Some interesting comments by BR in tonight's Ronnie:

Bobby Robson has warned his dozy defenders they face being dropped unless they wake up to the fact Newcastle's Champions League place is at stake.

Newcastle's defensive frailties almost cost the Magpies dear once more before a stunning second-half performance against Everton revived their European aspirations.

Robson is in no doubt the back line remains his side's Achilles heel and though he has remained faithful to a consistent back four he insisted he has no compunction about making changes.

He said: “We have let in some very poor goals in recent weeks but we have done some training to improve our defensive work. I think we have had players who have not been listening, but they'll have to listen or they'll be listening in the reserves very soon.

In the first half we were trying to play offside and we never play offside. Nikos Dabizas had his hand in the air like Tony Adams. The thing is Tony Adams knows how to play offside and 'Dabby' doesn't.

They scored two goals, and you can use whatever four-letter words you like to describe them, but we talked at half-time and in the second half we were never in trouble in defence".

With only 3-4 weeks left until the end of the season, you have to seriously question whether talking will ever do the trick with some players. BR must have the patience of a saint!

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2002

Answers

Did anyone catch Shearer giving Dabz a real mouthful of what he presume(rightly I might add) was the incompetence of the defence sometime after the second goal for Everton went in? Couldn't read lips but Alan was mighty piss at Dabz and basically telling him to get his act together.

Actually I'm surprised that Dabz and O'Brien line up on Friday. They were both carrying injuries during the week and I thought the opportunity presented itself to try Distin or bring in any of the other defenders. I just wonder why we are not willing to entrust the job to some of the reserves or youngsters sometimes. This reliance on 14-16 players will spell doom next season with Europe matches and the inevitable bad luck with injuries scenario.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2002

This could be the "final warning" to Dabz and O'Brien. A spell under Tommy Craig (ooh er, missus!) could do them good. It certainly seems to have got Farcelino back playing good stuff. I wonder..............

However, I'm not sure now is the time to tinker too much. It maybe better just to kick them up the @rse. I'd feel more comfortable if Robbie Elliott had showed any form whatsoever as he's a regular squad player and would allow Distin to move inside. Any of you hardy KP attendees got any views???

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2002

Away from home against the 18foot Peter Crouch would be an ideal time to try Marcelino again or at least stick Distin on him. Dabizas always goes through a good spell of concentration and hard work and then goes and scores an inportant goal which makes him think he's Super Geordie and he fecks everything up.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002

Being fair to Dabz, I thought both Distin and Given were more culpable on Everton 's 2nd goal. Having said that he didn't play that well, and continually gets into poor positions.

As Softie says, it seems he isn't content playing in defence and ensuring we keep clean sheets - he wants to play in m/f as well. This indiscipline has cost us dearly recently.

I'd drop him, move Distin inside so we can see how good a CB he really is and bring Elliott in at LB for the Villa game. I would consider giving Bernard a run at LB in our next home game v Fulham.

I wouldn't consider playing Marcelino because I simply don't beleive he can physically hack it in the PL. I'd play Steve Caldwell before Marcelino.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002

I watched him getting the crap kicked out of him by the mackem reserves, notably that thug Kevin Kyle, and he took everything they had and came back for more. Won everything in the air as well which is no mean feat against a team that builds its entire game around crosses into the box. Showed great attitude from a bloke who is supposedly beyond redemption. No way he can start at home though, but Dabizas has to be dropped, so it's either Marcy or Elliott in. Hobson's choice.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002

Softie I'll take this Hobson fella, seems a better bet than the other two.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002

I agree with Softie, I think Marcelino could take the physical side of the PL. Obviously he's not Sol Campbell, but even Distin was brushed aside with complete ease by that towering monstrosity of a midfielder Niclas Alexandersson.

The thing is with Crouch, he's sh*t in the air, a bit like Cort in that sense as he's big. However, Villa will still pump balls up to him, so all we need is someone who is competent in the air, not world class.

It's Vassel I'd be more worried about against Villa, who is too quick for most of our defenders.

Hopefully we'll score more than them. I just hope the Everton result doesn't give some players a false sense of security, as we weren't really that good in the first half. Everton by all accounts seemed a bit naive. They didn't sit back with 10 behind the ball like most other away teams at SJP, they had a bit of confidence and went forward, which was eventually their undoing.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002

Softie - Marcelino did really well against Bradford Reserves also, but the Pontins League is not the PL.

Marcelino is a nice tidy footballer and can pass the ball much better than most defenders - which was why RG bought him. Most of the stuff that is said about him is utter bull-bleep.

I'd have no reservations about playing him in the odd game if there were limited alternatives - other than a concern about the abuse he could unfortunately get at SJP. However, I've seen enough of him to know that he is just not up to the PL physically, and never will be.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002

I'd like nowt better than to see Marcy come in and do a job for us. He has received stick from the fans and large bundles of cash from the club in more or less equal amounts. Logic would suggest that we, as fans, should be overjoyed to see him come good on his supposed potential.

Sadly, I think the reception from the crowd would be intolerable. He'd be lynched for every mistake, perceived or otherwise. As a Toon fan, this sickens me but I feel that it's the new reality at SJP.

If he does return and deals with this, I'll have nothing but admiration for the bloke. I just can't see it happening though.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2002