The Squad 2002/2003

[Robledo]

Just thought I'd steal a few thread ideas from the other boards :D

[Robledo]

What are the chances of Titus Bramble being thrown into the starting 11 from the off? I think he'll play Dabz/OBrien to begin with and gradually introduce Bramble at a later stage.

Dabizas will probably be given the nod in the CL cuz of his previous CL experience with Olympiakos. I could be wrong though, SBR might spring a few surprises

[Robledo]

SBR has finally realised Robert can play up front (says todays local paper) :D

I was saying this all last season when we lost Bellas thru injury. We could then accomodate Viana on the left where I seen him play (Euro U-21's) despite SBR insisting he was a 'central midfielder'

Lua Lua/Shola/Cort and Chops might not the idea though:mad:

[Looney]

I still think Robert's the best on the left wing ('cause I haven't seen Viana play). I wonder if Viana can play sorta upfront, supporting Shearer in an attacking midfield position.

[Robledo]

Speed will start ahead of Hugo Viana to begin with. Here's what SBR said:

"Gary Speed is the benchmark for Hugo.

"If he wants to play first-team football then he's got to knock a player of Gary's quality out of the way, and that won't be easy.

"Gary is still a very important player at this club and he has kept himself in great shape over the summer.

"I am facing some very tough decisions with just two weeks to go before the start of the season and some very talented players might be disappointed when they see that first team sheet."

[Looney]

my preferred lineup this season:

--------------------Given----------------------

Hughes----Dabizas--O'Brien----Bernard

Nobby------Dyer-------Speed-----Robert

------------Shearer-----Bellamy------------

wait, that's the same as last season.......

[Robledo]

According to local reports: "Now United's £10 million man (Laurent Robert) could be back on the international scene for next month's European Championship qualifiers with Slovenia in Paris and Malta in Valetta."

Leading French journalist Xavier Rivoir of L'Equipe told the Evening Chronicle: "After their disastrous World Cup exit, France are in the process of rebuilding their side and Laurent Robert is one of several players who are coming back into the picture.
"I am not saying that Robert will be selected for the games with Slovenia and Malta but at least he is back in the reckoning."

France sacked their manager Roger Lemerre after their embarrassing show in the World Cup finals - a manager who was not a fan of Robert.

But new French boss Jacques Santini has come in with an open mind and Robert now at least has a chance of adding to his nine caps. He has not played for France since his £10 million switch from Paris St Germain to St James's Park in the summer of 2001. But, in June last year, Robert played in four Federation Cup internationals against Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Japan



Bit strange, brilliant last season but didn't get a sniff of call up.

[Robledo]

Brian Kerr has joined Coventry on a months loan. Highly unlikely to get a chance in the Toon 1st team, so this can only do him good.

I hope to see Chopra be given a run out in the Worthy Cup at least. He's banging the goals in for the reserves.

Wayne Rooney's only 16, so lets see this Toon prodigy be given a chance.

[Looney]

Robert won the Confed Cup? And he's still with us? Definitely not like that mainlander who won the World Cup and couldn't do jack with us......

Wayne Rooney's now called the most talked about youngster in English football, that used to be Chopra........ it's time we unleash him upon the unsuspecting England!

[Robledo]

Richard Offiong has joined Darlington on loan, and prompty scored twice on his full debut.

Lets just hope we don't have a massive striker crisis, as the game he played was in the F.A Cup, and is now cup tied

Anyway it bodes well for the Toon future

[Looney]

Offiong from all I've heard is Chopra's perfect partner in crime, someday we'll have to play them in the senior team togather and they can rip defenses apart like they did in the juniors.

[Robledo]

do you think it's worth going in for Brett Emerton this summer? He'll be out of contract. Solano has been a shadow of himself this season and needs a kick up the arse

[Looney]

Maybe, but if Nobby's playing poorly we can always get JJ to play there and Hugo to play CM. Let's look into getting someone to replace Nikos actually, an experienced (and aged, kids will still be kids) centreback. Daddyass' hasn't played nearly as well as he did last season and he's approaching 30.