AFTER three weeks of what seems like continually disruptive behaviour you would think Bryan Rob son would be tired of his strong-willed Brazilian, Emerson. And yet the Middlesbrough manager, while having his patience pushed to the limits, insists that Emerson will play in tonight's fourth-round English League Cup tie against Newcastle at the Riverside Stadium.
Emerson's latest indiscretion has at least seen him incur a fine from Robson: Emerson turned up a day late for training having been given permission because of his suspension from the Premiership to travel to Portugal last weekend. "Emerson is a top-quality player but he is not bigger than the club," Robson said. "He will be fined."
But Rob son was also adamant that Emerson deserves a place in midfield. "I'm sure Emerson will be focused on the game," Robson said. "I don't think there is a problem over that and I'm convinced the fans will give him a tremendous reception."
Fabrizio Ravanelli became Robson's most significant worry: he has a stomach bug. But the manager hopes the Italian will recover in time to face Alan Shearer and co. Middlesbrough have gone five games without a win, which is the same number of matches in which Shearer has scored consecutively. If he does so again tonight he will equal his personal record.
Having been booed off Anfield for the first time in the Roy Evans era, Liverpool will be looking to end their slight stutter in form although it will be far from easy against a rejuvenated Arsenal. A Dennis Bergkamp thigh strain is Arsenal's only worry, though Arsene Wenger has no doubt about the ability of Bergkamp's replacement, John Hartson.
Evans must wish his situation was as clear-cut. His problem is an embarrassment of riches, which in managerspeak is usually described as "nice" and rarely does a manager add: "for the fans, if not for me". But the selection of one player above another is fairly central to football management and Evans has to decide which four to choose from John Barnes, Jamie Redknapp, Michael Thomas, Stan Collymore, Patrik Berger and Steve McManaman (if fit).
Evans's choice may hinge on who he feels will handle disappointment most calmly. Certainly Thomas's demeanour did not suggest happiness when he was replaced against Wimbledon by Berger, while Evans would risk another Collymore wobbler if he was to be dropped after a goal-scoring performance.
Redknapp waited patiently to get back into the side while Barnes is an Anfield legend and the last connection with a Championship-winning past. McManaman's lack of match fitness could ease Evans's behind-the-scenes complexities.
A man for whom decision making comes naturally is Alex Ferguson and once again youth gets the call above experience for Manchester United's visit to Leicester. Peter Schmeichel and Eric Cantona will sit out the game but John O'Kane, Ben Thornley and Michael Clegg keep the positions they did so well in on Saturday at Middlesbrough.
Gary Pallister, however, is a player with his youth behind him and must be concerned about just how much football there is in the future. Pallister's long-term back injury was not helped by a car accident earlier this week and the centre half has been told by Ferguson to either prove his fitness at Filbert Street or at Old Trafford at the weekend or he will not be making the trip to Vienna next Monday.
