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NP did mention that they have to protect him from himself as much as ensure his fitness as he's desperate to get on the pitch. I'd agree that he needs careful management and cut out consecutive starts. As you say, a few sub appearances and a game here and there to build him up. Shame he's injury prone at the moment as he looks the part when on the pitch and gives us a bit of bite in midfield..

I understand that getting Scott into the middle is preferable, but playing a left footer as a RWB who hasn't had a game for months is just dropping him in it imo and asking for trouble. I'd go with the team selection from @And Its Smith if all are fit. O’Leary Kalas Atkinson Pring Scott King James O’Dowda Massengo Semenyo Weimann

Played for the u-23s the other night.

What was it we used to sing - ein prosit ? I never, ever, left that place without having left my brain behind. Them steins were lethal.

Pen to the Pikeys.... Scored

Pretty poor rumour. The ticket prices are now the sole decision of the home club.

Saw that on Flashscore. Martin at right back

I thought he said the opposite ?

Nope. As has been pointed out, that rule ended some time ago.

Life on the edge.

Good news. Semenyo should target Flint - just run at him.

A front three of Semenyo, Afobe, and Weimann would be good.

He's a perfect example of the attitude and determination you need to be a professional footballer and a good role model for the academy players.

Agree with all that. Even so, I'm surprised that the sales are that low. I would have expected around 8k-10k, but I think it will be more like 5k-6k maybe. Unless Fulham bring 4k

Good post. The bit I like, which is spot on is " Competition for places is now becoming more of a focus than worrying about the opposition." NP is true to his word, if you play well doing what is expected of you, you will keep the shirt. He's dropped a number of players (with some reinstated), and side lined others. Keeps them competitive and fighting to keep their place in the team and its bearing fruit with more resilient performances lately.

Just had a quick look at the ticket availability and I've never seen such a low level of sales - just 9 seats sold in upper E34 (old A Block) for instance. Not sure of the total sold but the ground will look empty. I'm not sure if Covid is having a big impact or if its the high ticket costs, and it was obvious that this game wouldn't attract a big crowd, but I didn't realise the ticket sales would be so low.

I think the team has toughened up since that WBA game, we were a bit soft ;

I'm going through isolation again, this time its a lot lighter - just an irritating little cough, a head cold, and just feeling a bit shit. Last one was a bugger, involving ambulance and hospital and left me very weak for some time. I don't want that again. Strangely, I seem to have lost my sense of taste and smell this time, I didn't have that before (mind you, I am so bunged up its difficult to tell). If Atkinson had Covid recently, its quite likely that he may seem to be fit, but also likely that its left him a bit weak. I'm not sure when/if he's had covid, but he's been off his game for a few weeks now. May just be loss of form/confidence of course.

Harsh. But fair.

I think he has lost a bit of confidence and looks uncomfortable with the ball at his feet (more than usual anyway). Hence, he's usually lumping it anywhere up field rather than passing the ball. With NP often saying we need to retain the ball better, he must have been frustrated with him giving the ball away so often. I've criticised Max in the past for having poor distribution/decision making, but he's obviously been working on that as it was noticeable that he was playing out from the back much more than Bentley, and quicker as well. He still had a few wobbles, especially when he does those overhead throws which are in the air too long, but generally I thought he did ok with his distribution. Of the two, I'd rather have Bentley when on form and confidence high. But I'd rather have Maenpaa over the pair of them tbh.

Totally agree. Some of that control has been excellent. Defenders will hate having him running at them with his power and speed. If he can add a few goals here and there, he could save the club a lot of money.

He is very good defensively at 1 on 1 situations, probably the best we have, he gets very close to the opposition player and has a great turn of speed over the first 10 yards - a great asset for a defender. But he aint half bad going forward as well.

Apparently, they are a team going for the play offs and we are in a relegation battle and they should have wiped the floor with us

No he didn't. NP did not say that Bentley broke the rules", he said that goalkeepers are no different and the rules apply to them as well. Those rules being that if you don't play well enough, someone will take your place. Bentley was dropped, simple as that. Anything else is just speculation.

That bloke is just a ten a penny knee jerking know-all who loves the sound of his own voice and can't stand anyone with an opposing view. He just reacts to results. I hit the mute button when he spouts his rubbish and he is the reason I've stopped listening to the pod cast he is on. Mind you, there are a few other ignorant and negative feckwits that get on RB for both clubs in this city. Its time that the format was changed for the after match programme, its getting predictable and stale.