Young Craig got the gong - Ricketts second and Gerrard third

Great news for the lad (and the lads)

Bet all those cov fans who were offering to sell us second had cars are eating their words

Ruud VR go the player of the year.......YKD to get thid next year:-)

J

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2002

Answers

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2002

Well done young Bellers.

Also saw on Sky on Saturday Morning that Shearer is lying 14th in the Golden Boot award Europe, which is the highest place English player. No awards for 14th but a commendable achievement

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2002

Good thing the awards are based on skill, rather than looks! Congrats, young Bellamy! :-)

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2002

Once again the man who grew a moustache above his arsehole amazed us with his uncanny ability to tip a winner. Third placed Gerrard was going to "walk it" for the second year running whilst Bellamy was just improved but too wayward in his finishing to be considered a threat. Meanwhile reports that Bayer Leverkusen are considering swapping their goals for barn doors next time Michael Owen visits have proved to be coincidentally wide of the mark..... It seems that the main reason Owen keeps his place is that he is the only Liverpool striker to avoid head injuries whenever Phil Thompson turns round suddenly.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Nice one Craig, well deserved. Would I be right in saying that Andy Cole won this award as a Newcastle player? Got a very vague recollection of Gazza also winning it once upon a time. Any other Black and Whites?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Kenny Wharton got it in 1983

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Just about every TV/Newspaper/Website I've read says that Bellamy is the 3rd Newcastle player to win it - Cole and Gazza being the others.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Aaah bless his black and white socks.

Dead chuffed for him and for Shay for being in the PFA premiership 11.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Not bad for a tricky, mouthy, short arsed taff ;-) Hope he returns the compliment and get back on the pitch!

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Great news, really happy for him!

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Excellent choice, excellent player.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Funny thing is, most on here bitched to no end when we signed him for a paltry £6m!!! I guess he's been a total waste of money!

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Thoroughly deserved - many congratulations Craig.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

After seeing him at home against Coventry I couldn't believe we had signed him. I've always said that every player suits certain style's of play and players around him. If they find the right combination then they can show their true class. Bellamy and Newcastle deserve this award.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Own up the BBSer who thought Bellers was the shittiest piece of biz in modern times?

I must admit I said after the Lockeren(sp?) game in the two- bob "Bellamy, looks like a bit of a twat to me like!". However, I say in all honesty that Craig has changed the way I think football should be played:

His pace can't be defended against, apart from a center back with similar pace and I can't think of one.
He puts the fear of God into defenders, no one wants to look like a fool and he has that level of ability.
He is fantastic as a target man because he gets to the ball first. Any old punt forward becomes a good tactic.
Anymore qualities you like?

Well done Craig I for one love you.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Sparxx - fair play, I wasn't overwhelmed by his name last summer, but he didn't exactly have a track record to shout about. If only I could be as wrong about Bellend as Luax9 :-))

Not knocking you, but did you think he was going to be as good as he's turned out?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

I think his best game of the season was Spurs away imo. 1-3 to the lads, scored one, made two if I remember correctly.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

the worst player to play at SJP in 2000-2001 season, the best in 2001- 2002

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Can you just imagine how many goals he would have scored if he was better in 1on1s?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Mia culpa - I initially thought CB was waste of £6m: I was wrong.

I'm starting to get nervous now about Lx3 now after his recent performances. However, "I'd love it, just love it" if he turned into CBx2! ;o{)

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

I still think Coventry were lucky to get back what they paid for a player they did their level best to ruin. However, with what we've seen this season I'd have been happy to double that fee.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

I cannot recall if I committed my thoughts to paper,nevertheless I was convinced that we had thrown away good money. At least I can console myself with the recollection that at aged 10 I saw a 17 year old Tom Finney play for Preston and was equally convinced that he would rank among the games greatest.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

I adopted a 'give the guy a chance' approach, more so in light of the panic that was taking place around here. Though when it was pointed out he was the bloke whose lack of finishing ability was the only thing keeping Coventry from beating us at SJP last season, I was a tad concerned. I still think he needs to improve his finishing rate, however! ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Sudden: with better finishing, we know he would outclass Michael Owen.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Never in doubt. I always expected him to be a revelation, bringing pace and incisive thrusts to our lethargic attack. My main worry was that he would be injured towards the end of the season and that we would revert back to the old ways of playing two target strikers. Now, what was that about Saturday's lottery you wanted to know?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Just the bonus ball, Clare. I have the others by the power of thought...

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Lovely, lovely lovely

Thanks fer aal the kind words - you wait til me and Carl get partnered together next year......championship 'ere we cim

baaa

Craig

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Anyone else think he looks like Peyter Reid?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Grrrrrrrrrrreat News ! Thoroughly deserved:-))

I've been thrilled to bits from very early on with his PASSION Plus TENACITY. The lad harried and swerved at such break-neck speed, at times, you felt sure his little stick legs were going to snap !!

(Yes, his finishing at first let him down..Yes, the offside thingey.)

But he'somebody who's not only talented but "siezed his day" under a Master. Just love him to bits :-)

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

I was with Swift today when we saw the news.

That's 'The Sky is Falling' Swift who was the main beater on the drum of doom when we signed Bellers. The same Swift who was convinced that it was the worst signing in Premiership history.

I've never seen a bloke as happy to eat humble pie... We were both grinning like idiots...:)

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

But Steve, that's because...................well, at least one of youse ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

Great news, a nice boost for the lad whose confidence may have been hit by the injury.

I must admit I wasn't as hard on the idea of him signing as a lot on here. I remember not being too chuffed about it and thinking it was probably a waste of money, but I was prepared to give him a chance.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002

I've been dying to do this all season! I give you below two of my contributions to the raging debate that followed the signing of Bellers.

"I saw Bellamy a few times when he was at Norwich and to be honest, he looked outstanding. He then got a very bad injury and moved to the Premiership possibly too soon afterwards. Coventry was obviously a mistake but this lad has got talent and I really don't see what point is served by damning him before he's kicked a ball for us. I also think coventry played him largely out of position - he is not an out and out striker so judging him as one is unfair. Give the bloke a chance. If he looks cr*p at Christmas then have a go but some of the stuff on this thread is absolutely top grade bullsh*t."

"Someone, can't remember who, sorry, said that playing in a bad side wasn't an excuse because look what Robbie Keane had done at Coventry. It's interesting if you look at the records of Keane and Bellamy in the First Division with average teams they are pretty similar - in fact Bellamy's scoring record is slightly better. So why the difference at Coventry? It could be partly down to the fact that Keane played in a team that were not fighting the drop all season with the pressure that brings - the difference? - Gary McAllister perchance.

It might well be that Bellamy turns out to be absolute rubbish. It's just that I saw him tear First Division defences to shreds 2 or 3 years ago and I can't believe he has become THAT bad in between."

I thank you!

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2002