The Guardian seems to think Robert will play next to Shearer with Bernard in his position. The Journal seems to think Dyer will play up frontwith JJ in midfield. (Didn't we try this on Monday to no avail?)

I would be suprised if he drops Cort. It will be a sickner for the lad but he hasn't played at all well since he came back so he couldn't really complain I suppose. It's just his confidence will be even more shot than it already is.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

Answers

Lynda, if I recall he played JJ up front, and young Kevin in midfield, hence the problem

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

the problem was that no one had any idea where any one else was supposed to be playing

No Cort will be an improvement, let him rest, get a full close season of training under his belt and start again in August

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

"The Guardian seems to think Robert will play next to Shearer with Bernard in his position. "

If we'd done this since Bellamy's injury we'd still be contending the title, or at least 3rd place.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

Robert up front and Bernard on the left? Nah, too good to be true. We all know that Cort will start...

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

I think Cort could accept being dropped as he must realise he isn't anywhere near the form that made us interested in buying him in the first place or the form he showed in the past for us.

What makes it worse will be a voice in the back of his head that thinks he's being dropped so BR can appease the fans. Hopefully he can return from this setback, assuming that's what happens.

I would prefer to see Robert up front to be honest with Bernard on left wing, even if it means knocking Distin out to left back again.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

>If we'd done this since Bellamy's injury we'd still be contending the title, or at least 3rd place.

That's right. I think Robson made a grave mistake with this upfrontal decision of his. Atleast for the PSG Robert played as a striker and he could finish clinically. The guy is nearly always itching to score even when more than to build-up the attack etc. He got the required pace plus mal he can kick the ball a bit.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

And Shearer and Robert have linked up very well in recent matches (not including the last one, although we got a goal from their link up), which suggests a front pair of those two could work well.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

Semms too good to be true. I hope those of us who have long been advocating Robert as Shearer's partner do not have to eat humble pie!

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

Didn't Robert say he wasn't happy playing up front at PSG? Not his favored position or something? We already do enough of that, so no point moving him out of his favored position unless we're really desperate. I don't think we're that bad off just yet.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002