Gary Speed missed 2 headed sitters. Aaron partly responsible (with that eejit Murdock (I think his name is)) for conceding goal against Poland Shay concedes (admittedly against Figo) So, a confidence builder all round...... Most interesting was Aaron's strop after McIlroy had bawled the players out in the centre circle - didn't think he'd got a stroppy cell in his whole body. Anyway, can Dabs keep St Michael of Owen at bay on Wednesday?

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

Answers

AP.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

Dougal, what is it with your fascination of Aaron Hughes?...by the way I didn't see the games you mentioned. How did he (Hughes) get on? Glad to hear he got stroppy...if only he could do that for us AND show a bit of leadership. As for Dabs and YMO, the confidence in the England team at the moment doesn't bode too well for Dabs does it. But it won't be easy for them in Athens and as long as England win I'll be happy.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

I thought Shay had a great game today - OK he let one in, but he was let down by his defence who totally got in the way. Anyway, letting one in from Figo is not a bit deal. (mind you, didn`t Figo get away with murder with the old handball on several occasions?)

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

Was only able to listen to the Ireland match on 5 Live, but it sounded like Shay was the only one to have a good game on the Irish team today. Just as he's done on many occasions for us, it sounded like he single-handedly kept Ireland from being tonked big time.

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2001

Marty, I just like our bairns to do well: Aaron is black and white through and through. He didn't cost a penny and has said that he would happily play for us til he retires. You can't buy that. Anyway, it looked like he was playing at centre back but then he seemed to move to left back. He had a canny game and was seriously pissed off at times. Galaxy, I thought Shay was OK, too.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

I don't mind England winning but I hope Dabs has a great game, too.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

I feel cheated. Giorgos Georgiadis picked up two bookings and won't be playing. It must be the same bloke, surely?

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Softie, it is the same bloke. Dabs is in today's Times talking about what a good player he is....

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Dabizas was one of the guests on Radio % this morning. All the usual questions. He was asked about Greek team spirit, and playing in Athens. He started to answer and sounded like he was struggling to find the English words to express himself (despite having been perfect up to that point) eventually he gets going "I find it difficult to mix in with the Greek way, I've been away in England for three years and now, well now I'm a Geordie".

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Ah. You see, MacBeth, he IS a Greek Warren Barton..

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

From a Northern Irish friend: <
-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

From a Northern Irish friend:L, another massively disappointing game. Lots of huffing and puffing and no penetration at all. Lennon was crap. Gillespie put in a couple of decent crosses but faded and got himself booked so he can't play next week. The defence was awful but it was that cart horse Murdock that was to blame for their goal. Aaron Hughes was better than of late but he isn't a left back and suffers from being the best defender in a shockingly bad defence. McIlroy claims that he is best at left back which is nothing short of absurd. The whole thing was dreadful. Love, SXX

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Dougal, I totally agree with you about Aaron Hughes and it's good to see him playing well for his country. I saw an interview a while ago with him on Tyne Tees and he came across very well indeed and obviously loves the club and the area....we need more like him!

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Why doesn't he have a quiet word with McIlroy and ask him if he can be played in the middle?

With Northern Ireland's qualification chances all but gone, it's a time for experimentation for them.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Further comments from another NI mate:

Aaron Hughes was rubbish on Saturday, I'm afraid. Not as bad as he was against Norway and the Czechs earlier in the year, but not too good either. Sammy Mac made a point of giving the players a public bollocking in the centre circle at the final whistle and Colin Murdock and Keith Gillespie seemed to get the brunt of it. Aaron just isn't cut out for left back at international level. His lack of a left foot betrays him on a regular basis, and he struggles to get forward to support the winger in front of him, whether it be Michael Hughes or Stuart Elliott. We don't have too many alternatives at the moment though, so I'd imagine he'll be stuck there for the forseeable.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001