Parsonblue

Why would they when the F.A. don't take their own competition seriously? If they did they would have told the Premier League that replays were part and parcel of the competition instead of scrapping them. I don't blame any manager for fielding weakened teams in this competition as it certainly doesn't have the prestige that it once did. Personally, I will be travelling to Hull in the hope of seeing many of the kids from the Under-21's drafted in and the senior players given the rest they need for the League battles to come.

We need both loans and permanent signings. However, loans should be used to cover injured players in the short term, particularly if we see those injured players as part of our long term future.

Couldn't agree more with all of this. I particularly think your last point is hugely relevant. Having blank weekends for internationals is a ridiculous state of affairs. When a club like City is having to fill its bench with kids because of long term injuries there is little hope for the rest of us. It seems internationals and European Competitions have become far more important that the bread and butter of League football. The F.A. Cup has already been ruined by this approach and it seems a number of clubs are paying the price of long term injuries because the league programme is being squeezed due to these blank weekends.

I was encouraged by the way we fought back yesterday. Baradji confirmed my first impressions of him - he looks a really good attacking midfield player. Once again, I thought we struggled without some of the key players who are out with injury. I don't think you can underestimate just what a difference to our season these injuries have made. I can't remember a season when so many senior players have been ruled out with long term injuries. Certainly, the quicker we can get Scott Wharton back into that defence the better. Ryan Hedges is going to be a serious loss as he was having his best season with the club. In the short term we need to pick up some loan players this January to cover the gaps until our injured players return. For me, the loan market is what I would concentrate on this month if we don't have much money to spend. As for relegation, I firmly believe that we have more than enough about us to avoid the drop. The players have some time off now to rest and recuperate and from what Val said yesterday a number of them won't feature in the Cup game at Hull. Personally, I think that's the right decision and will look forward to seeing a few more of the kids given their opportunity at Hull.

It went very well Tom. FA President did the honours.

Disagree on that one. Charlton were very good at their place earlier this season and absolutely overwhelmed us with the high pressure, high intense and physical football. This would be a tough one with a fully fit squad.

I thought today confirmed the opinion I had after Monday night - too many of our players are out on their feet. The injuries have caught up with us and not allowed us to rotate and rest players. Having said that, the first goal was a poor one to give away as McLoughlin and Pears ought to have done better. We badly need strengthening early in this window and certainly can't afford to lose Tronstad. I still believe we have enough about us to avoid the drop but we need to get the injured players back sooner rather than later.

That's the joy and romance of history Rev. But I'm more than happy to add it to my Rovers collection, along with the minutes you mention, the first match report and the biographies of those early players. At the end of the day Rev, we do what makes us happy. Trust you've have a good Christmas Rev, and I wish you and your family a happy New Year.

I must admit that I don't see all the fuss about Tyjon. I've seen him numerous times and come away wondering what other clubs see in him. Clearly, I'm missing something that others obviously see in him. It will be interesting to see how his career develops. Rory Finneran is struggling to get a game for the Under-21's at Newcastle whilst Ash Phillips seems surplus to requirements at Tottenham. Unless you are an Adam Wharton - a really special talent - I suspect it's very difficult to bridge that gap to the Premier League, particularly as those clubs can go out and spend a fortune on the ready made article.

Must admit that I've bought the shirt as a souvenir of the 150th Anniversary season. Personally, I look upon the whole season as part of the Anniversary but, at the end of the day, everyone sees things differently.

All the best Rev for 2026. If Tronstad does move, for whatever reason, at least we've got the rest of this season to enjoy watching both players.

What a thoroughly entertaining game of football for a Boxing Day. Talking to a Middlesbrough fan before the game and he said he was dreading it as we always seem to get a result up there. I thought it was a really good team performance with everyone making a contribution. Pears, in the first half in particular, made some decent saves. Perhaps the competition that Toth brings is making his raise his game. Having two 'keepers fighting for the number one spot can only be a good thing. The defence proved excellent throughout. These sort of games bring out the best in Miller and McLoughlin whilst young Pratt is really growing into the role of being a first team player. Litherland gave another promising performance before he began to tire late in the game and Hedges again proved that wing-back is a position he does really well. The man of the match for me was Tronstad who was outstanding in midfield. I have to say that Baradji gave a superb performance when he came on and these two could be a really impressive midfield partnership. Baradji has all the attributes to become an outstanding midfield players - pace, power, quick feet and a wonderful eye for a pass. Gestede and his team deserve a lot of praise for finding this guy. Morishita put in his usual energetic display until injured - yet another injury that I suspect will keep a player out for some time. I can't remember a season when we've had so many long term injuries to senior players. Cantwell is starting to perform in a way which we haven't seen consistently since he arrived. He seems far more motivated and is leading by example. Up front Yuki was non-stop again. The energy and fitness levels of this guy are amazing. He never gives defenders a any rest. Hendriksson, although not a natural striker, worked hard to keep the pressure on the home defence but with Gudjohnsen out long term, we badly need another partner for Yuki. All in all it was another good day out at the Riverside Stadium - my least favourite away ground and yet one where we always seem to come away with something!

In the sixties, by this time in the season the majority of the pitch was just mud with the only grass tending to be on the wings. Thanks for putting that video up. Remember that season well as we were relegated from the First Division whilst reaching the quarter final of the FA Cup. All season folk said we were far too good to go down - and we really shouldn't have - but we managed to get relegated with a record low points total at the time, just 20 points.

Memories of the 67-68 season. An abandoned game followed by two postponed games - all due to a waterlogged pitch. Clearly work to do in the summer on the pitch.

He's absolutely right about the standard of officials in the Championship. They are beyond poor and last night's referee is one of the worst. No doubt he'll get in bother for saying it, but it needed saying by a manager. The officials today seem so robotic in their approach to the game. I remember refs in the sixties who were real characters but who would laugh and joke with players during a game and have a real interaction with them. Yes, you got bad decisions at times but they seemed so much more in tune with the game than today's manufactured refs.