The Bard

Make up of the league this year always looked very northern. There's a good chance it will switch though with likes of Plymouth Southampton Bournemouth coming into the league and the likes of Wigan Blackpool Huddersfield Burnley Sheff U and/or Middlesboro leaving. Whoever out of Leeds, Everton, Leicester, Palace, Forest, Wolves or West Ham come down are definitely a better away trip than Burnley.

Go to every away game I assume?

I think he will be in the under 20s as they have a world cup in May. Same side he was in that won the euros. If I were him I'd want to play in a world cup tournament and I hope the England management think the same.

Artificial pitch. I watched a pre-season Bears game there in August and thought it was a bit odd that you could see both sets of lines so clearly.

Thing is we have a great chance of getting to the semi finals. The way the draw is, arguably the best 5 sides are in 2 groups that will play each other in the quarter finals. Assuming we beat Japan, Samoa and Chile, we will play one Australia, Wales or Fiji in the quarters. We got absolutely owned today but I think Borthwick won't mind that much as it will have given him great insight into his players. Selection next week will be fascinating.

I went and was really impressed. Extremely energetic and aggressive. Have to remember he came on during extra time with the game a draw. Sparked a bit of a fight with a forthright challenge. I liked what I saw. Korey Smith is a good starting point..

Rumours in the media and around Bristol that Farrell has been dropped for the France game for Smith and Ellis is captain.

Heard it's a done deal from a reliable source

It is a disgrace that my daughters didn't get to play football in PE at secondary school but my son did. Hockey and Netball for girls, football and rugby for boys. They should be given a choice not have it dictated to them because of a Victorian mindset.

Great post. All those wetting themselves about Wells not starting need to see decisions in a more longterm context. We are 13th and have a goal difference of nil. We couldn't be more mid table if we tried. Manager should use that situation with a view to the future. That means giving Bell his head and playing Mehmeti. It will probably involve starts for the likes of Taylor Clarke and maybe 1 or 2 others. See if they're ready to become squad members next season or need a league loan.

Know what you mean Graham but if we continue to be physically dominated up front and struggle to score goals a more physical forward becomes a necessity.

What worries me is our obvious lack of height and physicality. Can just see them winning a terrible game 1 0 from a set piece or a cross.

We are now lightweight up front and teams know it. Bell was bullied yesterday. Can't really fathom why he's starting through the middle tbh. He seems more effective playing wide. Think Cornick may help us as a target as he is awkward and will pose different problems. Difficulty is that it would be a change in playing style. I don't see Scott playing deeper as a problem. He is far superior than Williams in that role and we should be able to get enough from our 6 available attackers. I would take Mehmeti out for Huddersfield but bring him back in for Blackpool. Move Bell to the left, play either Cornick or Wells through the middle and Weimann into 10 role. If we had more available defenders I'd be tempted to go 3 4 1 2.

Boring and painful isn't it?

Some might make a weekend of it. I would if I lived in Middlesborough.

Really good player Bedlow. However, for someone with a business in fitness his availability stopped him from really establishing himself. If Sale sort that out they will have a very good player.

Pitch is fine. Criticism was obviously from someone sat watching on TV. The high camera angle makes it look worse than it does in the ground..

Well you see he's not is he? He talked a lot about a wall but in reality built virtually nothing. On account of being full of shit. It is amazing how people believe some things with the only evidence being what a proven liar says.

Happens so often. Barton got his Mrs pregnant after he was charged. It's a very primal coercive way DV perpetrators use to control their woman.

Know him do you?

Because they are a great club with a proven manager who are obviously in a rebuilding phase. He would be front and central. Liverpool are very brave meaning when it goes wrong it can be really wrong

It took 2 seasons and we won the league??

Bow the **** would they know. Happened less than an hour ago

Shit that's his knee

I thought he was poor v Norwich. Kept losing the ball coming deep with his back to play. Really interested to see how Bell does.