I am sick and tired of us having nobody who can sit in front of the defence and play the ball about (Vieira, Keane, Gerrard, Boateng type players)

I cannot blame O'Brien and Dabizas for coming out of defence too often, as in many cases they had no choice.

Take a point in the second half, Dabizas on the ball, he has the option of passing it to O'Brien sideways or Given backwards. There was no Rob Lee to sit there and take the ball then distribute it, so Dabizas ran up with it.

To put it simply, if we had someone like Keane or Vieira in our team we would be 50% better. We'd concede a much smaller number of goals as well as having somebody to soak up a bit pressure before releasing our pacy players on the break when we are ahead.

I can't comment too much on the Arsenal game as it's hard to see how midfielders played from the TV as much of their work is off the ball running.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

Answers

Arsenal (have a) playmaker

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

He's called Jermaine Jenas, Paul.

£250k for Rob Lee is looking a top deal for us right now.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

I know Jenas could be that player, but BR has said he thinks Jenas is similar to Dyer, who is most certainly not a defensive playmaker.

I suppose we'll see in time. I have no doubt Jenas could make it to be that player, but I don't know if BR sees it that way.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

no - not the midfield. the DEFENCE!

Contrast today's return of Tony Adams v O'Brien and Dabs in the centre. I was directly in line with the centre of the pitch, as far back behind the goal so i had a clear view.

Adams - constantly shouting, marshalling his defenders, arms aloft - LEADING

Dabs and O'Brien - ALL OWER THE SHOT. Not a word until the goals went in or someone does something wrong.

I'm not in favour of picking on anyone after todays gutless, spineless [in more ways than one] "performance". All 11 are culpable and should hang their heads in shame [with the exception perhaps of Given and LKD who ran his socks off but did little else]

They need to take a long hard look at themselves and ask if they've got the balls and the talent to get into the CL. I think we all know the answer to that already.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

min, Adams is one of the best defenders I have ever seen. His play away from the ball makes the difference, you can see him thinking and reading the game, A O'B seems timid and lacking confidence in the last few games and dabs is in his headless chicken/fire breathing lunatic mode, not a cool head in sight. As for the midfield, I think perhaps the comments Berb has made about Jenas have perhaps been misconstrude, Jenas was always the defensive part of the M/f. This is the one thing I am now hanging out for this season...as for the player that sits in front of the back four, if you play two wide men in a four man m/f a dedicated player to that spot leaves you with one, which you can't do unless the player is exceptional, Keane, Viera for example

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002

good to hear from you mate. all well? that festival's coming up again soon isn't it....?! Watch oot for the Huntsmen and Redbacks...!

I just re-read my comments and they are a bit harsh but it's 1.30am and i'm knackered and STILL less than chuffed at the embarassing way we capitulated today...grrrrr

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2002