How many Premier League goals had Lukaku scored when Chelsea signed him ?

I’m pursuing my attempt to win the lottery. It’s a long term goal.

I was going to “ treat “ my son and grandson to tickets for the Birmingham game. Three generations down at Ewood. I wouldn’t put the young lad through that, it might put him off for life. Half way through the second half yesterday he said - “ That’s it I’m off up to Rochdale to watch some football “ ! They lost as well, not his day.

Fully staffed by the experts that signed Hirst.

The minute they’re any good big clubs come in for them, then they’re off and it’s back to square one. Brentford pulled it of because their scouting system is second to none and they could identify replacements. We don’t have that system in place.

I don’t rate Vale either. What does he bring to the party ? He’s not quick, he’s not tricky, he’s not physical, he’s not good in the air. What is he good at ? I asked my son what he thought about Vale - after about a minute deep in thought he said - “ Well, he’s better than Hirst “ . I rest my case.

My money is on “ get no where “.

Yeah, he was playing in deep sea divers boots yesterday. The image of Herman Munster flashed through my mind. He looked like a pretty poor amateur.

I remember watching him for Rochdale against Newcastle in the FA Cup. He had a pretty good game but with about five minutes left he missed a chance I could have put away in my carpet slippers. Right in front of goal, screwed it wide. It was 2-2 at the time. My mate reckoned he did it on purpose because they wanted a draw and an away game ! I thought he scuffed it, then he bangs that one in yesterday. That lad Sanchez was in goal for Rochdale on loan from Brighton. He’s in the Spain squad now. You could tell he had a big future in the game. And we got Walton !

I’ve backed Gallagher to a certain extent in the past but yesterday was beyond belief. The way he stood and watched cross field balls aimed in his direction just go past him and out of play was unbelievable for a pro. The ball was past him before he realised he needed to get on his bike.

With one or two exceptions you could drop any of the starting 11 and they couldn’t complain.

You and me both. I was a year or two earlier. I can’t see a way out of this. They’ve got us in a death grip and they won’t let go.

No, we need a striker, that isn’t open to debate. Wether we get one or not is.

At least he’s had a good weekend.

None of them were easy. Gally should have controlled his better but the keeper would still been on top of him. Their keeper also did well with the Hedges chance, he should have got his toe under the ball instead of electing to go along the ground. The Dack headed chance would have been a brilliant header if he would have scored from there. Ditto with the volley late on.

In key positions.

When we were 2-0 down yesterday in the second half we were playing with all the urgency of a team winning 2-0. Just aimlessly knocking the ball around running the clock down. WTF ?

Barnes is a complete unknown quantity.

Would you buy him ? What I don’t understand is we had a good look at him the first time - he was nothing special. He goes to Big Club and doesn’t do much. Then he goes back to Southampton and does even less. Inexplicable.

You need 4 centre halves as a minimum, 5 if the plan is to play with 3 centre halves. You usually can count on at least 1 being injured/suspended.

Both physically and mentally. If I was playing and the team I was playing for hadn’t come back from behind for about 12 months I’d be deeply ashamed and embarrassed. When we kicked off again after 45 seconds I’d have got them all together and I’d be saying “ This is the last time we kick off today, this is the day we come from behind or we die trying “ We seemed to shrug our shoulders and just get back to shuffling around.

At least he looked like a footballer. What went through my mind was how many of this lot exactly enjoy playing football and want to be out there. There aren’t many smiles on faces at the moment.

You mean in theirs !

That’s where the game was won and lost yesterday.

We’ve had players who are really “ wing backs “ being asked to play as out and out full backs yesterday.