http://www.ananova.com/sport/story/sm_260645.html

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Answers

Get up there...

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

I also saw Gunner Halle praising the ability of O'Brien. If we are to believe all the stuff that's written about him we have signed an absolute gem of a player. Only time will tell.

He is in exactly the same mould as Aaron Hughes which is a bit concerning. Very quick and an excellent marker but maybe lacking a bit of physical presence.

Football is changing in that movement of players is so important when attacking but in the Premiership you are always goiing to get the odd Niall Quinn or Big Dunc who will murder Hughes or O'Brien. I guess we will be getting to the stage when we will rotate the CB's to suit the opposition.

For instance against Arsenal there is no real need for exceptional aerial ability in a defender so hughes and O'Brien would hopefully mark say Henry and Bergkamp out of the game.

Very much a continental way of thinking but I can't help thinking Bobby is ahead of the actual situation. Rather like the purchase of Bassedas. Time will tell whether it is successful.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Our defence would probably be better suited to Italian football where the aerial threat is less.

Given the fact that we have conceded shed loads of goals this season from free-kicks and corners, is this the right plan!?

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

DB, after our last few performances I think our defence would be best suited to table football!

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001

Last week when I saw Steve and Gary Caldwell together for the first time the difference stood out a mile. Steve was big and battled with the beanpole Belgian centre forward(Smolders from Club Brugge) and did okay. When the more mobile Belgian forwards took off, as they did worryingly often, Steve was lost for speed completely, and Gary came into his own.

It seems to me we now have 21 and 22 year old classy centre halves, with an 18 year old not far behind them. Steve Caldwell and Dabizas are there for the more physical games. Marcelino is there for when we play the Whickham under 11s and they have a "nee hard tackles" rule

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2001