Yep, this season since Fulham we are generally excellent at defending a lead. Problem is we aren't taking any. Hope this serves as a wakeup call because we have to address this quickly or even the playoffs will be a pipe dream.

Ah, checked the score after posting that and yeh, that's much more like what I expect, sadly.

I can't watch this one (except the first 20 ish), but I sure wish for once we could score a late goal to turn a game around. It's a completely absent part of our game now. I have no faith at this stage of any matches, guess the players might not either.

Buckley is terrible at shooting. Those who talk about him adding goals to his game so we have another threat there need to stop dreaming.

Please explain how playing 90 minutes and (potentially) playing 20 are the same thing?

Entirely depends on the nature of the knock. It's annoying to see this notion be trundled out all the time that if they're fit for the bench they're fit for the full 90. It's entirely illogical. 20 minutes off the bench (or only being on the bench as an emergency resort, and ideally not coming on at all) is absolutely not the same thing as a full game of football. Not having a go at you at all, just that it doesn't add up but someone has to say it every time someone who normally starts but who isn't 100% fit makes the bench.

It is, but it's a bit limited for midfielders. Only really Johnson, who I'm always nervous about coming on. Where is Davenport? We really should have recruited some guile in this area. I assume Giles is seen as cover there once we have a LB again.

The problem with relying on crosses is Khadra is hardly going to get on the end of any so it's all down to BBD. If we plan to pump the box with crosses again, well we saw how that worked out even with excellent delivery from Giles.

I did think that might be the only change he would make to what most would probably consider the optimum XI right now. I disagree with it, unless there is a slight injury concern with Nyambe so he isn't being risked for the full 90, with us having another game soon. I suspect though, it may be more to do with Mowbray thinking we expect to attack more being at home.

I agree with the part I deleted (that Khadra should start over Gallagher, though I do understand the temptation to put a big lump up there if we intend to rely on Giles' crosses so much). But you're being very harsh on the new recruits. Zeefuik has been shifted around loads (I think 3 different positions, 2 of which he doesn't play as). You accept Giles has played well but he and Hedges have only just walked through the door and played 1 game. I agree I would start Nyambe not Zeefuik, and Hedges would be on the bench for Diaz and Khadra to start, I just think you sound unfairly dismissive of players who haven't been here long. Coming off the bench is a better way to learn more about Hedges and Zeefuik for now though, aye. Nyambe was subbed off against Swansea, I do wonder if he has some sort of knock or strain and might be rested though.

Loan watch, Hayden Carter: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/how-is-hayden-carter-getting-on-since-leaving-blackburn-rovers-in-january/?fbclid=IwAR2q8IlYP5PyugADeIoCLnlw9b6w_pFXau0FVyNp3MptZoS8tFSS6g-D7ws

Agree, except I'm sure he gets paid so that would make him a professional. But yeh, 'do it for Jacob' isn't exactly anyone's motivation tonight...

Not sure he was a blast. Not even a spark really.

No, because he has been here since he was 8 or something? If we had no teams at that age group, someone else would have had him years ago.

No, it doesn't make me wonder about that at all.

I'd suggest that if anybody answers they're picking summerfest, they be removed from the board...

In a couple of games a significant portion of the first team are back. The time to play youngsters would have been recently, although it's obviously a huge gamble to take given out league position. I'll say again this is the manager who wouldn't use several dead rubbers last season to blood the youth.

How has Brereton hit 20 then?

Thought Hedges was a bit anonymous tbh. Not that I'm castigating him, all players have quiet games and I don't think it was particularly his fault he wasn't on the ball much. He did ok when he got it, but didn't pull up any trees.

If he doesn't train enough, he will also be susceptible to injuries. It's a fine balance. But yes we are goosed if he is out for a while.

If he doesn't play a bunch of games because he is being safeguarded, we will also be lucky to hang on to a playoff place.

Didn't I already show you how to watch the games on Rovers TV? Dunno if this one would have been available without a VPN as I think ESPN were showing it, but generally speaking you can watch our games on that.

It's alright, you're not being an ass about it. Fairly sure Khadra has come close with one for us before. Think he did it on purpose and it nearly came off, I'm fine with that.

If Buckley and Lenihan are the guys we supply those chances to, we are going to miss a whole lot more.

Oral sex seems an odd punishment for that.