The worthington cup wasn't one big waste of time. Although it wasn't very exciting, That was probably one of our best performances this season. That can't have a negative impact on the league. Bernard has prooven himself, (better than robert) Dabizas was great, And Solano has never played better than he did today. Dyer has had another run in the 1st team and his couple of runs will give him more confidence going into his next match.

We sould take heart from that performance. Surely it will boost our confidence even higher. 1-1 at the start of the season was a V. good result @ Chelsea and we've prooven that it wasn't a one off as we very nearly held them to 0-0 and would have if it was a league game as we wouldnt have pushed up so much near the end. And a draw at Chelsea is an excellent result.

It has certainly got me thinking "bring on Arsenal" If we carry on playing like that away, we will challenge the title.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Answers

The Worthy Cup is a waste of time. I'm glad we're out, and can concentrate on getting a CL spot.

;-{I

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

There speaks the voice of sense and reason.(!) I keep telling myself the same thing.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

BTW someone told me today that Euro places may go down t 8th in the league this year. Is this true?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I agree Jim, it was a chance to get into Europe regardless of how seriously other teams take it - Chelsea obviously thought highly of it considering their team selection. Although I don't agree that Bernard is "better" than Robert. Think back to Robert's early season form and Bernard simply doesn't compare with him. I am convinced he was carrying an injury, but nevertheless Bernard is an exciting prospect for us.

Interesting to read his interview in the Scene @ St James' Magazine which popped through the letter box this morning. He says that he will be forced to find a new club if he doesn't break into the team this season on a regular basis.

As a left back he is a distinct possibility.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I've been on this site too much tonight - sick of the sight of my own postings. I'm going now to be miserable.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I'm not convinced about Bernard as a LB - he doesn't look good enough defensively, as when Melchiot skinned him in the right corner 1st half.

Actually, he seems to be a typical French LB - they seem to be developed more as wing-backs who are skilled going forward but lacking something defensively. In this regard, Bernard is very similar to DD, more heart, more bottle, but perhaps not quite as skilful.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Calmed dowm now, although wor lass repeating it's only a game wasn't the remedy that she'd thought it would be. We were hard done by but at the same time I thought we didn't do enough to finish it, I'd have took O'Briens effort (either of them) as deserved but there wasn't much in it. Plus points were Bernard going forward, Dyer looking nippy, Bellamy for being quick and Given for a spectacular one armed save. Being phylis & ofical - That's life

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

........not to mention "shit happens!"

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Appreciate the positive comments...but what would we all have been posting if we'd got through to the semi-finals of the Worthless Cup?

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

"The Worthy Cup is a waste of time. I wish we'd gone out, to be able to concentrate on getting a CL spot". ;-{I

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

"what would we all have been posting if we'd got through to the semi- finals of the Worthless Cup? "

Oh shit I bet we've got Spurs (or something close to that)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Yea but what would we have said if wed got knocked out by Brentford? "No big deal, if we'd won that we'd of got knocked out of a descent side."

It's only because we have progressed so far that it is so dissappointing.

Of course we all wish we'd won. But I'm just glad about the way we played. No-one would have been suprised if we'd been hammered 3-0.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Anyway winning the Worthington cup, FA cup, and the title would have been greedy. ;-}

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

I'm still happier(well, not exactly happy, but..) we went out now than to Spurs who we certainly would've gotten in the Semi or final. Anyhow my deal with the devil was for us to get the 3 points on Saturday. Let's see if he comes through. ;-))

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Just bac from the match, despite ice and freezing fog north of Consett :-(

Too tired and emotional to post much tonight (well, it is 4:45am!!) but will try to collect my thoughts tomorrow. In summary, this was probably our best away performance of the season. Yes, I know we didn't score four and we didn't win. But believe me, the overall game was better. IMHO, in the "big wins" away from SJP, we have ridden our luck. Tonight it ran out. Oh, sorry. I fordot. It was Lahndaan. We have no good luck there.

Let me just single out one player. Dabizas. I thought he had his best game in a B&W shirt. OK, catch you when I wake up ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

We had what I thought was a strong second half performance. A good team effort and organised and capable at the back - both Dabizas and O'Brien. I liked the way Dyer took a bit of responsibility when he came on, and we've missed that in midfield..that lively mental attitude (as well as his obvious pace) which is actively looking for openings, trying to make things happen. Referee was harsh on a number of occasions, and missed blatant pushing and a handball in our penalty area that luckily didn't result in anything. Partially the linesman's fault...distracted by abuse after some bad early decisions against us, he never had the guts to make any more decisions either way. Amusing moment when Zenden was warming up in front of us, getting the 'Greedy b@rstard' treatment, but having to ask his team mate what we were saying. Sadly he had the last laugh with his cross for the goal. And on that goal, there was a strange inevitability. All the action was down the other end, we were playing our best football of the night, and had just had about 4 corners in quick sucession. 90 minutes come up, we seem to be resigned for extra time, lose possession, and they break away and f@cking score. We've got to get over this run in London and the South...I haven't seen us win in the last 12 matches i've been to and I've forgotten what it's like :-(

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

I f**king hate Chelsea

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

Wenger is right; the Worthless Cup should lose its European qualifying place. At least for this season!

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001