eardun

I think Pearson does too. Which is the issue I think because, for whatever reason, Pearson feels Atkinson is not fulfilling his potential. Atkinson had a rocky period last season as well - admitted he put on too much weight etc - and let’s hope that he can come back again. Hopefully Pearson’s motivation tactics work.

We’ve coped with 5-2-1-2 in the past (with Weimann the 1). In addition Sykes and Pring are comfortable moving into midfield areas to add weight there so at times it would be 3-4-1-2

Not been as frustrated with a ref as I was today for a long time. He lost control. I nearly did as well having to put up with him, as did Weimann!

Just think Sykes has had his rest, looked back on form, and adds a lot at RWB. I would put Weimann back to where he was so successful last season. I accept he needed a break from there as he wasn’t playing that well earlier in the season but I would shake it up again. I would rest one of Scott or Williams - certainly Scott had a poor game today I thought.

Not sure what has happened re Atkinson. Did he have a bad game before the break? He was part of the Lincoln shocker but I didn’t think he was the worst performer that night. Has he come back after the break not in great shape? Who knows. I assumed he was just ill but on Radio Bristol after the match Pearson made it very clear that he trusts King over Atkinson so there is something going on there.

I’d put Weimann back centrally behind the front 2 now. Where he was successful before. No surprise that when we had that good move today and he hit the post, he had moved into the centre.

Get Sykes back in at RWB now. Looked good when he came on

Didn’t appear to be a lack of hard work given Simpson said this below. No need for Simpson to be this positive about him if it was his attitude - he could have just stayed silent on the point. Sounded more like he just wasn’t showing good enough form in training to get in the team ahead of someone else. He became unhappy because he wanted to play. Needs to get his mojo/confidence back though. “I and we need players at this club who are happy. He wasn’t disruptive in any way, he’s a really good fella, he went about his business properly and he worked hard.“

A nice welcoming touch to thank us on the big screen for travelling 362 miles there and back.

Good win. Needed it. Hopefully this gives the players confidence to kick on and move up the table.

Good to see us back to our goal scoring form - now 30 goals and only the top two have scored more. Hopefully Naismith can stay fit now - he makes such a difference to the way we play.

Robins TV audio option (there is a cost though)

Ballsy to take that on 10mins into injury time - brilliant innovation

Was just going to say the same re Marlon’s - brilliant!

I was one of the 3k. I remember it solely because I arrived about 3 mins after kick off and had already missed the only goal of the game! I haven’t been late since!

Yes it would have been great to be there but it was just unbelievable listening to it on Radio Bristol. Listening to that will live with me forever.

BBC interview with Paul Simpson, including some nice words about us: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63635031

It’s crying out for the South Stand to be officially named the South End given our roots (even though it used to be the East End!)

Perhaps also good management from Pearson in selecting King at CB - he would know how Watford play so perhaps not as a great a risk as some fans thought before the match.

Yes I will be surprised if we don’t see this midfield set up again when we come back in December. It worked well. I know RWB isn’t Weimann’s favoured position but tbf he does it very well - he breaks forward with pace, crosses well and has the work rate to get back.

I was at the match and I thought Bilic gave a very fair assessment after the match (on the sky highlights). He basically said we were more aggressive, passed it better and more quickly than them but that Watford defended well and their keeper made a good save from Weimann and so all in all a draw was a good result for them. In terms of the context for the season as a whole, I do take comfort that in the last couple of weeks we have outplayed two teams in the top 4 (Sheff U being the other one) - need to come back firing with these levels of performance in December plus I’m hoping the break will help provide time for Naismith and Kalas to regain fitness.

Agree. Very emotional - brought a tear to my eye in the ground today. I liked how Pearson looked after him too. Nice that his family were involved as well.

I think this also shows why Pearson said he was disappointed that other players didn’t support Low. Lincoln had a field day down our right hand side in the first half.

This is the bit that I find extraordinary. Why on earth give someone a three year contract (when they had just lost the previous 3 matches and lost 5 of the previous 6) but then decide to sack him 16 days and 4 games (1 draw, 3 defeats) later? Mad.

Going to Southampton as Lincoln are would have been good enough (especially as I work in Southampton!)