ciderwithtommy

It’s a clear change in our approach to transfers, we are no longer a “trading” club is how I see it. Previously under the last regime any breakthrough player had a price and this price was made public to the footballing agents/world so that we could trade. I think now we will sell when it suits, and try to build around our best players, rather than hawk them around and try to buy (through trusted agents!!?) their replacement. of course there will always be a pecking order, and we know our place, but I don’t think we are “actively” trying to trade anymore. If we had of had this approach in 2017 I think we would be in the prem now, or at least have been there. Huge step forwards.

Ever so slightly rattled natives tonight online, if they don’t go up Swiss Tony is in trouble

There are very few players that have the knack of improving, quickly, and stepping up to each challenge. At a higher level Vardy, also Pack and Flint at city, and Fielding. These types of players are rare, and exciting - where is his ceiling? Who knows, but I think he still has levels to go through, let’s hope they are here.

My totally uninformed take on it…. Firstly, we are a small club in this league, less pressure on the ref both in the game and afterwards - I also think our senior pros aren’t great at influencing refs. secondly, all the odd ref bashing Johnson did, when in truth we were abject in some games, lives in the memory of refs. mainly tho, we are poor at influencing refs in game. We need a “talker” who puts the ref under pressure cleverly, ala Livermore at WBA or how Derry used to at QPR

Watched second half, delighted to see we are getting the club aligned from the 21’s to the first team. First half Sunday and second half today were carbon copies. HPC ffs can’t even say it without laughing.

Mark Gavin - the dreamy Scottish maverick. At a young age I learnt what heartbreak felt like

He’s one game (likely benched) away from playing in a World Cup! The decision to award the tournament to Qatar is appalling on so so many levels, it’s left me seriously considering turning my back on it. One of the less major damning reasons a World Cup should not be in Nov is exactly the position so many players are in right now. Bale not playing until the last 10 mins of the final game of the season to stay fit - imagine his salary etc for him to do that. It is poor from Semenyo- and it might well mark the end of his time here negatively, but if he goes to the WC, plays a role in Ghana achieving something, he will be worth a lot to us in Jan, when we surely will sell him.

Why the hell did he stop the game for someone to get cramp treated? It’s so simple, hobble off and get the physio to deal with it, don’t stop the game. It’s genuinely stopping cos the lad isn’t fit enough, insanity. As other have said - he lost control of the game which was exactly what Sheff wanted, he was spineless. No doubt apology is pending. My gripe is that we just don’t do enough to influence weak refs ourselves. We play victim, when we need to learn how to manipulate spineless weasels like last nights ref.

The ref was shit - no doubt. But we are still not streetwise enough. We don’t “get in” the ear of the ref enough, and that matters. When basham was getting treatment Robinson was in the refs ear, pointing out all the things he thought were wrong, ref was smiling and had a little cuddle before it restarted. Things like this matter. We need to influence more, and moan less. Frustrating and yet again we have officials who imo lost control of the game. the offside was blatant, sharp knew. also - the ref was always ok to book a player, but didn’t want to know once any of their lads had been booked. I hope he reads this (minimal chance haha) cos he is a spineless weasel.

Just spoke to Shane long in an Irish bar - this sounds like a joke I know, told me directly they knew we were soft at CB and needed to press us. Said they knew how good we can be, but they stopped us. Really really nice guy tbf, but please please please can our CBs read this and toughen up

I might be the only one - but I thought Livermore’s was a red. Really naughty challenge, Klose was lucky that he got away with a minor knock. that said I can’t stand him as a player, gets multiple let offs per game from refs as he’s a “name” and seemingly a mate of theirs. The 3-2 at ours years ago he must have committed about 4 yellow cards fouls before finally being booked.

I posted on my way home from Birmingham, and it wasn’t positive - but I agree it’s all about the players reacting and giving us something to get behind. My biggest criticism of Saturday was that a big away following was given nothing to shout about (positively), not one big tackle, or run in behind. Compared to Cardiff at home where we showed exactly how to do just that. I was pretty shocked at Saturdays effort, made me think whether we have entered the “players finding out who has a new contract/terms of new deals” scenario, much like 2 years ago? Still at a loss as to why so many players sacked off Saturday.

Today was a joke. Osman was awful but he didn’t have an iota of what this current team does in terms of resources. Shambolic, unacceptable and indefensible, today was worthy of all 3.

Joke. No idea what constitutes worse than today. But I’m sure you do. But either way, totally unacceptable editing to bite a little. Probably 30% of our away games since 89 if that entitles me to an opinion

Nope. Absolute disgrace.

Worst ever away performance I’ve seen, started watching in 89. That bad.

Lack of pace, power and invention out wide. Painful to watch some of that tonight, as I think we are asking players to do things they don’t have in the locker, specifically Sykes and Dasilva. Sykes drop off in quality is startling, and JD just offers so very little against a deep defence. but lack of squad depth is a fair reason for this - however would Pring and Wilson have offered more, would be nice to see, specifically last 30 mins today when it was obvious that the lads on the pitch couldnt create.

I just wish we had stayed more patient at 3-2, that was the worst performance period in what otherwise was a great performance. Trust ourselves and the way we play, and we will be good this season

Said it before, it’s so refreshing that we are now a club that clearly send a message to the market that our key players are only available at the right time, and price, for us. I do not believe for one second the Pack sale on transfer deadline day would even be considered anymore, because we are being run properly. yes our top players are of course going to move on if we can’t offer them prem wages/games, but it should be controlled and planned for. I have full confidence that if Semenyo were to leave, we already have plans in place, hence why Nige said it’s too late in the day this week. We are prioritising the club over the ego of the ceo (and maybe their bank balance). Pleasure to support us at the moment, long may it continue.

Goals we conceded last year by virtue of not being able to keep the ball/inviting waves of pressure are being lowered, goals from seemingly poor mistakes (playing out at this level is tough) will increase. Overall, we will conceded less, and be more of a threat on the ball, forcing teams to play more conservatively against us. all systems have pros and cons. We have to accept a few heart in the mouth moments, but far better then watching us get battered for 20 minutes constantly as per the last few seasons

He is seriously good. Movement is exceptional, and his awareness of space. Add his work rate and finishing, we are fast becoming a nightmare of a team to play against. Hats off to the academy, Semenyo Scott and Conway (I know they have all had different paths) are players you want to watch!

He looks the real deal to me. Pace, movement, aggression, instinctive goals. Every game I’ve seen him in the first team he has either scored, or come close. But most importantly, he seems eager and able to learn quickly, reminds me a little if Joe Bryan in that respect, however he is doing at a higher level, earlier in his career. Could he be the semenyo replacement - and go beyond him?

This is where the King signing has to be looked at, can we really use him when needed and expect much from him? Feels like he is a good last resort option, but it looks like he could well be called in for long parts of this season. Given Williams and James injury record, and Kings for that matter, CM looks so light.

Completely hypothetical- and of course open to debate, but this current team/squad, I would want Cotts in charge out of the the list given. Excellent at giving players a platform to play to their strengths, and creates and us v them attitude. After that, maybe GJ but think he struggled with more established pros, and Pearson. The rest, not so much. Honourable mention to Coppell of course

I don’t think we will sell him this summer, I think our model has changed slightly. Under previous CEO Semenyo would be all but gone already, with all parties involved gaining a nice bit of dough and limelight along the way. In fact I would imagine we would’ve been actively talking to agents. Of course, under the old model a replacement would’ve been bought, who again would’ve suited all parties from a financial perspective. New regime won’t turn down a crazy offer - which I think only a few prem clubs would do, but will try and get him to Jan 23 minimum before we cash in. Fairly confident he will be here first game of season, really hope I am right!