The chief

Achievable if playing Swansea. We scored 5 (if including the 3 disallowed) … ! See also, Oxford (h). Not suggesting we’ll get 5 tonight tho.

I’m optimistic for tonight . Can see knight getting on the scoresheet. We’ll zip it about on a wet pitch like sat (first half)- as long as Naismith starts, as he’s key to us playing progressively . Let’s hope he’s recovered well as he was slowing thoughout the second half on Sats…

Why do you think this is the strongest set of players we’ve ever had? I could name about 10 stronger tournament squads starting with 82 Spain WC onwards . That certainly includes Euro 96 team and venables seems to be more appreciated than Southgate even tho GS actually got us to a final. Dont get why people dislike Southgate - we’ve had some utterly desperate periods over my 40plus years watching the team . In the last 5 years a semi amd a final . It’s strange this weird entitlement that we should be winning every tournament. It’s like a big premier league club fan type attitude. I’m surprised fellow long suffering city fans seem to think England have underachieved with Southgate given the relative succes. I guess it stems from us throwing away a golden chance vs Italy in the final?

Knight was at the heart of our best moves…. Also think we look miles better with Naismith on the pitch . His positive forward passing adds an extra dimension to our play . Not sure if that should be at CB or Midfield as he can be done for pace back at the back.

Spot on. Also, Pring excellent too. And garder-Haskins with a few classy touches on his debut . . One lovely pass to break the lines. Promising. Really enjoyable performance, played very well and unlucky not to get 3 points.

I thought he looked a handful. Rolled his marker a few times. Shades of Semenyo perhaps . Given how our coaching team have developed Bell, Conway and Semenyo, a punt on lower league attacking talent is well worth it . Can’t be scattergun about it or fill up the squad with too many numbers (lessons have been learnt and we have our own academy prospects like Yeboah) but worth a pop for the right talent.

Looks to have something. Wasn’t just about using his obvious pace and energy but also played some nicely weighted passes. That’s a very good sign. Was the perfect time to blood a youngster .

Ridiculous. Took about 5 mins to announce our subs tonight. What’s the point in him? Get rid. Doesn’t announce their subs either.

As debuts go, didn’t put a foot wrong. Tenacious, always looking forward and showed defensive grit when needed . Was running the game at times and linked up very well with Mehmeti. Clearly the opposition a factor, especially 2nd half. Has certainly given Nige a decision to make ahead of sat . Personally I’d stick him in as Pring was so unusually off the pace vs Preston.

Often the simplest solutions are the best! Seems like he’s hardly played up front since the WSM days and his prolific season. looking on the positive side , injuries happen, and it’s good at least that we have plenty of championship quality cover up top. Any other injuries in centre midfield, CB or GK and we’d be really panicking!!

Yep- most home grounds are sterile/quiet. I just think we can do more. The idea of a singing section is tinpot - like goal music or clappers. We’re better than that . what we have is a standing section and fair play to those there that make a noise. Agee with Len about the whole ground needs to participate, hence why I think the E34 folk did help for a few games. As I’ve said, having louder fans right next to away fans so they can feed off each other a bit would help IMO. don’t think it’ll be very loud tomorrow mind! cheers.

Yeah true . Serial moaners would have been confined to the corner of a pub up until social media gave everyone a platform . as for songs and atmosphere- we do get called out for being a noisy away support, so there’s not a lot wrong with songs etc for half our games…

Disagree there- I think there’s quite a few practical suggestions on this thread on steps that could be taken, certainly in terms of where to stand etc . No idea to what extent all posters are contributing as there’s not really a way of collecting stats on individual fan participation . I have a really loud clap and join in on most songs if that helps? With regards to your final point I’d counter that there seems to be an increasing number of people complaining that more people are moaning these days . Twas ever thus?

Yep- all very good points. Agree we can’t be too whimsical about moving loyal fans around the ground but, this is more a case of fine tuning than ongoing wholesale changes . A much better outcome would be to give us a few blocks of the Ayteo like we did for the Utd cup game . Needs more stewards but it would give us a noisy section right next to away fans as well as fans behind both goals . Could even extend the safe standing in south stand by a block to help give more room for standers/singers.

If we’re talking absolutes, then I’d be in favour of steps to improve home atmosphere. Albeit my ST is elsewhere. Those impacted should be offered a decent seat elsewhere and maybe some of that cracking training gear with the flattened robin and massive collars. That would tempt any fan.

Personally I thought the Dolman A block lads helped lift the home atmosphere . Was more raucous at times, our performances in the pitch were better too , so could be a case of both factors helping out. I guess the E34 block was also noticeable when we were expecting a big /sold out away following - this is where it really helped crank up the noise. Didn’t have that on Saturday. Hopefully the lads can get back there to have a go at the away fans, without annoying those who are regular ST holders In that block ..

Yes - it was lethargic. All the talk of fittest group ever yet it felt like we were really off the pace . Passing, movement and options in possession were poor too. Primg was symptomatic of the malaise - seemed to need too much time on the ball and was missing his usual burgeoning style. On the plus side Vyner was decent and we didn’t lose!

First season ticket for 10 years. Can’t wait. Fancy a win but it’ll be tight I reckon. Late winner . 2-1. COYR.

Hahaha - oh yeah. you’re right. . Let’s chalk that up to memory/age. Back to topic… Reckon we’ll be singing TC’s name tomorrow - fancy him to score .

That would exclude junior himself then right- wasn’t he a Yater?

Born down the road in Taunton, so is Tommy outside or inside the exclusion zone for ‘one of our own’.

Was great watching Antoine go from raw prospect to one of the most dynamic attackers (on his day) in the league . We don’t get to see many players in that mould. Loved watching him . Last 18 months or so , soon as he had the ball we had that anticipation he make could something happen . It’s probably been said in one of the previous 87 pages (!), but huge huge credit to Tins, the academy, Nige and coaches for taking a raw prospect college kid into a premier league footballer in 6 or so years . That’s a massive achievement and shows how good out academy is right now . Hope they keep em coming….

Big Nige praised the atmosphere again tonight in his post matcher… reckon the combo of S82 and the block formerly known as ‘A’ is defo helping. As are the performances . Things are looking up….

Yeah he had a really promising run late in the game vs Brum didn’t get the finish right on that occasion, but he showed belief and threat and carried that into yesterdays with a cracking goal and assist. Another attacking option emerging. Love it .

Yeah not loads of seats-we had about 2 blocks maybe. Dolman end.