IF this situation is not immediately rectified it will cost us a place in Europe.

Make no mistake about it lads, Acuna an McClen in midfield against ANY Premier league outfit and we are buggered.

We have a very real chance of doing something this season - but to rely on these two for any period of time will mean curtains.

Freddie we all saw this possibility with a knackered Lee, and Dyer returning from long term injury needs some protection.

PLEASE SORT SOMETHING OUT. FOR GODS SAKE YOU HAVE HAD LONG ENOUGH TO DO IT.

sorry rant over

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Answers

Rant continued.

Did anyone else notice how far up the field they were for the second? Every one of our 6 attacking players and possibly one of the defenders were in the 18 yard box (or level). It's no wonder we got caught on the break. Yesterday we were desperate for someone to sit on the ball, to slow the pace down, to pass it back, to the side etc. And what did we do - knock it up to the forwards. That is not the way to keep possession.

We are in REAL danger of undoing all of our good work. SORT IT OUT

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

To be fair, Acuna was right beside their spawny goalscorer when Elliot backed off him and gave a written invitation to shoot on goal.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

And don't read too much into that match...it was a cup game with after all...

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Im getting real frustrated when I see all the reports on swedish player Tobias Linderoth being linked with clubs in Spain, Italy and Greece. He's a defensive midfielder who is now a regular starter in the national team. He plays in Norway so hes pretty cheap to buy, around £1.5M they reckon. I can guarantee you he would be a perfect buy. Come on Bobby!

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Was their centre half as good as he looked ? Seemed like Shearer never won a thing in the air. Hardly did much else either, apart from the pen.

Agree Distin played well but I give up on Elliott.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

I don't think Al made much of an effort for those long balls all game - but he did control nicely to open up for McClen's goal.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Shearer looked disinterested to me for most of the game - one of most ineffectual games I can ever recall him playing.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

That wonderful comic "The Sun" gave Distin 5 out of 10 and O'Brien 4. Elliot got 7 as did everyone else but Nobby, who got 8. What match were they watching?

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

By the way I watched Wayne Quinn in the last reserve match and he looked pretty good. I'd like to give him another try in the first team. He may never be world class but he's as good as anyone else we've got there - unless we can make a wingback out of Bernard.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Shearer seemed to be stuck under that big, ugly bastid Rea the whole match so I don't think he did that badly.

Agree our midfield was useless. Nobody there to take control. Headless chickens would have done better during that nightmare half hour in the 2nd half.

I thought Distin, O'Brien, and Hughes did well. Particularly Distin who didn't panic and stayed back. He also had a heck of a job with McKenzie(?).

Still think we did incredibly well at battling to the final whistle. but yes, we really need something sorted with our midfield NOW. Not in the summer!

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

On that pitch it was difficult to hold the ball and then make an accurate pass. But the the midfielders did not take control as they should have done and this put too much pressure on the back four where Elliot had a dreadful game. We certainly need some back up in mid field, because Acuna and McClen are not the answer.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

I suppose we should count our blessings, there was a time, and not that long ago, when we would have lost a game like that.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Very true, PB. :-)

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

how may of us just knew they were going to get a third and we were to lose, it happens all the time, that is the way of the world for NUFC, just like losing at Leicester when we should win.

The times they are a'changing (It think its a blowin in the wind thing)

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

Sounds like everything is blowin in the wind over there today!

Hmmm.....any chance of seeing how far it can blow Marshalino?

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

I thought they were going to get a third to be honest.

However, if we'd be given that penalty early in the second half, 3-0 is 3-0 and not many teams come back from that.

I feel we attacked too much at the start of the second, and our midfield couldn't get back quick enough to stop breaks. And Elliott was a pile of w*nk.

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002

.....apart from ManUre, that is :-(

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2002