Swede

Rather than many with rose tinted glasses pining for him & thinking we messed up by letting him go, he didn't exactly set the world alight when he was here and rather it was an opportunity HE missed. Good luck to him, sometimes it just doesn't work out. I would like to think that he used the disappointing experience he gained here to re double his efforts elsewhere. It certainly should make for a lucrative transfer for him this summer.

I learn' t a very long time ago never to leave before the end of the match. That match was an F A Cup 3rd round match 1978 at Ashton Gate v Wrexham of the Third Division who were winning 4:2 with 5 minutes to go. I left early, thoroughly disgruntled. We scored twice in the final minutes to take it to a replay [which we lost, miserably 3:0] The last time I had to leave early was when we broke Southampton's calendar year home record at St Marys [because the car park I was using was closing] I really can't understand why a lot of people do leave early irrespective if its dross you're watching. It must be pretty demoralising for the players seeing all those fans leaving. It makes sitting through Cardiff tearing us a new one with a 6:0 home drubbing all the more sweeter when Nahki Wells slots home that last minute injury time penalty & let's face it, if they hadn't been time wasting warnock style, the excellent referee would've blown up for time earlier.

No one has said Manning was the 2nd coming, far from it. Most are still questioning the sacking of Pearson who had done a great job of tidying up the 5hit show he inherited. Before anyone jumps on the "move on" bandwagon the reason fans still are questioning the sacking is because the club have been perceived in being less than economical with the reasoning. There are a few questions that remain unanswered. Manning's tenure seems to hinge on the club (not Manning) getting the correct players in the summer. It will be an interesting summer and whilst I am sceptical you have to say that the business done from last summer has been largely very good.

Actually today, in a tight game you could see a value. He popped up many times in good positions, in between the lines. These fine margins could be the difference between winning and losing. This is what I think Manning sees. He's a very intelligent player always thinking on the front foot. Unfortunately for him I don't think he affects enough of what we need in a game. This is down to his slight physique & perceived lack of pace. So he's never going to out pace or out muscle a defender. He is never worth £4M, I would say more like less than half of that.

In all fairness having both of this season's centre backs missing made a huge difference. With that makeshift back three they were always going to be tentative & safety first and that set the tempo for a largely uninspiring game. Huddersfield looked dangerous, had more tenacity which meant they were on the front foot and were pretty solid across the park. More than once I saw Tanner either caught the wrong side of their central striker (No.7) or just not strong enough to impose himself on him. When we applied a bit of tempo you could see that unsettled them a little. Rudoni was their best player, shame we couldn't sign him when the opportunity arose. Hopefully both centre backs will be back next week.

What about Joe Royle's 4 goal debut v Boro!

Please, someone tell me that for authenticity that is also a tent.

Dickie. Been fantastic all season. Sykes. Such an influential player & we really missed him when he was injured. James. We simply play far better when he plays. Pring. He is such a strong player on the left side. Knight. What a signing he's turned out to be & now seems to be playing in a much more influential position.

Stoke or Birmingham? Birmingham all day long. A few seasons without eyoweeheads and that excruciating KRO song would do nicely.

As one of my favourite actors famously once said "they are a shower, an absolute shower!" (One for the oldies!)

Respectfully no. We may have problems of our own but they pale into insignificance with the "family" club.

What a dump

By employing a new coach to take this Championship challenging squad to another level by playing fast paced front foot football. Its all in the behaviours, don't you know.

From what I've seen on the training clips he's finding it hard to fit in. An outsider, the competitive nature of being a footballer means that you are a team mate but also a rival for a position in the squad or a new contract. He's low on confidence and I get the impression he's come with the big Man City fanfare build up and has been unable to live up to it. He knows it, the players know it and its only a matter of time before he's gone again. Its sad, its not very nice seeing someone in life struggle to live up to expectations & it would be lovely if he could recapture his confidence for all concerned, club, fans, fellow players and more importantly Dire himself. Good luck fella.

Bolton 2 : 0 Bolting (as in horse punchers)

I would renew both contracts, without question. Both offer so much in experience which is irreplaceable. Losing King is bad enough, losing both of these players as well would be catastrophic. We'd end up forking out a lot of money short term for someone like Luongo or Morsy to try and stabilise us. Sadly, I have a feeling Williams will be off back up North.

I mean all joking aside, that is terrible. How anyone can provide "facilities" like this and deem it acceptable is beyond me.

Do they serve red rum at that "bar"

Its because Alex Scott is a generational talent destined for bigger & better things. That was clearly evident whilst he was here. To be the EFL player of the season playing for a mid table provincial side in a footballing backwater takes some doing. Bournemouth also realise it and if he carries on the same trajectory he'll be off to a bigger club before long.

I quite agree. I must confess its the first times I can recall. That shows progress! Or that he avidly reads OTIB.

I remain cautiously optimistic. These were two games we could easily have lost on paper. Manning set his team up and had a game plan for Leicester. I saw him coaching his way through the match. He made positive, not reactive subs. This carried over to Plymouth where he was not afraid to change something he didn't like tactical wise and was quick to point out that it wasn't performance issues that led to the changes. This is what I want to see a lot more of. We have a good chance of making it three wins on the spin so let's go for it, be bold!

Today is the acid test if Manning can be a success here. Good Friday was yet another yard mark from where we have to kick on from. He can't afford another dip in performance on and off the pitch. For every top team we play there are 5 or 6 average Championship teams (and I'm not being disrespectful) Its no good beating a top team and then fail miserably against the rest.

Top quality shithousery!

Argyle are streets ahead in size and fanbase to the deluded few. I've said on many occasions that until they realise and accept where they are in that they are a small lower league club they will never get anywhere. They never will, its what they do.

I'll have you know POH that that is what's commonly known as a "large contingent from bristol rovers" Amazingly, I haven't seen any evidence or statements from any of their wet brained amoebas banging on about the obvious massive support at Vale Park.