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That’s my take on it, too. To add to your point, the three of them were brought in to “set the standards” and looking at how Scott, Semenyo, Pring and Massengo are developing, they’re showing them the way. Too many people overlook that.

Bit my tongue on this thread yesterday while all the doom merchants predictably crawled out of the woodwork. People have their own pre-conceived agendas against the manager. I get that; I didn't agree with LJ's appointment and still hold him partly responsible for the mess we're in today. I've long been fed up of players going through the motions here and it's this cosy club that needs breaking up. A lot of that was done last summer, but we still have players here who are guilty of it. Whether that's because they're on £20k+ p/w and can't be arsed or because they simply ain't up to it at this level. People seem to forget there are players here who have undermined LJ, Holden and NP. Because we have a small squad, we don't have a plethora of options. All we can hope for is a windfall or two from the sales of Webster or Kelly in the summer. Then, and only then, can we aspire to balance this squad.

To put another angle on this, have we ever heard of even one rumour about a bigger or comparable club being interested in signing Vyner? Not once, and I bet in the unlikely event any of us were to chat to a scout who’d watched him, the same failings would crop up. Nothing against the lad at all, but as a CB at this level he’s a serial ball-watcher who’s passive and far too casual. That’s not good enough and he’s shown no improvement in those aspects of his game under three managers here, plus Paul Warne at Rotherham.

Thing is, Fevs, the ball’s been in his court to improve for two-and-a-half seasons and he hasn’t. The same basic errors rear their heads almost every game. Most times they get punished, others they don’t. Every player has a ceiling and Zak’s is L1, possibly lower.

Today marked Vyner’s 111th game at Championship level. I honestly hate to think how many goals he’s conceded in that time. He’s 24 going on 25, isn’t a youngster anymore and yet he’s not learning from his mistakes, and his mistakes usually cost us a goal and undermine any good work he’s done. He needs to be moved in this summer IMO. Nowhere near good enough for this level, and that opinion’s based on a huge number of games.

Easy to say Cundy but he’s hasn’t made a single start at this level and is coming back from a long-term injury. He might be better but I think they’re phasing him in slowly. Vyner should be moved on in the summer, no doubt.

Who else is there? I don’t think Nige has any other alternative right now, sadly.

I’ve said it what feels like a millions times before, Zak Vyner is a liability at this level.

Scored for Forest Green yesterday as well. His stock’s rising.

Pretty sure that's Richard Forrester, the upgrade on Gregor at the Post, judging by the Midlands accent. I thought that was funny. Big hint that Josh Owers will be in the 18 on Sunday IMO.

The difference between this time last year and now is day and night, really. Positives for me include: Mark Ashton leaving and taking his cronies with him Trimming the wage bill significantly to bring down costs The development of Pring, Massengo, Semenyo and Scott Having the belief back that we're working to a long-term plan More shots on target/more goals.

23 points lost from winning positions. If we’d claimed them all, we’d be a point behind Fulham in second! ?

From the squad picked, I’d go: Crawley, Lees, Root (c), Stokes, Pope, Foakes (wk) Bairstow, Woakes, Wood, Mahmood, Parkinson. We have to pick Woakes for his batting, even though I don’t rate him outside of England.

I don’t actually think Bentley’s having a great season and I haven’t seen Max make a mistake like the one Bentley made at home to Luton earlier in the season. That’s not viewed in isolation, either. Max did what was expected of him last night. That said, he doesn’t fill me with confidence and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Nige is in the market for a sweeper ‘keeper in the summer.

He was the best player on the pitch tonight IMO. Such a shame he got done for the pen.

That’s the worst I’ve seen us play in a long time. We’ve played far better at times this season and lost, so picking up a win after a shite performance tonight makes a pleasant change (I think).

Because we don’t play for them. Prime example: Dasilva could’ve gone down 10 minutes before their pen. He stayed on his feet and the chance came to nothing.

Me, too. He had a quality game before that.

Here we go again FFS

Dasilva had to go down there, nailed-on pen if he did

Lovely goal, that, following good work from Weimann, Williams, Semenyo and Pring.

Asides from the goal, Klose’s been the only positive in that first half. Pring doesn’t look at the races. Very little quality from either side so far.

Agreed. BBC Sport said those three picked the squad anyway. I’m happy with the inclusions of Foakes, Mahmood and Parkinson, but can’t fathom how Lees or Fisher and to lesser extent Lawrence get in. I also don’t see how Pope gets in after averaging 11 in six Ashes innings when Malan hit a couple of 80s, and Hameed’s for more likely to fare much better on the low slow pitches of the Caribbean against an inferior bowling attack. I think we’re on a hiding to nothing here. The Windies always raise their game when we visit, we lost our last Test series there and I expect the same again.

Strauss, Collingwood and head scout James Taylor.

What a bizarre squad. I’m struggling to see where the batting comes from. Maybe Crawley, Lees, Root, Stokes, Pope, Foakes, Bairstow, Woakes, Wood, Mahmood, Parkinson?