Ossydave

Exactly what this cup should be used for, I'd go as far as to say we'd have lost this under Mowbray. Good to know we've got some reliable players waiting in the wings. Fingers crossed for a decent draw....

This competition felt like a complete waste of time for Mowbray, almost as if he played fringe players just for the sake of it, they knew they'd be banished to the bench/u23 team straight after, hence the lacklustre performances. Feels a bit different this time, JDT is keen for his fringe players to stay match fit and also give them chances to impress him. Cheap tickets, lovely weather, kids off school and a more positive manager should see a few more fans than previous cup games you'd have thought. A comfortable 3-0 for me. Dack x 2 and Philips off a corner.

Ampadu will no doubt be on loan somewhere this season, I'd welcome him but personally I'd like to add a bit more experience which would likely be a permanent signing. Honestly you notice such a difference with Ayala at the back, but we know he's likely to miss a portion of games through injury.

Yeah I get that, it's just they've only got a matter of hours to get the pitch match ready after its hosted rugby on Friday night, I understand the game was moved for sky so it's not just football they piss about with.

It's the warm up for the dingles game in November so, ages off unfortunately

Hot on the heels of the pitch shambles at Coventry, I was reading that there's an egg chasing game on at Wigan the night before they entertain Burnley. Surely the pitch is gonna end up a bit battered?

Absolutely, and the mass prayers on the pitch

I see coventry have had to move home games to Burton which is an hour or so away. An utter shambles especially in August, after all the shite they've had the last few years too....

I do hope you backed Luton to win then?

That's that then, Van Hecke is officially off, cos rovers11 said so

Agreed I'm pouring a pint

Hell fire, we grumble about our pitch sometimes but that Coventry pitch is absolutely horrific especially in August! They're going to struggle to recover that now this season it looks like it needs a complete re-seed which would mean not using it for a while.

Exactly, was horrendous when Derby attempted it under Cocu and ultimately it'll end up costing this fella his job too because the fans ain't gonna buy into that crap every week either.

Weird. After a perfectly executed away win you say we're bang average. Tell me you're a miserable old goat without telling me you're a miserable old goat....

Anyway, back to transfers.... 2 incomings early next week ✍️ All eyes will be on OT tomorrow and the Brighton line-up/subs, imagine 20 years ago saying we're pinning our hopes on a Brighton reserve player signing 🥲

Don't think that's the case. Sounds like we'll see the fringe players featuring for the u21s to keep then up to speed quite often this season.

Markanday is starting for the reserves so won't be playing

In fairness he said in the Tugay mould that's all.... Next task is to get him smoking Marlboro and grow his hair.

Buckley has been a slow burner, taken him a bit of time to make the transition from youth level football to the rigours of the championship. He now looks as comfortable as anyone though and will be a real asset this season, aided by a manager who (hopefully) won't piss about with his position. Could be a similar story with Vale I feel, there's less space, less time on the ball and ultimately less chances at championship level, any player needs to adapt they need patience from the manager and fans though and it can be frustrating at times.

Looks like Vydra ain't signing a new deal down the road, wonder how much he's after? More than our 4 buttons and a Netflix subscription wage structure I guess, but he'll do a job at this level for someone.

Morton and Garrett. Morton clearly ain't afraid to out a tackle in after THAT one against Leicester 😵

We're in 'defenders are coming' territory now then after the latest comments. Let's hope GB can deliver them this time though..........

The tickets are too expensive, end of. But is there literally anything that's not going up in price at the moment? A football club still has to balance the books and their running costs will be at an all time high. Even getting staff through the door will be a nightmare. I know first hand the difficulties getting temp staff right now, which all their catering staff will be for example. They can pick and choose jobs and the ones paying higher get the staff right now simple as that. We the fans want to make the signings, we want to pay the star players more, yet we want to pay less for tickets. Something has to give. Not defending them as such, just looking at it from both sides.

Playing where he did, Vale will simply be judged on either goals or assists I'm afraid, no matter how many 'link ups' he has under his belt. Not criticism at all, just how 99% of football fans will view it. I've already backed him to both play and score at Swansea earlier in the thread too....

Why? To compliment 19 year old Morton? Not sure another youngster in midfield is what we need right now.