Important match in the pursuit of the Hackems. I expect we may make one or two changes i.e. Hughes given run out?

Glass should keep his place and continue the good work with Quinn. It's a shame we cannot field two wingers in the same match but I guess if Solano was available Glass wouldn't be selected!

Ameobi and Lua-Lua seem to provide a spark when they come on but the amount of work Gallacher gets through in the early stages of a game is so valuable and I'd stick with him.

The defence deserve to keep their places after some good work recently. O'Brien seems to have slotted in so well and looks to be a good value signing.

All in all we need a 3-0 win to go above Charlton I think so hopefully Cort will have his scoring head on and continue his impressive Toon scoring record.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Answers

Hopefully Ipswich could do us a favour by stuffing Charlton tonight as well!!

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

I'd go for:

Given

Griffin (is he fit?) - Dabizas - O'Biren - Quinn

Gavillan - Acuna - Speed - Glass

Gallagher - Cort

Then bring Luax2 on for the last 20 mins for Gallagher.

I think Ipswich will win by 2 clear goals tonight.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Griffin is still out with his groin injury. I'd keep the back four the same anyway. One defeat in the last five matches so they deserve something!

Barton will have his work cut out because I presume Kachloul or Pahars will be down the left for Southampton.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Is it completely insane to consider Hughes at RB, and Barton at right midfield, Bassedas in the center with Speed? Or leave Acuna in there, but I'd like to see Bassedas back in the center which is his preferred position. Or even 'rest' Speed and have Bassedas and Acuna in, to see how they fare together?

Maybe too radical an idea. Better just stick with us keeping a clean sheet and scoring in the same match. :-)

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Wadsworth was talking about Lua-Lua's effectiveness as a winger. He came on and set up two good chances for Cort and has the pace and ability to beat a man. I'd go for Lua-Lua and Glass out wide which would require Speed and Acuna in the middle to provide the strength.

You could easily have Bassedas in the middle in place of either Speed or Acuna aslong as Speed or Acuna played in front of the back four and protected the back four.

Southampton will offer significantly more threat in front of goal than hapless Leicester so that back five will need to work their arses off.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

That was my (losing) selection in the Team Pick Comp for Saturday ciara. I figured with Steve Guppy playing we would want some solidity down our right - obviously that logic was too complicated, and Barton played in spendid isolation, often against two opponents.

We really should move to a more balanced formation. Luax2 looked decent playing wide right, and as it looks as though they aren't prepared to play Gavilan, then either he or Gallacher should play there with Glass on the left.

I must say the logic of playing Glass at all at this juncture is lost on me - unless there is still a chance he could be offered a new contract. I read a quote somewhere recently from BR saying a final decision has not yet been made on Glass - however if Rangers are indeed interested in him then we've probably left it too late.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Well, according to Ronnie:

Forgotten man Stephen Glass made a successful return to the Newcastle United side against Leicester City and insisted: "I want to stay here."

But the Scottish international accepts he is rapidly running out of time in his bid to stay at St James's Park.

Bobby Robson says that there are still decisions to be made over certain players - including Glass.

But the left winger's contract expires at the end of the season and as there have been no talks about a new one Glass has every right to feel he is on his way along with fellow Scot Kevin Gallacher, Daniel Cordone, Des Hamilton and Carl Serrant.

Some players say they want to stay at clubs because it is politically correct to do so and it also keeps the fans off their back.

However, Glass is genuine when he says: "I don't want to leave Newcastle United. But obviously I am running out of time the way things are at the moment."

With Nobby Solano still suspended for tomorrow night's game with Southampton at St James's Park Glass is again likely to get the vote from Bobby Robson to give United some much-needed width, all-be-it on the left.

But Solano is available for Saturday's trip to Liverpool and Glass is under pressure to produce the goods tomorrow in front of Robson who missed Saturday's win because he was scouting in Holland.

Adds Glass: "All I can do is to keep my head down and give 100 per cent all the time. But at least I have been given another chance.

"To tell the truth I thought I had played my last game for Newcastle the way things have been going.

"And I was surprised and delighted when the manager said I was playing against Leicester City because it was a chance to do well."

Before Saturday Glass lasted tasted Premiership action back on September 6 Ñ when United won at Coventry City to go to the top of the Premiership for the first time in four seasons.

No wonder Glass says: "Things have changed a bit both for me and the team since that night at Coventry. I hurt my calf at Highfield Road and that injury kept me out for a while.

"But there must have been other reasons why I have been out for long."

The Chronicle revealed on Saturday night that Rangers had watched Glass in action in United's last two Reserve games and that he could have the chance to play Champions League football next season.

Under the Bosman Ruling Rangers could pick up Glass for nothing - after Kenny Dalglish paid £600,000 for him in the summer of 1998.

I also hear that Given will drop down to the bench to let Stevie Harper have a start and that Farcelino will be given one last chance. Did you see that too Clarky?

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Saints head for Newcastle on Tuesday with doubts over Dean Richards and Dan Petrescu after the defeat by Sunderland at the weekend. Petrescu missed the match, his second in succession, because of a groin strain while Richards picked up a knee injury late in the Sunderland setback. Richards believes he will be fit enough but Petrescu is rated as doubtful.

Stuart Gray will wait on fitness tests to Richards and Petrescu before naming his team, a team he hopes will stop the rot.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Thanks for the tip Screach.
BTW, the word is that AS doesn't need an operation, and is flying home to play against his first pro team tomorrow night - keep it quiet mind.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Are you having me on Clarky?!?!?!

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

As the teampick season comes to a close, the tricks to deceive rivals heighten!

They'll be saying Carl Serrant is playing next. No don't!

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

*Southampton have now gone five games (eight hours and two minutes) without a goal, equalling the club record for longest goalless sequence (set in the 1922-23 and 1937-38 seasons). Another game without a goal would represent a club record.

*In their last two visits to St James' Park they have conceded nine goals, losing 4-0 and 5-0. They have managed four wins in 31 visits, the most recent in March 1997.

*Last season Newcastle were 4-0 up after 31 minutes, with Duncan Ferguson scoring twice in the opening three minutes. It equalled Newcastle's best ever home League win.

*At the Dell in September, Southampton won 2-0 (with two goals from Marian Pahars). If the Saints win at St James' Park it would be only the third time they have done the double over Newcastle and first since the 1993-94 season.

*Newcastle have scored 22 home goals; they need one more against either Southampton, Arsenal or Aston Villa to avoid equalling their worst ever home total in the Premiership.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

With our current form, I"m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse! Hopefully Saturday sent Santa NUFC away for a few weeks at least.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

In a surprise move, it is expected that former hero Kevan Keegin will make a shock return to football at St James Park tomorrow. However, at this stage, it is unknown which of his former teams he will turn out for. But with the enforced absence of Newcastle's Notberlo Salono due to suspension, the feeling is he will be wearing a black and white shirt.

I kid you not. Actually, I'm lying my f*ckin' heed off.

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Hahaha Screach you old winker!! you and the clarkster had me going there :))

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Lua-Lua on from the start in a 4-3-3 formation all out for attacking glory!!!! Given
Barton, Dabizas, O'Brien, Quinn
Acuna, Speed, Bassedas
Lua-Lua, Cort, Gallacher
Spread em!!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Southampton will give fitness tests to Dean Richards and Dan Petrescu before naming their side to face Newcastle.

Petrescu has missed Saints' last two matches with a groin strain while fellow defender Richards sustained a knee injury against Sunderland.

Apart from the long-term absentees, midfielder Nolberto Solano is banned for United while Andy O'Brien is a slight doubt with a muscle strain.

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

Muscle strain? Must be from all those BJs he got after scoring the makem equaliser...

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

The Journal reckons he picked up a hip injury on Saturday and is rated 80:20 in favour - however, BR says he will only play him if he is 100% (a novel concept!).

Sounds to me like their concocting a handy excuse to give Hughes a game without appearing to drop/rest O'Brien.

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

to be fair, clarky, the vast majority of playing 80% fit players has been of necessity. Tonight YBR is in the luxurious position of having Dabizas fit, Hughes fit, Caldwell fit (though probably out of favour)... so if O'Brien is not 100% we are WELL covered.

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

O'Brien wasn't training yesterday.

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

Given Barton Dabizas O'Brien Quinn Gavilan Bassedas Acuna Glass Lua Lua Cort

I wouldn't mind seeing that team tonight. It's not likely, but it woulb be interesting. Bring Bonvin on in the second half.

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001