A big admission from Kieron in this morning's press.

Good to see in a way but also interesting to note that Dyer was getting pissed off with being played out of position earlier in the season, which I presume meant up-front. He says he accepts the injury situation at the club and has vowed to help Bobby Robson during this time.

I think we should recognise the way in which Dyer has knuckled down recently and has been an attacking force which we have desperately needed. He has made Ameobi look decent with his intelligent running.

With Solano in the form of his Newaslte career there seems little likelyhood that Dyer will be offered the right wing berth and with Acuna and Bassedas quickly tying up the middle, should we be looking to play Dyer down the left more often, when we have two other fir strikers?

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Answers

Got to say that we always struggled to pin down what his best position would be. Keegan played him at wing back but Robson wouldn't and we wouldn't cos he too light in the tackle (so to speak). Wide right would suit but makes him one dimensional and he has the ability to go both ways so it's limiting his worth.

I always wanted him to be Beardsley's replacement playing just behind a pair of strikers making great runs, giving him the option of playeing them in or running into space they'd created. His last three (2.5) games have seen him at his best. He is closer to their defenders and therefore puts the fear of God into them with his pace. If I was Bobby Robson I'd be pointing out how good he has been and suggesting he that he has found his true position.

When you have a talent like his available you have to maximise it. What we need is a strong left hand side of midfield player, but one who can go wide. Speed can kill off opposing defenders but never adds width, and all season we have missed out on using our left hand side because of this. I know he's just been picked for England and therfore expensive but I'd be looking to go for Seth Johnson. Similar tackling ability and strength to Speed.

Our front 6 would then be Solano, Acuna, Bassedas, Johnson, Dyer and which ever other forward was fit.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

If Dyer could start slotting away the chances and half chances instead of the sublime runs from the half way line I'd be happy for him to play behind the striker like Beardsley did with Cole.

No big man up front in that combination yet the number of goals was impressive to say the least. I think with the current make up of our midfield, especially Bassedas we may be changing our game away from the way we have been playing with Shearer up front. I see no reason why Shearer can't slot back into this system I might add.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

This is still the big conundrum.
I think BR sees YKD playing behind AS & CC. With two big 'uns up front we also need width and a supply of crosses. However, with Dyer in that withdrawn role we couldn't play two wide men, and would need to rely on Solano on the right - leaving us permanently lop-sided.

With YKD playing off either AS or CC, we could then play with two wide men and achieve a better balance.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

I don't think being lop sided will help us achieve anything in the long run. Either Dyer or Solano plays left wing (I would say Dyer is more adaptable) or Dyer plays off a front man, which would be useful in away matches.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

I tend to agree with you DB - this is the result of buying players and then trying to figure out what to do with them to mould an effective team. Hopefully, we've stopped doing that.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

I think previous managers have bought players with definite idea of exactly where they wanted to play them, it's just that thier ideas never came off.

I trust Bobby has an idea about where he would like certain individuals to play but he just hasn't got everyone fit yet.

It is quite plain he is a great admirer of Acuna, Bassedas and Cort as he bought them. He has also been quick to praise Dyer, Solano, Speed and Shearer. So somebody in that lot has to drop out to play a 4-2 in midfield and attack!

Rob Lee can only hope for a back up slot now that Acuna and Bassedas are making their mark on the Premiership.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

I've been thinking about this for some time now and have come to the conclusion that in the long run we are probably better off playing a 4-4-1-1 formation with Dyer just behind a loan striker.

When Cort is fit we have a choice of two target men in Cort and Amoebi, with strikers Lua Lua and Cordone on the bench.

Also remember Lua Lua was a left winger before he was ever a striker.

And I wouls absolutely love the see Seth Johnsonn sign for us when derby get relegated.

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Got to agree Tre - he's a very good young player.
I don't think Derby will get relegated, but if they do there will be a queue of big Clubs wanting Johnson.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2001