Just watching the Leeds vs Maritimo game on Sky. After a spell of close-ups of Harry Kewell, it got me comparing the Leeds side with ours. Based on overall opinion rather than just tonight's game. I'll start with the man who sparked the thought:

Harry Kewell vs Laurent Robert I used to think Kewell was one of the most exciting players in the EPL, secondperhaps only to Hairy Giggs. But looking at Kewell tonight (having just scored) I rate Robert as being as influential and exciting as Kewell.

Nigel Martyn vs Shay Given As shot-stoppers, nothing in it. For physical presence and command of his area, Martyn gets it. Leeds

Danny Mills vs Warren Barton/Andy Griffin I know loyalties are divided on Barton vs Griffin, but there's not a lot between either and Danny Mills. Draw

Rio Ferdinand vs Nicos Dabizas I'm not a great admirer of Sir Les' little nephew, but still say he's head of Nick the Greek tho he's prone to almost as many bollock-drops as Nick. Leeds

Dominic Matteo vs Andy O'Brien Not much in it. Draw

Ian Harte vs Robbie Elliott Based on his distribution and contribution to attack, I'd say Harte shades it. But RE has the potential to be at least as good. Draw

Erik Baake vs Nobby Solano Overall, I'd say Bakke contributes more over 90 mins than Solano. However, Nobby probably has more individual skill. But due to overall contribution, Bakke shades it -but not much in it. Leeds

David Batty vs Gary Speed/Clarence Acuná Batty's general ability to break-down an atach and find an outlet is something we've been missing since he left us. Speed will score more goals over a season but Acuná is less likely to. But for being a snarling little b@st@rd in midfield, Nora's well ahead. Leeds

Olivier Dacort vs Rob Lee I've not taken a lot of notice of OD in the past, but I have to say I'm impressed with his vision and ability to spark off an attack. In comparison, Rob Lee is probably more involved ("I've no idea what to do so I'll pass to reliable old Rob"). But for contribution to a winning team, it has to be Dacort. Leeds

Hairy K vs French Bob See above. Draw

Mark Viduka vs Alan Shearer I'm biased, but Shearer has more to his game than Viduka. That said, I'd swap him any day for Carl Cort, so looking to the future, I'd like Viduka, but happy at present with Big Al. Toon

Robbie Keane vs Craig Bellamy Hard to say - entirely different styles. When Keane gets the ball, you fancy he will score. When Bellamy gets it, you fear for the advertising hoardings. But overall, CB scares defenders with his pace and makes space for others to move into. Draw

So where does that leave us? Surprisingly, we're not a lot off what is perceived as one of the brightest teams in the country. The biggest area where they are ahead is in midfield. Ian "Kicks-yer-Heed" Bowyer wasn't playing, and as a player is far better than anything we have in central midfield. As a person, I can't stand him. So, yet more strength in midfield. Probably only empahises what we've been saying for ages. We need more strength in midfield, tho of course, there's always LKD when he's fit ;-) / :-(

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

Answers

Interesting viewpoint Screach, we must be getting bored because it ties in with something today which ironed out a few things in my head concerning the Toon , the doubts etc. I received my yearly catalog from the Toon Shop today but what caught my attention was the list from 1 to 40 of the full squad on the inside cover. reading the names I was saying to myself, `Hold on Buff, not a bad squad of players here The trick is removing them from the list and putting them in a team formation , it does not work so well , well that just about covers everything, took me a long time to sort out mind -:)

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

So are you looking forward to receiving your new sparkly sequinned Toon boxers, Buff? I heard they've asked you to model them, complete with backdrop of the bairns footie club.

BTW - Mine are really comfortable. Lot's of room for expansion.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

Boxer`s nah, same fashion guru as Pit Bill , auld copies of the NOW and looking for bargains on the Billy Connelly range of pants .

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

but guess what???? we beat 'em twice last season, and we'll stuff 'em again, dem sheep shaggin wussies!!!!

BTW...Baake better than Nobby????? I don't think so.....

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

In isolation, I'd say Solano was better than Baake. But all too often, he's more like dear old Tommy Cooper - a great talent always getting his tricks wrong. Sadly, TC brought a smile to my face far more than Nobby does :-(

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

For my money Ian Harte is streets ahead of Robbie Elliot, at least what I've seen of him since he came back to the club (which admittedly is only 4 games). Defensively there might not be too much between them but Harte is excellent going forward. Mills is miles better than Barton too, though Andy Griffin might prove to be as good if he gets a run in the side. I also think their central defensive partnership is miles ahead of ours regardless of how we maight rate them individually - that may in part be down to the influence of Martyn, you're spot on in saying that he commands his area better. I think you're right though, we're not miles behind them, unfortunately where we do lag behind is in crucial areas.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

My oft repeated boring riposte for 01 has been `TEAM`, last season it was `pace and movement` as Dan would verify. Apart from the big 3/4 I am sure we can score well in the *Mr Kipling Stakes , the finished product although containing a host of ingredients at times with the inncorrect application turns out to be of a inconsistent taste , with a capacity to collapse and snuff out the candles we have joyously placed the previous game. *So Buff cannot be accused of confusion, Kipling (a individual baked Tart}, nothing to do with a visit to Charlton, Valley of Death.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001

Get them rose tinted specs off screach!

Danny Mills and Ian Harte are MUCH better than their Toon counterparts....

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

Yet, as said above, we took them to the cleaners home and away last season. And with arguably a poorer team. We're not as good as we want to be, but not as bad as fear either. And we tend to raise our game with decent opposition too (Liverpool last season, ManU, Leeds, Chelsea).

As far as Dabs vs Her Name Is Rio - both are prone to mistakes. Trio's passing is better, but Dabs scores goals. draw

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2001

The thing is, some teams are better than the sum of their parts and there are other factors, like whether the key players were at the same Academy and grew up together, which is why this sort of comparison proves very little: I doubt NUFC would better MUFC in any department on paper but look what happened a couple of weeks ago.

-- Anonymous, September 29, 2001

Dougal, I think you must have been on the same stuff as me ;-))

-- Anonymous, September 29, 2001

Feredinand's from South Shields? Her Name Is Rio and she dance in the sand...

hat, coat, etc.....

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

Sorry, I was wrong. Leeds St John's Ambulance team are better than any of our above named players.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001