I see Rob didn't fly off to Spain with the rest of the lads. Oh dear. Can't be for any other reason than he's still got the huff.

What the hell is going on with him? I wish the club would sort it out.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Answers

Too true Lynda. The week end glow is starting to fade, although our little Welshman seems to be making new friends by the minute. Big article in tonight's Chron about the kidney transplant lad.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Oh now I see in one of the papers that he is about to join West Ham for 350 thousand this week. That might account for him not going.

If he is off then his performance on Saturday was a helluva of a goodbye. I hope BR has a good replacement lined up as it's clear we need one as Lee showed what we've been missing in mf.

BTW - why the hell do West Ham want another midfield player? They've got Carrick and Hutchison and Cole.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Carrick and Cole are coming our way?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Well they can keep Cole - I think he's too small for a midfield 'general'. As for Carrick, well yes please!

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

hmmm...but just imagine the choice in midfield - Robert, Dyer, Carrick, Cole, Solano, Emerton.

well, i always was one for impossible dreams.

;-)

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

jeeeez lyndy, cole is just about the brightest prospect in football since gazza! he'd almost be priceless i guess

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

SKY text reporting Hammers want Lee by the end of the week

Unless I am missing something then his non attendance at the holiday/training camp would seem to suggets something IS going on

IF Lee is allowed to leave before we have his replacement in place then it will be scandalous and a reflection of some shitty planning on our part.

Still would rather sell Bassedas and keep Lee, with a new general to replace Bassedas and support Lee til he retires

Too obvious I guess

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Swifty - I don't claim to be the fount of all knowledge as regards football but I just think Cole is not as fantastic as some people seem to think.

To be fair (Beardsley style) I've only seen him on TV and live a couple of time and while he is full of tricks and skill, I just think he's a bit of a short @rse. Too short to ever be the all round, all action midfield hero everyone is building him up to be. I would therefore prefer Carrick or if not Viera! (Dreaming now)

Of course I was the person who said 'Rivaldo has been rubbish in this game' while watching the Spanish league and he went on to score a hat trick with stunning goals! I also once said 'Rio Ferdinand is rubbish'.

Well you live and learn..........

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Bloody hell! We had better have a replacement! Acuna just doesn't do it and as we all know Lee was at the heart of that great performance on Saturday. However we all know NUFC cannot plan for anything so expect Acuna in midfield at Fulham.

Feel a bit sad he's going after all these years...............

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

nuts isn't it. bobby said in an interview he switched lee for acunatilde at the last minute because he was a greta passer, the best at the club, so WHY sell him?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Lee WAS outstanding on Sat - no doubt and i even said as much to Clarky when i saw him in the Strawberry on Sat. Credit where it's due! However, we still have two weeks-ish before the Fulham game and to be honest, Acuna was very unlucky to be dropped for the Villa game after a good game at Goodison.

I've got faith in YBR that just as he was proved right about Bellamy, he'll be proved right about Rob Lee - replacement in or not. Our team does not revolve around one player, just as our season season does not rely on the buying/selling of one player. If all the rumours [that's what they are at the moment] are to be believed, then thanks Rob for some great times - and good luck for the future.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

It's nuts alright. As someone else has said on here already, the nice warm glow of a great weekend win is fading fast as reality sinks in. NUFC back to normal.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Don't be so bloody negative !!!

Lets say we buy any of (in decreasing likelihood) Gravesen, Emerton, the Parma guy Boghossian or whatever hes called, Carrick to replace Robert Lee. This is the first time we've bought anyone to fit a central midifled role since Hamann, before that Speed, before that Batty, so it has been desperately needed. Robert Lee played very well on Saturday and should be kept to his contract to the end of the season as £350k for him is worhtless really. Robert lee, for me, can play brilliantly every few weeks and appallingly if over worked. There was no coincidence that he hadn't played for three weeks before Villa.

Lee leaving means someone else coming on and progress !!!

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

http://www.drgloom.co.uk/index.htm

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

The key may be what we save on Lee's salary, and who we may pay that amount to, rather than receive as his transfer fee. I'm not concerned about him going. I agree that he plays well at times but there have been a number of occasions this year when his deficiencies have been highlighted on this BBS.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Hey MacB

What about Bassedas and Acuna? Didn't buy them for central midfield. Personally I'd prefer Carrick by end of season. Then that 17 year old Notts Forest lad in a season or two if shows he's better than Prutton and the Blackburn lad.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

and of course we have McClen too

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

We're forgetting Maric was bought as creative midfielder. Wasn't speed bought by TSM for the left side as a late replacement for Ginola?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

I think Dalglish sold both Ginola and Tino to finance the purchase of Speed, he always an eye for a bargain

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

I don't think anyone would argue that we need to replace Rob Lee - I just don't see the panic - it's not as though his reslae value is about to diminish.

Within the last few days our Manager has said variously said that RL is ".... undoubtedly our best midfield player", and "...the best passer of the ball at the Club". If this is so, then why on earth we would we sell him to another PL Club for £350k, before we have an appropriate replacement in place.

This makes no sense to me whatsoever.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001