Technically, BR could now be signing someone like Emerton right now!

Probably not tonight but you never know.

As much as I hate the league being over, it's great to see all the new players coming into the PL.

Assuming none of our key players leave...

I reckon we should sign Distin and sign another top qual centre back.

Train Bernard up for left back and sign Emerton so it looks like this....

Given Emerton/Hughes, Keown? Distin, Bernard

Solano/Emerton, Dyer , Jenas, Robert

Shearer, Bellamy

This way we should get great effect from our 2 wingers which is exactly what Big Al thrives on.

Emerton linking up with Nobby, Jenas and Dyer

And

Bernard feeding Robert, Jenas, Dyer.

Then of course we can always play it through the midle for Bellamy.

Can't wait.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

Answers

I think we need a lot more than Keown and Emerton to get anywhere next season. It's a canny start, but we need a real playmaker in midfield as well as a left back.

Bernard is a canny player, but put him against a decent right back and he would struggle as defensive work isn't his best attribute.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

Bobby is talking about 2 world class players. Of course we all think it should be more than that. Centre back is a definate though because until the defence is sorted we'll never compete on a level playing field with the current top 3.

BTW - what are we all going to talk about from now until August?

Oh yes - world cup but more importantly, the transfer merry go round! I also - can't wait!

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

Is Emerton world class? I dont know, have never seen him play.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

He's not exactly a bad player, but I haven't seen enough of him really. He is apparently pacy, young, strong and a good tackler. I think he would be bought with centre midfield in mind but to be honest, it's far from a guaranteed transfer.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

I don't think we necessarily need more than 2 players to compete with the best. We have had some injuries this season and finished 4th. If BR hadn't played Cort with Shearer, It is my view that we would have challeged the title until the end of the season.

A couple of quality WORLD CLASS additions would get us that extra 10 points next season that will challenge the title.

Fair enough we have CL games next season but we won't have Intertoto and it is unlikely that we'll get to the QF of both the FA and worthington cups.

But lets see what happens.

I woud rather see 2 world class additions than 4 (Might work out) players.

Because of the position we're in we can now buy quality whereas teams like Sunderland are going to have to gamble and hope their new signings come off. (((((BELLAMY!)))) Why Should we also gamble when we are in the position to bring in stars.

2 quality players is what BR will go for and hopefully a few other, lesser name suprises.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

Don't forget it's WC year, all the signing & rumours will start after the WC starts. Look for clues in Bobby's TV comments.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002

Agree with above, if Emerton arrives he'll play central midfield. I think the the other world class player needed is a CB. IMO we still need a £4m LB and another £4m CB if Distin doesn't stay. That shopping list looks like Bramble/Keown, Williams/Distin and a top European CB. Any spare cash might buy us another striker in the promising/Bosman category.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002

If he can play central midfield also then he looks more lika a good signing. He will then cover up right back, right midfield and central midfield. That also means he should be able to play pretty much.

Like I've said before, whoever Bobby signs I will wait until the season is over to have a opinion about it. I thought he was mad when he signed Bellamy for that price but we all know the rest of the story.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002

Exciting? I'm flat as a pancake after yesterday.

Desperately worried as I await the inevitable bad news of Dyer's entirely avoidable injury, and beginning to anticipate starting the new season without him and Craig Bellamy - two of our best attacking players.

Also worried about the outcome of Shay Given's frustration at the handling of his contract negootiations, coupled with Steve Harper's disenchantment.

Watching Titus Bramble's dreadful performance last night, and then picking up the Sunday papers and reading of our continuing interest in him, has hardly improved my morosity. No doubt I'll get over it.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002

Well that short burst of optimism following the CL qualification has been quickly eradicated!

Every silver lining has a cloud.

If you look hard enough.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002

....it's easy Jonno when that cloud p*sses all over you!

To see the dangers of basking under the silver lining, just check out Ipswich town FC.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002