Tough to play against isn't it? I believe we failed last night because we were too slow in attack. Nice work to the edge of the box where we held the ball up while allowing everyone (defenders and attackers) to get in the box. The we'd either lose the ball are not be able to hit the necessary pinpoint pass.

We scored on the only time the ball was knocked into the box first time. We should have won that game even if we conceded 2 or 3 goals.

I'm fed up with our players standing with the ball on the edge of the opposition penalty box with that "what do I do now?" look on their faces. The players have the ability, I think.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Answers

Geordie, I agree that playing any teams outside of the Premiership is an entirely different kettle of fish, but it`s not like we didn`t know what to expect. There was a determination about Birmingham which we couldn`t match. We didn`t play like a Premiership team, nor did we play like a Divvie 1 team - in fact, I don`t think we played like a team.(:o!

I agree that we have players with the ability, but they seem to lack the motivation, self belief, and support from their fellow players.

Did anyone see the incident between Shearer and Solano? I think Solano had gotten in the way of Shearer`s free kick? I`m assuming that Big Al had said words to that effect, but the long lingering shot on Solano walking backwards to me spoke volumes. Head down shoulder slumped, he looked like a dog which had just been beaten. I`m not saying I felt particularly sorry for him, but I don`t think Shearer`s words were intended to inspire. I guess he was pretty annoyed at Solano, but maybe he should have saved that particular incident for post-match discussion, and focused more on rallying the troops, not giving them a public rollicking at a crucial point in the game? Or am I completely misreading the incident?(:o|

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Shearer really laboured on that point with Solano and should have got his head down and made good the fffffup. No captain of the team I support should be chastising the players and it is not as if Shearer is standing proudly at the top of the mountain coveted in glory when he critices others but to look at him you wouldn't think that.

I wonder what Shearer's reaction to being dropped by Bobby would be.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

And replaced by whom? Lua Lua? Cordone? Gallacher? I think not.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I know Kegsy. I don't want him dropped because he's our only decent forward but I sometimes wonder whether he has this high and mighty attitude concerning his position at the club.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

My point is that I'd like us to be a bit more direct

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

When we get Cort fit, we could be more direct, mix it up a bit more, let Shearer feed off Cort like he did with Sutton. It would also give him some more space. He needs someone up front to play with.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

no no no. It's irrelevent who is up front. We need to attack with more urgency. I'm not saying hump it high... play it early!

If Shearer can't hack it on his own.. .and he's NOT on his own ... then he should be dropped. If he needs Cort alongside him then there is no point in in playing him.... He's a diving cheat in my eyes. I idolised Ginola until he started diving. I hate cheats, therefore I hate Shearer.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Wow - that was a bit of serious directness from you there Geordie! (;o)

Hate to agree on this one, but that was a very obvious dive from Shearer. Don`t hate him for it, but I didn`t like it either.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Geordie, your comments are valid, up to a point, we do tend to over elaborate in our build-up giving the opposition time to get men back. But we simply don't have the personnel to go route 1. A player with Shearer's strength and Dyer's pace might give us that option but at the moment he simply doesn't exist (not in our squad anyway). The great thing we had during the Keegan era was movement off the ball, that, allied to genuine pace, gave us options all over the pitch. I remember talking to an Everton fan outside Goodison during this period who said teams were petrified when Newcastle came to town, they knew that if Beardo didn't create something then Bobby Lee would, and if Bobby didn't do it Ginola would. We were dangerous in every department and almost impossible to defend against. Where does the danger come from now? How many telling balls are we getting into the box? How many touches do Bassedas, Solano and Speed need before anything meaningful is created? Answers on a postcard please - and send it to YBR, sharpish.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Brum played a very predictable, direct and effective game yesterday. They reminded me of Wimbledon in their heyday, fighting in every position and banging the ball up to the tall fellas, getting the scraps and causing bother in the penalty area. The height advantage was obvious and Francis played to his teams' strength. But quite how Shearer was supposed to mark Adebola, or Griffin against Horsfield is beyond me. We're turning into Chelsea, but without the tall lads!

We played the better quality game yesterday, but too often the ball was given away easily. Slack passing and lack of urgency in winning the ball back was endemic of our game. The midfield was bypassed in a lot of the Brum attack, but that doesn't excuse the gap between midfield and defence in helping to win the ball. Losing at set play goals is also poor.

Individuals had moreover an average game...bringing me to the BBS Bobby's Team Ratings:

Harper 7 - tested early on, but couldn't be faulted for either goal.
Griffin 6 - for a quick lad he was totally skinned by Horsfield. Some excellent play along the overlaps, but these were too few and far between
Hughes 6 - fair game, and did enough to put off the bigger Brummies in set play. Got drawn out of position on the break too often
Goma 7 - was on for MOTM in the first half with a commanding performance, slacked off in the 2nd 45. Appeared to be marking the smaller players for corners, leaving Al to deal with 6'4" strikers alone
Barton 5 - one of his worst games, back to his Dalglish days. Misplaced passes, lack of vision and slack marking, looked one paced and unfit. Domi can't be sold yet!
Speed 5 - was he playing? Even if the midfield watched the game go over their heads, there was little pressure being exerted on the attackers.
Lee 6 - again, an average game. For a player developing the 'nasty' ball winner streak, Rob was largely anonymous in doing just that. The ref was lenient enough for several tough challenges so why didn't Lee put himself about?
Dyer 6 - good goal, and looked fairly dangerous along with Solano. Could've done more.
Solano 7 - best attacking player on the pitch. Unfairly criticised by Shearer in 'that' free kick, but didn't deliver enough crosses.
Bassedas 6 - fair 1st half, but quickly faded when the players returned. May have picked up a slight injury from a somewhat agricultural 5th minute tackle. Could do better
Shearer 6 - appeared everywhere on the pitch, including defence. Workrate not enough when leadership and inspiration was required.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Harper? 7? Come on Bobby, we'd have been dead and buried after an hour if it wasn't for Stevie Harper. Blameless for both goals. One hairy moment when he couldn't control a back pass. 9 out of 10.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Darren Purse 10 out of 10 for missing the most glorious of chances early in the game. At least he prolonged our hope of winning.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

I thought Goma was fantastic. Pity he wants away.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Dave, Harper got a 7 because he did cause some agitation when galloping after Adebola - the fact being the lanky Brummie get allowed Stevie to get back to his line and make a great save. A better striker would have made a telling shot. Also, his punch clearance could have been better.

Mind, he is equal to anything Given does and had a strong game. 7 is fair, I reckon ;-)

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

8 then. Go on man.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

Ohhh...go on then, give him an 8. You sure know how to persuade a guy :-)

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000

geordie lad I have to agree with you on the Shearer point. He dived therefore he cheated. I think that he thinks he has this unsurmountable position within the club, he needs to be brought down a peg or two. Ferguson did it to beckham now Man u are enjoying the benefits of it. Cordone came on made a nusiance of himself set up himself up on the edge of the box and laid it in front shearer who didn't even make an attempt.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000