Is it time yet?

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

Answers

We threw Jenas into three HUGE games, quite possibly the three biggest of our season, and he has emerged with a sparkling reputation. (saying that so did Cordone after his first three games)

Chopra has a bit of pace, he will run around, and he is the same age as Jenas. If he is ever going to make it pressure is something that he needs to be able to handle.

Is it worth giving him a shot on Saturday, even if it's just as a 20 minute substitute appearance?

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

I would love to see it.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

Or even Lua Lua. I know he's a bit of a clown but that's what would give us a bit of an edge. We'd have an outlet of pace that we didn't have against Liverpool.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

A change of some shape or form. If we have the Anfield lot playing, WE WILL LOSE. If YBR is ready and willing to lose, why not give the youngster a run out.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

How about Shearer Center Mid with Acuna instead of Mclen with LR upfront with LuaLua. Bernard on the left, Solano on the right. Shearer wouldn't be too good at fighting back for the ball as he's to slow and but exceptional in holding it up and playing it out to the wings. And of course winning everything in the air. Stupid idea?

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

No, not stupid at all, in fact it has a lot of sense to it.

Couldn't see it happening though sadly.

Shearer has been playing as a midfielder recently to be honest, he's been dropping so deep that we've only had one striker.

The thing is with Lua, he rarely plays up front. When I've seen him in the reserves he's looked much better playing fairly far forward. In the first team, he's tended to come on and start from his own penalty area and try to run the pitch - in fact he is encouraged to do it by players who seeming don't want to have the ball off him.

I was on holiday when we played most of the Intertoto games, where Lua scored I believe. What was he like then, and where did he play?

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

he is so wildly tricky that he should be played as far forward as possible so that if he somehow gets passed a defender he is away rather than facing another three. I used to want Dyer to play as a forward for the same reason.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

Not sure that throwing a kid in when we are struggling is the best idea as it could affect his confidence and lay extra pressure on him.

On the other hand, it never did Hughes any harm.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002

Very difficult for a manager - throwing in a kid into such a high pressure game. i can't see Chopra getting anywhere near the Arse game. Lua Lua will be on the bench.

Having watched the vid as well as the match live, I actually thought Cort did OK for someone not yet fit. He will improve. Although I'm not suggesting he's the answer to our problems.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2002