Fuber

I'd add a fully fit Wilson (granted that won't be until late Jan).

Why would either touch us? Both in-around or above us in the league with better FFP situations.

That's incredibly harsh. Bentley's gets pelters on here for sticking to his line. We can debate this point all day, but when a defender is given a clear concise call by the keeper, it doesn't matter where in the box it is - Max will only ever call if he's certain of the claim. Its basic communication - something Bents never does when punching, for example, ever. He never gives a shout. If O'Leary doesn't call then fair enough, his mistake, but he's given an early clear shout (and definitely loud enough). I can't criticise a keeper who has communicated effectively and is attempting to command his area in a game when we're losing the aerial battle. Doesn't matter just because it's on the edge of the box. You listen to the call. Its basics. Again biased as a keeper, but that's just my view. Good for him. I agree with him if their was a Millwall player challenging There wasn't. If that's Klose in place of Kalas, it's an easy claim, or he shouts back 'Away' telling Max he's dealing. Said it once before and again - Kalas doesn't communicate.

He's very clearly called for it - the clip shows as much. As a former keeper - I'd be very ****ing livid with Tomas on that one. There's no Millwall player near, Rather him catch it and build a phase of play rather than it be headed out and having to contend a second ball. I've said this before, but Kalas time and again both giving and receiving shouts is awful at communications. That was one of the reasons we signed Klose in the first place - who actually communicates. Let alone the fact it also meant Rob got partially wiped as well. Its being towards the edge of area means nothing, he's not leaving the area whatsoever, its HIS area, he's completely in rights in make that call.

On a serious note - How I wish Niki Maenpaa hadn't been so injury prone.

This is the issue of those espousing Pearson to be sacked. There is utterly no point doing so if the prospective appointment is Jason Euell. All well and good wanting him replaced, but there aren't may many managers I'd be gunning after at the minute and no matter what we do its a risk - Personally - I wouldn't mind Wilder in spite of what happened at Boro, but aside from that I have no clue, at best probably the likes of Rob Edwards - but we would have to be able to beat out the likes of Boro, Cardiff, Huddersfield, and Hull, among others, who are all mostly in a better and more flexible situation than us from an FFP standpoint. All of a sudden the next two games are of much more importance. The other issue is just how many players are out of contract again next season - slightly concerning that there's been no update with regards to the like of Bentley and DaSilva's contracts, It's basically another reset. If we're going to change, make the decision after Millwall, no excuse to not get 3 points from the next two fixtures at minimum.

For all that I rate JD, his crossing has never been convincing, and even when it beats the first man, doesn't the second. Personally think Pring has better delivery and pace, but Jay better for interplay.

Depends, if we're on about only L2 to CH. As I can think of a couple up to us in League One, i.e. Basso from Woking for example. O'Dowda, Bolasie, two off the top of my head.

If against us I'd have been annoyed. Sure, would have been slightly soft. At worst. Equally however Hanley was completely clumsy. If we were in the PL that's gets given on VAR you would have thought. Not a truly dangerous position, not going towards goal, just a stupid stupid challenge. If that was Atkinson making that challenge I'd be swearing.

Even during that spell unde LJ, especially that Sheff Utd game, I feel that breakdown is slightly rose tinted. That Sheff Utd game for example, we were pretty toothless before Pato's goal, and struggled went they went down to ten men. Same applied to the Cardiff win in the same period, labouring in open play to create opening at time, scoring from a Magnússon long throw before Bogle(?) Got sent off. A mixture of cataclysmic defending, poor ball retention and urgency almost saw Cardiff equalise. I'd argue this period under Pearson, as each game passes, makes me think we're much more consistent with regards to a playstyle than we ever were under LJ when in open play. Add into that we clearly are playing to a system which was never settled under LJ for a prolonged period, due to rotation, injuries, and selection changes. On balance, they're equal. The only thing stopping this this being ahead of the LJ period mentioned, is individual errors, for me, but that's just my opinion.

This is the key thing. I use Twitter and only have friends posts and news sources on my feed. They just need to verify users ideally. 'But mer fredums!' Which is ironic as you'd still be able to post pretty much whatever you'd like, it's just that like in real life, you'd be likely facing consequences. Think before posting etc.

We were in the mess with regards to recruitment mostly due to his lack of identity and playing style that was instilled into the squad. Clubs in bag etc. He wasnt the total cause of the debt, but he was definitely partially responsible through his lack of direction, and as manager would have had access to the same material Ashton had to determine financial position. He also indicated multiple times that it was himself as head coach that signed off on signings. I split responsibility between all three of them. In the same manner of stars aligning may mean we get a playoff push, so two did they aline with dumb, dumber, and dumbest in LJ, MA, and JL respectively.

Irony being he wasn't a proper manager. A proper manager corrects off field issues or disciplinary problems. Wilson never did so. Arguably the off field problems such a sthe drinking culture were by far away their worst under Wilson - something ironically GJ had to correct. A proper manager is our current one. Correct culture, there for the players, shields them allowing to get on with it - a proper man manager.

He's a very overrated manager, but that's just in my opinion. Tactically stubborn, Inept read of how to alter a game, no plan B. Lucked out at two squads who had by far the best resources and some of the best coaching amd playing staff for the tier. We'll see how good he is under the same conditions outside of the PL without Parachute payments. With a similar squad, so far at least, Silva is doing much better and has them playing much more effective football, and getting more out of Mitrovic as well.

Just to point out, Blackburn had a team that was on average over 2 years younger across the pitch than us tonight. Just an oberservation. Cracking game, result and performance and I pray for many more like it.

One of those solid players that tends to give a 6 minimum, 8 at the max. Does the simple stuff well and gives us license to press. Seasoned professional and assured in possession.

I'd sooner use the likes of Palmer as the adage of the MA era. Overrated, lazy, huge wages, stupid fee, for a position that was simply not needed.

Agreed, a part of me think he feels his time at City has run its course and feels its more cultural than football reasons, I.e. moving back to France wouldn't shock me. It's a possible self fulfilling cycle aside anyway, he may not sign on citing lack of game time, but due to said contract situation, and the form of James, Williams, Scott, how do you start him?

I think it's namely where there are some who do not want a repeat of the MA/LJ wastage, Under any circumstances, where possible. Concern-driven.

Said alot when I think the Blackburn forum commented themes along the lines of being reality-checked with regards to Adam Wharton's ability by Scott today. It's ironic as usually its Massengo oppositons fans don't shut up about. Good position for us to be in.

No much if he cant get in the squad or start to be honest. Think its more likely we sell in Jan for a nominal fee i.e £1m.

True - but to be fair to Nige, he could have held the Mourinho line and avoided the acid test of the youth. He's managed them as best he can and chucked them in the deep end, but with as much support as he can give and not been afraid to take out the firing line (see Towler last season). Equally given them time to intergrate with the first team over time and chucked them in and they've risen to the challenge (Conway). It's a common theme for injury prone players as well re Williams. He may not be the best manager tactically, which I'm sure even NP would admit, but he's a fantastic delegator and man manager. I cant remember the last time we got as much from a squad of players. relative to investment and league reputation.

Our recruitment was the problem - we weren't recruiting to a system but clubs in the bag. Luckily, the counter and press system Nige is implementing suites Wells' game, but I would also point out credit for Wells for going with system, improving his fitness, and most importantly his work rate. He's one of those players whereby I feel he's happy when he's playing well and trusted, which is now the case. He's bought into the system.

Think Bajic has possibly been bought in to replace in case he doesn't sign on. Much more sweeper style, but also a decent shot stopper which appeared ironically to be O'Leary's weakness when stepping up last season. Future planning seems like to me, I.e. get Stefan conditioned up to speed first 6 months and settled, then possibly loaned out to League One/Two in Jan if possible. Or I'm hopelessly wrong and this post can be ignored. Who knows.

Could easily rotate between Wells and Semenyo in turn. I would have said Benarous if not for the injury and where/if Weimann needed a rest. Scott doesn't get involved enough when played there I need my opinion. Just floating random thoughts to be honest.