Aparently YBR is on record as saying that Cort might well get a run out for the reserves against Boro on Monday and could be playing first team football in 2-3 weeks. If true I cannot see how he can get into the starting line up unless Shearer and Bellamy are injured/suspended. That said it is always nice to have more than one attacking option!

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

Answers

achieved physical fitness?

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2002

Every other top team seems to give their reserve striker a run out for 15-20 minutes every game. Keeps them game ready. Now we, on the other hand, will suddenly find that we need to play Amiobi or Lua2 when they havn't played first team for 3 months. Dificulty playing cort for the last 20 minutes is that Bellamy is best at the end of a game because defenders are tired. Shearer is good at the end if we're winning 'cause he holds the ball up. So I'd guess that Cort would only ever get a game for 15 minutes at the end of a game if we were 3-0 up and he'd replace Shearer.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

I'll only believe CC is "back" when he's played about 6 full games. I have this horrible feeling his knee will break down again when he really pushes himself.

I desperately hope this is just my natural pessimism speaking and that he'll be fine because he's a good player and his full availability would be a huge boost at this stage of the season. It would dramatically reduce our present dependence on Shearer.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

A little wee bit of good news to start the day. I'm hoping CC's form will be such that AS & CB are not quaranteed first team places. That is asking a great deal indeed because we've been fantastic up front this year.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

What we have to manage to do is cope with Shola, Cort and the 'African Nations sensation' Lua2 and get them on the pitch more often.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

Hang on Carls a Striker Bellamy is a midfielder so with dyers injury , Cort and Shearer up front Bellamy in dyers attacking role.

kb

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

Bellamy seems to be a midfielder in name only. For me he's an out and out striker, nowt else.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002

For me, Bellamy is playing in a deep striker's role at the moment. His pace means he can get up there and move into the orthodox forward's position. A huge asset to us, I still can't believe he is the same player that was relegated with Coventry.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2002