He went the right way against WBA, and wasn't too far off. I couldn't fault him on that one. I agree I tend to feel every penalty is going in though. Think you're right about him saving a penalty or maybe two on loan at Southport.

You're obviously very irate about it, but I watched it very carefully and he definitely caught him with his foot after the initial contact-which-wasn't, at which point the lad went down. I don't know which one the officials gave it for, and it doesn't matter what play-acting happened after (as pathetic as it is to clutch his ear). Overall I do think it was a penalty, but soft. I feel the best argument for it not being one is actually that he seemed to have lost the ball already, but you can be penalised for an off-the-ball foul anyway. I also think there is an inconsistency from the ref in that he didn't give us one when Armstrong was shoved off the ball at the byline.

Most games don't feature a team two or three down at half time. Anyway, we all know we are a team who do solidly in the first half and capitulate in the last 20 minutes. Credit to us doing well defensively in the first 70, but we have to stop crumbling at the end. Sometimes it is Mowbray's fault, sometimes it is individual players, sometimes it is sheer bad luck or the opposition doing well, but overall it is something we need to and must work on. I feel today's comes under the bad luck category personally. Solid result though today.

You've completely misread what I was saying in my last reply. Don't sweat it.

I'm confused. Is that an accomplishment?

They called it that because, for pretty much an entire season (might have been half a season, can't recall), Tugay played an excessive amount of passes to absolutely nobody and it was amazing he stayed in the team at that time. For a long patch he was poor. Then he got his act together and was sublime. You have to accept the odd stray pass, it's all a question of consistency.

They did, Ryanie, I even thought he was about to change the decision as the guy was running up, like in the Burnley game. But I think he was just gesturing for Raya to stay on his line.

The real contact was actually exactly when he goes down. There were two points of potential contact to watch for on the replay. The first point, I agree he doesn't touch him. But he leaves a foot in and slightly trips the player, who immediately goes to ground. Soft, but a penalty. Then again Armstrong got full on shoved in their box when it was going out in the first half, and we got nothing.

Despite the goal and the fact he is better than our current level, I don't think he was outstanding at all tonight. His pass completion rate of 53% for the game isn't outstanding either. He delivered the goods though, that's what counts. So did Bennett ultimately, who I was criticising in the first half. Great delivery for the goal and played better second half.

Defender gave him a little push and moved him away from connecting with it. Technically a penalty and maybe a red, but I expect a bit more strength from our players in that area.

Bennett having a mare so far, just like against WBA. Dack not at his sharpest, seems to also have a little knock. Think he may not come out second half. Damn that was close! Dack actually got pushed away from connecting with the header.

Wtf Benno

I hate our tactic for kick offs.

You get a feeling about tons of our matches. You appear to be about 90% wrong when you have them (I may be being generous).

I'm indifferent to him staying or going to be honest. There's a player in there, and it's handy to have that string in our bow in the squad, but his impact has been highly sporadic. May go on to be top class, but don't see much reason for us to wait around for that. It would also behove the player to move elsewhere. Doesn't fit our approach, at least not while we have Dack.

Good left backs aren't all that common in truth. I feel like we've spent most of our time whilst I've been a fan (from about 93 onwards) lamenting our lack of a good left back. Off my head, the only good ones we've had in that time have been Le Saux, Givet, and Warnock. England haven't exactly been blessed with them either, apart from Ashley Cole. It can be a tough position to fill well.

Even if he is a replacement for Reed, there's only any point if he is on a Reed level. The only reason we needed Reed was because he was better than everyone else, not because we were short in that area. Is Will Vaulks distinctly better than what we have?

Only recently turned 20. Watched all his goals on youtube, and he looks a decent player to me. It doesn't show his general game, of course. No idea what Sunderland would want, but mid promotion charge I doubt it would be too cheap unless they're in dire financial straits.

Newcastle is a pretty wild city on nights out from what I gather, think that would be a bad move. Agree any London club would probably be the death of his career. When he goes, he needs a manager who will keep him grounded.

If we don't intend to give him a run soon (and from the last two performances I can see why that'd be the case), he needs to either start playing for the reserves, or go on loan. I'd say to League One, as I can't see where he'd be guaranteed starts in this league right now. Can't see us swallowing our pride and loaning our 6-7 million pound man out though.

Hector is currently on loan at Sheff Weds. Amazingly, it's his 15th loan of his career! By contrast, the famous Loan Ranger, Todd Kane, just a year younger, is on his 8th I believe. Surely Hector wants to settle down at a club by now, so he could indeed be available in the summer. Not seen him play much, but he gets mentioned from time to time on here. Compared to most, I don't usually pay much attention to individual opposition players in our matches if I'm honest, but that Sheff Weds defence looked pretty porous against us.

Not sure why this one bothers you tbh. All it means is he is signed up to next season. I'm sure he will at least be adequate as back up next season. After that I expect we will part ways.

Sorry mate but just gonna have to say 'hogwash'. For a club like ours those figures are nothing. The Brereton ones are huge for us. Chapman has injury strifes, that's the only reason it's a gamble at all. Other players have put injury woes behind them (Graham and Mulgrew for starters), so those figures would be a risk, but a smaller one by far than spunking nearly all our budget on Brereton was. I'd go as far as to say has less chance of him moving on for a profit than not doing. Especially under Tony's system and approach to youngsters. He would likely offer something in cameos at least though, which can change games.

People keep forgetting this, but he is unlikely to be available on a free in the summer. Due to his age, if Boro offer him a new contract on the same or better terms, they will be owed compensation at tribunal.

It's only a massive gamble if it costs a massive amount. It won't. I'd be looking to try doing a deal in the range of about 200k if possible, with a sell on (I don't like doing them but Boro will insist). Then a 2 year deal with a 1 year extension option in the club's favour, on wages in the region of 2k p/w (though I've no idea what he is on at Boro). If those wages aren't enough I'd look to supplement it with a decent appearance fee. That wouldn't be a massive gamble, that'd be a good deal with a small risk. Brereton was a massive gamble.