cityexile

Same as Huddersfield in that sense. Some way to go, but looking really good.

Timing is everything…

Lovely half. Only disappointment is given the quality of our finishing this season that it’s only one. The better side, clearly. Having said that they have had two chances, one in the first minute, where maybe they should have scored. Likely to need another, but on that half you would fancy us to get it. Still led in every match this season.

Goal…finally!

Difficult to argue WBA did not deserve something from that, but 98th minute will be a bit of a gutter for Burnley. After all their good work defensively, was a defender putting it across the box that led to it. Not just ours late on.

Three of our next four games away at teams currently in the top six. We know we can score goals. Will be really interesting to see how the high line and press holds up at places like Burnley, Norwich and here before the break. At Fulham last year Semenyo scored two crackers, and we still got dicked 5-2. Our midfield and defence will be tested to the fullest and hopefully we hold up better than we did then. Enjoying the journey so far this year. Don’t think it will be 0-0 and hopefully we can shade it. Any BRFC team deserves to be put to the sword as well!

I mean, yes, sure, cut out the mistakes that have cost us points of course. Just in terms of some balance for the Blackpool game, it was his cheeky free kick that directly led to us going 3-2 up in the first place. Yes, his was the major error that led to 3-3, but without his contributions it was arguably 2-2.

I was being somewhat tongue in cheek, but absolutely. At a guess it is Wells at the moment, one day we might find out!

Will come down to how much time each gets. I mean, given enough time on the pitch I think Martin would back himself to get ten. He seemed to be the designated penalty taker after all...

Just checked, yes, 13 and 12 respectively all told. The answer must be therefore five (inc cups) or three if league only. Gillingham in the JPT away was Smiths four I think.

JET and Matt Smith must both have been there are there abouts.

Agree with all of that. To add, it’s tough to keep a player if they feel they want to move. All the mood music is that our young stars are happy to stay for now. That might change in time, but is also credit to NP and his team. I don’t doubt NP looks at it all and would love to be able to strengthen in a couple of areas, but also don’t feel he has lost much sleep today. He just gets on with the hand he had been dealt.

That is in cold cash terms, the nub of it. If rumours are to be believed, Blackburn rejected £12m for Diaz and us £10m for AS. At the £20m bandied around buyers feel they can do better. Very happy ours are staying, but the issue down the road will be getting top dollar at the stage they want to move. Everything at the moment suggests they want to stay for now, which is great news.

I mean, he could also get injured there or not play that well. A club with more funds than us will be paying for real potential, but I do think an offer of £12m-£15m a month or so back with add ons we would be thinking about it. He is only worth what somebody is prepared to pay. The big issue is it gives NP no time to spend the money if we accept now.

With all the worry about us losing a player or two before the deadline, worth keeping half an eye on Diaz for Blackburn. Some rumoured interest from teams like Fulham, and would not be the worst thing to happen in the world if he went tomorrow…scored their winner tonight.

Some posts age better than others. This is a good one. NP appointed 22/2/21.

The issue for me is can Conway and Semenyo play together and build a partnership? It’s not always just about who are the best players. Those two plus Wells looks exciting, but does feel somewhat unbalanced. A great advantage Conway has had is playing so often alongside Wells in the U23s, so they kind of click. With 5 subs allowed and no doubt injuries at some stage, rotation is going to be key anyway.

Because, having got automatic, we are interested in seeing who is joining us?

I have always said given our restrictions finance wise, expecting anything more than mid table is a little unfair this year. I think that would represent real progress.I would be very pleased with that. Got to say, looking at the form of some of our youngsters, we can however dream a little! I am sure NPs frustration will be he can see where the one or two missing pieces of the jigsaw are and is not in a position to do too much about them. Think the next four games before the break tell us a fair bit. Blackburn away, Preston home, then Burnley and Norwich away. Tough little run that. Nothing we should be scared of and fancy us to score every match, but can our midfield/defence hold up against ‘fancied’ teams? O to have this forward line and a completely fit and in form Baker and Kalas, sigh. Not to be. Not dull is it, either way.

Minor stat fluke…we have played four matches on a Saturday and failed to win any of them. We have played five times outside of a Saturday and won the lot.

Preston win by 1-0. Seven clean sheets, some effort that.

Shout out I think to Vyner. Fair to say been on a journey with us, but another 90 and was not the one causing some collywobbles today. Did his job.

Important, hard fought win. Difficult four games now coming up until the break, but three straight 2-0 home wins, unbeaten in five in the league, it’s pretty decent! So many of these games come down to ‘moments’, they hit the bar, blink, it’s 2-0. The difference when soaking up pressure maintaining a real threat on the pitch is night and day. Loved that. Not perfect, still a missing piece or two, but blimey, can see what NP is about!

Loved that. Was getting nervy. Still am actually, but you know…slightly less!

Haha, was maybe falling in to recency bias as I thought Huddersfield had started to get some control of the game just before we scored and missed a very decent header. We look a proper side however.