Woke up in fear and trepidation the other morning rushed to my PC to find out result. Nothing on NUFC.com nothng on NUFC.co.uk so came straight to the BBS. All I found was anti-Bellamy, anti-Robson and anti-Rob Lee jibes. Then I found out we had drawn away in France 0-0 to a goodish French team, without 4 star players and I thought do people have short memories? Two seasons ago we went to Wembley to play for a draw, we were unbelievey bad and now we have a good chance of some pride this season IMHO. So why the negative feelings?? And why the snipes at Rob Lee?? Sure he is getting on in years and can be predictable but has experience and has always given 100percent for his team and his heart is in his adopted homeland. I know its easy for me to sit here thousands of miles away here in Hong Kong, and make these trite observations but I sometimes think some fans can never be happy unless they have a gripe about something? Remember the heady days when we were the most attractive team by far all the criticism that was poured on the team because of inability to defend. But what halcyon days they were, we wouldnt have wanted to swop those memories for any pot of gold would we??

Derek

Also spotted along Lockhart Road and near the Old China Hand Pub, a MUFC restaurant!!! I nearly threw up...

I have of course put it on the banned list and informed Lon

-- Anonymous, August 08, 2001

Answers

Well we're not black and white for nothing! Everything's good or everything's bad.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Put out a rumour that all the meat is either Foot & Mouth or BSE infected.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Derek, I don't think anyone is sniping at Rob Lee: it's just that he is clearly unable to play for 90 minutes but rather than address this, we play him nonethless.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

With respect Dougal, I agree with Derek, there is too much sniping at Rob Lee - I was toally knackered last night but felt the immediate need to defend him on another thread before getting mee heed doon.

He is getting on, he is not the supreme player he was 3-4 years ago, and it's certainly true to say we should not be as reliant on him as we are, but that is not his fault. The reality is he is still a good and fully committed player.

The real problem here is that Bassedas has not shown he is consitently good enough to replace Rob, and imho RL is still our best central m/f player.

There are also plenty, including BR, who are excusiing our miserable performance at Troyes on the fact that we are still in pre-season and that the players aren't 'match sharp'. Well, most of the team had already played four games, while RL - who imo was our best player on the night - had played but 60 minutes of one game after knee surgery.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Clarky, you may be right but I haven't detected any criticism of Lee himself, just a criticism of the policy of bringing Shearer and Lee back too quickly. Bear in mind that Andy O'Brien was playing in the reserves to prove his fitness on Monday but Rob and Alan don't look like they know what reserves games are. Why? Also, while I'll have to accept your view of the game on Tuesday - last Wednesday, however, he looked like a pub player. Why wasn't he taken off? I'm not a critic of Lee - I've just written a eulogy for the fanzine - but we need, as a matter of supreme urgency, to find a replacement for Lee, only because we can't depend him for whole games or the entire season. This isn't Rob's fault.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

How man clarky, if hes had nee surgery why has he been oot so lang?

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

derek, the "Old China Hand", you mean the all new "Old China Hand", I played darts for them (when I played for Hong Kong!) in the early eighties.

We normally drink in "Devil's Advocate" on Lockhart Road or "Chinatown" (on Jaffe Road?). I'm in S'pore now but should be back in HK soon, our office is in Lockhart Road (Sunshine Plaza, #353), Causeway Bay end.

Have you not met / contacted Val & Fifties Fan yet?

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Bud Have replied to you personally but if Val/ Fifties fan read this be nice to touch bse with them

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

derk, hope you did not use his galowgate address, it does not work.

Bud did you get a reply from Keith? He said he would answer!

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Bud Have been iforemd yr e-mail address ng?? (Was told by young GUS) If you didnt get owt from me to reiterate, I live in Robinson Road but will be away at the end of the month for 3 weeks would be great to meet and have beer/chat both , either b4 or aftger that when you get back from Changi gaol

and again if val/fifties fan reading this be nice to touch base with them also

De

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

derek / gus, I've given up on the gallowgate addy, or has it given up on me!? Not your fault Kegsy, my laziness!

I've nowt to hide:

jpsloane@singnet.com.,sg

gus, glad you got hold of Keith (good on yer mate), he hasn't contacted me yet - I know Keith! Are you ockers gonna meet up?

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

derek, been a long time since I've been called young!!

Bud, mst likely on Wed, next week

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

gus, Clancey's no doubt (!?), although if it's for that very sad occasion, excuse my feeble attempts at humour.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Got it in 2 bud. Our work is putting on a wake after the funeral so maybe combine both!

-- Anonymous, August 10, 2001