Shearer expresses his realisation that this is his final chance and that any further problems and he will be finished. So apparently he tells the News of the Screws

No real news here then and only says what we have all been saying for the past year or so.

Only makes it even more amazing that it appears we are still relying upon his return as imperative to our season and not giving him further support up front.

What to our chances relying on Bellamy/Ameobi/LuaLua?

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

Answers

I think Shola and Luax2 are a long way off yet....Bellamy is doing ok, I can't see us relying on him mind....Cort's the problem....he's turning out to be a real Duncan Ferguson, if he were fit then i'd be reasonably happy to rely on him and Bellamy if Shearer didn't make it....

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

This dilemma appears to be at the heart of a power struggle going on at SJP. The Sunday Sun adds further fuel to this by reporting that BR wants to sign Leandro Romangnoli and Sylain Distin at a combined cost of ca.£9million, whereas a powerful lobby at SJP still harbour real designs on bringing AC back to SJP - presumably being also extremely concerned about CC's continuing injury problems and the potential impact on our fortunes this season if AS were to break down.

If this is all true, such a power struggle seems likely to end in tears - for all concerned.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

AAARRGGHH!! Cole is not the answer and shouldn't come anywhere near the place for the money they're asking! Is this where the chants of "Sack the board" start? We need to shore up our midfield and defence before we worry about strikers. I think we'll do ok in the goalscoring department with the strikers and attacking midfielders we've already got.

If this battle is true, I think you're right about it ending in tears, Clarky. :-(

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001