Swede

Correct me if I'm wrong but Bird is a box to box defensive midfielder, so that would be a more dynamic replacement for a Williams or James (obviously without their experience) or a Naismith if he ever gets fit again. So it would seem that the club is moving towards releasing King and James at the end of their contracts and with Williams there will be an offer of a new one but no guarantee he will accept.

I understand the sentiment but I'd like to think we'll turn the tables at some point and buy the likes of Solanke from that nothing club. That will only happen if we get into the Premier League.

I think we're seeing of late exactly the the reason we signed him in the first place. Re signing him is a no brainer. I would re sign James as well but I guess we can't have everyone. We will be losing King (sadly) so there's where Bird steps in. It seems to me that a lot depends on where the club sees the midfield structure. All sentiment aside, when both James and Williams were signed it would've been on lucrative contracts & someone correct me if I'm wrong but the rules governing football contracts are that we have to offer the same terms (or more) or they can go to the open market.

"Stupid question"

Shaun, at least you know you're 5hite. Those cretinous ******** actually believe they are something special.

It definitely wouldn't be Loftus Road. I am really surprised that the SAG haven't reduced their capacity still further when you have such crippling restricted leg room, can't see the touchline in the upper tier, have seats behind pillars and a really narrow concourse. There are so many restrictions it would take an enormous effort just to get out in an emergency. A 5hit hole.

The thing with Max Bird [it would seem to me] is that the move to us elevates his gravitas in that he's no longer carrying that "academy product" tag. He's an important player in his own right, much like Jason Knight has become. Derby are obviously a big club and a bigger club than Bristol City but at this moment in time we are the bigger fish, much in the same way Bournemouth are to us.

There's really no comparison {& I'm not blowing our trumpet] Not even Swindle would be a comparison. They have a bigger stadium, have been in the Premier League & have won a major cup competition. Although they haven't won the Watney Cup. A better comparison would be Forest Green or Cheltenham, much more their level.

Tanner, Roberts & Dickie for me. Tanner has looked stronger and more assured. The coaches are obviously working on the positive side to his game. Roberts is a class act. Nothing phases him. He's very astute, reads the game well and delivers a lovely dead ball. Dickie, has been the player of the season for me. Strong in both boxes but its his ability to play out from the back and hit decisive passes that really stands out. When Atkinson is back we will have a formidable back three/four. Question is what will the coach do? Atkinson, Dickie & Roberts would seem the best to me.

Rather than many with rose tinted glasses pining for him & thinking we messed up by letting him go, he didn't exactly set the world alight when he was here and rather it was an opportunity HE missed. Good luck to him, sometimes it just doesn't work out. I would like to think that he used the disappointing experience he gained here to re double his efforts elsewhere. It certainly should make for a lucrative transfer for him this summer.

I learn' t a very long time ago never to leave before the end of the match. That match was an F A Cup 3rd round match 1978 at Ashton Gate v Wrexham of the Third Division who were winning 4:2 with 5 minutes to go. I left early, thoroughly disgruntled. We scored twice in the final minutes to take it to a replay [which we lost, miserably 3:0] The last time I had to leave early was when we broke Southampton's calendar year home record at St Marys [because the car park I was using was closing] I really can't understand why a lot of people do leave early irrespective if its dross you're watching. It must be pretty demoralising for the players seeing all those fans leaving. It makes sitting through Cardiff tearing us a new one with a 6:0 home drubbing all the more sweeter when Nahki Wells slots home that last minute injury time penalty & let's face it, if they hadn't been time wasting warnock style, the excellent referee would've blown up for time earlier.

No one has said Manning was the 2nd coming, far from it. Most are still questioning the sacking of Pearson who had done a great job of tidying up the 5hit show he inherited. Before anyone jumps on the "move on" bandwagon the reason fans still are questioning the sacking is because the club have been perceived in being less than economical with the reasoning. There are a few questions that remain unanswered. Manning's tenure seems to hinge on the club (not Manning) getting the correct players in the summer. It will be an interesting summer and whilst I am sceptical you have to say that the business done from last summer has been largely very good.

Actually today, in a tight game you could see a value. He popped up many times in good positions, in between the lines. These fine margins could be the difference between winning and losing. This is what I think Manning sees. He's a very intelligent player always thinking on the front foot. Unfortunately for him I don't think he affects enough of what we need in a game. This is down to his slight physique & perceived lack of pace. So he's never going to out pace or out muscle a defender. He is never worth £4M, I would say more like less than half of that.

In all fairness having both of this season's centre backs missing made a huge difference. With that makeshift back three they were always going to be tentative & safety first and that set the tempo for a largely uninspiring game. Huddersfield looked dangerous, had more tenacity which meant they were on the front foot and were pretty solid across the park. More than once I saw Tanner either caught the wrong side of their central striker (No.7) or just not strong enough to impose himself on him. When we applied a bit of tempo you could see that unsettled them a little. Rudoni was their best player, shame we couldn't sign him when the opportunity arose. Hopefully both centre backs will be back next week.

What about Joe Royle's 4 goal debut v Boro!

Please, someone tell me that for authenticity that is also a tent.

Dickie. Been fantastic all season. Sykes. Such an influential player & we really missed him when he was injured. James. We simply play far better when he plays. Pring. He is such a strong player on the left side. Knight. What a signing he's turned out to be & now seems to be playing in a much more influential position.

Stoke or Birmingham? Birmingham all day long. A few seasons without eyoweeheads and that excruciating KRO song would do nicely.

As one of my favourite actors famously once said "they are a shower, an absolute shower!" (One for the oldies!)

Respectfully no. We may have problems of our own but they pale into insignificance with the "family" club.

What a dump

By employing a new coach to take this Championship challenging squad to another level by playing fast paced front foot football. Its all in the behaviours, don't you know.

From what I've seen on the training clips he's finding it hard to fit in. An outsider, the competitive nature of being a footballer means that you are a team mate but also a rival for a position in the squad or a new contract. He's low on confidence and I get the impression he's come with the big Man City fanfare build up and has been unable to live up to it. He knows it, the players know it and its only a matter of time before he's gone again. Its sad, its not very nice seeing someone in life struggle to live up to expectations & it would be lovely if he could recapture his confidence for all concerned, club, fans, fellow players and more importantly Dire himself. Good luck fella.

Bolton 2 : 0 Bolting (as in horse punchers)

I would renew both contracts, without question. Both offer so much in experience which is irreplaceable. Losing King is bad enough, losing both of these players as well would be catastrophic. We'd end up forking out a lot of money short term for someone like Luongo or Morsy to try and stabilise us. Sadly, I have a feeling Williams will be off back up North.