I only hope that the famous Italian defence gives him a really torrid time and ruins his confidence.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

Answers

I only hope that the famous Italian defence gives him a really torrid time and ruins his confidence

I would echo that statement in every way bar one, my reading of it would be: I only hope that the famous Italian defence gives him a really torrid time and smash his friggin leg.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

Nooooooo. Never wish that on anyone, EVER.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

....and that's me being nice!

Doesn't the prospect of redundancy bring out the best in people!?!

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

>>>>>Would it be good for us or bad if the Munchkin played on Weds?

It would be an irrelevance. Anyway, wouldn't you rather beat a fully fit Sunderland team, rather than one which had excuses? Who the hell is Munchkin anyway? Caldwell's stand-in will have him in his pocket never mind Goma and Hughes.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

I'm with Jonno, Who's worried about thye one season wonder who Sunderland are hoping will come good?

Probably prefer him to play in Italy so he will be evn less of a threat due to him being a bit tired, which brings me to ... Kieron Dyer. Hope he dosen't play on Wednesday

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

Personally I hope the little winnit doesn't play. Then he'll be all of a sulk with his head down and pet lip on for a month. Worst case scenario, he plays and scores, and really starts to believe he's special. That will only boost his confidence for the weekend. I'm more worried about the big Irishman than the munchkin anyway.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2000

Nah. Let him play, do really well (maybe even score a goal). Then play his best on Saturday...and STILL get the biggest stuffing seen outside of a 17lb Christmas turkey.

This is my vision.

The chimps are all over us, the crowd still rise to the occasion and the Lads fight back. Shot after shot is saved by Given's fingertips and each resulting corner is scrambled unconvinginly away. Two shots appear to go over the line for the makems, but are disallowed by the increasingly biased refereeing.

Then, with barely moments to go on the clock, the ball is hoofed upfield by Aaron Hughes. A slippy patch of turf lets the ball skid on towards the Chimp's goalmouth. The makems defence are all committed in attack and they scramble back to cover Shearer's run. The crowd go wild. The scumbag's keeper dives out to meet the ball and man. Fumbling the keeper lets the ball under him, Shearer falls over the top. Ball bounces up and smacks Al on his arse. The ball trickles onto the line, a last gasp defender clears it. Referee, some 20 yds away calls a goal. Blows his whistle and game over. All 11 makems, bench, manager and staff invade the pitch to harrange the ref over his decision. All are sent off. 4 game ban on each one and 6 pt penalty. Makems go down at the end of the season on goal difference of -1.

I can dream, can't I?

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2000