Think it is important that there isn't too much revisionism going on here. What do they say about childbirth? There is an inbuilt part of a women's brain that tries to make her forget just how horrific childbirth was so that she goes back and does it again. Souness was a fantastic manager for 3 seasons with us. A born winner who bought and sold well, assembled a great team and was tactically very asute. I was at the fulham for the first game (was it the first game, maybe that's just selective memory) the 2-2 draw. And standing on that open terrace behind the goal, such renewed enthusiasm amongst our supporters. However there is no doubt that it went seriously wrong in that 4th season. We were very lucky not to have gone down and he should have been fired well before Newcastle came in. And I remember what our fans were saying. I remember the frustration and I remember the forum. I feel that maybe others don't. Or it has been dimmed over time.. JW must have thought all his Christmases had come at once, instead of us paying him compo, we rec'd compo for Souness going. It also got him out of jail cos it was a decision that should have been made months previous. Like I said remember the good times, but don't gloss over the final 15 months which were horrific. He also left us with a pretty shite squad, with just Stead and dickov as our senior strikers!

I think there is alot to like and alot we can learn from. However the academy side of things makes me really uncomfortable. Would hate to see us go that route. The funny thing about it is, the fundamental difference is the manager. Enthusiastic, passionate and demanding. The opposite of TM. So much could be rectified by a simple change of manager..

Out of all of that lot Pears is the one that pisses me off the most. Wasting a few 100 precious 1000 on a back up keeper. When we already had 2 at the club anyway. F**king dodgy deal all round imo.

Tbf BB, as BSy as Nicko is normally he has pretty much been spot on for most of this deal..

A great opportunity play the young players and see if they were up to it. Would have had the desire to play well for further chances in the first team. Instead plays most of the first team but changes formation and gets knocked out. Also looses us potential future revenue and the opportunity to give these youngsters a go in other league cup games. Pathetic

He's a fuxking idiot. Just play the same formation we always use 4-3-3 ffs. And you might as well have just played the kids instead of first teamers and still loosing.

Bloody hell, could have rested a couple more and given a couple of the promising youngsters a go ffs. Should be concentrating on millwall.

Just wondering that myself. For people overseas like myself where the live games are middle of the night the 10min extended highlights are as good as it gets..

I know it's only the first game of the season but I wonder what the Swansea fans make of the appointment? They've lost some quality players (that bloody ayew always used to score against us). Martin managed mk Dons to mid table in league 1 and has only been a manager for 18 months. It seems that his claim to faim & the reason to have been appointed was that he plays a particular kind of football. Tippy tappy it around and generally do bugger all with it, seems to me..

I'm actually quite excited about this game. I know that sounds ridiculous but Im hoping to see some of our promising youngsters given a go up against seasoned league 1/2 players. I think a team like this is perfect. Run outs for those still getting full fitness in Chapman, davenport and SG. Then an opportunity for the young players who are in and around the first team to show what they can do. I think anyone who wants to play the Xi from sat bar a change or 2 needs to get their head a wobble (no disrespect lol). Our squad is so threadbare, we need that Swansea Xi fit for millwall away.

Good to see our rivals at the top of the table taking points off each other even at this early stage..

At least with all the players we've lost the team picks itself The only 2 real questions are Buckley or Davenport and whether Armstrong gets risked or if it will be SG through the middle. Although with TM at the wheel it will be interesting what other nonsense he can possibly pull off

All bit unnecessary really. That was 30 odd years ago and in its own way paved the way for everything that happened a couple of years after. The guy is a guest on our forum who isn't being a dick, surely deserves a bit more respect. Fair call on the 1861 mind you, that's a shocker. Although nice kit I must say haha

Goodness gracious and I thought we fannied around with it at the back?!!

Oh wow I wasn't expecting that!

I remember how excited I was when Treacy came through the ranks. Irish, left footed, winger, youth product; I thought he was the new Duff. Fascinating about what he said around his natural ability effectively being coached out. He probably came along 10 years too late for his style of game. Oh how I long for the days of 4-4-2, wingers (with left footer on the left and right footer on right, not the other bloody way round) and just going for it. In general terms around addiction. Have read a few stories around players who have been affected by various conditions (drinking or gambling etc) the common denominator seems to be having too much time on their hands with too much money. Being finished at 1pm every day and then being like, ok how do I fill in the next 10 hours till bed time? Clubs could be more pro active in that regard, especially for players who have moved away from where they grew up so don't have the support of family and friends.

Like league 1 Brentford for example..

Ffs he should be at Ewood for goodness sake!

Please just resign with dignity. Has done a good job on the whole over the last 4 years and we have a really good squad. Need a fresh start with someone new, either an experienced type or Ainsworth. Not just because he's a Rovers fan but what he has done with Wycombe is remarkable

Enough is enough. A lot of us have backed you when others haven't. Time to go. Wrong selection, wrong subs.

And I heard Warnock was wanking on a load after that game too. Happy days!

How can we not know the Lenihan result an hour and had before ko? At what point does it become to late and he should be available as the appeal is still pending?

Bournemouth Swansea currently 0-0 which would be a good result for us. Stoke losing at home to Cardiff who are in excellent form

Outstanding season so far and imo the vital cog in this team. No one else has the ability to carry the ball at such pace. Yes he has the occasional off day but a new contract needs to be sorted asap!

This issue with downing, Johnson and indeed Davenport is that they are all left footed. Doesn't really work at right back