You are with that attitude.

I remember Chris Sutton doing that back in the 90s, can't remember if it was for us or Norwich.

It's the hope that gets you.

I think the appropriate response with BBD depends on the reason for his form dip. Theres the (rather cynical) suggestion going round that he's just phoning it in and while thats certainly possible it strikes me as a move very much not in his long term best interest and I think other factors are more likely contributing. If you look at what's going on in his life, he's on the cusp of a massive step up in his career and he's recently become a first time dad. Both are potentially tumultuous events, particularly the latter which is a huge adjustment even if everything goes smoothly (which it quite often doesn't). It's not hard to imagine those factors disrupting a rhythm that he's only relatively recently discovered. Not saying we should keep playing him or shouldn't expect more out of our best player, but casting aspersions on his character is poor imo given the potential range of reasons he might be struggling. Personally I hope he realises he'd do well to spend a bit more time working on his game at this level. Money is not everything and there'll be plenty of time for elite leagues/paychecks if he goes and bangs in another 20 odd for us next season.

You know, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if that was factoring into calculations.

I'd suggest they know they've cocked this up and they're just working out which response minimises the risk of legal liability for them. Ie, are they more exposed to damage claims if they ok the transfer and we get promoted/make play-offs or if they deny the transfer and we fail to get promoted? Either way there will likely be an aggrieved party and theyre probably running scenarios to decide which option is more palatable for them.

The complimentary words I've seen for Vale have been regarding his touch, and he had a good moment or two with the ball yesterday too. His problem is he's just invisible, never seems to be where he needs to be and is soft in the challenge. Doesn't read the game well at this level at least and is lacking confidence for mine.

Mmmm I'll have some of that hopium please. Intravenous injection will be fine.

Tbf, that was a nailed on penalty at the end there. Horrible non call. Would have been grand theft championship points, but still.

Its all well and good to talk about service but you have to be doing better than his attempt at 4 minutes if you want to play in a T1 league. He hasn't got the best support crew but in that moment it was just him and the keeper.

👋

I'm willing to give Broughton the benefit of the doubt on the macro issues. Dodgy owners, FPP, broader club position and a thousand other factors can skew perception of his performance. But a deal being scuttled by tardy paperwork would be utterly criminal and reflect directly on the performance of his administration. Lets hope its not true.

Have we though?

If we don't end up adding a striker, it really will be last chance saloon for Gally. With O'Brien bossing the middle and Sorba whipping in crosses he should get more than enough chances.

Its so important, and one of the ways you can tell who's played a fair bit (at any level) and who's mostly watched or played FM is how much value they place on it. Blokes who can (legally) throw their weight around, getting the opposition to back out of anything 50/50 are irreplaceable. You can see how much were missing that atm.

Why do I stay up for this shit?

Vale has shown a bit. Decent on the ball, but he's not getting into dangerous areas. Theres been plenty of ball in and around their box and he's been missing for quite some portion of it. Doesn't read the game well from what I've seen. Gallagher has been very poor. A yard too slow with a boot a yard too heavy. Dack on the other hand has been everywhere. Reckon he'll drag us to at least something out of the game.

Touch of an elephant there.

Good hit but Kaminski really should do better on a strike at his near post like that.

Crowding the ref. The Rugby League style of having only the captain approach the ref wouldn't work, but surely having half a squad standing over him (a la Uruguay) shouldn't be allowed. Its worse in South European/American leagues tbf.

I find it bizarre when challenges like the studs to Garretts groin get yellows. Like, fair enough if the officials are unsighted and only give a foul or wave play on, but how can you see an infringement worthy of further punishment occurred and not realise that reckless studs in the jewels should be worthy of a straight red? Its like the ref realised that everyone in the stadium but him and the linesman saw what it was and he's just given a token card in reaction to the reaction. Was one of about 3 bizarre non decisions that went against us. In terms of the game, I dont get to watch much rovers (down in Australia), but I thought we played a composed, even varied game. Plenty of quality through balls in the middle third troubled them greatly, and in defense we hoofed it out when needed rather than pathologically playing it out from the back. It wasn't super fluent but we were good value for the scoreline and were never going to concede against a choppy opposition and pitch. Hyam was my MoM but Dack, Garrett and Hedges weren't far behind. Garretts last gasp challenge was an outstanding bit of play, particularly when on a yellow. The kid has a pair on him, thats for sure.