Can`t stop thinking about last night`s game, and in true female fashion, it`s like a tennis match inside my head! I believe women have more connectors between the left and right side of the brain than men, and consequently have more `on the other hand` type arguements with themselves. Men usually have a much more direct thought process - eg. We`re sh@te and we know we are? Fact or fiction Dr. Bill?

Anyway, despite the tennis match, both sides of my brain seem to be saying the same thing - that was a very bad result for us last night, and not just because we let ourselves be knocked out of this competition. Biggest worry for me is the fact that we didn`t look as though we were going to win (even after scoring, surprise,surprise), whereas Birmingham looked as though they never doubted that they could win it.........

Further random musings to follow - when I`ve had my third cup of coffee.(:o|)

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Answers

Its the same as its allways been cr@p in defence and Centre PArting only has two types of play Play 1 Bang it up the field as far as possible Hoping our front ONE can win a header amoungst the 4 9foot neanderthalls, or Play 2 Get up as far as the half way line then when all the opposition are scurrying about like headless chickens wondering where the balls going - Pass it back to your goalkeeper.

Bassedas get the ball dribble it between your own feet then lose it shouldnt of beeen on the pitch , cordone shoulda been on from the start with dyer in midfiled as like the last 10 mins or so , then we coulda ran at them and caused problems.

To be honest unless we spend some serious cash (which bobby was promised remember) we wont change at all.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Don't get me started on Warren Barton..........too late!

As you say he hoofs it up the pitch and seems to have forgotten that Dunc has gone to Everton. He should play for Sunderland the way he plays football, but dare I say it they wouldn't have him.

His clearances when under pressure were laughable and his positioning all night seemed to be poor. I watched mmore than most and he is not up to the task.

It is no coincidence that our best defensive performances this season have been without Warren Barton. He is not the man for the job, he plays rushed scuffling football and if anyone says but he gives his all then I say that is not enough. I know some others could be criticised for not giving their all but at least they can pass the ball and are half intelligent.

All this coaching badge stuff is obvioulsy not doing him any good and he seems to be educated by that Charlie bloke who masterminded the way England should play in the nineties.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Should we be taking a more radical stance and getting some of our new/young players well and truly blooded by just throwing them in at the deep end? Should we leave some of the experienced/older players on the bench to a) give them a rest, and b) remind them that they are just `part` of a team?

I`m guessing we won`t because there is too much to lose - the Premiership is pretty tight there in the middle, and it only takes a couple of defeats plus some results going against us, and we will be thrashing around in the lower reaches again. BUT, personally, I would rather be hanging on for dear life at the bottom of the table supporting a team with a bit of team spirit and fire in it`s belly.

Just a thought, but how do you think we would have fared, had Wor Bobby done a Fergusson and virtually fielded the Reserves? Don`t get me wrong, I`m not saying he should have done, this is purely hypothetical. Worst case scenario, we get well and truly twonked. But just suppose we had won (unlikely I know, because I thought Birmingham looked very, very up for it), or pushed it to penalties, or even lost with the same scoreline. We would at least have gained some worthwhile knowledge about what we have in reserve, and what would have been even better, our first team might have had their convictions rattled about just how secure they are as being first pick.

And before you all shoot me down in flames for being so stupid - yes I know that is never going to happen, but I do sometimes feel that there are players who join and leave the Club without us ever seeing just what they might have be able to contribute.(:o!

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I was composing while you two were posting! I have to admit, Warren Barton was dreadful, really awful. I would be inclined to leave him out of the team, don`t care how long he`s been with us.!

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I like Barton but I said the self same thing last night.

'You can tell Warren is back there goes the long ball up the middle!'

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I adore and respect Wor Bobby, but I am very worried that this may just be too much for him. It`s not just that it must be frustrating for him as a manager, his face gave away just how much it was hurting him fullstop. We all know how he feels about Newcastle United, and surely that must double the strain he`s under.(:o|

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I agree with a lot of what you say Galaxy, but I don't see the need to go all out with the youngsters. No need to hit the panic button yet. We are not a proper 'team' yet, no question, and we lost last night because of that lack of togetherness. But I think Bobby is realistic about this and a lot of the players are fairly short term plug-ins. What we need is for these players to keep us up there, hopefully getting a place in a Euro competition this year, if not next, whilst building behind the scenes on a core of players that he hopes will provide the backbone for the next 5 years to come.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Galaxy amkes a very good point. If the youngsters had come an even got the same result as last night it might wake up the "first team players" who 'appear' to think that they will be picked every Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed or whatever.

Glad to see someone is sharing my sentiments about Barton.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

amkes??

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Barton. Hmm. Well, I have no doubt that if we'd had 11 players of Barton's spirit and ability last night, that we would have won. But conversely it wouldn't make us a very strong premiership side, and we wouldn't stand a chance in Europe. We would be a side that got a few plucky results against better opposition..a sort of Sunderalnd ;-)).

We shouldn't take Barton for granted..he's still a very useful player, especially at the moment when we are having trouble in the 'motivation and teamwork' department. When we have a side of high quality players that's properly humming, then the likes of Barton become less important, although still useful to have around as someone who will not have too much of an ego to have a spell in the reserves, and therefore be available and motivated if needs arise.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Barton can be great, but it's looking more like he happier at right back.

Last night he was pants...soiled, grim, blue with white piping Y fronted pants.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I'd say he was worse than that Bobby, aged brown with cream piping.

We should do what every respectable housekeeper would do with pants like that, throw them out.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Or use them as dusters...

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

"amkes" n from the ancient Geordie dialect, to make

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000