13 hours ago, S8 & Blue said:

 

Next step imo - get the club teams to play at the same grounds as the men.

I admire your optimism, but on checking, I found that the current average attendance in the WSL is around 2,200. In the Championship, the average attendance is 410.

I'm sure there will be an improvement following the tremendous success this weekend but the game as it stands has been funded massively over recent years but they are some way off stadiums for club matches.

9 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

How many goes did Mowbray have at signing one. When he finally did he played him on the right wing !  He wouldn’t know a good full back if one came up and kicked him up the arse.

Very true. He wouldn't have liked signing Szmodics either, with all those tattoos 

I feel we desperately need a left back. Here's hoping...

40 minutes ago, pick32 said:

If we don’t replace BBD with a striker it’s relegation nailed on, not even an argument about it, Markandy, Gallagher and Vale Can’t keep a team in this division 

It looks like JDT may be abandoning the false 9 formation from last season judging by his picking Vale to play there. 

Adam Armstrong would have been perfect in there this season with his pressing, pace and goals. Is he still languishing in Soton reserves?

If take him on a season loan!

2 hours ago, TimmyJimmy said:

Was stood close to JDT at the match. He's got a temper. Got really angry and had a shouting match with his #2 who was disagreeing with him on something in the last 5 or 10 minutes.

 

During the 2nd half, Dack was sent out for a warm up and given instruction (presumably from JDT) to send Wharton back in to get ready to go on. Dack spoke to Wharton who then sprinted in to get stripped off. 

I presume the shouting match between coaching staff centred on the reversal of the decision to send Wharton on. I believe that Buckley (on a yellow and occasionally prone to youthful rashness) would have made way. However, during the 2nd half, Buckley noticeably pulled out of a couple of challenges around the halfway line, therefore demonstrating that he had no intention of getting sent off. This maturity on Buckley's part is crucial in his development. I suspect JDT has high hopes for the boy and needs him on the pitch.

I thought Dolan for Vale was absolutely correct as he is a perfect impact sub when the opposition need a bit of disrupting. 

I think Dack is going to have to find a level of dedication to lifestyle and training that has previously eluded him. Those injuries would be a mountain to climb even for the most committed professional. He looks way, way short of the required standard and I am very dubious to say the least in his ability to recover what he once had.

Sad because he has been a joy to watch.

Huddersfield look atrocious but Burnley will be very encouraged by the way they are playing. The influence of Bellamy is obvious to see. They look fit, motivated and very, very competitive. 

As much as I love Travis for his endeavour and desire, competition for his spot in the team has been pretty thin since Smallwood left. Players thrive on being pushed. Having watched the development of Adam Wharton and Garrett over these last 12 months it is to be hoped that these boys step up successfully. Wharton in particular might just impress a few if given minutes.

1 hour ago, oldjamfan1 said:

Ha ha if I remember correctly that particular fixture was 2nd v 1st that season.

Very true. I like to think Simon might have notched a late goal.

8-1 sounds so much better 😁

1 hour ago, oldjamfan1 said:

I know its all 'ifs' and 'buts' but I'm convinced we would have won the inaugural premier league if either King Al hadn't got injured....or we had kept Speedie at the club. His partnership with Newell would have really served us once Shearer was injured.

That's a really interesting point. I'd never thought about Speedie in the prem. I think he scored around 31 goals in our promotion season. He was far too good for the 2nd division so no reason he couldn't have contributed the following season. We got rid of Garner at the same time. It would have been nice to bring him on as sub in a dead rubber.

Perhaps Norwich at home 

This looks to be a good option and one that I will take up. 

Although only a sporadic poster, I visit the forum every day (often several times a day). 

You are all doing a magnificent job, thank you and well done!

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Assuming no transfers between now and then:

Kaminski

Brittain Ayala Wharton Pickering

Travis Buckley

Hedges Dack Brereton

Gallagher

Subs: Pears, Carter, Edun, Garrett, Markanday, Dolan, Vale

Probably right with this. Unfortunately I don't see a team with Pickering and to a slightly lesser extent Hedges challenging for a top 6 spot.

I would also like a genuine challenger to Travis to emerge this season. 

Just now, Fraserkirky said:

Majorly concerned about left back now. We have three young fine prospects in the ranks that I would like too see.

Hedges been quality second half.

Yes I'm very concerned by Pickering. Desperately need some real quality there. He is woefully slow for that position. Confidence looks shot to me

Very early days but Brittain looks athletic, strong and confident with a lovely touch

Wow. A fullback who can cross. Lovely ball to Dack

Hayden Carter is resolutely a Centre half and nothing else. His body shape and touch are completely unsuited to right back/ wing back.

There is an awful lot of possession along the back line in the early stages. Reminiscent of the way we played the season before last. Not really my preferred option

10 minutes ago, Butty said:

Did Bassey not play at left back? I’m sure he did? 

Surely Bassey?

1 hour ago, damo100 said:

Jim?

Loved watching Jim Branagan, but the thought of him as a modern wing back....

16 hours ago, LDRover said:

Good lad Colt, same year as me. You were a pretty nondescript footy team for us Moorland lads and then you found a centre forward in about the 4th year. I'm sure you will know who I mean.

Haha. We got him after merging with St Thomas Aquinas. If I recall correctly we played your lads in the 5th year final at Griffin Park. 

We came second. 

3 hours ago, lraC said:

You probably know a couple of my mates then. Sean Mulligan was probably a pupil when you were and a teacher is a great mate too, called Gary Strickleton. 

Yes I remember Sean's name and knew Gary very well and also through his association with West End FC in the town centre. Great bloke.

18 minutes ago, lraC said:

I am. I was there from 1976 to 1981. Knew Ted very well too. What years were you there?

Just missed you. 1982 to 1987 (went to the Full Members Cup final instead of revising for my upcoming GCEs) 😁

2 hours ago, lraC said:

I didn't know John, but suspect he will have known the late Ted Cooper, if he was prominent at Blackburn RUFC.

He was a teacher when I was at school and was rugby mad.

You sound like a St Edmund Arrowsmith old boy like myself.

The genius of JRC there. Booked before touching the ball

Just now, Miker said:

Pickering and Carter definitely not good enough. 2 new fullbacks has to be priority this season.

Agreed. Judging by that 1st half we need to get Nyambe back. Definitely need a Championship standard left back too as we don't presently have one of those either.