McClean is a horrible player and person.

Hedges and Szmodics on for Brereton-Diaz and Dack for mine.

McClean kicks someone in the face, nothing. Carter wins the ball, yellow card. The refs in this league...

That's crap from Dack - Thomas put it on a plate.

This is my big criticism of JDT - he's so reluctant to make subs. Needed at least one at half time, yet he's sat on the bench looking glum.

What?

In that case Vale looks like he's in his casket already.

He's a colossus on defensive corners. Less so in their box.

JRC player of the season - prove me wrong.

They're winning everything in both boxes - we miss Ayala, Gallagher and Hyam.

Second best all over yet it could very easily be 3-0 if anyone could finish.

Holy shit, SKY outing Broughton and Waggot on camera!

He looks off the pace a little, but he's providing a physical presence already. Bigger, stronger and faster than what we've had out there recently - they've hit him as an outlet a few times tonight.

Could be 3-0 this.

Why isn't that a yellow for McClean?

Sitter #4 from Brereton-Diaz.

Interesting the club is pushing this angle - that and the 'don't step onto the pitch' message. It was the day trippers - yet the regular attendees are the ones feeling the backlash.

Where's "we didn't think the player was worth £700k so didn't follow up" on your diagram?

Szmodics has 3 goals and (2 - I'm counting that Birmingham OG) 1 assist in 16 matches, many of which he's not started. He comes in for undue criticism in my opinion. The next time I see Vale 'run around a lot' will be the first time.

Just out of interest (I've picked a random answer of yours to quote): how much better do you think Vale is than Leonard? Both now and potentially. He seems to be the next cab off the rank, so I'm curious if we simply have no strikers in the Academy or not.

At least he's quick - but yes, they were clearly at the bottom of their potential list at that point. Doesn't matter anyway, we wouldn't have got the paperwork sorted in time.

We haven't seen him for 11 games anyway tbf.

You doubt it, but you can't be sure - which is the point. 😉

I won't hold my breath waiting for Saka's 3 game ban for violent conduct.

I'm a better finisher than Gallagher, so that's not really a compliment. I think you're right, we can't appreciate the subtly of his game - we're much more used to crudely wanting players to y'know, run around a bit and not get brushed off the ball in every challenge.