Tough match, with Chelsea staring to look like the good side they should be. Another one of those London games which sees us doomed, however we are bouyed by the performance of Hughes against Hasslebaink. JFH was rested at the weekend so he will be fresh for the game. Lee out with groin strain but it looks like Dyer will be back, supporting Ameobi and Gallacher in attack. Gallacher and Dyer running off Ameobi in a Terry vegetables style Xmas tree formation.

Given

Griffin-Hughes-Goma-Quinn

Solano-Acuna-Speed

Dyer-Gallacher

Ameobi.

Acuna may have to curb his attacking play and sit in front of the back four. Hopefully a draw out of this.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Answers

Juuusttttt goooootttaaa geettttt thhiiisss oontttooo tthhheee aannnsswweerrrssss ppaaaaagggeee!!!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Discussing wi' yersel' DeB? OK, just so you dibvvent feel totally forgotten...........been reading The Journal, eh??? I'm not sure I'd have Gally in there, but it depends on the m/f. Lee knacked - will Bassedas figure??? Probably not, so I could see you 11 starting, tho not necessarily in that formation. Maybe Dyer (or KG) dropping back a bit further, or maybe even 3/5 at the back with Barton or Marcelino coming in? I'd prefer Griff as f/b to counter the pace of Gronkjaer.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Ahhhhh not the three at the back. I think where we have tried it this season we haven't really prospered and we should stick with what we know best until we have the players to do that job.

Griffin is a again a key man. If he can snuff out Gronjkaer then it will go a long way to getting something out of this match.

The return of Dyer seems pretty crucial for me, but we cannot afford for Solano or Dyer to go missing ala Derby.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Hmm DB, the team looks familiar and so does the formation. Now where have I seen that before, oh yes it must be my team pick!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Come on Kegsy your formation was all focused down the right hand side!! Ahh much like the real thing then!

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

I would play Griffin a 4 - 4 - 2 with Griffin as a winger, and Barton behind him. That should snuff out the Groeankjear threat. Also in midfield would be Speed to the left with Acuna and Solano in the centre. Upfront Dyer and Ameobi. As for the keeper, I think BR has to start to rotate them. When they are both fit he should give them lets say a month in goal each, that way perhaps we can hang onto the best pair of keepers in the league.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

If we can defend like we did at SJP, we may do OK. Hughes and Goma had JFH and TAF in their pockets. Only thing is, we can't defend against Poyet.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

The only guy who can is Shearer, you need Shearer to man mark poyet in set pieces.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

If Poyet is playing, he has been in and out of the side recently.

Acuna could do a job on him, mobility and aerial presence, or even Ameobi.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

What's new pussy cat?

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

ooo! Caption compy! :-)

Ameobi: You really want to have that dandruff treated, mate.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

"Taxi for Me Wise was it?"

haven't seen that pic before - excellent! ;))

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

"Taxi for Mr. Wise was it?"

haven't seen that pic before - excellent! ;))

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

Shut it, short-arse .

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

OK, OK I give up. Feckin' 'ell

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

"I crap bigger than you" (Jack Palance to Billy Crystal in City Slickers)

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

Aside from the caption competition there are some worrying articles in the Chronicle today. Barton, Speed and Gughes are all talking about the Chelsea match so it probably means we're gonna get turned over.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

Ameobi: I've got a lump in my shorts bigger than you, now bog off

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

Hey Shola, I can feel it's true what they say about black guys.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

"Thou art a mammering, toad-spotted, hedge-pig."

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

Oops. Wrong BBS. Wrong caption comp.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

No Shagga, that's excellent!! ROTFL!

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001

Did aah tell yiz - aah think wi'll get tonked the neet :-(

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2001