Firstly - for how poor Sheffield Wednesday played, I can’t remember you praising Preston for doing a job on us or Wigan for roughing us up to their advantage. We played far far better yesterday, regardless of the opposition. Secondly - any fans who go to matches with a recently promoted team and “expects” them to win is watching the wrong sport. Obviously, I thought we could win but it’s not an expectation. That talk is saved for entitled united fans. The third paragraph about December could be good or bad? Well, you did it there mate - well done. Nobody can argue with that! We could win OR lose some games in December..! Finally; Conway staying around was at the behest of the manager. Yesterday proved to many who doubted that contract in the summer, Craig’s got quality to give. Actually surprised me his impact. You called it a risk in a must win (utter melodramatic btw) game, I’d say playing CC is the least risky choice of those wide options. How anyone could then go on to criticise the manager on a perceived team selection for the next game (bring Bennett/AA straight in)... it’s called stretching, Stinny.

Even with their incredible revenue, they still couldn’t keep up this summer, losing many of their targets to championship clubs paying better wages. Ive always thought it was a bit of a lack of ambition from the ownership but then they have managed to upgrade the club, facilities and stadium - something our famous benefactor did before it would cost 100m+ to catch-up! Its embarrassing to see the stadium still partially empty after the last few years though. Finally - the job he’s done in 6 years, the idea of him being removed shouldn’t be even considered. Those fans in support of that must have short memories. If they are relegated, Dyche almost guarantees an immediate return too. Not many other managers do that. Trouble is - they’ve delusions of grandeur now the fans. They think Europe, top half and more Steven Defours are the norm!

I’d much rather we fit him around how we intend to play, rather than including another striker and changing the system, on the sole basis he had to play him because we paid 7m for him! I think many believe we could’ve spent 7m upfront or signed a couple of players on 25/30k a week in other positions, thus sitting B.B. on the bench is effectively parking that investment... well thing is I’m yet to read that he is a top earner, and I doubt that we’ve spent anywhere near that upfront. The comparison on Jacob D was just age/experience. I imagine if Davenport hadn’t had a few bad injuries prior to joining us, he might’ve been more than 500k. Next youngest in the regular first 18, Nyambe - is 20. For anyone who thinks 7m could’ve been invested in two or three players, how much would you take for Nyambe? I also think it’s a bit soon to be saying the manager “doesn’t rate him in his natural position”. These kind of conclusions are insanely premature. I think if he “didn’t rate him” in anyway, he’d be turning out for Forest u23s.

The comparison is they’re the same age! Both 19 year old and new signings. The expectation on ones shoulders is completely different due to cost. Not that I’m saying Brererton wasn’t expected to be a bit more “ready”- Davenport has also quite a few appearances in the championship too.

I don’t get how adding an u19 striker to a position we needed depth is “a luxury we can’t afford”? I’d need to assume that B.B. earns a lot and we’ve actually paid most or all or the 7m, and that the quality winger and centre back on modest wages we could’ve had went ignored! Reality is that neither you nor me knows the actual reality of Brerertons tranfer, we don’t know if money was available for “Grabban” esq wages and we certainly don’t know if there’s anything left to improve in January. So assuming we spent 7m upfront, he’s on mega wages and we let Bauer et al go to sign him instead, I agree with you...!

You’re telling me in the 5/6 appearances from the bench so far you haven’t seen any potential? He looks a both footed livewire to me - a player who can run at defences with ease. Lots more to prove though eh!

I’m quite sure BB’s fee won’t be instrumental in Budget Mourinhos promotion chase! As for our future? It’s nice to have that kind of potential isn’t it!

Reminded us today what the difference is when you’ve a club with an owner who is questionable - the difference a quality operator and classy manager can make. On paper - Sheff Weds have good players, but a questionable appointment and non-experienced manager - you’ve literally no chance. I almost felt sorry for them complaining and chanting, but then I remember we had years of it. In Tony I trust!

He is on the periphery. I’d be more concerned if we’d shelled out that “alleged” cost for him to be in the same spot as Davenport (also 19!)

Forget the price. He’s the youngest and newest member of this squad. It’s exciting to have the luxury of his potential but let’s not let his price determine his usage.

Seriously - at 70 minutes today, who are you taking off? I would’ve agreed but I spent nearly 25 minutes trying to work out who I’d pull! I imagine the discussion on the bench was similar.

Absolutely

DACK

Comments such as “Rodwell isn’t suited to CB” are detrimental to otherwise sound opinions, as it is obviously something he is capable of - perhaps not the “Plan A” solution to a problem you might crave but what did we expect? Wants and expectations should be balanced. Bauer was probably plan A for the new CB.. The Rodwell signing though, for example, definitley a long term replacement for Mulgrew as a classy experienced operator - who was constantly criticised as a Centreback in his first season here. I still think Charlie has weaknesses as a defender, but I’d never say he isn’t suitable to that position because 80% of his career was in different positions... He has been good and bad but his strength with the ball at his feet has helped us build from the back or find Graham at times. The same applies to Brererton- signing a “wide forward” when we needed a striker... he is the youngest and newest player of the squad and you’re telling me already his career will be limited to token sub appearances out wide? You gloss over losing nearly 10+ players too - which (despite many needing to go) is a complete rebuild. I’ve seen perceived better managers with more money attempt that and get it completely wrong, time and time again. Rome isn’t going to be rebuilt in 12 months.

Vs Brentford last game of 2017 Players still in the first 18; Raya, Lenihan, Mulgrew, Nyambe, Conway, Williams, Graham, Bennett 10 players left; Guthrie, Emnes, João, Lowe, Ward, Steele, Gallagher, Akpan, Hoban, Feeney. Compared to 10 similar positions replaced for this year; Smallwood, Dack, Armstrong, Reed, Rodwell, Leutwiler, Brererton, Rothwell, Downing, Palmer In just over 12 months that is some turn around of an aging mostly on loan squad to a youthful and far more talented bunch in my opinion. Obviously others not in the squad that day have stayed on or left, and there are others outside the ten new I picked - some that haven’t worked. We’ve also lacked a big centre half and a pacey winger for some time too - it’s not all perfect. However the reality for me is we’ve come a long way in a short amount of time. Hence why others might say 2 or 3 windows more with a similar improvement might put us in a very good position.

Exactly - basics like tracking and closing down fell short against Wigan particularly. Maybe we missed Bennett more than we thought!

Precisely. We need to revert nearly 10 years of bad decision making, it was never taking two seasons.

Yea, considering that the WBA game was a only a month ago this week, I’d find it hard to believe that our “team spirit has gone” If anything - the next few games will be the first test for the atmosphere since we’ve mainly been on an upwards curve for the last 12 months!

Firstly - the part about staying up not being an “adequate achievement” is a prime example of the self entitlement of fickle football fans! I’ve seen so many examples in the last 7 days, I would need a PA to organise the examples from ridiculous to the absurd. Relegation is unthinkable. Whilst I got excited with others about our start, the key this season is consolidation of our position. Just because the youngest and newest player of our first 18 cost “allegedly” 7m, doesn’t mean expectation should shift towards playoffs. Secondly - patience? I almost think you used that word with some intended humour because 7 days ago this discussion would’ve been laughable. I read many “of this continues” or the extremely hilarious reactionary “I demand answers” from a few posters... the antithesis of patience for me.

Well you couldn’t vote for Coyle as well, obv.

The point escapes me, everything that’s happened football wise since he arrived is his responsibility- when did I say otherwise? Good and bad. We haven’t forgotten about you predicting and betting on big victories only a few weeks ago - if you felt the club was completely hamstrung by poor recruitment, tactics et al - you’re either talking out your arse or deliberately wasting your own money.

I loved Bowyer! I watched the game and the only lively spell came right after HT, in what I interpreted as 532. Wigan then punt up field, Rodwell let’s it bounce and it’s game over. That’s simply an individual mistake, not as a result of any change. Mulgrew made an awful tackle after a similar Wigan clearance a minute or two before. Ironically the only shot we took first half was in our own foot, so whilst I might’ve kept DG on (whilst on a yellow and always never more than 45/60) I would’ve changed the system to try and liven us up. As for the rest- I’d agree with giving Rothwell and Palmer recalls to midfield, potentially moving Dack on the bench for a spell. He has particularly dropped off recently but I feel that’s more our inability to get consistent balls to him in the final third. When he played upfront instead of behind, he is even more isolated. Cutting out errors and better final balls is the way to turn it round for me.

Mad science project? Or Google’s mad interpretation of pretty much the same lineup and tactics from the game at Ewood in March....! We are making silly mistakes. Play who you want in whatever round peg square bastard hole you want but simply let someone waltz past you and cut it back across the box... Barmy.

Halle fooking lujah