Dullmoan Tone

It’s difficult to be harsh on Bentley because he has saved many more points than he lost, however, the last minute collapse against Forest was one to forget and I do think while more commanding, because, he plays on his adrenaline he is far from a calm influence. Especially in the last minutes of a game.

Aside from last night, Max’s distribution is better and the save (albeit when offside) late on showed phenomenal reactions.

But neither are dominant on crosses, so we should presumably move on - I can’t see either getting into a top 6 team right now, which is so disappointing, as I hoped Bentley would be our new Basso not Gerkin!

1 hour ago, old_eastender said:

Maybe, but Kallas is best playing alongside a strong CB, like when he partnered Webster. I'm hoping if Cundy can make the step-up and forge a partnership with Kallas that could bring out the best in both of them. 

This is perhaps a little optimistic for a player with zero Championship experience - wasn’t he part of a team that struggled against QPR U23’s this week?

The fact we are hoping Cundy comes good (so do I) just reflects how desperate we are!

1 minute ago, Show Me The Money! said:

Last I checked we were playing Fulham

I was replying to the guy who said we were playing parachute payments

Just now, Show Me The Money! said:

I’m not actually angry about the performance or any of the players or management.

Games like this just make me really angry about prem parachute payments and so called FFP!

Erm Derby, Blackburn, Luton and Coventry seem to be doing OK?

Perhaps they have a better coach?

Just now, pillred said:

There's talk of further sanctions against Derby, at the moment the way they are going if they escape the drop they will have escaped without punishment for all their misdemeanours 

This is a strange take - they are now competing each week with a team that costs a fraction of ours. They are penalised every week for the quality of players they can field but show commitment and motivation can still do well in this league. We should be thankful that teams can still overcome the PP handicap.

4 hours ago, Fordy62 said:

I don’t imagine we’re in too good a position to offer him the sort of wages that’d be sufficient for him to sign. 

At the price he signed for (4m rising to 8m?) then he’s got to be one of the higher earners surely? That doesn’t leave much scope for an increased salary. 

I think he’ll be gone if we can get 6-8m. I highly doubt he’ll sign a new deal when he could potentially secure 50k p/w on a free somewhere. 

There is surely no club in the world that would offer a mid table Championship midfielder with 1 assist in 78 games even £25k a week.

I think the whole world is changing - unless he secures a top flight club, there will always be much better players available for half this.

46 minutes ago, Riaz said:

The new variant is mild and hasnt killed anyone yet. Not here or abroad.

Get on with your life.

Great that we have a medical expert on the forum.

44 minutes ago, Riaz said:

It orginated in south africa - been there a month or so and its not killed anyone.

And a South African one at that!

Made me think about how NP is currently treating our higher earners Kasey, Jay and Nakhi. Is his strategy to “chop the head off the snake to prove a point” by targeting the higher earners like with Mills?

I noticed today while the referee was waiting for the players pre game, he made a point of going over and shaking Wayne Rooney’s hand.

Is this normal practice, or was this the start of trying to ingratiate himself with England’s record goal scorer by giving soft bookings and not punishing fouls on our players?

TBF to Rooney he then went and shook the mascots hands. Probably nothing just have never noticed it before?

1 hour ago, ExiledAjax said:

Personally I'd say he should get an extension. Hypothetically if we extend him for three years,

I cannot see any scenario where he would sign an extension- City cannot and should not, make an eye watering offer (he doesn’t impact games enough to warrant this) and he will make more money with a signing on fee and probably accelerate his career away from us - it’s the grim reality of where we are !

4 hours ago, exAtyeoMax said:

Plus, Paul Hartley came into a well established team, with not many teenagers/inexperienced players (as far as I can remember) so the balance of the squad would have been different to how it is now. (Apologies, I can't remember who else was in the team, at the time that PH was signed)

I don’t think there will ever be a player viewed through such rose tinted glasses as Hartley. He contributed to some of the worst performances (we didn’t know what to to come) that season and did not press (see Cardiff beating us 6-0 at home) and wasn’t the Maradona people would like to remember!

3 hours ago, billywedlock said:

You cannot compare our central midfield yesterday to that of Sheffield . At least at this stage of their career . But it’s down to Pearson to overnight give those players an instant 4 years of experience? It dies not work like that . It is why many managers go with older and more experienced players . We were missing our three older heads in midfield .

I liked your post and it shows patience and balance but …. we do have more experience and I cannot understand why good players like JD have suddenly become bad eggs on Nigel’s watch? He must take some responsibility for not being able to motivate them? Obviously nobody understands the Palmer situation but surely an experienced coach would motivate and deploy him vs AB who was always going to struggle yesterday - this is what worries me most as we develop a team and style.

Lets not forget despite SU’s experience, they were woeful last year and struggling this year - they are not a benchmark for this league or the future. We are miles off where we need to be in midfield and it frustrates me that Nigel’s seemingly given up on improving what he has. Is he really just doing what Cotts did at the end and picking inexperience to prove his point?

Even his (supposedly) experienced players like COD (perhaps even Scott) are being played out of position at the expense of the weak midfield while he leaves players that he signed (Simpson) on the bench  - this is what worries me most. Signing Simpson shows he misunderstood the strength and quality of the League!

5 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Massengo wasn’t a 4, playing on his own in midfield.  Agree with the rest though.  Almost impossible for Massengo today In an overrun midfield.  Bakinson offered no support.  

I think he was based on his contribution today - he was next to anonymous. Remember he was covering for JW and I think showed why he’s no longer a regular starter.

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I agree.  But I do think he’s good enough to be part of a squad in a bottom half Championship side.

Agree 100%. And that’s why unfortunately I don’t think we should worry about his contract ending in 2023 - per previous post. I think we need players who could get in a top side or show consistent progression towards this.

Perhaps it’s the managerial merry go round that has affected him at a young age but poor Han is looking less impactful as the games go by.

Surely referring to JD?

1 hour ago, P'head Red said:

Hilarious. One of the most gifted players at the club. Yes, he needs to improve with his goal contributions, but he's one we need to keep and improve ourselves, not let go for free. 

On what basis are you making this claim - we all see it differently but i cannot believe based on this season’s performance he would regularly play for any of the top sides he simply does nothing brilliantly?

14 minutes ago, The Coach said:

Speaking of contracts. Is Massengo’s contract up summer of 2023?

He also needs to be moved on too few assists or goals. And not strong enough at holding either.

I know he’s loved but he has not progressed at all in the last season (since Fulham away)

“Did you used to play basketball with Lee Johnson?”

1 hour ago, Redstart said:

We played at home to Stoke a few seasons back, we lost 1-0 after conceding a goal in a terrible first half performance. Second half we knocked 7 shades of shite out of them, totally dominated them, but Jack Butland had one of those days where he saved everything, it was like he had 8 bloody arms. We just couldn't get the ball in the net. 

What goes around, comes around, I reckon we were owed that win last night

Thanks for reminding me.

I can’t believe Butland has only played one game since joining Palace. At the time I thought he’d be playing for England by now!

2 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Yes, it would be handy having him back, James too.

 

I don’t mean to pick on individuals but King was on the pitch for the collapse against Luton and Blackpool.

Clearly it’s not his fault but I just don’t get this optimism about players returning who haven’t delivered this season.

BTW I like James just haven’t seen King as someone helping us turn around our ability to compete with teams in this division and most importantly improve on last night. The responses just seem to mention his experience- I don’t doubt this but can he do it now on a cold Wednesday night vs Stoke?

1 minute ago, Robbored said:

It’s his presence on the pitch that matters even if he’s not at his best. The guy is a natural leader and that was why Nige signed him.

So is Louis Carey but his ability to affect a game is long past.

Honestly do you think he would have helped us at West Brom, Bournemouth or even last night based on his actual performances for us ?

11 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Not sure why you mention King - he's out for the foreseeable as far as I understand it, but James will be available for Sunday so that is a boost.

2 hours ago, Robbored said:

James and King have been missing thru injury and I’m not sure how far away they are in their recoveries. However when they’re available again their experience will certainly help with keeping possession

I mentioned King because Spudski made the comment in this thread above - do you think he will help matters based on performances this season?

1 minute ago, pillred said:

Completely outplayed ? this must be a classic example of two people seeing completely different things as apart from the first 25 mins or so we were more than a match for a team that had won their last 3 games on the trot and were sitting 4th in the table, and as for a hard winter ahead if you can't see we are slowly improving we really do see different things. 

Just to pick 2 stats 35% possession and 50% of their shots on target.

Just look at the highlights reel ?

Apart from the crazy back pass he is one of the few players who seem to be comfortable playing the ball from a tight position without going back to Bentley or hoofing it.

He could be our most effective player?

Interesting Stoke manager said our only threat was a long throw - A fully fit Williams would add so much more for the opposition to worry about. Will be great to see him and James fit and firing for 5 consecutive games?

While I loved the result I thought we were completely outplayed last night.

Aside from a diving header and a weak Scott attempt over the bar, I can’t remember us creating anything of substance in the second half - much like the second half Saturday.

People hoping King will help with possession must have seen something in his earlier performances I missed, he didn’t look to have the creativity or energy needed and is nothing like Williams in his ability to get stuck in.

All this positivity about the young lads is great but I fear we’ll (continue to) be taken apart by the better teams.

Also Andi and HNM once again failed to influence the outcome - let’s not forget one of them is an ever present.

Even Pearson admitted we were outplayed - I want to be positive but does anyone think if we played that again Stoke would miss that many chances? Yes you partly make your luck but not to that extent.

We have a long hard winter ahead.