If we'd have been given 3 penalties, we would have scored more too. ?

True, though most teams in this div won't produce the precision finishes that Bournemouth did.

Yes I read about that re the sky ones, I'm hoping Quest is a little more accurate; maybe that's forlorn, but in a way I don't care as we all know the truth about our dominance yesterday! It's worth noting actually that although the last two results were very similar, they were achieved in 2 very different ways. Against Wycombe we dominated possession (even before the sending off), whereas yesterday we only had about 40% of the ball. Yet the key stats (goals for / against, shots for / against, on target / off target) were broadly similarly strong in both games. That bodes really well imo, as to be able to create lots, score lots & not concede in 2 such different types of games points to a good chance of being able to perform like that consistently, injuries & fitness levels allowing.

I've not seen any highlights, am saving the pleasure for later today. What an excellent start to the season we've had in term of performances. Bar the start of the 2nd half v Doncaster, we've oozed confidence & fluidity going forwards, with pace, creativity and expansiveness to our approach play which scares defenders to death. We're it not for some worldy finishes from Bournemouth we'd be unbeaten this season in the league. Yes Wycombe & Derby were not the most challenging of opponents but we've actually put them away comprehensively, which we're not known for. If anything, both wins ought to have been even more comprehensive, but maybe that's being greedy. I think I'm most pleased with Holtby's emergence. I knew there was a top player in there just waiting to shine. Comparisons with Tugay are a little premature (I did it myself on here a few months back & was told by someone Holtby wasn't fit to place Tugay's boots!) but if he can perform in that role consistently throughout this season, then I'd say well founded. Almost equalling that is BB. Again, I've always thought there was some ability in there (admittedly very well hidden at times!) but in this formation and with loads of pace around him (Arma, Rothwell, Dolan) he will cause defences proper headaches with his on-the-ball swashbuckling up & at 'em style. Just needs to add goals to his game & folk might start to think there's some value to the £7m investment or whatever turns out to be. Loads of other positives (Kaminski looks reliable & progressive, Williams solid, Rothwell purposeful, Johnson a bully, Arma, Dolan - what a bonus! - even Chapman having effective cameos, plus Ayala, Dack, Gallagher yet to feature at all, Buckley & Evan's barely, & another LB hopefully). There are some negatives; injuries are mounting up, the squad lacks depth in a couple of key areas, and there are several key contract issues to sort out in the next couple of months at a difficult time financially, and other off the field stuff is concerning. But for now, I think we can afford to revel a little in our new-found status as the league's entertainers! Same again v Cardiff then take a well-earned international break after which time hopefully we'll have added a new LB & a got some depth with loans & the likes of Ayala, Evans & Gallagher back, and Dack not long after... COYB!!

These are words you don't read on here very often...!

I'm confident about tomorrow, though not complacent. We have enough about us offensively to cause any team in this division problems, so if we can keep it tight at the back then we have every chance. I'd be bringing back Nyambe and move JRC forward to replace Dolan, with a view to bringing Dolan on 2nd half against touring defenders. I think away from home against a strong opponent JRC will have a bit more steel about him and allow us to take early control of the game. I'd stick with Bell just for the sake of balance, but really do think we badly need a replacement. No changes elsewhere for me. I'm going for a 3-1 win inc a brace for Armstrong, Derby to follow in Forest's footsteps with 3 defeats on the bounce as I think they'll underestimate us based on what happened there in March.

Agree to a point, but it wasn't just Dack was it? I'd argue that Cunningham was as important a loss, given that in his absence we had Bell and then, when he was injured along with Del, right-footed Bennett or JRC. Left back is the 1 position we still all crave to be improved on now. We also lost Evans & Holtby at similar times too remember

Marginal last season yes, perhaps, but that's in the context of suffering several long term injuries to key players at key moments. That's not the only reason we missed out on the 7/8 points needed for the playoffs granted, but in my mind it was surely the most significant.

And yet at the end of each full season he's been here, there's been improvement in our league position from the previous season ...

I'm hearing that Garner has won United's Reserve POTY award; are the stars aligning??

Dolan has v quick feet

Holtby should've scored, great move

Commentary just kicked in!

I'm in... good picture.

Fantastic Mike E, I will do likewise & I'll double it in May if you win the bet, but please do remind me!! ? Edit: Done

Great cause. Shame it won't make any money out of this board membership though, as I'm with JoeH! I'll chip in a fiver though too at the end of the season if Boro finish above us. In return, can you agree likewise for Alzheimer's Society? No worries if not as I realise it's likely to get expensive for you!! ?

If Dack truly is a PL player in waiting, then he ought to be able to adapt his game enough to be capable of having an impact in a 433 provided he's given the right role in it. I agree with the principle that as a club, we should be playing a system that suits the majority of the squad, especially if the club has designs to cash in Dack's chips in the next 12 months.

Calm down everyone, these were the bookies' odds from last season; there's not a huge amount they got right there....

Feeling bizarrely positive about today, mainly from the point of view that I don't think we've anything to lose. We're away at a team relegated from the PL (albeit in transition themselves), with us having a definite weaker back 4 than last season + a completely unknown keeper, I think that's preferable to Wycombe at home, for example. That said, there are stats to suggest that a Nyambe / Lenihan / Williams / Bell backline can perform well; let's hope they've worked hard this week in training & formed a good understanding with Kaminski. And that they defend better than West Ham did! Offensively I'm confident we have enough to trouble any defence, and sufficient depth to make changes tactical if required. With Gallagher injured we're just missing a big man up front, but he's no DG so maybe not such a bug miss. Could be an end to end thriller! Hoping for the win, won't moan too much at a defeat, a draw I think most feasible. Let's go! COYB!!

Sorry to hear that rigger, I hope you are able to find something soon. There are plenty of businesses recruiting for whom this virus has turned into an opportunity, perhaps you can get fixed up with one of them. Fingers crossed anyhow. In the meantime, at least you have this board to read to keep your spirits up...

Blimey talk about pot kettle black!! ?

Just so long as Bennett is only a substitute, right?!

How boring. It was a typo after all. ?

If Sharp leaked it, then surely there was something to leak, I.e. a bid made for a player that had been accepted by those to whom he was under contract. Saying that the club have manufactured bids for players just to give the impression we were trying is utterly nonsensensical.

There is inevitable pressure to perform in front of fans in a stadium, even if those fans are supportive of the player's efforts (which I think is what you're driving at). I acknowledge that the Rovers fans have generally been supportive of him on matchday but, with no fans in attendance currently, I suspect it makes it easier for a young player low on confidence & who's trying to justify a huge price tag, to perform better.