smiller14

I was talking about Diaz's recent form?

Eh? If you mean quarter final, then it's because our front 3 played well, and the last 20 minutes was us trying to shore the game up unsuccessfully. Incidentally, Dolan was absolutely superb in the previous round against Leicester, played well against Sheffield United in the league and was one of our brighter players vs Hull (shocking miss aside). I'm a bit unsure on Dolan generally and his role in the team, but not sure saying he didn't play in a particular game (which we lost) really backs up your point. He's definitely not your man as a number 9 when you've reverted to long, direct football. Against PNE, I'd probably go for 3 of Dolan/Leonard/Thomas/Szmodics. Diaz is clearly lacking something, although JDT might argue he just needs a goal. My concern is his decision making - constant stupid fouls, lazy offsides, lack of composure. He just looks lost. My team: Kaminski, JRC, Hyam, Carter, Pickering, Travis, Wharton, Morton, 3 of the 4 above. Edit - forgot Hedges. Wouldn't be sad to see him play, but feel we need a bit of pace in the front 3.

I've just done some pessimistic predictions and got the following: Team Pts 5 Millwall 70 6 Albion 69 7 Coventry 68 8 Rovers 67 9 Sunderland 67 10 PNE 64 11 Watford 64 12 Swansea 64 13 Norwich 63 This is based on us drawing 3 and losing 1, so it's quite clear that turning one of those into a win puts us bang in the frame. Surely we can't go another 4 without winning? A lot hinges on Milwall's next 2. They play Blackpool and Millwall away, neither of whom are doing a Wigan job of fighting for their lives (bar the odd result). Likewise Coventry - they play Reading and Birmingham at home. If they win both, that puts them on 69, which I have as the magic number (oi oi) for top 6. If we win 2, I think we do it. Although perversely it might depend which 2! Edit - we would drop to 9th on GD based on the above.

I had mine last year and it was about £50, although I renewed late. It's usually about 10% higher than the price of the ST in one fell swoop, split over 8 or 9 payments.

Dreading this one. Losing this one will see Coventry (and probably a couple more) pass us, putting us in a really negative position heading into Preston/Burnley - ironically, dropping out of the top 6 might help us release the shackles a bit (not that I want to of course), as there's something inherent in this team with pressure and turning into shrinking violets more often than not. I can't think of any sensible prediction for this game, but I'm hoping their confidence and need for a win might play into our hands a bit. Keeping that Gyokeres quiet is a paramount if very difficult task. I'd take a scruffy 1-0, but it truly is a game to stand up and be counted. Gally and Diaz will consider themselves very lucky if they start. I have no idea how Coventry play, but wouldn't be averse to going back to 3 in midfield like we saw at Huddersfield. We had so much more fluidity in that game, and it meant that there were constantly options for our defenders with the ball at their feet, rather than the static, subbuteo-like approach we saw vs Hull. Plus, this is the only formation in which he picks Adam Wharton - I love the intelligence in his passing and how he's always looking forward. I love Travis, but he really struggles in the final third and doesn't have the guile of Wharton. Morton is very safe, as well, and now is the time for bravery.

I couldn't even remember last season's offer. I think by then I was totally downtrodden and demoralised!

I do agree it should have been lower, but still thought we'd shift 16,000 home tickets. Then again, the marketing for it has been non-existent. As a comparison, I saw 'South Wales derby' billboards everywhere around Cardiff before their recent game vs Swansea. I know we had other games in the meantime, but it's certainly slipped under the radar. Cardiff marketed it well, priced a bit better (about £25 I think) and subsequently got a gate of 28k. For comparison, their gate the weekend before was 22k - that was a game against Bristol City too with the same away following, so shows what a bit of hype can do.

It's a good point. I didn't know at the time they would discount each individual ticket though to basically render the initial offer null and void. And I thought initially it went on sale before Sky got their grubby mitts on it.

When I mentioned decent crowd, I wasn't referring to a sell out or anything close. I'd even count 15-16,000 home fans as decent enough - there's no reason we shouldn't get similar to 2015, especially given our league position relative to then. Even the 5 for £99 offer I felt should have inflated numbers a touch. I still think it should have been £20-25, but I remember paying £35 to go to Turf Moor nearly 10 years ago, so £30 isn't totally out of the ordinary. I think even the FA Cup game in 2005 was £25, which was 18 years ago now. It might even have been £30. It was only a few weeks ago we had 6,000 (and could have sold 8,000) for Sheffield United away at similar prices - it seems there is a malaise around the derby, which can't have been helped by our performance vs them earlier this season, in addition to the saturation of games recently.

Ticket sales look pretty modest thus far - I'd say the Riverside about 20-30% full, BBE lower will sell out. JW currently on about 40-50%. I know they could have done some more imaginative pricing, but for most clubs £30 for a local derby would guarantee a decent crowd. Maybe more will buy after the Coventry game.

Agree with a lot of this - however, in the second half on Saturday I saw some of the grit and determination we have been missing. We came back from 2-0 down at a time-wasting, gamesmanship-aplenty Warnock side who were sitting in and making life difficult, and the team looked disappointed at the end. We had Dolan pushing ball boys, JDT in the referee's face and JRC covering every blade of grass. I really hope it awakened something, as we've often played like a team of perfect son-in-laws rather than being the nasty bastards you need to get out of this league.

I think Norwich catch us, but I'm pinning my hopes on catching Millwall, who I think can be overhauled. Preston are a worry.

The referee was an absolute disgrace. 5 minutes was a joke anyway and he couldn't wait to blow his whistle. Morton was miles better second half, but I thought JRC and Szmodics stood out. Both work harder than anyone I've seen and were winning 50-50s galore.

Deserved fully. We deserve it for battling and all the chances created, they deserve it for their timewasting and gamesmanship.

When it's not your day..... A largely very good performance ruined by a few minutes of madness defensively. Infuriating.

This referee is reffing like he's scared of having Warnock in his ear. They're getting everything!

Lots of timewasting and diving from the hosts now.

It's the hope that kills you. Come on Rovers - hope this awakens something.

Pears and Carter woeful at the back. Morton the same as normal. Diaz absolutely pathetic from minute 1. Szmodics bright but no cutting edge. Wharton looks decent but faded a bit as game got away from us.

So frustrating. Diaz in the same boat as well. No striker in January was a fatal error.

Dangerous position, Morton in acres. Crossed out of play. 'He's better than that, is Tyler Morton'. I can assure you he isn't.

Is there a more cowardly bunch of players than this lot? As soon as the chips are down, they absolutely shit themselves. 60 minutes to save our season now - I have little to no hope.

Ipswich are having their season in the sun and suddenly selling a lot of tickets. It's great support from them, but it's a deviation from the norm. I am surprised people are talking 2,000-2,500 travelling up from Norwich as if it's a small away following. We usually struggle for 4 figures there. It's an absolute trek and they're probably underperforming in their eyes. I'm intrigued how it's a poor following? If so, we rarely have a passable following! On the game itself, I'm nervous. I have a bad feeling about it and can't pinpoint why. My only solace is we tend to play better against teams who 'have a go' and don't sit in, but I really can't see how we get even a point if they score first.

I have no issues with JDT's stance above and you have to have standards and prove why you should be in the team - it sounds like Wharton hasn't done that (as much as I'd love him to do so!). However, we simply cannot persist with Morton. He's so passive and doesn't have the stomach for these big games, and lacks the necessary ability to override that. I dread to think what will happen to him on derby day - when the chips are down, he goes completely missing. I'd sooner pick any of the options than him - it's nothing to do with him being a loanee, it's all to do with what he (doesn't) offer

I don't think there's much danger Leicester want JDT. He's done a very good job here, but can see them going for someone with a bit more pedigree given their current predicament. Not trying to downplay his achievements, just feel they'll go for a more established, 'safer' choice. I think the top division clubs will take more notice if he keeps us in the play offs. I agree we'll do well to keep him long, particularly if the transfer cock ups continue.