho' apparently he had arrived earlier), Marcy (what a surprise - NOT!). Gavilan was training with the resorves and was still practising long kicks when the rest of them had finished. My first look at Acuna who is short and stocky with longish hair. Doesn't look like a defender and seemed to be playing more in midfield in the practice game. Lua Lua was being called Louie and scored a nice goal, twisting past defenders and sliding the ball into the net. Gary Speed chipped Harper from a long way out - let's hope they remember how to do it tomorrow!

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Answers

i really enjoyed that steph, thanks

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Ah, missed these reports! Great to see you got another day off and another fine report. Thanks! :-)

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

nice on Steph Fancy Acuna may get a start as YBR clearly rates him seemed to read that he appears rather like a teletubbie - a definite name on the back of my daughters Xmas pressie from her dad!Always look forward to the reports - keep them going

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Hmmmm. .com reckons LKD is knacked as well. Not to mention Marclino and Barton who are also rumoured to be out with groin injuries. Flippin' heck - it makes you wonder just what they get up to in training. Maybe they're all just a bit more relaxed in the bath, now that Lionel isn't there.

Oh yes, they also reckon Don Cordeone won't make it as well. Probably tripped on his pony tail. Why do the words Fred and Carno come to mind??

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Heaven knows how we're going to put a defence out tomorrow. If Griffin doesn't make it then we're knackered basically. We'll only have Goma and Hughes left with any great experience. Could be drafting in Steve Caldwell and either Dimas or Bernard who I believe can both play left back.

I know it looks like I'm panicking, but is Carl Serrant fit? :-(

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000