Centre half reshuffle

Interesting words by Sir Alan (Shearer not Sugar) as we look set to finally drop the deadwood Coloccini ahead of the mega-clash with Stoke at the weekend. Speaking today, with injuries having been reassessed, our former number nine talked of Taylor, Beye and Bassong without mentioning the third member of our Deportivo unholy trinity.

Following on from Luque and Xisco, our sum total of £25m worth of 'talent` signed from the Iberian peninsular has had a spectacularly shocking effect on the team. Perhaps a note to stay clear of them in future dealings.

Anyway the Lion of Gosforth said:

'Habib Beye was magnificent. When you consider how long he's been out injured, for him to come through and play centre-half the way he did was very, very good. I have played against him so I know his quality. I reminded him of that. I also said if Sebastien Bassong wasn't playing, we might need him at centre-half. I asked him - how many times have you played there?'

He told me he had played against me for Marseille and I said: that's why I' m asking you! But I thought he was brilliant. We'll look at what we've got. We might have one or two back from injury, but we don't know that yet. Bassong was nearly there.

It would have been a bit of a risk to play him, hence the reason he didn't play. By being sensible and not playing him we're hoping he'll be available for Saturday. Taylor's a little bit further behind but we're still hopeful he'll be OK."

For the very latest Premier League odds

Free £15 bet when you spend £5 on The New Football Pools




Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.