Blue blood

Yes this could all be a repeat of our first season back in the championship. The overall position was fine but given the manner it came about, with a horrendous second half of the season, it really was a wasted opportunity.

Horrible run. Need points our next two games as they get progressively harder. The adage of getting straight back on the horse is key in the championship. Boro did that after their loss to us, and other have done it too. Problem is when we fall off the horse we go into town have a coffee and a walk before even contemplating getting back on the horse. Our bounceback- ability is woefully poor.

This is beginning to remind me of a (couple?) of years ago when after a run of indifferent form we had a settled team and formation for about 5-6 games and ended up with something like 13+ points. Sticks in the mind a bit as Downing was left back for some of it. It was heartening to see a plan and settled team but once the run was over we didn't get near to getting it back. Once off track we seem to be well and truly derailed. Sad times.

To be honest I think this is one of the toughest championships in a while. Not because the quality is stunning but because there's a lot of in form teams out there. Boro and Forests new managers have got them firing on all cylinders and seem great fits for the club. QPR seem relentless. Bournemouth have a ton of money and talent if not a manager of quality. Huddersfield seem to be going under the radar. WBA have a good team and now a manager with proven record in this division. That's a lot of teams fighting for second and the playoffs and not even counting surges from the likes of Luton and anyone else. It's tough at the top and there's no room for error at the moment, which is really hurting us.

Indeed. Unfortunately he is showing he has the tactical acumen of a glass of water. Mind you at least said media darling is being shown for what he is.

More likely at WBA than Bournemouth I think. Didn't realise how much fan unrest there was until reading Ishmael's interview last week. He's fallen out with the keeper, his main striker is out injured, the fans are restive. It doesn't look great for them.

Three: small squad syndrome. None of our players can afford to have an off day as the downgrade in their replacement is significant. For example if the three miss have an off day it's Johnson or Davenport, BBD has an off day we downgrade to Gally. Sure there's a few positions with quality cover - having Dolan and Ayala on the bench is great for example - but overall there's not much margin for off days.

He's a good manager Warburton. Especially given time to implement things his way.

Thanks for the heads up. There goes my chance at being insightful... Good move for QOR.

Why is it every man and his dog can see cm is an issue but manure managers can't? Not that I am complaining mind. Would he go to Everton right now? I mean they are an utter shambles. Tough gig to walk in to. And Derby is a win win for him. Keep them up he is a genius - and it would be a hell of a feat - go down and no harm to his rep given its a good showing in the circumstances.

Agree with this. Only thing I can add is that a good second choice is hard to find. Leuitweiler was meant to be one of his previous team's best performers and he was rubbish. Walton won league 1 and is dreadful. Good keepers in league 1 aren't so easy to find. My shout would be Marshall from Derby. Dropped from first to third choice and a former international keeper. Strong backup and available (I think).

It's Rotherham's situation all over again I think.

Woods hasn't had that great a season has he? (This is a question, I don't think he has from my understanding.) Nor is he a particularly ambitious signing, can't see any top 10 premiership team wanting him. Yes I know the barcodes aren't that but with their money they should be aiming at higher quality, like they did with Trippier. To me it's a case of trying to guarantee Burnley go down by taking one of their key players. He's a bigger loss to the dingles than he is acquisition to the barcodes. I'll be amazed if Wood is still playing for Newcastle 18 months from now, unless they go down. Put it this way, he won't last long in the prem with them.

I've never seen a keeper take it over the line like that. Not Steele, Fettis, Walton all of whom were terrible keepers. A mistake of that level is inexcusable. Like driving with your eyes closed level of stupid.

This is a very accurate summary of the process. This canary is finding a lot of gas. I would recommend setting your alarm to go off every three hours constantly and then spend the next hour after each alarm feeding and cleaning something that wriggles and fights you all the way (perhaps use a cat to practice?) At least twice in a 24 hour period you need to do some laundry, and it generally helps if you can make sure your clothes have something smelly (perhaps use the remnants of dinner?) smeared on them. I'm fairly confident that if you follow this training regime you will be ready or have the passport and fake accident prepared in time.

Buckley has at least played there before as has Travis. Johnson then slots into midfield and therefore the team doesn't have someone who is a total novice in that position. Can't Van Heck play at rb. You could switch to a back 4 and play him there. Lots of options for CB if you do. Actually could keep it a back 5 and slot Carter in if need additional CBs. Could also perhaps play Pike there. All options which would see the RB/rwb more suited than Dolan.

Here's why we cannot let anyone go: we are utterly appalling at getting in replacements. A few examples: - Defenders are coming - took seasons to come. - Armstrong still hasnt been replaced. - Kaminski came a year after we sold Raya. Incidentally the last one is likely to be history repeating itself if Nayambe goes. A former youth player TM has issues with is sold and a last minute substandard loan rushed in as we have no one in that position. So yeah, continuity, the quality of what they have, ain't broke don't fix it, they may sign new deals - all good reasons to stick with what we have. But imo the biggest reason is we are very unlikely to get replacements because of our poor recruitment process and speed. Whether that's the higher powers or TMs and his staff's fault is another debate. The big issue is we run a huge risk of massively weakening the team.

I mean why? Just why? No need for them to do this whatsoever. I get it on an away kit the halves - it's a cracking design, heraldic even, but for their home when not massively associated with halves or white. Odd choice.

Yes IF today acts as the brutal reminder not to experiment and over think things and prevents it happening in league games, then much as I love a good cup run, it probably is worth going out. But it is a stark reminder of what TM is capable of. Players out of position, suspect players being used. As for Pears there's poor and then there's not of professional standard. Having that in his locker makes you very wary of having him in your team. Like other poor keepers it's not that they can't have good games - it's a case that they are capable and will throw in utterly unprofessional performances that are negatively game changing from out of nowhere.

I mentioned this. That fee seems exorbitant, especially considering his inexperience, he's a squad player and the league isn't that great. It certainly suggests a crazy market where Nayambe should go for more than a couple of million.

He's a "name" and age wise is getting towards one last pay day. A perfect fit for Newcastle. That's not quite the question you asked though...

My key memories: Breakfast at the travel lodge in windy bottom or trumpington or some other such random place on a level with Cardiff in Emgland. Were joined by some "friendly" (read condescending) Spuds fans. "Tell me," they asked, "what do you really think of Souness?" "Do you really think Cole is a good forward?" Think they had their questions answered far better in the game then any answer I gave them. "We can't be overconfident," they said. "Anything could happen." Smug buggers. It did. Getting to Cardiff and it raining cats and dogs, a total deluge. And virtually nowhere was open. Remember huddling in a shopping arcade along with a ton of other Rovers and Spuds fans - not that any of the shops were open but it was at least under cover. Every pub and cafe was packed out. Who would have thought Hughes in midfield and Taylor right back would work? But it did. I'll be honest, I expected us to lose, Flitty and Tugay were big misses. When we scored first my first thought was at least we've had our moment in the game. When they equalised I thought that our moment had gone. But it hadn't gone. Can remember us growing into it as the second half went on. Can remember my Dad grabbing me and saying this is our moment, we need to capitalise on this. And we did. Fantastic goal from Cole. What do I think of him? His control for the goal was amazing. And kudos for Matty for forcing the defence into the error. Watching the ball roll into the net was an amazing feeling. Wasn't Brad fantastic? Save after save from an incredible one on one from Ferdinand (?) early on through to a few right at the death. Deserved MOTM. Incredible performance. One of the best keeping displays I have ever seen. Full time the Spuds end emptying quicker than a fire drill. Clapping and cheering so much at the end that my throat was hoarse and my hands hurt. Funnily enough the song I remember most is Rocking All Over The World as they did the lap of honour. That's the celebration picture in my memory. The drive back. Blimey getting out of Cardiff was tough, took hours. Arrived home in the early hours of the morning but me and my sister went to 6th form and school the next day despite this to celebrate (proudly wearing my Rovers shirt.) Not often you have bragging rights. Glory bunting was rife even back in the day. Overall one of the best days of my life. Magical. Flipping fantastic. A team you could be proud of hammering arrogant opposition. Never thought it would end like that when watching the 30 man rumble in the Oldham game way back in September.

No need to show off 😉

Maybe if he y'know focussed on football he might actually get a few goals.

Just seen Everton are buying the reserve right back of Rangers for £10 million. Since when did a Rangers squad player cost that much?