Normally I would like to think that Steve Harper is a pretty level headed kinda lad, then he spouts off at the mouth saying that he is concerned about being burnt out.

HEY STEVE! you weren't even in the first team last year. It really gets me goat when players getting paid huge sums of money to play a game most of us would do for free say things like this. See how quick you get burnt out from being on the dole or the same job for 20+ years..........what a tit. I would think this would be an ideal opportunity for players like Harper to stake a claim, this should motivate them.

Oh, I am sorry steve is this football thing getting in the way of your full time job??

So then lads and lasses who starts ?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Answers

Anarchy please!

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

they could easily play, but at peak? these bouys are like racehorses

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

3 legged racehorses......

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Must admit I dont see what all the fuss is about, there is a total of 6 games that could be played in the inter-toto. Newcastle has cancelled all of its other friendlies (I think that amounted to about 5) so in fact the players may have to play 1 game more. Well for 20 grand a week Im sure they can deal with this hardship. Also Bobby will probably rotate a lot of the time so whats the problem. They need a dose of reality and a kick up the arse, what with their posh houses, cars, holidays etc etc!!! AM :-)

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

"Bobby will probably rotate a lot of the time "

ermm.... naaa... take the silly comment as read please .....

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

We may just have a game more, but the six games we will (might?) play will be competetive, so a) preparations will need to start earlier so that we're ready for the first competetive game b) we won't have had any low key firendlies to break the players in gently and try out new approaches/systems. So the down side is there won't be an structured, staggered build up to the season - more of a short, sharp shock. The up-side is that it does offer European football and it's amazing what a bit of success could do to team morale and confidence. I also think psychologically it's better to enter the Intertoto this way - ie as a last minute surprise. If we'd entered normally, we (and the players) would have been worrying the whole summer whether it would impact on next season bla bla.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

It is at pre-season that the squad should be undertaking strenuous fitness training. Last pre-season Liverpool were reportedly doing 3 training sessions a day at times.

We cannot really expect to put our lads through that and then expect them to play competitive matches, tired muscles get injured easier.

They may have to have a lot of rest during the season and hopefully Robson recognises this.

Players like Dyer shouldn't play every week.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

As I put on another thread earlier on, I thnk this "Burnout" stuff is a load of cack, most of them have been on holiday since January, You'd think that they'd want to get back to some serious work after doing bugger all for the last six months insteading of whinging on about losing a weeks holiday.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Just read Harper's comments and I really don't see where he's moaning all that much. Just stating very sensible facts about the effect this could have on the season. If anything, he should be thrilled because it means he'll very be first choice keeper for it if Bobby decides to save Given for the premiership.

The only statement that elicits no sympathy from me is where he moans about only getting 6 weeks holiday this year. Try living in the land of 2 weeks (3 if you're lucky!), Steve. Then again an employee with 10yrs service to a company here might get 4 weeks hols. ;-))

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001

Ciara, you're just saying coz you fancy him :)

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2001