Fuber

One of those solid players that tends to give a 6 minimum, 8 at the max. Does the simple stuff well and gives us license to press. Seasoned professional and assured in possession.

I'd sooner use the likes of Palmer as the adage of the MA era. Overrated, lazy, huge wages, stupid fee, for a position that was simply not needed.

Agreed, a part of me think he feels his time at City has run its course and feels its more cultural than football reasons, I.e. moving back to France wouldn't shock me. It's a possible self fulfilling cycle aside anyway, he may not sign on citing lack of game time, but due to said contract situation, and the form of James, Williams, Scott, how do you start him?

I think it's namely where there are some who do not want a repeat of the MA/LJ wastage, Under any circumstances, where possible. Concern-driven.

Said alot when I think the Blackburn forum commented themes along the lines of being reality-checked with regards to Adam Wharton's ability by Scott today. It's ironic as usually its Massengo oppositons fans don't shut up about. Good position for us to be in.

No much if he cant get in the squad or start to be honest. Think its more likely we sell in Jan for a nominal fee i.e £1m.

True - but to be fair to Nige, he could have held the Mourinho line and avoided the acid test of the youth. He's managed them as best he can and chucked them in the deep end, but with as much support as he can give and not been afraid to take out the firing line (see Towler last season). Equally given them time to intergrate with the first team over time and chucked them in and they've risen to the challenge (Conway). It's a common theme for injury prone players as well re Williams. He may not be the best manager tactically, which I'm sure even NP would admit, but he's a fantastic delegator and man manager. I cant remember the last time we got as much from a squad of players. relative to investment and league reputation.

Our recruitment was the problem - we weren't recruiting to a system but clubs in the bag. Luckily, the counter and press system Nige is implementing suites Wells' game, but I would also point out credit for Wells for going with system, improving his fitness, and most importantly his work rate. He's one of those players whereby I feel he's happy when he's playing well and trusted, which is now the case. He's bought into the system.

Think Bajic has possibly been bought in to replace in case he doesn't sign on. Much more sweeper style, but also a decent shot stopper which appeared ironically to be O'Leary's weakness when stepping up last season. Future planning seems like to me, I.e. get Stefan conditioned up to speed first 6 months and settled, then possibly loaned out to League One/Two in Jan if possible. Or I'm hopelessly wrong and this post can be ignored. Who knows.

Could easily rotate between Wells and Semenyo in turn. I would have said Benarous if not for the injury and where/if Weimann needed a rest. Scott doesn't get involved enough when played there I need my opinion. Just floating random thoughts to be honest.

I'd honestly drop Weimann before Semenyo.

Last of the Man United team left departs the building, and one the best parts of it for me. Exact kind of defender we're missing atm, brave committed, no-nonsense. Hope the club leaves the door open for him to do his coaching badges with us if that's an option he's thinking of taking up. Best of luck Bakes.

Its plausible his minds been elsewhere to be fair. His biggest strength has been his football intelligence since he's been with us. Add to that he's never played wide defender in a three, etc.

Most of the time we were crap and knicked a goal. Don't think we even really played on the counter attack - that would qualify as an identity and we never had one under LJ. ?

Klose wasn't on the bench to be fair. Nothing NP could really change to counter their balls into the box. No idea if it's a knock, injury etc.

Usually quite positive. However; Too many 5/10 performances today. Lazy and wasteful in possession and it's cost us. Weimann missing much of the game, possibly the knock. Didn't think much of Blackpool to be honest. They were there for the taking in spells. Naismith pass put Vyner in trouble, never mind the touch he took was the worst possible he could have taken in that scenario, the latter was literally something you'd see in park football. Shocking. Then gets outpaced and out muscled. Unfortunate as it's undone all the positives I thought he achieved at Cardiff. Atkinson must improve or he risks losing his place. Thought he was very poor today. Conway my man of the match, Semenyo, Wells, and Williams did well. Naismith one of the best on the pitch until their third. DaSilva, Scott, Massengo - on balance all did OK. Atkinson, Vyner, Bents, Weimann, all pretty poor compared, to at least, their individual standards and what we know they can do.

I'm probably skewed by the Luton/Cardiff performances and being too harsh. But a lot of basic errors. Conversely Naismith, Williams and Conway playing very well.

Massengo, Scott (assist aside), Weimann, Vyner and Atkinson pretty poor. DaSilva, Conway and Wells trying to make things happen. Bents pretty poor, crosses apparently mean hot-potato. Hope Pearson sticks the boot into them a bit at half time, Blackpool there for the taking. The Robins TV commentary is woeful. If I wanted nothing but propaganda I'd watch Russian State TV.

Fairplay for it - dont mind the banter personally. Just a shame your forum is like mentioning the war in Ukraine in Russia when it comes to tongue-in-cheek comments or any kind of satirical banter. Been banned three times in three posts on three differing accounts. ?

Got unlucky with the ricochet, Kadji got under it, didn't know where his man was.

Apologies for the wordy post as I'm tapping out notes as I go along with it. Wish the pod was this measured when there's a defeat would be my only point. Good counter arguments and points made re team selections (DaSilva Vs Pring) and other points. Not sure I'd have been as easy on Ian with regards to the Weimann 70% mooted sale, thought defending it with Exiled's tweet speculating interest wouldn't shock was a weak deflection - who is the source dammit! ? Sykes/Freeman was not as serious as the Blackpool/Burnley incident imo. Maatsen was much much more forceful, but that's just my opinion. Re the relegation to playoffs prospect swing in view. There's ebbing and flowing, then there's whiplash. Think the pod needs to prerequisite someone to look at the bright sides to any draw/defeat to compare and contrast to allow more balanced conversation, as so far when there has been a defeat it's just a fairly predictable droning critique usually blaming the manager (rightly or randomly). Bryan rightly written off on a return as unrealistic pending wages. Disagree crowding the ref. Luton barely did it and Sykes got sent off for example, simply off of Freeman's reaction. Gamesmanship is fine, but pressuring officials and 'bullying' them is a step too far imo, but again, that's personal opinion. Good Listen Overall.

Concussion subs have carried over from last season. Base subs moved from three to five. 1st is concussion sub, further five allowed. They made the further 5 subs in 3 breaks hence allowed.

To be honest I've always preferred him on the right. His outside foot isn't bad at all, and it gives him an option to to cut inside. Think Morison was just trying to switch it up trying to be clever, but ended up not allowing their forward players to get into a rythem.

Ironically I thought he was one of their best threats first half. Then in typical Callum fashion got bullied a bit second half and vanished. Shame it didn't work out, but just needs to be more ruthless and aggressive.

Worth Noting Zak was really shaky the first 20 along with Williams. Key thing a few in S19 noticed is, both Bents and especially Naismith gave them both an earful and encouragement. Culture difference to last season appearing, at least, to be night and day better. More collective. Same vibe as pats on the back when theyve done well. I.e. Bents and Nais to Atkinson at Luton after the save by the former. Kal's very communicative and combative just what we needed. Him and Klose very good communicators overall. That and game management much better as the season has progressed.