Come on then piss on this fire.

Ever since I've been getting all optimistic about our chances, the following has happened:

Griffin and Nobby sign new contracts to add to the new contracts of Speed and Harper.

NUFC make an attempt to sort out their medical side of things by appointing a sports injuries specialist.

Zenden wants to hold talks with Bobby Robson about playing for the Toon.

Newcaslt esensationally get entered into the Inter Toto Cup and can offer some sort of European Football to new players and existing players, this season.

Where will it all end, Paul Murray signing tomorrow? Italians rethink and take up their place? Zenden joins Deportivo this afternoon? New doctor is nicknamed Frankenstein?

Something funny is going on!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Answers

Hehe ya DeB, something really strange is happening.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

OK DeB, weener aimed at your little conflagration!

Do you really believe our participation in the InterTwoBob Cup is going to have any influence whatsoever on any top star's attitude towards joining us? You're surely jesting if you do.
I didn't want to give the lurkers any satisfaction on the other thread, but I'm afraid don't think this is a good move.
The present rationalisation seems to be that competitive football is better pre-season preparation than friendlies. I beg to disagree - pre-season should see a gradual build- up to full fitness, then match fitness in non-competitive games, such that the players are honed and ready physically and mentally for the first PL game.
I'm really concerned that the TwoBob will adversely affect proper pre-season preparations, for precisely the same reasons I was aghast at the idea of the Far East Tour. Both ideas are entirely commercially based with no consideration whatsoever towards an adequate preparation for the main event, the PL.

If this goes wrong we could live to rue this day, and what I believe are misplaced celebrations. Highly questionable move imo.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Clarky I disagree, as in international football apart from the obvious ie San Marino etc there are no easy games these days, if Utd went to play a league of Ireland team, Scottish first div team (LIvingstone), they will be closed down , hassled , reputations to be broken and no holding back in the tackles, stamina fitness , speed fitness,ball- work - teamwork to hone it all together, enough capable players on the books to form two teams I`m sure, then into your games with the minimum of travelling, the practice of unlimited substitutions in friendlies is in my mind counter productive , to the players, managers and paying customers. Far better play a semi-competetive game where teamwork and tactics can be employed under match conditions and no fear factor being involved. As for injuries , please , I ask you, how many injuries occurred on the training ground last year?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I'm with Buff but would also add.....we've tried the gradual build up against small teams pre-season routine and look what good it has done us, surely this way with a carrot at the end is worth trying? Obviously there's always a risk of injuries but that's always gonna be there regardless of whether it's a competative game or not...

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

How many times do we hear that players are fit but neat "match fitness" to be fully ready? I think the quickest and best way to get fit is to play a competitive game - no substitute

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Well about the fitness I dont know really, think I agree with Clarky and Buff. But if you want to try something new you can do that better in a training match cause you dont have nothing to lose. In a competetive game you might not try this things and the younger players dont get their chance to show they should take part in some matches during the season also.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I believe you only get out of it what you put into it. Teams that are desparate to get to the next level may well come out playing at a higher level and their fitness will reflect that. Ultimately a players livelyhood is dependant on his fitness and thus he should never be seriously unfit at any time. Especially when you are talking of Premiership sides where most of the players are full internationals anyhow! Mind you Gazza was never fit at any time....

My primary concern is the fact we are going to be sending a team that stands to leave our squad depth seriously crippled by the start of the season if we pick up more injuries due to playing in this tournament. With our front line people still recovering, there is little left to back them up and if the succumb to more injuries then we are right and truly f***ed.....

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

nice and positive for wednesday

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Injuries are naturally my main concern Buff. However, as sparxx has said, given that several of our first line players were already unlikely to be fully fit for the start of the season, we will be relying on several squad players for both the TwoBob and the first few PL games. Our squad is finite - and already weak imo. If some of these players pick up injuries in the TwoBob we could be in deadly serious trouble, and imo it simply isn't worth the risk.

I don't accept that you are just as likely to pick up injuries in non- competitive matches either. As Cort's injury at Exeter demonstrated, it is certainly possible, but in a game that both sides should be instructed to accept is purely a practise match, the tackling should be subdued and the chances of serious injury significantly diminished.

My major problem with entering the TwoBob is the disruption to the overall pre-season preparation for the new PL season - a very imprtant season giving three consecutive scrapes with relegation.

The Ronnie tonight carries the story that with the Toon's first competitive game in the TwoBob less than a month away there is now a "panic" to make the necessary preparations.

So, at the end of June our major focus has now become preparing the players to compete in the TwoBob - at this juncture all thoughts of preparing for the PL in August have already gone out of the window, or at best thrown into confusion.

This my friend is insanity, pure and simple.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

it should be insanity for the reserves! Give the boys a chance, see who is hungry. People like Lua Lua need competetive games. Harper definitely does. Bernard could do with a shot. Give Chopra a blast, and lets see if Bonvin is our man. I can almost guarantee these boys won't be even near the first team picture next year. BUT, you never know, a few eyecatching performances could improve confidence, amass experience and get us into Europe.

I can completely see where you are heading Clarky, but the first rule of success is to take your chances. GIVE THE YOUNG GUNS THEIR CHANCE. Imagine...Offiong plays, the pressure is on, but its off, he's playing for the first team, he can only succeed. He could gain great confidence by playing well and scoring. He's going to be a star...what better way of preparing him? Dyer, Solano, Shearer, Cort, Griffin and Lee won't be able to play (team nucleus?) so i can't see the problem?

PLUS we go into the SECOND round, we could end up playing only a few games. Clarky, it did not do ALAVES any harm did it? Think Positive. Maybe a hard pre season is what we need?

COME ON THE LADS!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

i'll say it again...COME ON THE LADS!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

All romantic whimsy I'm afraid, swifty. The head must rule the heart in these things.

The PL is everything to us, and nothing - absolutely nothing - should be allowed to disrupt our preparations.

That is the single-minded focus needed for on-field success. We simply don't have it - commercial compromise dictates our every action.

I'd like to more upbeat, but this thing really scares me.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

the alternative here is that if Bobby can spray enough lubricant on the wallets rusty old hinges to let loose some funds and we buy a few players, who knows we might be in with a shot!!!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I don't think it's whimsy, give youth a chance, Ferguson would. And it hasn't exactly backfired on the man has it??

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I'm all for giving youth opportunities swifty, and the Caldwells could definitely come into contention for these games. However, the problem is there aren't too many others - and young Chopra and Offiong are nowhere near ready for the 1st team.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001