But is it looking like relegation this season? I can't see many teams that are worse than us.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Answers

Bolloxs. Top 6 a possibility!!!

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Anxiety Persists

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

For F's sake. We have played 8 games and lost once. Once in a Testimonial with half of the team missing

We have drawn against one of the favourites to win the league and we are three points behind Manchester United with a game in hand

Unbelievable

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Lets say you win on Sunday, unlikely I know if you're a pessimist, but bear with me. We'd be a point ahead of Sunday's opposition with a game in hand. We could even be 4 points ahead of Boro with a game in hand.

I respect you pessism, but don't go too far too quickly

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Boro, Derby and Shoton are worse than us. We'll make 17th nee bother.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

If we can keep our starplayers fit we might do an ok season. Hopefully the likes of Bassedas and O'Brien will emerge as quality players this season. I'm pretty optimistic, but far from convinced.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

LOL @ "MacBeth" trying not to say Sunderland.:¬D

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

I reckon we're mid table at best....i'm a bit worried that Fulham and Bolton are looking decent....I know it's too early to really tell but Bolton are playing some good football (like Ipswich last year!)...Everton are also not the soft touches I thought they'd be...

So yes, i'm worried......still it's too early to really tell yet....I reckon we need another 8-9 games under our belt before we can really start in on the doom and gloom :)))

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Gav, re Everton: not a good gameplan to depend on Big Dunc scoring pens every week :-)

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

I reckon we need another 8-9 games under our belt before we can really start in on the doom and gloom

Some people are never happy until they can start in on the doom and gloom! :-)

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

I know Softie...but wouldn't it be most unamusing if he had an injury free season and scored 20+....whilst our new never been injured before player misses yet another season....

Shit, I think i'll just go and top myself now...

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

To get into the top ten we are going to have to spill blood,sweat buckets, treat each game like a derby with YKW , and that`s just the supporters , The question is have the players this in their locker, probably this very important aspect will be answered the next match. Realistic not pessimistic Jonno, the natural ability is in short supply, YBR has to get his act together , all involved have to stand up to be counted , that is all I would ask , team spirit may be our only hope, if they give 110% we cannot ask for more. Sunderland have no technical ability whatsoever, but they will scrap and fight and stick to a game plan , fraid we have to do the same.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Getting runs of results together and gaining confidence as a team is critical. Check the fixture list and you´ll see our first six games are all tough. Manage 7 or 8 points from that lot and for my money we´ll have done creditably. Any more and suddenly we go into the next 10 fixtures full of confidence and should rack up significant points and a top 6 spot by Xmas to blow or hold. Any fewer points and we´re down near the bottom, more and more nobheeds are booing the lads and walking out of games early, murmurs for YBR´s head start to get louder and the injury list magically gets longer. It´s a slightly different point, but the time to strengthen midfield is unquestionably now...

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

I agree with LT's assessment - in fact I feel that was also where we were last season before the injuries bit before Xmas. On both occasions you could reasonably postulate that we are perhaps two decent players away from being able to make a reasonable show in the PL - but without them we could struggle - yet again.

It doesn't take a genius to realise what sages on here have been saying for at least 12 months - we desperately need a commanding centre-half, and a strong, energetic central m/f player with some bite.

It's entirely possible, of course, that the Toon also fully realise this fact, and have been working diligently to get two such players in - if so, wouldn't it be helpful if they would just say so instead of denying each and every rumour. I believe it's called "communication".

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

The trouble is Clarky, when they have been open about things (eg. BZ and Francis Lugholes)), it has been detrimental to our bid. I'd rather they keep stumm until it happens. - or after the event, say we bid for X but lost out.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Agreed and I'm certainly not suggesting they name our targets, but I feel they could be a just little more forthcoming about our overall acquisition stategy. The amount of real communication from the Club is minimal, and inevitably creates frustration among the fans - often unnecessarily.

The problem imo is that they really don't see either the importance or the value of fan communication, to which they consequently pay lip service.

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Actually Clarky, I've half an idea that YBR did say what he was wanting. After the purchase of Robert I'm sure he said he needed one more player and I think he said that was a midfielder. Do I recall this correctly?

If so that will explain the interest in this big centre half Sylvia whatever ....

(And, of course, IF he is interested in Cole that's in reaction to being Cort out with injury)

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Cole man balls!

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001

Looks like Wham fit in the better than us category as well. i only see Leicester, Boro & possibly Sunlan worse than us...scary

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2001

I still think the Mr Robson is one of the best coaches - and can still be a better tactician than many managers in the PL. We are still in transition - but I think we will do better than last season.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

There's far too much optimism on this board about todays match...

I'm going for a 3-0 win to the mackems with injuries to Shearer and Robert....

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001