Might be a blessing in disguise if the players feel they have to prove something to the fans. We fans are always supporting them whatever and the players must get used to that. Once in a while it won't do them any harm to know we are not always the pushover.

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer has asked the Toon Army to stop criticising manager Bobby Robson and get behind him and the team. Shearer said: "You deserve criticism when you lose 5-0 at Arsenal, that's only right," he said. "However, a lot of that criticism was over the top.

"But Bobby hasn't got a problem with it, he's seen all those pressures before. He's used to it because of the pressures he was under when coaching England.

"No-one should ever doubt what Bobby Robson has done for this club. He has proved his worth many times over.

"To turn things around as he did last season was a near-miracle, and as we are currently seventh, he could do the same again if we go one better and finish sixth in the league and get a place in Europe.

"It would be great for the club, especially one of the size and stature of Newcastle United."

United head for Derby on Saturday determined to get three points, knowing that with a severe Christmas schedule, any other bonus may be hard to come by.

"We would settle for being in the same position in January," Shearer admitted. "We've got a great chance against Derby on Saturday, but then we face two tough games against Leeds and Manchester United.

"I remain positive. When we get everyone back fit, and if we can sign a couple of the big hitters, vital signings, in my opinion, which are needed, then who knows? We can challenge again for a European place, for that sixth position."

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Answers

what do you reckon he views as 'big hitters' ?

He must be desperate for a forward to help him, and I'd guess he'd like to see something happening down the left hand side.

Xmas scenario is Domi off to be replaced by Harte, Marcelino off, he doesn't need replaced as he was never there in the first place, but maybe a nice centre half will come along, between all that there will still be spare cash to buy a left sided attack minded player (no not another Gary Speed !).

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Left midfield will not be viewed as the big problem until we drop one of Dyer and Solano. While playing both of them we have no room in the side for a left winger because the other positions need to be filled with CM's who can win the ball.

It is a major problem for me though. What ever happened to that Bart Goor that played for Belgium in Euro 2000? Ian Harte would be a welcome addition, especially for his free kicks

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

I've kept half an eye on Goor since the European Championships. An important part of Anderlecht's heroics in the Champions League I've been impressed with him. Great provider from left midfield for little and (extremely)large up front- Radzinski and Kohler. Heard him interviewed and he seemed a genuinely modest and amiable fellow. But with Anderlecht still in Europe and not out of the Belgian Championship race I can't imagine the Brussels outfit would be keen to sell. Don't know when his contract is up.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

He looked like the type of player we need on the left. Strong dynamic runner with a good left foot and gets a few goals too. Wait till Anderlecht get knocked out of the Cl then get Prince Albert to go round his house and tell him what it is like playing for NUFC.

£5 million thank you very much.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

De B - Dyer and Nobby surely only playing because there's no left winger. BR forced to go with slightly amorphous 4-3-1-2 till we get a lefty, and I've never liked the 3 in that formation - no width, little creativity from Speed/Lee and little defensive prowess from Nobby - CMs need to be all-rounders, as mentioned elsewhere mebbe Acuna and Shirley Bassedas better option, but really midfield'll only gel when Nobby OR Dyer is allowed to stay down the right and someone else is patrolling the left in an orthodox four.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

But can you see Bobby leaving either Dyer or Solano out of the team. I'd like to think he would tell Dyer to make the right winger's position his own but somehow I just can't see it.

I agree 100% regarding your concerns about the lack of width from the 4-3-1-2 formation, we won't win anything until we can sort it out. At the minute we only stretch teams along the length of the pitch and not the width.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

I know i all sounds like salt and pepper pots and fags packets on the table in the pub (being moved about) I would like to see 4 3 2 1, oh yes its Uncle Tels Xmas tree!!!

Seriously I would as we have the two in Dyer and Nobby and the three with Acuna, Shirley Bassedas, and Speed:

ideally: (from Ron Manager)

Big Al

Nobby.........Dyer

Speed....Bassedas....Acuna

Back four take yer pick.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

I don't think that formation would give us the width we need to attack teams with. We should pick a formation then suit the players to that not pick the players then get a formation IMHO.

4-4-2

Griffin-Hughes-Marcellino-Barton (Prefer Ian Harte!)

Dyer-Acuna-Bassedas-Glass

Shearer-Ameobi

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Sorry De Builder, but that midfield is FAR too lightweight....neither Acuna or Bassedas is a ball winner and that's EXACTLY what we're missing at the minute. Come back David Batty.....

It's almost as if we're a couple of years ahead of our time with a midfield that doesn't tackle and therefore avoids bookings, unfortunately teams that still have kickers in them are taking the piss out of us in the middle of the park cos they know we've got fuck all there.... :((

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

I was hoping that Acuna could do the hard bit and Bassedas can 'steer'. Newton Heath play with Scholes in the middle and he can't tackle for toffe.

I guess they key to the whole thing is that the four I picked in midfield work their bollocks off and put themselves about a bit. Some changes of character needed there, so as you say it may be a bit lightweight.

We have never properly replaced Batty and his departure is synonymous with our decline IMHO.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

I see what you're saying but even ManUre have a ball winner in Roy Keane (when he's on form LR!)....I suppose the closest we can come to that is Gary Speed who unfortunately plays on the same side as Bassedas so if we're gonna go with your two wingers then they're almost mutually exclusive....which is a pity if BadAss is the ball player we've all been wanting for the last couple of years...

Can I interest you in a 4-3-1-2?

I'll go with your back line :-

Griffin-Hughes-Marcellino-Barton (Prefer Ian Harte!)

Using Griffin and left back as wing back's that push up to help fill and control midfield.

Followed by:-

Lee(or Nobby)-Bassedas-Speed

Dyer

Shearer Nippy Striker

Again it lacks natural width but I see us controlling midfield, playing up to the striker who then lay it off to one of the wings immediately to be picked up by either a midfielder or wing back, the strikers have headed off towards the centre for the ball they're expecting whilst we've still got plenty in midfield to pick up the loose balls if the opposition head clear...

I'm waffling aren't I? I'd better just go shouldn't I..... ;))

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

DB Totally agree with "we never replaced Batty". I don't think he was fully appreciated until we didn't have him. I was slightly confused initially when KK signed him, but I thought that he became one of the best signings he made.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

>>>>>>We have never properly replaced Batty and his departure is synonymous with our decline IMHO.
Can't agree with that at all. Our decline was synonomous with the arrival of TSM and the departure and non-replacement of Ginola, Ferdinand, Pedro and Tino. Batty was excellent in the Keegan team which went forwards with the security of Batty behind them. In TSM's team he was under instruction to go sideways or backwards and as we started to lose games he reverted to the thuggery of his pre Keegan days, so much so that I was very pleased to see the back of him.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

IMHO, Batty wouldnbe a liability in today's game. Even before he left us, he was starting to give away far too many freekicks on the edge of the area, penalties and getting yellow carded. I'm afraid, the days of the terrier-like player like DB are behind us, thanks to them in suits who are turning the man's game into a suitable option for Torville and Dean.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Couple of observations:

* if Acuna isn't a ball winner we might just as well get rid of him, 'cos he certainly isn't a creative midfielder.

* we already have two left-sided m/f players - Didier Domi and Stephen Glass. (Note: I no longer regard Domi as FB as he can't defend, whereas if he could get his thick head into gear, he could become a top class wide m/f player). We don't play them - principally because BR prefers to play both Solano & Dyer - both right-sided m/f players. If Domi & Glass aren't good enough to play, they should both be sold.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Christmas sales started already in North Shields, eh Clarky? I saw Glass play on Monday night against 'pool resorves. Can't say I was over-impressed, althought being a fairly short lad, he had trouble with the long grass. Same with Diego. Both seemed to me to have a bit of an attitude problem. Mouthing off a bit too much. In fairness, Gavilan was far worse in this respect that Glass. But it made me wonder if it's more than ability that constantly keeps then ignored.

Gavilan, I could perhaps understand as Nobby is playing well and LKD can play out wide right too. But Glass has been free from injury for a while, and apart from a brief appearance against @rse, hasn't figured much (scored against Spurs or summat as well).

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

From today's Ronnie:

Meanwhile, Robson was still purring about the way Shearer performed last weekend despite only having one training stint under his belt in a fortnight.

The United boss said: "Alan was the perfect example to every player in the country. It's as simple as that."

Plus at least one player who is not in the country - Didi Dummy.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Simple economics Screach.

We're paying these guys a good wedge but we clearly don't think they're good enough for the first team. Even when we've got 10-12 players out injured they don't get a sniff.

Why do we appear to agonise over such decisions for so long? Somebody's just got to make their bloody mind up - if they are not contributing members of the 1st team squad, then get bloody rid of them.

I'd transfer list Domi at £5million, and Glass at £1.5 million, today. Let's get shot, and get at least one player in who will make a meaningful contribution.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Yeah - I see where you're coming from. For me, Domi has just about reached le fin de la rue. Good prospect but bad attitude. Unfortunately, I can't see him changing. I still remember a quote attributed to him not long after he arrived. He said he'd be here for a couple of years and use the EPL as a stepping stone to greater (= more lucrative??) things.

I also agree with you regarding his position (so to speak). I've seen him skinned too many times to have confidence as a defender. But going forward, he looks alot better. YBR obviously realises this too. So why can't the daft git himself? Possibly as he sees less competition at International level for LB than LMF?? Merde.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Didier Domi will have a pretty hard job to get past Lizarazu and Candela for LB in the French team. And according to all the French papers, Domi is definitely coming to PSG, as is Ronaldinho. And Goma is apparently either going to Monaco (12th or so) or Strasbourg, who are a very sorry last!

KT

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

Any amounts being mentioned for Domi? Hopefully Goma will realise that he has more chance of further honours if he stays with us. Monaco or Strasbourg will hardly deliver him that.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

No amounts mentioned for Domi. Monaco could still win the league as they're out of Europe, and only 8 points off the top. But Strasbourg are pants. They've lost 5-0, and 4-0 twice at home this season. The French league is impossible to predict. The local team, Troyes, aren't too flash at all. Yet they're 9th, 6 pts behind the leaders. And their whole budget = Carl Cort!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

So the Anelka Mafia are involved!
B'st@rds, b'st@rds, b'st@rds.

Ah screw it, they can have him - £5 million; thank you sir - will that be gift-wrapped? Next customer, please.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000