Chickened out of web cast. I shall have to do this for every away game I miss now! Anyway from reading the thread, doesn't sound too clever does it?

Verdicts anyone?

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Answers

Didn't play well but deserved a win. That's all you want really. To pick up 3 points when playing badly is great, especially away.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Aye, we're cr@p us - we've now lost only two of eight away games, and won four of them.

14 points from 24 away from home - seems quite canny to me, leyk.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Just to prove that every 'silver lining' has a dark cloud associated with it, I've just noticed in the Match Reports that Laurent Robert was booked and will now serve a one match ban.

He was also substituted in the 60th minutes with the hip injury he has been playing with for about three weeks - with suggestions that he could be now be out for several weeks.

Laurent had an MRI scan through the week that showed he had small muscle tear just above his backside.

So, what do we do? We continue to play him! Why the hell do we even waste the money on the scan? Does playing pro football help a muscle tear to heal - my *rse it does!!

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Clarky I saw the same thing. It's ridiculous to play an injured player, especially one that isn't really contriubuting much anyway. Think he may miss Arsenal game with his ban but could be wrong. he won't be fit for Weds though so maybe Dyer will play 90 mins.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Silver cloud alert ..... he'll be injured and suspended at the same time

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Is this such a bad thing? He's been rubbish lately. Although I think he could be great, maybe it's been this injury thats made him have all these bad performances and made him look lazy.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Hit the compromise button and had the radio on upstairs while I watched the Glenn Miller Story for the umpteenth time downstairs.

Upstairs in the tv-ad breaks. Kakkin me keks from 85 mins onwards, but now don't care how bad they looked. The lads done good.

Coming up to crunch time now, so get those signings tied up Mr Robson.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Aah've been sayin' that aboot Robert aal week. Got a shock when I shaved this morning. Me face was a funny blue colour.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Looking at the fixtures coming up in the next month or so is a good way to exercise your sphincter.

Just out of curiosity, are we alone in having what looks like a particularly tough set of games ?

Wouldn't surprise me if the Premiership was just about sorted by the end of January.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Suspensions take effect after 14 days so Robert will miss Smoggies at home.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

9:30pm - so where the hell are the eye-witness reports?

Surely someone was there?

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

In the absence of any bbs-ers reporting in I've stolen the following from the TOTT board - not much but better than nowt:

I was at todays game. Robert looked out of sorts from the off. he never ran at an opponent but chose to pass the ball back or sideways. Clearly he wasn't right.
Bernard warmed up during the half time interval and I thought he would start the second half. However, Robert continued for, I guess 15 mins, before being replaced by Bernard. Might have been better to have replaced him sooner, or not have played him at all. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Anyway we won without really dominating proceedings, and I can go to work tomorrow with my tractor colleagues head held high! And my son can face the school playground without having to hide.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

Arrrrrr, not Boro! :-( Course if he's injured, and we do the sensible thing(it could happen), I might not see him play while I'm over anyway. :-(

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

OK better late than never a quick eye witness report. Unfortunately it was one of those games that u have to think hard of something interesting to say............

I ended up in the North Stand renowned for its vociferousness and it certainly lived up to its reputation. Most people will know Bellamy is much despised in lovely Ipswich due to him previously starring for their nearest and dearest rivals Norwich. The abuse he got in the 1st half attacking the North Stand end was something to behold though he did manage to smile at all of them in desparation at one stage. The was also a genuinely scary incident after the goal- a small group of drunkenly merry Toon fans suddenly revealed themselves in the corner dancing around with delight. The aftermath was pretty awful with numerous thugs running from parts of the stand to get at them- luckily the police were on hand to stop them and quietly escort the Toon fans out.

Anyway , in brief the game- fairly even(i.e. both teams crap). We played well for the 2nd part of the 1st half making useful in roads down the right. The goal was a peach- its started with Nobby dummying a cross from the right, taking him clean past 2 defenders (the best part of the goal and missed in the highlights)- he was then stuck with the ball and back to goal, flicks it up, volleys it over his shoulder to speed whos shot was saved- Nobby popped up again to hit home, unmarked. Sweet.

The defence were fairly solid though Dabs made a few errors- one in particular was horrific- he sliced a lazy backpass to Given, Armstrong latched onto it and it was only because of poor 1st touch, he didnt score. A special mention for Speed. I dont get to see many matches 1st hand- although unfortunately hes not great at holding+passing the ball to keep things ticking, the number of times he cropped up with vital headers and tackles was outstanding. Huge amount of effort from wat i cud see. Robert was rubbish- spent most of the game drifting into centre/up forward. Did nothing but throw his hands in the air and look pissed off when he cocked things up. Was difficult to see BArnards contribution as anytime he had the ball he was at the far end- didnt look anything special today. Dyer looked lively and teh couple of times he got the ball he did well including a crunching tackle when 1st coming on. Hughes seemed to be in good form. Given made 2 outstanding saves as seen on the highlights. All in all- poor game- bliddy freezing- but left feeling delighted with the 3 points.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

I'm actually pleased that Robert is suspended. Seems like its the only way YBR will have him out of the side. I know we want our money's worth but...

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001

I find it a touch worrying that we're not playing well. This 'not playing well but still winning, sign of a good team' boll*x - don't go with it. Given our lovely forthcoming fixtures - we had better start playing well or 4th place will seem a distant memory!

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001

I for one am VERY HAPPY with that result....would've been happier with a good performance but the result will do for me....I'm working on the premise that we'll maybe get a draw at Blackburn and then lose the next 4 games.....am hoping we might somehow still be in touching distance of the top 10 at the end of that period so we can make a charge for 6th spot.....cynical I know but that's me :))

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001