I will not blame Shearer for his performance but did he fail as a team captain on Saturday by allowing the fight from within to be lost?

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2000

Answers

I think we had three "shouters" on the pitch on Saturday in Shearer, Lee and Caldwell. We were just a bit unlucky on Saturday, It's only 3 points lost and the season has a long way to go yet. I think most of us wouldn't have been too unhappy at the thought of being 6 points off 3rd place and only 4 points off forth. Two or three wins on the trot will see us back up in a european place. The future is bright, the future is Black and White, TIOY.

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2000

Caldwell seems to have all the attributes to make a name for himself at NUFC. He will only get better this season, although it will take another couple of years before he will be an automatic first choice.

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2000

Something I have said before, and have believed for many many years. The Captain cannot be a forward, need a STRONG personality and a big gob at the back. Make AS the "Club" captain if you like but the team captain must be prepared to give out bollockings when required. Unfortunately we have no-one that fits the bill right now. Or do we?

-- Anonymous, November 21, 2000

I know what you`re saying Pete, a midfield general would be ideal. In fact it would even be easier to be an effective captain from the standpoint of a defender, or even a keeper with a big gob, rather than a striker.

Having said that, how do you take the armband off Shearer without it totally demoralising him? Also, whatever the motives, it would be construed by all and sundry as a reflection of Bobby`s confidence in Big Al. (:o)

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

I mentioned ages ago that there seems no reason why we can't have another selected leader in the team. If we are to persevere with Shearer as the Team Captain, and I can't see how we could strip him of the captaincy, we could have a midfield leader or defensive leader.

When playing rugby you have a captain, if he is in the backs then you also have a "Pack Leader" who organises the forwards. In reality you should have the same in football anyway, it's just that we don't seem to have that at NUFC.

Looking at manure when Keane and Stam are in the team you would probably say Stam organises a lot but Keane is the captain. Both do the shouting in that case.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000

We have 3 International Captains, OK 1 Ex Captain on the pitch, a 19 YO has to yell at the players?

Says it all really.

-- Anonymous, November 22, 2000