The consequences of the Sunderland match...

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What is the general feeling of the importance of the upcoming derby game?

If we win, is all forgiven for the Troyes game?

If we lose, will there be cries for Robson out from some fans?

(A draw is obviously somewhere in between those two)

Having never been at a Tyne-Wear derby where Newcastle won (apart from being at the Odeon when we played at Roker park and beat them a few years ago, Beardsly scored, greeted by silence :) ) it would give me great pleasure to see us give them a good stuffing.

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

Answers

Paul, I figure this: What will do Bobby in is if he keeps relying on the old guard. Let's face it, if Ferguson was to play Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Alex Stepney etc, where would they be now (OK, an over exaggeration on my part) but let's face it, the youngsters are the way of it. Ambition, passion and not a little skill. Just play the bairns in their correct positions and they won't let you down. They may lose the game once in a while, but they will never let you down. That's all I have ever asked in 40 years....give it your best and try, try real hard. Current seniors don't do that. Can't do that.

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

I've a srong suspicion this will be YBR's last season at the helm; the camera focussed on him a lot during the Troyes game, he looked totally dejected as in, "this could be my last chance to win something for Newcastle...and look at this shower of..."

The next few weeks are mega-important, esp. concerning team morale, we've got the "war" on Sunday, followed by some incredibly tough league games.

OK, we're out of the Intertoto and Europe, now let our season begin, starting with the Mackems, if YBR can't psyche them up for that one, nobody can. I expect Robert to run rings around the SMB's and I (now) think Shearer will (have to?) play a part!

I'm not a 'prophet of doom' BUT (a big word) if we're languishing in the bottom 5, after say 5 games, it's gonna be a long, long uphill battle / winter. If , of course, we're comfortably in the top 10, we'll have plenty to play for, including a genuine place in Europe - WHERE WE BELONG!

Please YBR, don't play Barton, Monkey-Heed will have watched last neet's game, they'll take him apart :-(

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001


"...and look at this shower of..."

If that was indeed BR's reaction then we really are in trouble, because he needs to bear a goodly share of responsibility for last night's performance himself.

* Firstly, six of the 14 players who played were acquired by him, in fact Craig Bellamy cost more than the entire Troyes squad.

* Secondly, he was out-maneouvred tactically in both legs by Troyes coach Alain Perrin.

Presumably, it was he who told Aaron Hughes to play (uncomfortably) in front of a back three - presumably to shore up the midfield who were over-run in the first leg. This resulted in the FB's needing to tuck in to support Dabz, leaving acres of space on the wings for Troyes to exploit - which they did, to the full. Hughes in turn frequently found himself the free man to who the ball was continuallly played as we came out of defence. The lad didn't do that badly, but he's not exactly Lothar Matteus or Sep Guardiola, and the overall result was a lot of lost possession.

* BR also selected WQ, and for some reason didn't replace him at HT - nuff said on that one.

BTW, the re-appearance of comments that our senior players en masse don't try is utter bollox, and should be put to rest once and for all.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001


It is rubbish, they try all right. I think their contribution is underrated.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

It would be impossible to take issue with a single word of that Clarky.

We could do worse than to keep tabs on that Alain Perrin for when the time comes with YBR. (That's not to say YBR must go - just sensible forward planning).



-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001


I think you're spot on Jonno - didn't we discuss that point 'apres- deluge' at Troyes?

I think I may write to FS and tell him that his search for Bobby's ultimate replacement can be ended - he should line up Mr. Perrin, he is clearly a terrific Coach. He could perhaps also be persuaded to work as Bobby's No.2 for a season or so.
I'm totally convinced that it is that standard of coaching which is our biggest missing ingredient.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001


I don't think he'd leave for a number two post anywhere. Although, if he was told that the job would be his in a year, you never know. I don't think YBR would stand for that though.

I've just read yesterdays local paper in the staffroom, and his (Perrin's) pre-match interview was like reading a match report! He explained how they were going to play, and basically predicted what would happen. It obviously helps that his players listen to him. He's also a good judge of players - most of the team are free transfers, like Leroy, the midfielder. He only played once for Nantes last season, and has made an impressive start at Troyes.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001


Bien sur Clarky. Your post is a tour de force. Or "a piece of resistance" as the French might say. This entente cordiale between us recently has been a cause celebre of this forum. :-)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Mais, Il n'ya pas de qoi, mon ami. :0{)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

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