The thing with Gallaghers passing being so dreadful is he's literally trying to play short balls through for Armstrong 9 times out of 10 and he still can't even master that. Not like he's trying to spray 40 yard passes. He just looks like a nervous schoolboy with a kick and run technique, its really poor to watch.

On a similar note, you know you're shite when this is headline news in your local rag, is this to try and make the fans happy after signing absolutely nobody 🤭

Of course it's true. Peoples frustration (my own included) at Mowbrays insistence on fitting Benno in the team ahead of better players who actually played that position meant he was always thrust under the microscope every game. I think I've made clear he shouldn't be playing, if Pears was getting picked over Kaminski it'd be exactly the same. We've conceded like 6 less goals this season after the same number of games and thats down to more than just Bennett not playing, Kaminski for one...... Wake up indeed.

If Douglas doesn't play it might give Tony an opportunity to play his shiny new centre half from city and shove left footed Branthwaite out to left back. I'm not for one minute saying I want this to happen though.

Swansea are looking the real deal this season, Hourihane is proving to be a great signing as expected. Norwich possibly in a mini wobble? No goals in the last 3 games, we'd be in panic mode if that happened to us....

On the Bennett debate, he's less useful now because of the increased subs quota. Its always good to have a versatile player on your bench if you only have 3 subs, when you have 5 to go at you have better options available. That said, i wouldn't really object to him having a spot on the bench, he's obviously well respected, experienced and a true pro. One of the reasons he used to get a lot of negative reactions from fans was because he was being picked over Nyambe amongst others as Mowbray tried to shoehorn him in, thats not exactly his fault though is it. I 'think' Mowbray is over that now, at least I hope so.....

Their home form is dire, last win back in November, whilst we've win a couple on the bounce away. All pointing towards another 1-0 win.....would be nice to score another 1 or 2 but I'll take the 3 points. Austin of course the biggest threat and it'll be a good test for our newly assembled defence. One i believe they're up to.

Not really an ideal time to be planning the things as we don't really know how life may change post pandemic, if the damn thing ever ends. Obvious additions to a revamped stand would be a hotel first of all. The close m65 links still mean it would be a great spot for business travel, more so than leisure. You would also get people staying over in rooms with a pitch view like they can at Norwich etc though. That said, is business travel going to be the same? The relative success of Zoom and team calls and virtual conferences etc will no doubt see companies looking at budgets. I've also found the conferencing facilities to be rather poor so I'd be looking at making them more enticing. Gym facilities. Obviously not right now but gyms will be back booming eventually and some reasonably priced facilities would definitely attract members. Tie in some deals for members on tickets and training gear perhaps that sort of thing. Restaurant facilities. Well I say restaurant but I think a family pub serving food suits the area much better. There isn't THAT many in the area but the ones there are usually seem busy. Throw in an area with a little indoor pitch, few PlayStations etc, get the odd player appearance to entice folk in on a Tuesday night. 15% discount for season ticket holders. There's loads of possibilities and that's just a few off the top of my head.

Lovely finish that by Dack and his first full 90 mins. He seemed bang at it tonight and starting to look way sharper.

Yes I like it if he wants to sit on the bench, and yes we need cover. I just don't see how city would benefit from it, unless of course we have injuries (or drop DL)

Hence why I said as things stand! Do City loan him to sit on our bench? Unlikely, do we bench Darragh? Equally unlikely.

HB is really highly rated but I can't work out how another centre half on loan makes sense (as things stand).

Not sure but he looks like he has more in his defensive locker too.

Personally think Darragh is better with someone with pace partnering him, almost a get-out clause. Braithwaite is ridiculously fast for a 6.5ft centre half, think everton list him as one of the fastest players at the club. That alone makes him, potentially of course, an absolute top drawer defender in years to come.

Interesting. We actually don't look too bad fitness wise in my opinion, seeing out games late on. The issue seems to be more with conditioning and injury prevention, not helped by a rotten pitch

Does Kipre even start for us at the moment? I would suggest not, especially given his lack of game time. Don't get me wrong I'd welcome him signing permanently as we're still an injury away from disaster and he can cover at right back too but he can't just waltz in.

I'd like to give Mowbray a few drinks and ask him exactly what his issue is with Chapman. He's a stubborn old thing and whatever it is he has done seems unforgivable!

Erm he doesn't pick the team does he? Although it stinks he can't get a game given their defensive frailties so he's obviously dreadful in training or something?

I get the impression he's pissed off his engine (fitness) is still in 'limp mode' but the turbo will be repaired eventually and the Rolls Royce midfielder back on the road 😁

I'm talking here and now with the players available. I don't think any of them games were dead and buried at half time though. Reading maybe, but Armo got us back in that and Joao killed us off. It may of course be premature of me to say we've turned a corner defensively, but a couple of clean sheets looks promising. Happy to get to every game for the rest of the season 0-0 at half time if it means we can ramp it up second half. I pointed out earlier in the thread we're easily the strongest team in the championship last 15 mins of games, I think that's partly due to a strong bench and the extra sub quota. IF we continue to keep clean sheets and IF we continue the late goals we'll be successful. I've been supporting us long enough to know we may well lose 6-0 to QPR though 😕

His style of play attracts bookings, simple as that. Travis is probably one of, if not the most important players in that team though and his absence is notable. Of course he's not fully match fit so sloppiness sets in, its fair to say another 90 mins under his belt will benefit him though. Does he get booked too much? Probably, and I fully get your point. But do we ask him to change the way he plays and risk nullifying his effectiveness? No (in my opinion of course).

Well it won't will it given how few games have a goal first half

May I ask why? Some of the best teams in the last century score most of their goals in the final 3rd of the game.

Same

With all due respect, have you seen Trav in previous seasons? He's a little bastard who will pick up a lot of bookings but ultimately a persona we have badly missed!