I actually think other fans would look at that team & feel it's quite decent, just missing a proven goalscorer as we know. Young highly rated international keeper, highly rated right back, one v good CB, solid LB, high quality holding midfielder with a young superstar, in-form midfielders in Brittain, Dolan & SS. Not our strongest 11 granted, but stronger than you would have us believe.

Who'd've thought it, maybe after all JDT knows a thing or two about football & how to integrate a player from abroad gradually, as opposed to throwing him in and risking his confidence... I agree re Whiteman by the way, well worth a punt for us with his contract expiring in summer.

If you read the report it doesn't sound like we acquitted ourselves too badly, particularly when you look at the team sheet.

FWIW, given everything that happened in summer & the context in which he was signed, I trust the judgment of GB and JDT to have identified a player who, if not ready now, will provide value going forwards. I know that's not what we needed, but that's hardly their fault, or Telalovic's. He seems to have been a late bloomer, but to be even considered as a squad member for Bor Mon he must have something about him. In fact we've seen a little already; his control & pass to SS for that missed chance were excellent. Hopefully he just needs time, and atm we're managing ok without him (and Ennis, Gallagher & Leonard) - quite remarkable really when you think about it!!

NB - I posted below in the Millwall thread in response to a few posture Dolan, it's probably more appropriate here. He does (look like he's getting his mojo back), and it's great to see him starting to flourish again because I think he is quite a unique player and, when on song, an absolute nightmare for defenders. As is often the case with players of his type, confidence is a massive part of his makeup as a player because his game is instinctive (as it is with strikers & goalkeepers also), so it's important he does what works for him to rebuild & maintain that confidence. It's easy for a defender, for example, just to hoof it when low on confidence, not so for a tricky, diminutive figure like him. Coming off social media & keeping a close circle of confidants (I.e. family, club staff & close friends, inc teammates) is massive and he's at a good age to have reached that decision himself to have ample time to reap the benefits. I for one hope he stays, more is yet to come from him I think.

He does, and it's great to see him starting to flourish again because I think he is quite a unique player and, when on song, an absolute nightmare for defenders. As is often the case with players of his type, confidence is a massive part of his makeup as a player because his game is instinctive (as it is with strikers & goalkeepers also), so it's important he does what works for him to rebuild & maintain that confidence. It's easy for a defender, for example, just to hoof it when low on confidence, not so for a tricky, diminutive figure like him. Mods - I realise I've taken this off topic, so will put this post in the Dolan thread also. Hope that's ok.

Can't disagree with you on the first bit., certainly. On the second bit yes, they were below what even he would have considered acceptable, but it's about having some perspective &, ultimately, compassion & consideration for the individual.

Yes if criticised constructively, but clearly it was unbalanced & went too far, to the point where it affected his confidence and it became an uncontrollable downward spiral for him. I'm not saying it was any comments on here that got to Dolan as he himself has, to my knowledge, only referred to twitter / X as being the source of his concern, where personal criticism is probably even more vitriolic (I'm not on it, or famous, so don't know). But even on here during his poor run folk were stating that he can't pass /shoot /dribble /cross /tackle /track back. They questioned his very basic abilities as a professional footballer. Clearly he can do those things, he has done ever since we signed him, but he can't do them consistently or when low on form/confidence, because he's human & still only 21. So yes he was "fair game" for constructive criticism, but not for the unbalanced deluge of abuse he got, imo. Maybe some will call him (or me!) a snowflake for this opinion, but it cant be easy for a young lad like him, who's only ever known football & has been through some significant tragedy in his short life (which in itself was connected to his friend's own sense of self worth), to read what's been said about him & be able just to shrug it off.

I can't believe how folk seem to expect perfection from players at this level. Leo made a mistake, clearly; point out to me a keeper this season who hasn't. His oppo last night, one of the most experienced 'keepers at this level who I think 8 out of 10 of us would've been happy to sign in summer, also had a shocker. Leo made a top class save on Saturday to win us 2 points. Why the need to be so critical now & say we need a 3rd goalkeeper when he's been here 5 minutes? All good keepers make howlers; at least Leo seemed to shrug it off last night & do a good job thereafter. And don't anyone say it's just someone expressing an opinion on the internet so it doesn't matter; it does, just ask Dolan. Criticism is fine if it's constructive & objective. Great win last night, two lovely goals from our perspective, good recovery from a poor start, great resilience to aerial bombardment, and made all the sweeter for me with it being part of a 30/1 acca that made me £300, despite Manure doing their best to put the skids on it in the 94th minute! Onana, top keeper!!! (Feels like this post has come full circle now!)

Saw the first half of their weekend match at PNE, they had a nightmarish start & made some shocking defensive mistakes, but after the first 10 mins or so they found their feet & looked quite dangerous. Like the OP said, happy days to grind out a 0-1 (though I'll take 3-4 again!)

This one?! 😁

He had a good game, looks strong, quick, versatile, and is quite a unit. Arguably it's allowed us to push JRC forwards so he can be more effective offensively, as proven yesterday. As for his long throw, just because you can doesn't mean you should... it's quite slow & loopy as opposed to fast & flat (which defenders really hate), but at least it's another tool in the armoury if push comes to shove!!

Yup. The rest of the team really understood how good it was, eg if you look at Brittain he runs to congratulate JRC but as he does so he looks and points to Dolan in appreciation of the architecture of the chance.

He's easily replaceable for £1m yet we should be getting £10m + add ons for selling him?? That makes no sense whatsoever! Yes he does have the odd mistake or rash judgment in him, don't they all?? He's turned into a top defender at this level; big, strong, confident on the ball, reads the game well, positions himself well off the ball. There's room for improvement as he matures as a player, which will come as he gets older.

Poor game overall but think we shaded it. Credit to the ref & lino for giving the offside. Not an easy one to see, but the replay shows their guy (who's a proper unit) behind our last defender & in front Leo when the ball is headed at goal. Also to their manager for fronting up about it afterwards. It was bad defending from us to allow the header, probably the only proper defensive mistake we made all match bar some stray passing around. Back 5 were generally solid, Hyam & Carter were solid, great save when needed from Leo, & Trondstad gave them great protection & used the ball well, looks handy, puts himself about & tough to dispossess. Attacking wise we were poor 1st half, no-one clocked, no fluidity. I said a few times no one was making runs to break the lines; Siggy isn't quick, SS had an off game, & playing JRC & Brittain further forward meant we lost their ability to surge forward from deep undetected. Thankfully JRC provided that 2nd half, & should've got two. Overall a good win after a 2 week break to start this next tranche of matches, Cardiff will be tough to be for most this season. Back it up with another win on Tuesday & we'll be right back in the playoff mix.

Can't agree with the first sentence, though do agree with the second. Before the pass came the take, it wasn't an easy looping header to take down with his chest, back to goal with defenders around. Then he looked up, saw the run, swivelled & played a lovely weighted 20 yard forward pass that took out 3 central defenders. In a match of rather low offensive quality overall it was quite a superb piece of play & consisted of everything that his detractors say he can't do (i.e. control & hold the ball up in tight positions, look around for options & execute composed end product). He has the raw talent & ability, he needs the consistency; this last few games he's started to find some.

Wow, parents know how to pull our strings sometimes don't they?! Be strong. You can always come on here if you need cheering up... 🤔

I lost my mum nearly 3 years ago, having barely seen her for a year prior due to covid. She had dementia so had no idea who we were by then. I missed her passing moment; we'd been allowed to be with her for 24 hours, I went to freshen up at dad's & answer a couple of urgent work emails re a trial the next day. I'd only been gone 10 mins when my brother called me & said she'd passed. I got straight back in the car in floods. Be sure to treasure that moment you had as she breathed her last; I kick myself daily for missing it due to stupid work. It'll never not be a painful memory I'm sure, but it can be a source of strength forever.

I guessed that but didn't want to speculate. I know he said he just wanted to get back to playing again so fair play to him for that. But so many young kids, whether they make it or not, or make it then lose it, would do well to heed the warnings of experiences such as his. I bet he had loads of no-do-gooders around him who are nowhere to be seen now.

I'll put this here, only as it shows how cruel football can be. Jordon Ibe, once bought by Bournemouth from Liverpool for £15m as a 20 year old, has just joined Ebbsfleet United, aged 27. I'm sure he's earned (and probably lost) a few pennies in that time; it's a salutory lesson to all academy youngsters to enjoy every minute they have in the game.

Deepest condolences.

And Lenihan, Rothwell & to a lesser degree Nyambe. Totally agree re measurement of risk financially, given what we now know but didn't 3 months ago. I can see us having to make a big sale in January just to keep the lights on (or stop more being switched off), but if we do I think GB would be as good as anyone to find a modestly priced alternative.

In the main, GB has done a v good job in identifying decent talent to bring in. As with all recruitment it's a mixed bag, but looking at it currently: Hirst - bad failure, low risk financially Hyam - huge success, high financial risk Szmodicz - huge success, high financial risk Morton - ok, low financial risk Mola - failure, low financial risk Thomas - ok, low financial risk Ennis - jury out, low financial risk Siggy - looks top but early days, low financial risk Trondstad - promising, low financial risk Wahlsted - promising, low financial risk Telalovic - jury out, low financial risk Moran - looks good but early days, low financial risk Hill - promising, low financial risk. Standout failures are Hirst, O'Brien & a missed striker last January. Any one of those not happening could've seen us get that missing extra point last season. All signings are risks in terms of will they do what they were signed for, or could an alternative have done better. But overall, and given the context that needs no repeating here, that's not a bad record for GB imo, so far, & significant room for further growth but less room for regression.

Be off with you!!

Bet your Chelsea mate was chuffed given what was going on at the turf at the same time. Was he cacking his pants about when we go down there at the end of the month?!