Bit of a no brainer you might think, Al is on fire....is 2 behind jimmy and there is no way he'll take being left out...

I'm just thinking that maybe now would be the time to try and play Cort back into the team...when the pressure is off!

What do you think?

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Answers

Just asking what you think.....

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

I'd like to see him still play but maybe only 45 mins a match. Try Cort and Lua-Lua. Try Chopra! Save Bellers and Al

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

absolutely essential to give Al 70 mins per game AND give opportunities to the likes of Chops, Cort, Mcclen & Gary Caldwell (is he back from loan, or can he be recalled if not ??)

I'd also welcome a look at Brian Kerr & Stuey Green

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

We certainly need to find out if Cort will ever find his form - but it is so tempting to keep playing Al - reason says lets see what the others have got to offer, but I`m pleased I don`t have to make the decision. (:o)

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Definitely Shearer - 2 goals away from topping the scoring charts and we play the final game of the season at his (new) old stomping ground.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Seeing as how we've nowt left to play for, ditto Southampton and WHAM, couldn't we agree to do an 'England Friendly', and bring on as many subs as we like, changing at least half of the team second half. That should give us enough flexibility to use all the players LT wants to see in the last two games :-))

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Heehee Terry - in fact, bugger using subs, let's just play our whole squad against theirs. Then let the two sets of supporters join in at half time. Hopefully someone will have some spare shirts we can chuck down for goals and we can see a result before our mams call us in for suppertime ...

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

There's no point asking Cort to come back now. He needs to concentrate on the pre-season and look to make an impression for our CL jaunt. Would be more interested in Bellend making a subs appearance (just to satisfy myself he's fit again) or letting Chopra have a 10 minute run out next weekend.

Like others, I don't expect Al to do anything else except play our last 2 games. Howay, he's on for 300 goals!

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

We have to give Chopsticks a run with the first team. We have to see if Cort finds his feet, assuming that Al is gradually losing his. But, we can't sub Al in case he pulls it off and pips JFH! And what about Lua*2, who has also come good just recently? Bloody difficult this. I thought I had it!

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Actually I would like to see most of the 1st team rested for the last two games. It's a good opportunity to gauge which of the fringe players and youngsters are PL material in games that are basically meaningless but not so to the players competing to show they are worthy of a place in next season's team. Chance for Chadwell brothers, Chops, Kerr and others to strut their stuff.

That said, would love to see Al get a couple more goals before the season ends.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Agree about Chopra (and Kerr) on the bench for next two, with Cort starting at least one. I'd like to see Jenas/Speed and Jenas/Dyer tried in midfield for the two matches, and Harper given a runout. How about Nobby given a rest and LLL nominally on the right?

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Shearer won't be benched now. Only 2 more games then his longest summer vacation in years. He'll be chomping at the bit to finish as highest scorer. As long as he feels good, let him play. Plenty of time for others next season. It would be nice to see Chopra get a run out.

While I can see the logic in giving second choice players a shot now when the games are meaningless, I think the first team should be rewarded for their hard work this season by enjoying 2 matches with virtually no pressure in front of an adoring Toon Army. Definitely try to sub in a few of the younger players during the second half though.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

... and let Dabs play his final game?

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

Ya, of course will and should play. I want him to become top scorer, I think he wants it too =)

But let Bellamy stay on the bench or out of the team, we need him fit for next season and we cant risk anything. Also go easy on Dyer, Jenas and Speed can play in midfield. Why not give Gavilan or someone a run on the right and try Bernard left in defence.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

I believe Gavilan is still in Mexico and Gary Caldwell still in Scotland - both until the end of the season. So, unfortunately we won't be seeing either of them.

Actually, I didn't think Gavilan looked too bad in a cr@p Paraguay team v England.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2002

LLL has got to play. He`s got far more potential than Cort and he`s had a long wait for a run in the team. Now that he`s in there and playing well we should leave him there for the last couple of games and see what he makes of the chance.

Bellamy shouldn`t play at all, we don`t need the points and he might as well make absolutely sure his injury has healed.

Cort has been poor and has taken a hell of a lot of stick from the crowd. Unless that`s likely to suddenly change we shouldn`t start with him as it can`t be doing his confidence any good. Bring him on as a sub when we`re either struggling (chance to be a hero) or cruising (not likely to get too much stick). He can do plenty of work over the summer and start next season with a clean slate. Of course in an ideal world people would stop booing him right away.....

Play Shearer and LLL to start with and give Chopra or Cort half an hour depending on circumstances.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

How about....

Shearer and Bellamy v West Ham with LLL as a sub after 60 mins.

Shearer and Cort v Soton with Chopra as a sub after 60 mins.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

Clarky, Gavilan's loan is a year loan, not a season, so unless we recall him he won't be back (if at all) until the end of December.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

(I think)

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

ADK - I stand to be contradicted here, but I really don't believe CC got very much stick at all. Personally, I think this has been over- blown - and he most certainly has not been crucified by the crowd.

Sections of the crowd did react to certain situations where he failed to control the ball, or gave it lamely away, and I seem to recall in one game - Fulham? - where there were some jeers as he was subbed, but they were mixed in with the cheers for his replacement. However, I really don't recall a massive -ve reaction to him that was out of proportion to his level of performance.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

They were particularly vitriolic around me at Pride Park. But mebbes that was just Pit Bill :)

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2002

Clarky, I got that impression from second hand reports (.com etc).Interesting to hear that those reports are exagerrated.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2002

YBR says he is toying with the idea of subbing Shearer before the end in order to let him take the plaudits of the crowd on his own. Nice idea cos the lad does tend to be a bit ignored by the crowd. :-) Doubtless that will be the first bit of videotape that ends up on the editing room floor of The Premiership, as they wrestle with the task of reducing several football matches to a few seconds so that they can concentrate on Man Utd.

So that'll be a nice - erm - surprise then.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2002