Stayed too long in the pub last night so too late to post this.

Well it was pretty poor fare it has to be said.

You know our line up. There's was mainly a load of kids, average age about 19 plus Dean Holdsworth. From the start they looked far more interested in proceedings than our lot.

Brain - at fault for both goals Barton - same old Barton but strange seeing him there. Felt sorry for him. Griffin - one of our better players. Committed enough to get into pushing and shoving the opposition. Caldwell - not too bad Distin - a bit too fancy and gave the ball away Bassedas - never going to make it Acuna - his usual self to no effect but did have a good shot saved. Ameobi - couldn't be arsed to be there Lua Lua - big disappointment. Poor control and running up blind allies. Bernard - another disappointment. Looked nothing like he did against Barnsley and again kept losing the ball.

As for Dyer - didn't really have much of an impact to be honest. Made a couple of good runs but that was it. I suppose he achieved the object of the match for himself - to build up match fitness. he came off on 90 minutes. He was signing autographs down at the front and admitted he 'felt knackered'. Says he will be a sub at Ipswich on Sunday. Gave his shirt to a little lad - aaaaaaaaaaaah.

Gavilan replaced Dyer and looked OK really.

Overall poor - no penetration and lacklustre midfield. (like the first team really). However it was a good night, freezing cold but we had a good laugh with some of the Bolton fans, 2 dodgy cups of tea, no pies as they'd sold out. Also good to be so near the pitch and hear what was being said by the players.

Highlight of the night - their number 9 was Akinori Nishizanwa, Japanese obviously. He was running our defence ragged at times until at one point this big Geordie voice boomed out 'HOW MAN SORT THAT FUKCING JAP OOOT!' Everyone fell about laughing. (Despite the dodgy racist undertone!)

I had such a good time that I'm going to see the reserves play City next week. Hopefully I will see more of the younger lads and get a better result.

BTW - I have in the past often wondered why some of the fringe players aren't in the first team, eg Bernard. Now I know why.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Answers

Whoops should have given Shola some credit for his goal. I think it was a header on aobut 80 mins but I could be wrong!

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Sorry about the punctuation and grammar - too early for me.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Thanks Linda- you have depressed me no end. If Nishizawa was running the defence ragged then we have real problems (I know it's the reserves but....). The lad is dreadful.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

To be fair Kegsy, it was only for a brief spell. He didn't do very much for most of the game. It was just a poor performance from our lads overall.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Cheers for that, not exactly what I was hoping for but what I expected )c:

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Lynda - where's the city game next week - last time I watched this fixture it was at Hyde United ... I may be able to make it.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Hey Josh, you really do know how to chat up the wimmin. Enjoy the game. You up this way in the near future??? Or ManUre down your way???

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

Screach Old chap - you never lose the magic (as you'd know). I think the reserves are at Hyde on Thursday - there was something about us swapping the games Home to Away the other week. NUFC.COM still have it as our home game.Its our Xmas lunch that day so I may not be able to drive.

I'm not up in Gods country now until next year - I'll be down here (obviously) for OT game but unless I can get a ticket for James as well I'll probably just use my investment in Rupert Murdochs fine TV Channel. If you're down and in the Bridge I'm certain I'll manage a jar beforehand whatever.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001