BASSEDAS ADDED TO INJURY LIST

Bobby Robson's pre-season plans have been thrown into fresh disarray after Argentinian midfielder Christian Bassedas joined a lengthy injury list. Bassedas set up Bellamy's goal with a good run and cross. But he limped off with a groin problem and is a major doubt for Wednesday night.

Jamie McClen, who replaced him on Saturday, could be promoted to the starting line-up. But another option - provided that central defender Andrew O'Brien has shaken off an ankle injury - would be to push the versatile Aaron Hughes in alongside Gary Speed.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Answers

I read / heard that about Hughes playing in midfield. I'd prefer to see Dabizas playing in midfield with O'Brien or (if he isn't fit) Caldwell in defence alongside Hughes.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Dabz in m/f? Nah. Hughes would be given a man-marking job on (somebody) with O'Brien (or Cadlwell??) in defence.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Actually, Bobby said Aaron was our best defender on Saturday, then says he may move him into the middle. And they wonder why we are permanently dazed and confused...

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Dougal - it's "horses for courses". Hughes did a top job on Totti last season in the away leg. This is Euro footie in case you'd forgotten ;-)

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

However, Screach, as I point out elsewhere about Andy Griffin - doing a good, even memorable job of manmarking a player in one or two games, doesn't really prove anything.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

He'll be a Fulham Fledgling by then

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

What's wrong with playing a midfielder in midfield? Bernard?

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

I must admit my first impressions of Bernard were far from good....he hadn't been on the pitch for 10 mins when he offended me greatly by diving, making a meal of the tackle and waving an imaginary card to the ref to get the player booked before jumping straight back up and playing on....

I don't like seeing that from any player....and particularly not from a NUFC player.....

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

The only times I've seen Bernard, he played F/B :-(

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

oh well :-(

How about playing Harper on the left midfield/wing

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Pedro Dimas might be worth a trial on left wing.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

Geordie, I believe Harper is more of a striker than left-sided, tho no doubt Ciara will correct me if I'm wrong :-(

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001

I thought it was only Leeds players who had trials when in the first team.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2001