I thought Sikora was suposed to be a left winger? Maybe I'm wrong. I see John Karelse is saying he is a good right winger but worth more like £6M than the £10M being asked. But I have to say, do we need another right winger, especially at this price???

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Answers

Sikora can play either wing Screach, or behind the forward. I'm seeing Vitesse tomorrow so against Sparta, so assuming he's playing, I'll file an attempt at a 'Scouting report'.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Bliddy Hell Stevo. No sooner had I posed the question and out "man on the spot" replied. I'm impressed and look forward to your report ;-)

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

So is it true that Sikora really will not move for a year - or is that statement just part of a negotiation?

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2001

As promised,a 'Scouting report' on Sikora. Excuses for the length

Vitesse Arnhem were away against Sparta Rotterdam (for whom I have a season ticket and a measure of affection). Sparta couldn't escape finishing second bottom and going into the relegation play-offs, whilst Vitesse needed a win to be sure of a UEFA place. Sikora is described as 'two-footed' but almost entirely used his right during the warm up where he did notice a somewhat dishevelled figure in a Newcastle shirt paying a great deal of attention. He concentrated on trying to control passes received when running at speed.

1-Vitesse lined up 4-3-3 with Sikora starting on the right-wing where he soon made a nuisance of himself closing down the keeper and forcing hurried clearances.

8-free in front of goal, team-mate elects to shoot instead of passing, Sikora unimpressed

9-Sparta take the lead 1-0

11- Persistence wins him a corner, Sparta try using two defenders when he's on the ball.

14- Again furious with teamate for not passing when in good position.

16- Excellent run into box onto through-ball, control lets him down.

18-Dreadful mishit pass.

21-Using considerable pace wins free-kick on edge of area.

22-Nice interplay in edge of area, left-foot shot on target, but lacking power.

24-taken a knock, holding mid-riff..

25-Excellent run into the box, almost loses control but lays off the ball to create clearcut chance, teammate shoots wide.

28-Gives former mackem keeper Zoetebier a mouthful for a bad clearance.

29-Switched to the left again, gets good cross in, most of Vitesse's better moments are through him.

32-Wins tackle, then loses the ball, gives free-kick away with wild challenge, told to cool it by the ref.

35-completely misses a tackle, again furious with a teammate.

39- Having switched wings beats opponent for pace down the left before a good low left-footed cross to create chance.

41-Sparta gain penalty 2-0

43- Collects the ball down the left, brought down on the edge of area. Legitimate free-kick but, not for first time, suspect he played for it.

44- 2-1 Vitesse score from the free-kick (does that qualify as an assist?)

45-Hurt in challenge, goes off for treatment on right thigh. Back on to good reception from Vitesse supporters.

HALF-TIME

46-Starts on the right. Vitesse have made two substitutions.

50-Strips defender for pace before putting in good deep cross.

51- Control lets him down.

52- With both RKC Waalwijk and Utrecht winning Vitesse are looking in danger of loosing their UEFA cup place. Ronald Koeman uses his last sub, brings on big target man Bob Peters, plays 4 up front with Sikora now on the left wing.

58-Looses possession to heavy, but fair, challenge, complains bitterly to ref.

59-breaks into the area at speed, his shot his blocked. Emerges from challenge limping heavily whilst teammate receives treatment. No subs left and Koeman looks v. agitated.

61-darts ahead of his defender to get on the end of a cross, the keeper saves. Sikora regains possession, is tackled, falls somewhat dramatically, Vitesse claim penalty but not given.

63-breaks down left and gets good left-footed cross in.

64-limping, holding right thigh in pain. Stays in centre-circle when Vitesse attack, captain is concerned.

66-Vitesse corner breaks to Sikora on edge of area, he drives a low shot into the corner of the goal. 2-2.

68-Other results are not going Vitesse's way, they need to win. Sikora is clearly injured and reduced to walking pace unless on the ball.

72-Again Sikora wins free kick on the edge of area.

75-Good left-footed cross.

76-scramble involving Sikora in six-yard box results in disallowed goal.

78-Good movement and aggression down the left

80-Is now reduced to walking pace.

84-Brings down opponent and gets involved in pushing. Signaling to bench he wants off who ignore him. Though equal on points Utrecht are winning 6-0 against Groningen which gives them better goal difference.

89-Despite injury still wins final free-kick on edge or area.

90-Dreadful mishit cross.

Final whistle. Vitesse players lay prostrate having lost European place on final day of the season.

Verdict: Impressed with reservations. His pace is his greatest weapon, he got good crosses in, took his goal well, and until his injury was at the heart of Vitesse's better attacking moments. However he is a forward and showed little aptitude for defending (I noted 5 attempted tackles, 3 of which he lost), food for thought if Robson wants him for left-midfield in a 4-4-2. His first-touch needs working on. His temperament was also a touch troubling, too quick to have a go at team-mates, and though I don't doubt the severity of his injury his demeanour suggested he was going to make damn sure any watching scouts were well aware he was no longer fully fit. A 10 million pound player he certainly isn't but, at the right price, in the right position, I can see him being a decent player for us.

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2001

Excellent report Stevo - thanks marra.
Lot of food for thought there.

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2001

ditto. suggest you keep a copy of this report Stevo and if Sikora actually signs drag it out later in the season to see how prophetic it turned out to be! as regards the player, sounds as if he could be part - but only part - of the solution. at the right price.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

Excellent Stevo - you should be on the NUFC payroll! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

I cannot understand how a team can let an injured player stay on the pitch with the potential to make their injury worse. What sort of mickey mouse club does he play for, don't they have coaching staff who should be making sure that doesn't help. Tossers.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

Morning Macbeth ! Did you get out of bed the wrong side today then - or was that some subtle dig at the standard of our own coaching and medical staff who seem to make similarly dodgy decisions on a regular basis ?!?

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

BTW mac - any 'announcements' yet for us common members of the public concerning recent elections ??

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

Great report, thx a lot!

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

LT I know the result but others don't so I'm not supposed to say anything but I feel I've done better than Hague will

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001