or lack thereof. Now, I'm not so much criticizing our players but sometimes I have to wonder about our tactics. I know the webcast isn't perfect either, but my recollection during todays game was that we had ONE shot ON goal, and very few chances. Looking at the league table we have the 5th worst goals for. I realize that we have in fact shorn up tremendously defensively, but there seems to be a horrible lack of ideas in the final third of the game. We don't seem to have that killer instinct, or the decisive ball in and around the box.

What is the answer? Truly this has me at a loss to explain. Any thoughts?

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

Answers

Same problem we've had for a long time. Shearer needs a big man alongside - prefereably one who's fit. No doubt Cort is one of those players but we need someone else - Flo fits the bill IMHO.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

I don't think we should be too dissalusioned with the result against Leicester? They are a decent side, third in the league not out of luck but because of good team and have a good manager. To get a draw, where most others have lost aint too bad. A point away and three at home will see us into Europe

As for Shearer and his strike partners? I think Cordone is pretty decent as is Gallacher. There is also great talent coming though in Cort and LuaLua. This season should see us doing fairly well, next season we will be a force to be reckoned with as long as Shearer stays fit.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

The result was fair Rik, a point won is always a good point. I just woner why we keep "losing the plot" around the eighteen yard area. Like I said, I think we had one shot on goal, and not too many other chances. I don't think Flo is the answer Min, he's just another tall guy and nowt special.I would rather wait for Cort to return. It's the creativity we seem to lack. 5th from bottom in goalscoring in the Premier. I hope it does improve, espescially next game. Thats one we must win, and win well.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

>>>>>Same problem we've had for a long time. Shearer needs a big man alongside

So for 15m we only get half the product? Last week he was "carrying" the entire team and winning the game on his own. Now he needs a strike partner.

>>>>>next season we will be a force to be reckoned with as long as Shearer stays fit

And the big man whom he apparently needs to be alongside him will need to stay fit as well presumably.

We should stop thinking of Shearer + A N Other and start thinking of multiple attacking options, some of which may exclude Shearer. That way when he does get injured (very few players are ever-presents) the majority of the bbs needn't be kakking themselves.

I notice Speed scored today ...

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

You're correct when you say we lack real creativity Pete - and for his detractors, that is NOT Alan Shearer's fault, or his job.
We lack a Beardsley type of player - but there again so do most teams. This is the role that Dyer is intended to fill, but as yet is not.
I'm not one who has lost patience with Dyer, and feel we need to persevere with him. He is undoubtedly a talented player and could yet develop into the 'missing link' - in truth, he's the only one we've got who comes any near the mark.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

All fair points but in my defence i was talking about whether we are getting the best out of AS - not criticising the team or individual players.

I'm very happy with a point at Leicester. Good side, valuable away point but the fact remains - we're not scoring as freely as we need to to maintain a European challenge and that has to be addressed.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

Jonno,

You always have this knack of saying what I was about to. There are, of course, some things I may say in the future which you may not have, but I hope none of them offend you.

Goal scoring opportunities are borne from the midfield. As old and tired as Shearer may be, he has not lacked nor disappointed thus far this season. Last week, albeit at home, he did well enough against Ispwich to score two vital goals, and three days prior to that match he knocked in a brace against a struggling side now out of the Coca-Cola cup (thanks to our number 9).

I'm sorry Newcastle United lost yesterday afternoon, but it wasn't my fault. Maybe - just maybe - we need to consider the fact that Nobby was not playing today. Surely, we may have had more chances had he been free from injury. Lua-lua's suspension is just a minor quibble.

It was a good point away from home, against a side who have thus far ridden their fair whack of luck. It's right what the other bloke above said - they ought to offer us three at home

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

That's my point lads, Shearer can and will always score goals, however he isn't always going to create his own chances is he? Midfield are great UNTIL we get to the final third of the field, then, boy oh boy, are we ever indecisive...what? who? where? when? should I? shouldn't I?. Hopefully, when the likes of Bassedas and Acuna settle in, they may well be more creative. I'm talking about creating good goalscoring opportunities. Today we had but ONE shot ON goal, thank you Gary Speed for putting it away. Nobody is blaming Alan Shearer but he can only work with the tools he is given. I know someday soon it will all come together, I hope and pray that it is this weekend coming. Bottom line is...Goals win games.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2000

So how about blooding Ameobi against the maKems next week? He's a big lad, knows what the derby is all about , beter option than playing Dyer behind a single striker.

or should BR stick with Cordone?

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2000

The few reports I've read feel playing Dyer up with AS was quite successful with Leicester finding it difficult to pick him up.
Right now he's a bit of a luxury in midfield, and probably as good as Cordone up front - although to be fair Cordone is a cool finisher when he gets a chance.
Most people will feel it's too cautious at home, but I'd stick with yesterday's team for the mackem game. They will flood midfield and try to kick us out of it. I'd set out to win the m/f battle with our strongest combination - as BR did yesterday - and then go for the throat in the 2nd half, possibly throwing on Cordone or Lua Lua depending on the situation.
We cannot allow them to intimidate us or gain any kind of domination in m/f.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2000

Is it just me that thinks Domi is playing like somebody who wants to go to arsenal, I never thought much of his tackling and was happy that he could take his men on an get the odd cross in but that talent seems to have deserted him. It is the crosses that create much of Shearer's chances and with Solano hitty missy, Cordone erratic and Domi hitting a lean spell I'm surprised he's doing as well as he is.
I know there are one or two on here who haven't taken to Gary Speed but one thing is for sure his ability to get into double figures with goals should not be taken too lightly. The guy sitting next to me v's Ipswich described him as the "weakest link" - I say, my arse he is.
As for Dyer, don't give up on him, he is a talented young player who needs to mature a bit before he reaches his peak.


-- Anonymous, November 12, 2000

Dyer was brilliant on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

Regarding goal scoring - what makes the crucial difference from last year is that all sorts of players were scoring last year. Hughes got a couple, Dabs got a fair old number, Speed got loads etc.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000