I think the recent defeat and outgoings are distracting from the fact they absolutely smashed their first 2 teams in harder fixtures than we've had. Of course, what I'd do for a win but I'd take a point right now. That was the common comment by many supporters in the blues bar after the game on Saturday. From what I've seen, many Burnley fans have been saying "you won't have a better chance" but the reality is they have a much more expensive side than us, clearly used to playing at a much higher standard than the championship. A defeat away at Sunderland is nothing to be ashamed about but at the same time we struggled against Oxford. I'm personally keeping my expectations low but have low key hopes given the outgoings and the fact that fat little tw*t isn't up front for them anymore. Really big game for Eustace because a win here could signal a possible change in us potentially considered to have a better manager than them for the first time in a long time. This could be his opportunity to become our Sean Dyche. Beating Burnley could have us sat top of the league and would immediately give him hero status. It would bring everyone together in a way that's not happened for a long time.

Gone on about Louis Barry a few times on here. 3 in 3 at Stockport. All belters aswell. Would like us to take a look at him next summer.

I don't get why so many are desperate for Dembele... I think some have been misled by his performance at Ewood but the reality is... He's a 27 year old journeyman with a questionable attitude who never does it consistently. I'd be disappointed if we spent anything more than a million on him. I'd much prefer someone the manager could potentially mould into a top class player, which Dembele will never be.

Only 21 though...

Also... Forget Matondo.

A few days ago I mentioned a player for Peterborough who's rapid and plays on the other wing from Poku. His name is Ricky Jade Jones. I mentioned some of their fans were slagging him saying no end product even though he scored 10 goals last season, had a few assists and he's only 21. Anyway, he's probably the quickest footballer I've seen. last week he burned past Shrewsbury players like they weren't even there and today he did this... https://x.com/HCfootball01/status/1827483516122083737 I know Posh are hard work to deal with but If we're desperate for pace... Get a bid in, even if it gets rejected. Just try.

Oh really, kind of relieved then but would have been a good loan. Looks EXACTLY the sort of player we're looking for.

Type in EFL championship highlights on YouTube. Switch VPN to UK if those videos are blocked in other countries.

I've endlessly gone on and on about Dembele who was at Blackpool last season. He signed for QPR for 2.5 million and christ did we miss out... Have a look at the highlights of the game today against Plymouth, what a player... Good game aswell. https://x.com/HCfootball01/status/1827477275539075496 With Matondo seemingly playing his way into the Rangers side, our options are really starting to run out to bring a player in with pace and quality.

My thoughts... Was a tough watch. Sloppy in possession but credit to Oxford, they looked dangerous on the counter attack. Harris up front is a proper player and has scored the best goal I've seen here for some time, I actually stood up and clapped him. Unreal goal. On to us... I don't trust our defence, particularly Hyam, there's just something very wooden about him and always get the feeling him and Pears are a disaster waiting to happen. Carter was just ok but played some unreal cross field passes. Full backs were solid, I thought both had decent games and coped well. I thought Trav did an ok job. He was frustrating and sloppy at times but seems like necessary player we need in there. I thought Trosntad was brilliant again today, what a player. Great block in first half, great engine, so tidy, so industrious, I thought he deserved man of the match personally. JRC is not fit. I watched him 15 mins into the game inside their box and he had his hands on his knees absolutely shattered. He walked through most of the first half and did not make runs to track players. Fair play for the goal but there's something not right. Ohashi is a proper grafter, he closes down really well and was unlucky not to get another goal. A proper honest player that will give you 100% every week. As frustrating as Dolan is, he absolutely worked his balls of to be fair and did a lot of hard work off the ball which he doesn't get credit for. It will be quite interesting to see what happens if he loses his place for Siggy because they seem like opposites. Siggy doesn't have the graft but has end product. Class finish and it may well have played his way into the side. Gueye is really effective in the air but I think the rest of the team needs to work out how to use him more effectively. Sometimes they just need to fire it into his feet for him to look after and just trust in his size. He's very unorthodox but just so awkward to play against and a proper team player. I love his passion to win, he demands the ball from the players and doesn't go hiding even if things don't come off. His relationship with the fans is great aswell, gets everyone fired up and connects the fans and players together well. Big soft spot for Big Mac. Big shout out to Andy Weimann. He's a proper player on the quiet. His passing and decision making is always right and has been a really effective sub for us these 3 opening games and has had key hand in quite a few of our goals, including today. Tidy signing for us. Finally, shout out to John Eustace. 2 home wins in 2. Granted, against newly promoted sides which is perhaps a bit of a blessing for him but we can only beat what's in front of us. There's a difference in style of play, he's put together a real bunch grafters. A rare win from a losing position is something many managers of ours haven't managed to do in the championship. I still haven't heard his name sung by the fans at Ewood and whilst I understand the caution I think he deserves a bit more support from us given the start we've had. His subs have been perfect so far and his decision making has won us games/points. Fair play to the boss. 6/10 performance 10/10 effort/result COYB!

Big call by Eustace, I hope it pays off for him because if it doesn't there will be a few pointing the finger for not starting big Mac. Personally gutted he's not starting, he's a big problem for defenders.

Now tbf... I used to argue with brain dead fans who used to slag off Josh King every week saying exactly the same thing. As soon as he scored a hatty against Stoke they were wanting him to extend his contract. With players like that it's about coaching them to use what they have in the right way, what areas to use pace and what areas to keep it simple. For example there's a lad at Peterborough on the other wing from Poku who's absolutely lightening. Seen some footage of him burning some Shrewsbury players at the weekend and the comments from their fans were "if only he had an end product"... So I looked at his stats, lad scored 10 in 40 which is a a bloody good return for a 21 year old winger, not accounting for any assists either. I'll try and find the footage and post it here. Point being, he might just require the right coaching, at 23 still got a bit of time to develop.

His dad was heavily involved I believe. Insisted on a small buy out clause to leave which I'm guessing has privately been agreed with Spurs on his end. Whatever the case, we go f*coed over by him and his representatives.

Call me bitter but f*ck the money and f*ck him... I hope he turns into a lower league journeyman. Same goes for Finneran. I want both to be examples to these cocky little pricks who are thinking of using us and f*cking us off at the first smell of a bigger club.

Concerned the LT keeps mentioning Germain as a wing option... Surely this is just poor reporting and Jackson thinking he's a winger rather than the club considering him a winger when he's not.

Mate, these f*ckers have turned us into Oliver Twist... Ragged gloves, counting our pennies, going to clubs cap in hand with what ever bits of scrap we have and are being told to "f*ck off"... We're at the bottom of the food chain, waiting for wealthier clubs to cast off their unwanted scraps. Eustace pretty much paints that picture for me. Considering how much money has come in, it shouldn't be this way... Hate those bastards.

Translates as... We've inquired about the players we want, they're currently too expensive and we're waiting until they get desperate for them to lower their valuations. Confident we won't spend more than 2 million, in fact i wouldn't be at all surprised to see both Drommel and Matonda on "loan to buy's"... Germain for a few 100k and that's your lot.

Seems to me it's the winger and keeper where they want to spend what change we have and are waiting for the A list targets to come down in valuation as we get closer to the deadline. They won't want to spend any of that budget until those players are signed up, hence the Germain hold up. I've got a feeling Drommel will be one that gets done. Considering he wants to leave and we want him. That should just be a formality to sort out but it's Rovers we're talking about... If he comes on loan to buy, it might give us a bit extra to spend maybe.

Also one is a winger, one isn't. Guessing the discussions are along the lines of "we have a budget for 4 more players, if we sign Germain, we won't be able to get..." In my opinion we're still light up front. Jack Vale needs f*cking off, small fee or find him a club and terminate. Still need winger, a left back and a keeper. That's bare minimum. I'm still not happy with Hyam. If we could find a buyer and get someone else that would be ideal.

Surely they know Germain isn't a winger based on the fact that he just simply isn't a winger, he's a centre forward. I bet they're trying to get rid of Vale to buy Germain.

https://onefootball.com/en/news/na-benitez-weer-een-psver-met-vertrekwens-engelse-club-gaat-voor-huur-met-optie-tot-koop-39924756 Rovers want Drommel on loan to buy.

Premier league player = premier league wages. I'd personally forget that market all together. Champ, league 1 or small European clubs is our market.

There are no easy games in this league and Oxford will certainly be no exception. That aside and with all respect in the world... These are the games we desperately need to be winning this season. Our home form last season, especially against the sides around us at the bottom was absolutely awful and that needs to change this season. We've started in a much better manner, let's not ruin it. 3 points are vital, anything less is a poor result.

On this... I think this also comes down to a change of style in play, high press is a lot more demanding and the top clubs often make subs to forward players to keep it affective. That's why more attacking players like Ryo are needed. Wouldn't imagine big Mac lasts many 90 mins this season.