The thread for reviews from those of you able to watch today's match.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Answers

I may as well just go through the team.

Given - didn't do much wrong, had no chance with any of the goals, except perhaps Campbell's header.

Distin - Positionally sound most of the time and did ok.

O'Brien - another poor game IMHO. Too many hestiant moments where better defenders would just make a decision and get rid of the ball.

Dabizas - At fault for the third goal when he crumbled under the pressure of Campbell. Quite a few mishit passes as well.

Hughes - Came inside far too often for my liking. Had he been further wide Pires would never have gotten anywhere near the ball to score his goal. Some good link up play with Solano, but nowhere near the player he was a month ago.

Robert - Lively in the first half when he was on the ball and looked our only real threat. Second half he gave away the free kick after tracking Luhzny back. Had some good moments but wasn't involved enough.

Acuna - He was better in the second than the first from what I saw, but didn't dominate the midfield like in the original tie.

Dyer - looked very fit in the second half, improved as the game wore on. Possibly our best threat to Arsenal. Worked hard andplayed pretty well.

Solano - Overall not very good. A few good touches between him and Hughes and a cross for Cort which was headed then saved by Wright was all we got really.

Cort - his best game this season ( :) ) Certainly better than the other games he's played. A poor cross into the box but held the ball up pretty well and was unlucky not to score. Also had a goal rightly ruled offside.

Shearer - Not too bad but not as influential as against Ipswich.

The subs weren't on long enough to judge.

Basically, Arsenal had the game wrapped up in 10 minutes. Yet again it seemed we paid too much respect to Bergkamp, ignoring the other threats. Three men on Bergkamp when he's at the edge of the box is taking the p*ss, especially when all three stand and watch him.

Every Arsenal clearance seemed to land at the feet of a player in red, but whether this was world class skill or plain good luck I don't know.

The referee was pedantic and didn't let the game flow to be honest.

Individually, Cort and Shearer didn't do too badly, but as a pair they were hopeless. Please not again Bobby, and next time make some substitutes earlier.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

POST and MORTEM say it all.

Bite the bullet time I reckon. Dabs has to be second choice and Distin has to be tried in the middle, where he wants to be, after we've found a decent fullback.

We really need to find out if Distin is worth the effort in the middle, cos I think it'll be a mistake to play him permanently out of position. He can hardly be worse than Dabs. Dabs is in the wrong position to get away with dropping clangers. Even just one a game is unacceptible

IMHO, it matters not one iota how hard Dabs grafts if we're chasing the game because of bollox he's dropped. Okay, O'Brien might have had a couple of dodgy matches, but Dabs has always been like that.

To my mind the one positive from that game was Cort getting the ball in their net, albeit offside. We have to hope it will do him the world of good.

The worst aspect of that performance for me was the difference in class with the ball. They hardly missed a pass and compared with our plodding progress, they were light years ahead. It was the mag approach of old, hoofing the ball upfield when the pressure's on, more in hope than expectation.

I don't think we were in it, but that's going off how it came across via Sky, and I don't even think Bellamy would have made a lot of difference.

This is yet another game when we've really hardly had a look in. All that possession is wasted if it comes to nowt. Not very encouraging for the rest of the season, I reckon.

But by all means withdraw head from sand and feel free to point out where my assessment is way off the mark.

(Please excuse the sarcasm - I'm not feeling well) :-{E}

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Just not good enough, are we? We're better than average, and on our day and especially at home, we can beat anyone. But as a wise man once said, its a marathon and not a sprint. We're now on the last leg of the marathon, and it looks as though we're short of what it takes once again. The gap in talent between the top three and us is significant, and on a purely talent-based evaluation, you might even put the two teams directly behind us in the table ahead of us also.

We continue, however, to have the best supporters in the country. As I said after last week's match with Southampton - Massively disappointing.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

I thought we played Ipswich last week, did I miss a game / week?

;7)

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Wish I could agree about Cort but the fact is, as a striker, he has no interesting attributes whatsoever. He's just tall and with his back to goal holds the ball up a bit. But so what. A striker is supposed to be like a rattlesnake. Cort is more of a sloworm. I also thought Robert had another stinkeroo as did Hughes who began to remind me irresistibly of Elliott. The good bit was Dyer who was harrying and chasing right to the end and also showed the only creative imagination in the side. But as already pointed out we were done for in ten minutes.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Yeah, Ipswich. Gives you an idea of how last week's performance affected me. I hope my evaluation after we actually do play Southampton is considerably different. We still should beat the crap out of the Ipswich's and the Southhamptons and the Leicesters of this world though, shouldn't we?

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Face the facts - we were sh*te!

When finally got out of the traps after 10 minutes of our by now standard slow-motion start, we were already 2 down and only the crossbar had prevented us from being 3 down. We then played some pretty, pretty, tappy-lappy stuff as they sat back beginning to look rather weary.

However, they finished the half on the attack again and only two good saves from Given kept us in it with a shout.

I really felt we would be the stronger team in the 2nd half and that we would make a game of it - in the event we were outclassed and a total embarrassment to what must be the greatest, if most gullible, fans anywhere in the universe.

Our defence was embarrassingly horrible, there was no bite in midfield, and no movement up front with Shearer and Cort playing like total strangers. The only players to emerge with any credit were Given and Dyer. The rest should hang their heads in shame, and I refuse to pass further comment on any of them.

In addition to stubbornly persevering with the already discredited policy of playing both AS and CC up front, Bobby Robson's substitutions on 83 minutes were far, far too late, lacked any semblance of creativity, and therefore are not worthy of sensible comment.

Regrettably, several heads dropped during the 2nd half, and Laurent Robert's attitude during the final 30 minutes would merit nothing less than the sack in any other job - he would have been warming his lazy @rse on the bench long before the end if it had been up to me.

As at Liverpool recently, we were simply not competitive in the 2nd half, and for a team that was 4th in the PL, imo we were a friggin disgrace.

If anyone get's the faint impression that I'm not a happy bunny you got it it one - in fact I'm foggin incandescent!

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

The words of Bobby Robson:

"It has been a sad day for us. Some of our fans got up at 4am this morning, I think we got up 15 minutes after kick-off. We got off to a bad start and we were never able to get back into the game.

On the day Arsenal were far better than we were, far more intelligent, far better movement, they took their chances well, defended better than we did and we lost to the better side.

We're 4th in the league, we have got a match coming up against Everton and it is now down to me to pick the players up. They are very despondent and very disappointed, they are sick about what happened because they knew the importance of today's game."

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

And now we've got both Leeds and Chelsea coming good and breathing down our necks. Two ahead of Leeds and three ahead of Chewsea. And Everton won the 6 pointer away against Bolton, so that's our next victims coming good as well.

Am I worrying needlessly ?

Sorry folks, but I'm seeing nothing in our recent form that encourages me for the run in.

Might as well tell it like it is. I can't bear to think of the turmoil if we blow the last few games and end up relying on the Inter Toto, assuming we don't blow that as well.

That's the United I know and love.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Count your blessings Clarky, you could have seen it in the flesh. Bliddy glad I didn't, Sky was bad enough.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Nice to see you back to your usual good self, PB :)

If its any consolation, we have Dyer back and looking like one of the better players today. Jenas was sup tied and I'd really like to see him and Little Kevin together - next week!! Also, Bellamy must be getting closer, tho whether next Friday is a bit ealry, I dunno. Still, it can and will get better. Others have had a dip in form and this is wors.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Bill, I see you're suffering from the same disease that I am. Everton won the six pointer against Derby, not Bolton. I know my brain cells are dying at an ever-increasing rate, whcih is my excuse - hope that's not the case for you! The points you and Clarky make are right on the money, however. Our form, with the exception of the cup tie against Arsenal has been miserable since Bellamy was injured. It's not so much the defeats against Arse and Liverpool and the draw with Ipswich - although that's the bottom line. Rather it's the way we simply surrendered in those matches. Our form is poor and the teams we should beat over the next few weeks all have reason to play well.

My mood matches Clarky today.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Fair comments clarky and Pit Bill, you'll be able to tell from my comments on the matchday thread how sick I feel too.

I got temporary relief from the Manure result, that's already warn off.

Our so-called easy run-in is a misnomer, if we couldn't beat Ipswich at home, what makes our remaining 8 games "easy"?

Our goal difference is only +14, Chewsea's is much better (+28), we can't possibly match their goal difference, should it go down to that.

If we don't make the Champions League I'll be gutted. Having said that I'm trying to convince myself that we actually deserve one of those 4 CL places (the way some of our highly-paid pros have represnted the Toon recently).

The fans certainly deserve to see CL football, but do the players?

More disappointments to come, I fear :-(

Goodnight from Singapore, 2am. here.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Thanks Southpaw. At least I've got ageing mental faculties as an excuse. :-{E}

I'd hate to think I had another forty odd years of underachievement of our magnitude to face.

I'm deliberately talking myself into a real 'slough of despond' in the hope that if by some miracle we still manage to end up in a Euro position, I'll feel as though all me birthdays have come at once. I'm out on the hoy shortly, so roll on oblivion.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Fats - the latest prognosis for Bellamy is "another 2 weeks". Just don't hold your breath.

I'm afraid my glass is drifting inexorably towards being half empty - I really thought we'd be up for today's game and give a good account of ourselves even if we ultimately went out. I really thought we were embarrassingly bad in the 2nd half.

I wish I could raise some +ve thoughts other than JJ and KD playing together in m/f - which was utterly inept today.

As Bud indicates we have no easy games to play, and BR is in full-on stubborn ol' git mode. Our back four right now is as bad as it's ever been, Robert plays when he feels like it, and we have the static big two up front that encourages everyone to hump it long. We have taken only two draws from five games with this formation, and I just can't see things changing unless we change it.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

For God's sake stop whinging about Robert. He was brilliant in the first half and was no more off the boil than his team mates in the second half. The pick of his mistreatment today was that superb pass out wide to Cort whilst he sprinted clean through their defence for the cut back only for that plank to stick it in the stand instead of putting it back in. Another great move was nearly missed by the cameras where he got back in the box to clear and then sprinted 70 yards with only the top of his head getting onto the screen only for another pointless 30/70 ball to be hoofed up from the back. He won headers, took shots, tackled back and set up opportunities today and to single him out for abuse is disgraceful. You want to shoot somebody then go for the Greek (who was utterly shit today) and O'Brien (who inexplicably missed that free header) and Robson for waiting until the last 7 minutes to get any fresh legs on. Whilst talking up Acuna and Dyer you have to recognize that they made four tackles between them today which is piss-poor for a central midfield partnership.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

There was mention on the sports.com text updates of Robert tracking back to cover a Dabs error around the time I started my criticism on the match thread. Possibly the incident you mention, Softie?

Well reading this thread has killed my momentary joy at the Boro result, too. Even though I've felt all along this slump was coming, it still annoys. I just hope we get a few more wins before the end of the season, but on recent form I'm not terribly hopeful. Perhaps a few draws??? ;-)

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Interestingly YBR said Robert had a "very good game"- i agree with Softies assessment of him- there were however a few frustrating occasions were he didnt make any effort after a player had got the better of him- he should have noticed Bergkamp was free for the 1st goal but he was ball watching as he ran back with the play. Still a genuine matchwinner and so probably worth almost the 10 mill spent on him.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

I'm with you Softie - Robert was good in the 1st half and take away Dyer probably the best of a sh*t bunch in the 2nd. He was poor by the way but there were others much much worse. Huff & puff to no avail.

Dabz should now be pensioned off - Distin & O'Brien are the future but I'd give the Spanish waster a try if he's fit or Caldwell or anybody.

Was I the only person to see Campbells left hand holding Dabz shirt to stop him challenging when he scored - watch the replays.

Cort has lost his pace (if he had any). His link up play today was much better but he didn't link with the one he should have AS.

YBR was right - we were 4 players down - as were Arsenal - they brought in Wright, Adams, Luzny and Bergkamp - we can't compete yet with that size squad.

We missed 3 good chances in the 1st half which would have changed the game - they had 3 chances - scored with 2 & Shay made a great save off the other.

Sod it I'm having a drink.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

We played badly, conceded early goals and missed our chances. A devastating result, when we should have won at SJP and now Arsenal face Boro in the semi-final - a game we must have fancied to win to get through to the final.

But Sir Bobby, as ever, was spot on in his after-match interview. Gave full credit to Arsenal, accepted we didn't perform, but pointed out that his main priority was to pick the team up for three points v Everton, and a strong finish to the season. He also mentioned the "family" spirit within the team and the need to give the fans what they deserve.

OK - we're all fed up. But so were the Arsenal fans in a deserted stadium v a reserve team on Weds. They got their reward today. We might not be as good a team - yet. But watch this space!

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

A bad result at the end of a very bad sequence of games.

I think a bit too much has been made of the Bellamy absence. We haven't won since he's been out but four of those games were against Derrierenal or Liverpool and the Ipswich game might just be seen as one of those things (cf Manure vs Boro). Bellamy is great but I don't think we're a one man team by any means

I missed today's game - slept right through it (like the team according to accounts) - I think my meds are too strong at the moment.

Quite alarming to concede the 2 early goals today. The team is quite regularly slow off the blocks this season and that must be something Bobby should address - like moving the half time pep talk forward by 45 minutes. I didn't see the game but I do find it staggering that 3 subs were not introduced until the situation was entirely unretrievable with just 7 minutes left. Seems crazy.

I'd like to see us complete the season with 8 straight wins now which will see us finishing either 1st or second. The lads just have to pick themselves up and get on with it. We can console ourselves with the usual mantra at this time - Now we can concentrate on the League. Howay The Lads!

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

I suspect the three subs late on was for the simple fact that [like EVERYONE in the Clock End today] they were kept out on the field to prolong the embarassment and ensure they had no place to hide or anyone else to blame.

As for the criticism of Robert, right behind you Softie. However, what REALLY got my goat was the fact that as soon as the whistle went he was the first off the field - ahead of ALL the arsenal players. Not a crumb of recognition to the fans. Had i been YBR i'd have hauled him back by the scruff of the neck and marched him over to the stand where he would have found Shay Given, alone, standing applauding the fans as much in embarassment as anything else.

simply not a good enough ATTITUDE.

;-(

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Jonno marra, I have to disagree with you. It may not be the lack of Bellamy the man which is making the difference, but I think Clarky has hit the nail on the hean on more than one occasion - it's the style of play. When we had CB running around like a Welsh terrorist, it caused chaos in oposing defences. But now, it's like musical statues with Shearer (who I thnk we'll all agree is not the most mobile of players) and Cort who plays a similar role and is still coming back from injury.

It seemed criminal that we had options but were not prepared to use them until it was way, way beyond redemption. Of the 16 layers picked, we could have brought Lua x2 on and played him in a similar role to Bellamy or we could have brought on Bernard and moved Robert forward - both these changes being at the expense of Cort. Or we could have brought both on and sacrificed Nobby with LLL going out wide right. We could have tried three at the back. We could even have played rush-goalie for God's sake. At least YBR would have recognised that there were things wrong. The day of subs being used to cover for injuries is gone. It might have some part in league football, but when you're 2-0 down at half-time, that's a pretty good indication that its not working. So what if you lose 4-0? Is that any worse in a cup game than 2-0? With the right "motivation speech", such a loss could have been explained. But having basically acknowledged in public that Elliott, Kerr, Bernard and Lua x2 are not worth a chance against the mighty @rse, just what message does that leave? The wrong one IMHO.

As I said yesterday, Cometh the man, cometh the hour. Sadly, for NUFc, time stood still at Highbury.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

As for the criticism of Robert, right behind you Softie. However, *what REALLY got my goat was the fact that as soon as the whistle went he was the first off the field - ahead of ALL the arsenal players. Not a crumb of recognition to the fans. Had i been YBR i'd have hauled him back by the scruff of the neck and marched him over to the stand where he would have found Shay Given, alone, standing applauding the fans as much in embarassment as anything else.

simply not a good enough ATTITUDE*

He probably felt that there's no point seeing as no matter what he does good or bad, genius or moronic, he will get critised on this board or by the fans in the stands, so why bother? BTW, if Seamus was alone applauding the fans, where were the other 9 players excluding Robert of course.

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

Actually Minnesota I don't think we disagree at all. My point is that we are not a one man (Bellamy) team. Your point is we used the wrong tactics yesterday and should have changed the Shearer-Cort partnership. I agree. Several options available by pairing Shearer with Robert, L3, or Dyer. That is my point (that we did have other options) and I think YBR may be slipping up tactically here, hesitant as I am to question the great man. It was Robson's not Hobson's choice.

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

Disappointed there aren't more eye-witness accounts. So, still based on my admittedly limited view from the telly, I don't feel like retracting my criticism of Laurent Robert.

He undoubtedly had a decent 1st half - in fact, he looked to me to be on a different wavelength to some of his colleagues. They seemed to be incapable of reading his intentions, or as Softie indicates, of giving him the ball back when he got into good positions. He must, of course, find this incredibly frustrating.

However, when it went to 3-0 his head dropped, he basically quit, and did precisely bog all for the final 20-30 minutes - apart from repeatedly giving the ball away and putting us under further pressure.

I have defended LR several times on here because I genuinely believe he is a world-class talent - indeed, arguably our only such player. He made some terrific contributions earlier in the season, and has shown encouraging signs recently of being willing to adapt to the overall demands of the PL.

However, his contribution during the final 30 minutes yesterday or so yesterday was less than zero. His attitude during this period imho was appalling, and for me unacceptable for a player wearing the B&W. I feel BR was entirely wrong in leaving on the pitch a player who had clearly given up. What signals does this possibly send to less-gifted players like Bernard, and Lx3 who are desperate to play for us?

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

Gene - point taken. He was singled out by fans all over the place which was unfair as there were 10/11 wasters on the pitch and they must ALL take responsibility.

However, he didn't make an effort when 7000 fans - many of whom had travelled down from Tyneside that morning - certainly did. And that's simply unforgiveable IMHO.

Clarky - few eye witness match reports for two reasons i suspect. No-one really feels like talking about after being publicly humiliated on TV [that's how everyone i spoke to felt] right now and your reports have summed it up very well.....

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

Agrre with Min re. lack of eye witness accounts. I was looking forward to a post match drink at Dave's, and would have posted about 6pm last night, but frankly I lost the stomach for anything after that gutless performance. On the one hand 5,000 of us still chanting at three nil down, on the other hand 10 wasters (sorry, thought Dyer did his best, make that 9) and Given strolling around like it was a training match. It reminded me of Dogleish days. Frankly I stopped watching the game at 3:0, and started watching Robert. He looked like he was in a Chris Eubanks lookalike competition. Did naff all, just wandered about with his head in the air and hands on his hips. Come to think about it, he looked more like Napoleon. He couldn't wait for the final whistle. I think YBR decided not to sub him so he could suffer for 93 minutes like the rest of us. The way we passed it square across the midfield until they took it of us would have been comical if it wasn't so sad. I think they all thought Craig was on the pitch somewhere, and were holding it up until they spotted him. If we buy another forward in the summer (and we should, 'cos we have to offload Cort, he looks like little boy lost - Gav didn't realise he was playing until we had a chat about who took the most crap performance award), it has to be another Bellamy so we can swap them about. Hughes and O'Brien kept getting skinned, and Dabs was constantly pulled out of position. I would have played Bernard at LB, and Distin in the Dabs slot. Please try it next game, with Robert on the bench and Luax2 on the left. I realise the views held here in respect of LL, but his confidence must improve if he gets a start, and LR deserves a kick up the arse. Last time he was left out (ironically against Arsenal away) he came on like a train second half. Arsenal's movement off the ball, and the one touch passing, makes them look like the best team we've played all season. Every time they got the ball in our half it screamed goal. Name four of our players who could make the (large) Arsenal squad. You'll struggle. Not confident about Everton, but thank God it's at home. Hope the crowd give them a lift, but I'll bet we'll all be edgy. Bad news is that it's on telly. Another public humiliation we can do without. Spoilt my week that has, having to travel home on the North London train link wearing a Toon top in a train full of passengers looking on sympathetically as if I was a simpleton who deserved pity rather than humilition and derision. Thanks lads, can't wait to shell out another £450 for a ST in July while you're all enjoying your Caribean(sp?) holidays.

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2002

I saw very little that was positive to take from the game. We have a poor defence. The way Pires strolled through the back four was a disgrace. Frankie Brennan, Bobby Moncur or Big John McNamee would have had him into the stands rather than let him run through like that. Don't you young'ns get carried away with dreams of Champions league. We will be lucky to finish 6th. You would think at my age I should know better that to actually believe we are going to achieve something. Seen it all before, nothing new. Sometimes I query why I put myself through such pain. I guess its my fate in life. Never mind the half empty glass attitude its a Tyne Bridge job again.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Plus points - it was sunny

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I had a really shite seat (standing place) and missed the first goal arguing with some bloke over the space. Put up the the half a dozen ticketless nobs next to me for the first half, I'm sure they only come to the match to be abusive to people, the nacka in my spot sugessted to his mates that I was out of order for stopping him throwing coins at the arse corner. Then when he started calling Bergkamp a German bastard I went for a pint - hospitality, they beat you at football but don't sell you beer and don't lay on translators for the foreign waitresses. 2nd half I joined my mates at the back and at least got some respite from the dicks in my seat.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

.....yeh Tony, but apart from that? ;o{)

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Were abouts were you Tony. I was in block 17 row 13 (bottom tier). Lad behind was calling Robert so the lad two rows behind decided he was going to start a fight with him over not supporting the lads. They both got chucked out. I was a bit dissapointed cos the area didn't seem to want to sing along with me and the rest. The crowd overall was good though and when a Sven lookalike popped out of a door at the side of the Arse stand and we all sang a Sven song literally at him it was a good laugh. He went back inside a bit embarrassed.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I was at the other end, block 22, finished up at the back of block 17. There was a bit cordoned so I climbed over the fence and stood there, everything was better apart from the game. After the miserable time I'd been having, my mate made me laugh. There was a group of young women in front and he shouted "women know nothing about football" when they turned he said "apart from you's like" then started "get your knitting out for the lads". Sounds a bit lame now but by this time I was completely pissed off.

After the game an outsider would have been struggling to spot fans of the winning team, Arse fans must have felt sorry for us so hid their joy.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I would like to say for Gene and Min's benefit that the player's did actually hang on after the game to applaud the supporters. I have to admit I did not purposefully look for or spot Robert but the players stood in the centre circle. The reason Given stood out was for two things.

1) His top was the brightest thing about the Toon on that day 2) He stood for about two to three minutes longer thatn the rest and came a good ten yards closer to our end to see us. He had no need to be ashamed for his performance as yet again he was left in a bad situation.

Player of the season is definitely Given.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Best Keeper in England(tm)

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Given's got my vote for player of the season. Can't imagine where we'd be without him this season. Probably nowhere near as high up the table.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I think Bellamy adn Given are too close to choose, Id say Given has given the most complete performance all season , However Bellers transformed the team...

If Bellers comes back soon Id say hes got my vote.. Given a Very very close 2nd

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

Robert gets me vote.

-- Anonymous, March 25, 2002

I do not post mortems, I only post videos.

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

Ciara, agreed about Given, BUT to answer part of your 'question', do you remember the first(?) game of the season (Chewsea away) and Shay let that shot go in, between his legs (from that left-footed Dutchman, Broshnyn or whatever?), thus costing us a point or two?

He's more than made up for that error since, so I'm definitely not blaming Given for anything.

Oh, and we were live on TV that day too ("our new jinx"?).

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

Only one possible choice - Craig Bellamy - a magnificent over- achiever.

Laurent Robert would get my vote as "The Underachiever of the Year"! Such a wonderfully gifted player is capable of delivering so much more.

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

Bud, we won Peterborough, Villa, and Manure(h)..all live on telly, so not sure it's a full jinx yet. The lads are trying, but may be turning their efforts back to the London jinx which is so much more comfortable and familiar. ;-))

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

I think it's probably got to be Given. He is quite an outstanding goalie and easily one of the best athletic keepers in Europe. World class.

Special mention for Bellend and Robert. And Mr Shearer must get award for once again coming back from serious injury to lead the line. Perhaps he's collecting loyalty bonus points from the Steadman Clinic?

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

I've been off line for the last four days so I've missed all the fun stuff. However, all I need to say is 3 big tests (Arsenal, Liverpool and Arsenal again) three big defeats and no goals scored. I don't care what anyone says about having a great season so far, we should realize that we have been overachieving all season. Get a few injuries and we are as poor as those teams at the bottom.

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002

I won't argue with you syme...

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2002