At least you’re not as bad as that bloke that said a few weeks ago we would regret not sacking Mowbray and getting Hurst in this summer. That comment will stay with me for life.

I don’t know if Hurst can though. Thought it was a strange remedy anyway... correct me if I’m wrong because it might be my mind playing tricks - But didn’t Shrewsbury do so well last season by being physical, direct and grinding out narrow, ugly victories?

I just think a few of us are wondering how you could have come to this conclusion.

That sounds like some unsubstantiated feel good bullcrap I’d come out with. But that was before the game, now I think he’s shit.

Admittedly not a team performance to be proud of - but a strong shout for MOTM for Ryan. Solid as an absolute rock and always a looming threat even if nothing came off his forays. @JAL did you get down to Pride Park mate?

Same for me subscribing to NowTV. I thought I’d played a blinder getting all Sky Sports channels for £89 a year on Black Friday but alas, turns out they are cleverer than me. Rivers freely flow nowadays at least.

Looking a very good shout that right now, but I would never have thought they were in disarray before the season started (compared to Birmingham and Bolton etc at least). Bet you got good odds. Has this been coming? Thought they had a good side in spite of off the field ballax and the loss of a couple of players?

Just back after a late beer to recover from the run to the train station... That’s a hell of a point. To play that badly without many of our first choices, against a very good, technical team reacting from a bad loss... and to get away with a point, nearly nicking all three with the Dack chance. Phew. Some individual performances to forget but cant help but be happy really.

Second match of the season live after Villa and I’m telling you - Smallwood is playing better than Evans. Evans let’s on that he has the skill and ability but 90% of the time if you did the old coaching trick of “Stop. Why are you stood where you are?” He wouldn’t be able to answer. Richie and Reed for me. Smallwood has more football intelligence and more ten times heart. The odd misplaced pass but he was great again when we played like drains. Bennett excellent, Palmer POOR, zero graft. And we don’t half miss Chico at the back.

At the game. They are a good side. Maybe im just not educated enough to understand what Cory Evans is good at or what he does. But he has reverted to type after he got his call up. Richie is as good or better in 90% of the qualities needed to be a CM and at least he can be arsed. Palmer can do one too. Lazy and no footballing brain. Rothwell and Reed come on down. Be delighted to escape with a point.

I don't think things are all that bad, but what an opportunity lost vs. Oxford. Season tickets should have been available and shouted about before the match, during half time and throughout the celebrations afterwards. Amount of booze and goodwill going around absolutely hundreds of new direct debits could have been set up. Shame.

He's now played more games for us than he has any other club. Didn't expect that when we signed him, certainly.

I agree, but I think Dack can be equally as dangerous threading through and encouraging a bit of tiki taka as he did in the League Cup. I was a little frustrated in the first half vs. Villa at Danny not dropping off the shoulder looking to be played through or dragging the defence around to create space for Armstrong and Dack. His hold up play second half, when things got a bit more industrial, was class of course. Both tactics can be effective when we have someone with that quality in the No.10 role - tonight I'm looking forward to seeing us try Armstrong again or even Brereton up top. DG can help us close out the 3-0 after 60 mins.

Hasn’t he had about 45 minutes in our colours?? I want him to start tonight so we can at least BEGIN to have a look.

Was just going to post this. Cant even describe how despicable I find it for a multi million pound football club to milk their supporters and local community for free stewarding. Beyond the pale. edit - the legality of advertising a volunteer position like that is dubious at best, too.

Arms can’t be offside.

If he drops Mr. Rovers Elliott Bennett to play a defender as a forward I’ll give you £100. In?

We did. More goals are scored by balls into the box (especially with their height and quality of Abraham etc) than from direct free kicks.

I didn't see us park the bus tbh. But you have to react to attacking substitutions of the quality they brought on. Every team in the world has to consider the opposition, and I thought the balance we struck was ideal barring a clever foul bought by Grealish.

I “like” your post Mike E. Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Reed Smallwood Bennett Dack Palmer Brereton Time to give the young lad a go, and Palmer a chance to impress in front of his old fans. Give Evans a rest, think Reed and Smallwood would give us a good foothold. Snap yer hand off for a point right now.

Smallwood for me too. I don’t get to as many games in the flesh as I would like, but managed to get on yesterday - This season and last I have always left impressed with Richie’s smart off the ball work, the way he pops up everywhere, and his surprising passing ability. Some things just don’t translate on the TV pictures and I don’t know if he had a particularly better game or what but he was fantastic yesterday. HOWEVER I think one of him, or preferably Evans, has to make way for Reed on Tuesday. He looks exactly like the kind of player that Evans has often promised to be. Busy little bugger and very tidy with the ball - he will help those around him with that bit of extra quality. By the same token of TV vs live and being able to watch a player - I thought in the first half that Graham, whilst not poor, just doesn’t have to mobility to be able to link up, move defences or get on the end of a snappy passing play and of course has no chance in behind. He came into his own second half when it gets a bit more direct and there isn’t many better at that - but I wouldn’t mind every now and then having Armstrong or Brereton starting games dragging centre halves around and not just bruising them. Expect we will see one of those two leading the line Tuesday.

Because the opposition change their tactics too.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/phe-publishes-independent-expert-e-cigarettes-evidence-review Good to see positive & healthier choices being supported by the club.

There would have been ten Villa players in the six yard box... with their height and strength you have to play the percentages - the free kick was excellent and pretty much unstoppable. Enjoyed the game though - if Villa are meant to be up there at the end of the season then surely we won’t be too far behind. Thought they were bang average and bloody lucky. Liked Reed, he will give the out ball option better than Smallwood/Evans and should help cut out some of the Lenihan mistakes. Not sure DG is a starter, but was great second half. Dack is an impudent genius and I bloody love him. Roll on Tuesday - think it will be tougher.

Hope not for his sake. I'm no medical expert but there's been a clip/interview just put on iFollow with Dom Samuel and Gladwin is there in the physio room and his knee looks like John Merrick's so maybe that's just what it is.