All these team pick thingies lead onto the topic of rotation - unless some players start getting a rest, they will be shagged after Christmas. So, what changes can we make?

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Answers

Not sure if we've got the squad to have the luxury of rotating players. Dyer coming back is a big bonus though, and when Acuna is fit at least we'll have better cover. As an aside, I wonder how Bassedas might play in a side full of confidence? Worth another go perhaps?

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

The winter break is coming in Spain & Italy, this is also the transfer window. I expect money maddness in world footy soon. We need or rather imo we need a box to box worker in midfield, to give the team some muscle and to allow Robert, Dyer & Solano to do what they do best, at thier best they are brill.
Rotation is interesting but a new central midfield player is what I'm thinking about. I'd like Stefan Effenburg from Germany or someone like him.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

I'll reserve judgement on quite how our squad will be affected this year Dougal.

What I did hear once though is that crop rotation in the 14th century was considerably more widespread after John

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Pete, I agree that we don't have a massive squad but we can make judicious use of Distin, Bernard, Griffin (if fit), Acuna, Shola and Harper surely?

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Heednhands, I agree that we MUST caplitalise on our league position NOW.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

You could argue that all the players you've mentioned have been involved to a greater or lesser extent, and presumably will continue to be so. Still think we need to play our best team available, and at the moment that means for example that HArper won't get a look in.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Dyer/Solano a still a question for me. I was concerned Speed would be overworked on Tuesday, but with Parlour off it wasn't the truest test of a NUFC midfield with more mercury than steel. In the short term, Dyer brought in to allow Solano to rest might be a thought, long term I'm still not sure how you accommodate those two, Robert and Bellamy in the same side, especially away from home. Unless they all go on a bricks and spinach diet.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Not sure I agree, Pete: last Christmas (the Leeds, Man Utd and Spurs games) almost killed some of our players hence, IMHO, the awful Cup showing, and we didn't even have the InterToto to factor in which meant that our internationals, Speed, Dabs, Bellamy, Robert, Hughes, Given, Solano et all had almost no summer break.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Interesting to see whethter energy levels are maintained and niggling injuries disappear if our current results continue.
OK, I agree to an extent Dougal. Dyer being back could as Dan says give Solano a break, and Distin will I reckon continue to get a look in. Similarly Bernard/Robert can share some of the burden. Speed and Shearer might not be so lucky though.....

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

there is negligible chance of players picking up niggling injuries when we are top, when we start to slip down a bit they'll become a bit more serious

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001