I say we should go for the youngsters. Bellamy and Shola in attack, sure they can use all the time they get to learn to play togheter (damn, how do u spell that word??).

Quinn, left midfield - well, we do we have ANYONE else who can play there, exept for Elliot...?

Let Gavilan play in midfield. McLean also. Any other young prospect here?

Give Farcelino a chance in defence along with Caldwell, Obrien or Hughes - let Dabizas rest.

And Harper in goal.

Maybe we could try Bellamy on the left and Lua2 and Shola in attack. No, lets buy another left midfielder till next week, ok Freddie?

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

Answers

Whoever plays, we should still go for another win. No sense getting back in teh habit of thinking we can cruise. We should get used to the idea of winning every game and do our best to make it happen.

Having said that, I think it's a good idea to rest Hughes since he picked up a (hopefully not serious!) knock today. Play Steve Caldwell. Marcelino in the shop window(rest Dabs...we know what he can do and will need him for future matches). If he can't look good against Lokeren he's really hopeless!

I'd like to keep Bellamy and Shola up front, Elliot and Quinn on the left side. They all need the match practice and get used to playing together. Keep Bassedas as well. He seemed to be doing well today in his preferred central midfield role. Let him keep going and see what develops.

Agree about starting Harper. Given will most likely play our league matches unless injured, so Harper should get cup ties.

I wouldn't make any other changes to the starting line up, unless Griffin is fit then put him on in place of Barton. I'd like to see Gavilan play the second half in place of Solano.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2001

McClen for Speed...though you need a couple of the old heads in there, eg him and Barton. LLL down the left for Quinn. Like to see variety up front but there's no fit options.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Just checked, we have to play Lokeren again

I haven't got a coat I'm a geordie blerk

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Ya Griffin should play if he's fit. Think we could Gavilan the chance in right midfield. Agree we should go for a win but we almost have the best XI avaliable then so why not give him the chance from start. We know what Solano can do and he we should use the first team players so little we can in the intertoto.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Agree with Ciara's comments - no cruising - no complacency - the killer instinct is essential.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Exactly the start I'd have wished for, and foot kept hard down for the next episode. I'd keep the same lineup, at least until we've finshed them off, then maybe experiment a bit.

I'd be OTM if the likes of Shearer and Dyer etc. were put in the position of not being guaranteed to start because their standins are playing too well.

Ee isn't it lovely when you can sit on your favourite commode with a nice wooly shawl draped round your bent owld shoulders and just drift off into fantasy land ?

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

IMHO play the best team that we have fit. None of this give the kids a chance rubbish. As well as being important for UEFA cup entry. It's our pre-season. We need our players to be as match fit as possible for the start of the season.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001