Magicdaps

Happy New Year fellow reds. Onwards we march...suffering, occasionally celebrating, consoling one another, and generally whinging & complaining, all side by side. COYR.

Been saying to my son for a few weeks (yeah, bore off Dad...) that Andi should either be pushed further forward, or replaced by Scott in the 10 role to allow two in behind him. Preferably that would be James + 1, either Williams (who's looking better the more he plays regularly IMHO) or King, HNM etc. as it both balances the side better, and gives Scott the freedom to really impact the game without any real risk attached, plus we look far more solid. I can see the logic of reverting to Scott playing deeper against certain teams, with Andi poised for the counter, but tonight's set up would be my default starting point with James as a guaranteed starter + 1 in behind, and loads of freshness/options up top.

I wonder if they're home yet? I noticed four of them getting in a Micra after the game and didn't envy that 200 mile return journey, especially after conceding a late goal to go home empty handed. It must have been like a silent movie crossed with the Inbetweeners.

Very talented player at his peak. As others have said, you do worry a little for him without the structural discipline of day to day football in his life.

RIP fellow red.

I totally get what you mean, but I think people tend to view being sacked by Watford through a slightly different lens given the managerial churn that they continue to persist with, so I don't think he'll be that reputationally damaged by the experience, but he will be financially better off. I also agree that he will have to drop back a league to get another chance but that's only returning to where he would have been anyway had he stayed at FGR. All in all, after only a relatively short but successful spell at FGR he's done pretty well for himself, and will likely get another opportunity in or around where he would have been anyway, just with the Watford coin in his back pocket.

Watford manager has to be the best gig in football surely? Minimum work in terms of length of contracted time served, followed by maximum payout. I'm sure others have made this point, but I didn't have the patience to read the entire thread.

Has the window closed for us to get some quality local journalism in?

I assume Semenyo will eventually sign for Forest at some point this evening given he's one of only a handful of players in the professional game yet to do so.

Is the Lincoln game on the red button? ?

Especially when one of the songs is "Sky Sports, is ******* s**t, Sky Sports is...etc"

Biggest difference is the intensity that we have at the top end of the pitch with Andi, Tommy & Nahki. I don't mind Chris Martin, but the way we play without him is much more threatening and uncomfortable for opposition defences, especially when they all press both offensively and defensively. Add Antoine into that equation and it bodes very well as his return will either strengthen us further or perhaps more importantly we know we shouldn't be too fearful if he does leave in this window. I hope he doesn't leave of course, and I'm not naive enough to think we wouldn't miss him over the longer term, but these recent performances make the prospect slightly less worrying than it was a few weeks ago.

Looks ready made for a DM role to me. Can pick a pass, read the game etc. but lacks the recovery pace to be last man. I expected more from him today but it was a strange game. Not really sure what to make of him or the overall performance at this stage.

Spot on. 100% agree. Succession planning is vital. If you do it properly, then rather than waiting for a key player to leave and then either panic buying a replacement or not replacing at all you at least give yourselves a fighting chance of managing things better. It won't always work and each scenario has it's own nuances of course but it's a much better approach than just reacting when, as is inevitable given our place in the football food chain, a key player or bright young talent is sold. You would hope that we had a theoretical target/watch list in place as a contingency for all positions, or at least all key players.

Welcome back Danny Wilson.

What a great player. His time with us was short but he made more of an impression in that period than plenty of others who have made significantly more appearances than him over the years.

Excellent signing. Impressive work by the club. Making me regret buying a season ticket a little less each day ???

@Davefevs ? https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/job-vacancy-mens-lead-performance-analyst/

Wow. Football has come a very long way since the magic sponge. I'd quite liked to have seen Busters reaction to all of this.

Just sorted mine and my son's. We both had last season off but have been pulled back in again. Bloody Friday night beers. Here's to checking the T's & C's after 3 games to see if can get my money back ?

Sad news. My brother once fitted some carpets for him which I thought was amazing when I was a kid given his status in darts at the time.

Ian or Ryley?

Channel 861 - Red Button - Works! Sadly I've found it now.

Got it! Thanks ?

Is anyone successfully getting the game via red button? When I select the City game on the red button it shows the West Brom Cardiff match...