i see nikos has made the planet football team of the week again, 3rd time...

doing a great job...i think a few could own up to nikos being a hit this season

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Answers

Long may it continue I have him in my Fantasy League team!

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

He has an excellent patch most seasons, to be fair, but has a tendency to spoil it all with a few costly rash moments. In his first (partial) season, he was a revelation I seem to remember. In subsequent seasons, injuries and constantly changing team mates can't have helped. Again, beware of the rose tint, but perhaps we have already got the necessary goods under our nose?

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Swifty, I was just thinking that a few more of our players could do with the best part of a season off if they come back as much improved as Nicos has. I'd have to say that he didn't put a foot wrong against Man Utd but he was getting a fair old bit of abuse from the lads around me at Boro for his out and out refusal to stay back.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I'm reserving judgement until seeing if he can resist the urge to give YMO any presents on the 30th. ;-)

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I remember last season on here when we were clamouring for fight and more fight from the players, one thing no-one will take from Dabs, warts and all is his will to win, he wears his heart on his sleeve,I respect him for that alone.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Bart Z was banned from dribbling out of the box, so should YBR ban him going over the half way line except for corners?

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Whe the Keegan side failed to win the title it was viewed in the press as being a defensive frailty which caused it, although I believe we jst stopped being able to score more goals than everybody else.

At the end of that season it was obvious (to me) that Keegan lost it and eventually said to his defenders (or the players who attacked the least) that they shouldn't cross the half way line. We played Villa (?) at home and hung on for a 1-0. You could see through the match the 'defenders' getting to the half way line and stopping. This was fine in theory, the problem was that they just weren't used to it and it just messed them up.

I want our defenders to defend, and our want our attackers to attack. It's great to see Shearer clearng a corner or Dabizas being up for a corner but the rest of the time I want to see Shearer in the opposition half and Dabizas at the back.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

No fan of 'total footbal' then Mac? I take your point. I've always thought that Dabs needs an organiser next to him, bliddy Clueless sometimes.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Indeed, Dabs was dubious at the Riverside and at home against Brentford. His wanderings are too much - apart from his forays upfield for corners, I would definitely tell him to stay back. If he wants to become a ball-playing midfielder, he should see his manager and apply for any vacant job. But of course, he should expect some training for this new role instead of playing it by ear.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001