Michael's 8 goals in this Dutch tournament can only be a good step in his development. We should deffo give him some runouts pre-season with the first team: Bellamy will need molly-coddling and Shearer has nothing to learn. Don't want to see him held up like Ameobi who went backwards last season (not through a lack of ability).

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002

Answers

I disagree....Ameobi had a chance to shine, he didn't so they are giving him more time to develop....his lack of pace, positioning and heading ability are what is holding him back...

You do not get many chances to shine in this game, you have to take those chances or get put back on the shelf....

I do agree however that Chops should be given a chance to at least get on the bench and make some subs appearances....along with Offiong...

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002

Shola was given 4 league starts and 2 league cup starts this season, Carl Cort was given 6 league and 2 FA cup. Shola has infinitely more pace, heading ability and positioning than Cort.

I don't expect to see Shola, Chopra, Offiong anywhere closer to a game than Lerague Cup subs bench. My bigger worry is the amount Lua2 will regress next year if Shola is anything to go by

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2002

I disagree ameobi has potential certainly , but he has not got the movement of cort or indeed even the strength or power of shot. AND thats saying something!!.. Bearing in mind when cort 1st came he played very well , i beleive he will be back to fitness next season and will prove he's worth a place certainly in a rotation system.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2002

I tend to agree with Kennyboy, although I don't think there's much in it between Cort and Ameobi. Neither have yet fulfilled their potential - next season will be make or break for both. Chopra has performed well at every level but he doesn't seem the strongest physically. I would prefer him to be a Beardsley rather than a Michael Owen - ie he might be good enough, but could suffer from injury after injury if pushed too hard too early. Beardsley was more of a late developper, but I don't think it's a coincidence that his career was long and relatively injury free.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2002

Never in a million years.

Even when he first came and scored a few goals Cort didn't look the part. His control isn't up to it at the top level. I excuse him most of the end of season cos he was pushed into the team when he wasn't fit. He may have that ability to score when playing poorly but he isn't my type of player.

Shola stood out inthe first season he played as he was the only player in the side who could actually beat a player. We had no Robert or Bellamy at the time and despite his languid style Shola was often the only player with pace.

If I had to say who will be playing at the highest level in 4 or 5 years time then without a shadow of doubt I would pick Shola.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2002

With BR reportedly after a further striker in the close season the obvious conclusion is that he thinks neither Shola, Cort or L3 are yet good enough to provide top quality cover for Shearer and Bellamy.

For me Shola looks excellent receiving the ball with his back to goal and has excellent ball control and dribbling. Unfortunately his awareness and reading of the game is poor which explains why he rarely seems to find himself on the end of passes in a goal scoring positions. This would cost us points if he were to start the majority of games. With his undoubted technical skills combined with some coaching effort and more starts it is likely that he will emerge as an EPL player. Perhaps a good way forward here would be, assuming adequate squad cover, an extended loan with a first division club.

Cort has poor ball control and doesn't pose the aerial or physical threat that his size suggests he should. His confidence and form has also suffered badly in recent months. On the plus side his positional play and awareness is very good and his footwork can also be impressive once he has the ball under control. He frequently gets himself in goal scoring positions and at least at the end of the 2000-2001 season looked like an accomplished finisher. Until his ball control improves I wouldn't start with him, but once his confidence improves, I feel that he would be a good guy to have on the bench if we were chasing a goal in the closing stages of a game.

L3 at present looks the best option out of these three players. His pace and unpredictability make him a good replacement for Bellamy, his finishing is good and he plainly worries opposing defences. He does lose the ball too cheaply too often however and on in too many instances the end product from him belies the quality of the approach work.

Going forward it appears that Bobby will attempt to sign another accomplished forward during the summer. If he does then I would expect the new guy to then be rotated with Shearer and Bellamy as the three first choice forwards. L3 and Cort would be expected to provide cover for these three from the bench. I would look to rehabilitate Cort over the course of next season with a view to selling him in the summer of 2003. If possible I would send Shola on loan to somewhere like Wolves or Derby for the season with this experience giving him the edge to be an adequate replacement for Cort in 2003-2004.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2002

I like the idea of Shola going out on loan. He went backwards last season imo, and needs games to give him the experience he needs. Without this I fear the lad will continue to stagnate. He undoubtedly has talent, but he needs the opportunity to build experience and playing maturity.

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2002