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But we continue to show an inability to avoid conceding late goals and a number of the signings brought in by Gestede and endorsed by Ismael are coming on and really causing us problems because they are nowhere near the level. Supposedly "deserving" 3 points and not getting 3 points is not a good sign.

Be brave to go with say Litherland and Pratt in the same defence at this stage of the season, but maybe. Like you say all about the pathway.

Against Wrexham he kept crossing the ball into the area instead of taking it to the corner in injury time giving them possession back far too easily. Last night, I would have to see the goal again but it looked like it came from his side again similar to the QPR one.

Genuinely think we may play both Mori and Cantwell. Think first team when we have the shorter term injuries back is : Toth Miller McCloughlin Pratt Alebiosu Mori Tronstad Cantwell Hedges Ohashi Gudjohnson Subs : Pears, Litherland, Pickering, Baradji, Forshaw, De Neve, TGH, Montgomery, Gueye

Both 90+xth equalisers came through poor defending in the left back position when holding a 1-0 lead albeit Wrexham leading to the corner from which they scored. Ribeiro is an accomplished left back, De Neve is on the pitch to run at and hopefully past opponents and a largely haphazard presence when in his own box.

I agree entirely. It is sad that plucky performances against Wrexham and PNE are seen as a ‘good display’ nowadays but it is where we are. I can’t imagine anyone is actually content with the overall direction of travel. We are circling the footballing drain. If we manage to stay up this season which we are just about on course to do then what happens next season? Without a change of ownership or a Venkys personality transplant the only way is down. That aside, it’s entirely reasonable to compare the squads of Wrexham/Ipswich with ours and say that the team has done well with the tools it has at their disposal. The overall downgrading of the squad is not the fault of the players. They can only do their best and I don’t think effort or application is the issue (apart from Gueye who appears to have given up). I think we are actually exceeding our expectations by a considerable amount when you look at the squad and some credit is due. Late heartache aside these are 2 good points on paper! The more controversial discussion is about Val. I happen to think he is doing well with a limited team and for some reason I quite like him. I also have massive reservations about his overall integrity given his apparent accord with the owners and stooges.

Atcheson or Litherland at right centre back with Miller moving to wing back would be the other option Player pathways and all that

It's because generally the team plays a decent game. The problem is that the manager then gets giddy with his subs and tactics in the last 30 minutes which undo all the efforts.

Against QPR De Neve was badly at fault for their goal (as was Miller) but I really don't understand how bringing him on in the Wrexham and Ipswich games cost us four points. I don't particularly rate him but I'm intrigued to understand your logic.

From my point of view I couldn't understand Tavares at all. Total and utter passenger off the ball, and a liability on it - the worst thing to have sitting in front of the defence. He could have brought Axel on imo, and while chaotic at least he would have put a foot in. And De Neve for Hedges was the wrong call, but tbf I could see us getting absolutely penned in down the left if we had Riberio on as he doesn't have the pace to get out. So all options not optimal. Otherwise the subs were as good as we could do I think. Baradji looks okay, Cantwell obviously good. We only have Gueye so that is hardly the managers choice when we are running our front two into the ground. So from me manager gets a minus for the poor subs, but a couple of plusses for the motivation of the team and general setup. 1st of Jan we need some reliable experienced players to close out games. Particularly a forward who can hold up the ball, a centre back, and wingbacks. I am very fearful if Alebiosu or Hedges get injured. Hard role to replace too where you want experience and defensive awareness but also a real engine. The older players we can afford are not likely to still have the required fitness.

Good to see Cantwell back. Looking forward to seeing him link up with Gudjohnson and Yuki...Will Feel for Mori though as he's looked good, but will just give us an option off the bench. Must win game Saturday.

It's alright though he has to save some tired legs and give game time to flops, the risk of upsetting the balance and conceding on a weekly basis doing the same thing over and over is forgiven, apparently.

De Neve is cheaper, that's all there is to it. The last 90+ minute winner in front of fans was November 2019, against Sheffield Wednesday at Ewood.

For the first time in my life I chose not to watch Rovers on Sky last night. I might be weak of character , but I can no longer watch the pathetic displays from appalling Gestede led signings and a manager who is out of his depth. I’m not physically able to get to the ground anymore but my love of this club runs deep. …It’s been a massive part of my life it..and, what frightens me is that I feel so much better for not watching. I’m sure I’m not alone in my sadness.

Will cover our "significant expenditure" (otherwise known as paying a ridiculous sum to Emmanuel Dennis) last January Also contracts handed out to Cantwell, Bath, Weimann, maybe Bakers loan, etc under Eustace, probably all on more than our current self imposed wage limit Why though, do I suspect that the next set of financials will show a very similar picture despite this summers cuts to the playing staff?

The good old never diminishing BRFC payroll lol Wonder how many 'advisers' are on there. I'll say one thing for V's they have some very clever accountants.

The fact remains that 3 points were there to be won. Why we didn't is due to a poor manager, making poor decisions, with poor players. Everything else is excuse making.

Although it didn't affect the result but to highlight how poor the referee was he actually was incorrect in law in one incident (failing to apply law Is a cardinal sin in refereeing terms). Young went down with a head injury in the penalty area in the first half as we had the ball out wide towards the Riverside. He stopped the game. His incorrect law application was not making Young to off for 30 seconds. The change came in this season whereby if the referee stops the game for a head injury the player has to go off for 30 seconds irrespective of whether he has had treatment. On the theme of players going down I thought Ipswich were the worst I have seen for a long time. They certainly took advantage of a weak referee.

Yeah poor decision. He gave the goalkick on probability/gut feeling rather than fact and let's face it this is what championship referees do and next game will be same. If our finishing had been better, including Wrexham game, we would've been out of sight by HT. Then ismael could afford to use/rest/manage players. So the only answer is score more goals. Simple in'it :(

He's out for 5 weeks, probably only end up being back as Alebiosu comes back

We would have won it easy, if your friend the ref, gave a red card, instead of yellow. Last man who fouls a striker who's clean through, is definitely a red card. Some supporters from other clubs, on social media, said the same last night, you were robbed.

Absolute desperation from a poor and quite frankly arrogant manager. You can argue the toss all day about that potential red card but at the end of the day HE is responsible for that last minute equaliser, subbing on poor players and leaving solid, championship experienced defenders on the bench.

A lot of it is cope, but it's understandable in the circumstances. I think we've only scored more than once in 4 of our 18 matches. Little wonder we're struggling as this isn't a team that has the quality to consistently keep clean sheets. I believe it's also 4 in 18. It's sad that many now consider what we're seeing as "playing well", but in context of the squad and manager I understand it. I'm just confused about why anyone would seem content or satisfied that this is our level now.

A watcher as experienced as you can clearly see what is happening time and again with the same subs it isn't coicidence. There is a need to /mange/ players of course there is and many have to do it at this level with smaller squads but he's getting it wrong. Results and points matter most and sometime you have to see games out and bust some legs in order to do that. there is also a need here to get mins in players where possible and that is clearly going on as well. I think he's getting what he can out of most of these players which is good but he has some serious flaws that need ironing out otherwise relegation will be one 'hard luck' story.

Time will tell, if it's a point gained last night. On paper, Ipswich were the toughest opposition of the 3 home games. If we can win the other 2, it will put us in a better position.