Great technique, control, and spatial awareness for the second goal. Any top striker would have been proud of that one. The scissor volley wasn’t bad either.

It’s pretty obvious that the powers that be would have known Eustace was looking for a way out for a while. A clued up board would have already got a short list of likely candidates. Of course that will change as time goes by, for instance Robins might have been on it, but he won’t be now. Names will come and go. Given the speed that they had JDT’s replacement in the club I wouldn’t be surprised if a new guy was in place by this time next week. There’s a lot hanging on this Saturdays performance. A repeat of last night and the temptation to hang fire will grow.

They probably realised that even if they agreed to his demands he’d only be here until West Brom or Boro or Big Club etc etc came calling in the not too distant future.

None of our midfield players are likely to get beyond Gueye. That’s one of the reasons we aren’t prolific scorers normally. Weimann hasn’t got the legs anymore. As you say now isn’t a time for changing pattern of play, but maybe if we go behind ?

Could we do better - yes. Will we do better - probably not.

You need big bucks to play keep ball and get out of this league. We haven’t got big bucks

I agree with that in the main but - the Weimann “ lay off “ ? If that’s right I Iaid off a few like that in my career. Especially when the sun was in my eyes. We need Tronstad back asap, then we can give Buckley a go in that No 10 position. That’s where he’s best for me.

He’d be top of my list but as you say - it isn’t going to happen.

They’re not a bottom 3 side on current form and it’s current form that matters. It’s going to be as tough as any game this season and we’ve got to approach it in that fashion. I can’t see Baath being fit and I expect it to be a game too soon for both Carter and Beck although they may be on the bench. We have decent replacements in Ribeiro and Sanderson. I like Sanderson he’s get a bit of pace about him. I suppose the rest of the team picks itself after last night although I would like to start Kargbo on the left and give Hedges a place on the bench. Ditto with Weimann and Dennis.

There was a time when we head hunted a stream of excellent managers from the lower reaches of the leagues. Jim Smith, Ken Furphy and Gordon Lee. They’d come up the hard way and knew how to get the best out of a mixed bunch of players. Wellens is going really well at Orient,

It’s a bit like when Mowbray came in here. Relegation wasn’t seen as a reason to fire him and he was given the tools to get us back up again. I would expect to see the same at Derby.

If we appoint Carsley we’ll be firing him next November when we’re bottom of the league. We need a manager who can see the way are playing, keep that system, and add to us in small ways. The last thing we want is somebody coming in and reverting to “ Pep Ball “. The guy at Utd is a classic example of what not to do. We don’t need to rush this appointment. Let’s see how we go on Saturday. Make no mistake Plymouth will be as hard a game as we’ve had this season.

He’s got a good short passing game as well.

Yeah, what doi know. I couldn’t see us winning that one either. I’m out in Spain so I missed the game. Grr. Just seen the highlights. We’ve got the real Gueye back, his twin brother is back in Belgium now.

Confidence is everything for a striker. I remember seeing Ian Rush playing for Liverpool when everything was going for him. He was lurking on the left of the penalty area when a long right wing cross came over. He instantly met it with a left foot volley over the keepers head into the far corner ! A jaw droppingly good goal. Then he went to Italy and struggled. When he came back I saw. him playing in another game. He got exactly the same ball in exactly the same position on the pitch. This time he brought the ball down and passed it back into midfield. Confidence.

He needs to get in the gym. He’s too easily pushed off the ball.

And the one wouldn’t be starting if Beck wasn’t injured.

They look like they’re being taken out to be shot.

Yeah, Weimann, Dolan, Hedges - why.

Well if they can appoint Kean and Coyle nothing would surprise me.

Not Carsley for me - he’s too big a “ Pep Ball “ fan.

Being the manager of a top football club isn’t quite like me working in the toolroom at a local engineering company. Greater rewards carry greater responsibilities. I liked Eustace more or less from the off, in the early days I was in a minority on here. I thought he was a perfect match for us at the time. Having said that I don’t think he’s covered himself in glory in the way he’s moved on to Derby. I can see why people behind the scenes aren’t too bent out of shape at the news. If it wasn’t Derby it would have been another club. We couldn’t go on not knowing how long the manager would be staying. I know he’s not the problem , we all know where the problems lie.

I didn’t see much of Paul as I was working on Saturdays in that era. RIP Paul. Once a Rover always a Rover.

Mm, I think he’s played himself onto the bench for me.

Just got a text from my grandson in reply to my observations about the situation - “ Still bought a ticket for Saturdays game, not going to let it stop me from going “. I’m pleased he’s still keeping the faith in spite of everything.