I've seen quite a lot of him. He was voted the best player in the league this season, great allround midifielder who added a lot of goals to his game this season (16 in 29 matches). He also is pretty young with a lot of experience. Has been a major part of their European success, so I'd expect him to be both expensive (as Bodo has a lot of money from Europe, which they are throwing around now). Would also think the chances of choosing Championship to be pretty slim. I like the link though, if true they are at least reaching from the top shelf of Scandinavian players.

I see JDT has been impressed with Markanday's development over the latest month and say he will start on Sunday. At least he has something different from the rest of the squad in that he's can dribble and looks to have goals in him. Might come good if adapt better to the physical nature of men's football.

Think most Scandinavian players will not be match fit as they are off-season.

Not sure if it's a style issue. He looked good in the first matches, but has not reached his heights for couple of seasons. Had form issues under Mowbray as well.

There are plenty of "british style" players like Travis, who can still pass a ball and make decent decisions in possesion. You'll find one in most decent Championship clubs. There has been some standout players in this league in that mould like Kalvin Phillips and Lewis O'Brien The problem with Travis is that he seemed to have regressed from when breaking through, especially on the ball.

350k cannot be right for a permanent tranfer for Van Hecke. They would fetch more in a tribunal if his contract expires in the summer. Maybe for the loan fee for rest of the season. Would be a good purchase anyhow, especially with Scott Wharton's drop in form.

That was our "second" team. Not the one on show today.

Watched the Ajax game, entertaining and really good performance from Rovers, especially in the second half which they dominate. Ajax had 5-6 regulars, as well experienced Steekelburg in goal. Had a couple of youngsters who they spent 5 and 12 mill pounds for in the summer. The rest plays in the second tier in the Dutch league. Rovers had a similar setup, while our regulars are playing Championship, not Champions league, and the bit-part players most play U21 football. Buckley was back to his best, Dolan and Brittain was also great, while the rest had decent matches. A shoutout to Rankin-Costello who performed suprisingly well in centre-mid. Some really nice football displayed by Rovers, which showed their abilities when the intensity is a bit lower than Championship football. Although it was a training match, and Ajax was not to keen on the dirty stuff, it was still comforting to see Rovers turning it on against a better side(at least on paper).

Maybe Premier League is his level 🙂 Must be good for his confidence

Instead of sitting in deep, why not take the game to them with a passing team of energy. Don't think they are the most physical outfit. For shock value I'll swap Travis for Buckly. Kaminski Hedges - Hyam - Ayala - Pickering Buckley - Morton - A.Wharton Hedges Gally Diaz

Nice reminder 🙂 Consider myself a positive fan, but admit the win felt a bit deflated due to shutting up shop so early. Thought the team looked coherent and in control and needless to give away the initative with what obvious a tactical decision. It's amazing to be top two at this stage, far beyond my expectations.

Incredible harsh on Vale. He has ability, has proved that for the U23 and in pre-season. Would've probably benefitted being on loan this season. Today the major problem is shutting up shop and sitting so deep. There is no support and chance of retrieving the ball when the rest of the team is parked in our box. Same with Dack last game. Showed some good touches today, but I agree could've pressured harder. The higlights from pre-season shows he has some ability. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1830900493917308

You are making a good point on Phillips. Don't necessary think there is an issue his body but the game load needs to be managed. Last year he picked up two injuries that kept him out for months in total. Both I think came when away with England U-17. Part of the problem was that he played for the U-18, U-23 and England U-17, usually two games a week. Big ask for boy who just had turned 16. This year he's part of the seniors with a lot more intensity, played 2 games a week and still just 17. The physical and mental workload is something that needs to be managed for players that young, similar with Wharton.

Agree with that. Pike was just an observation, bit suprised he hasn't kicked on. Thought he would at least be League 2 level by now. Burns, I've always been a bit more uncertain about. Saw a few games of last season of him and he struggled against the physical nature of League 2 football. However he played for an extremely poor side who never scored with or without him. There is something to be said about finding the right club when sending players off on loan. Love his energy and playing style, can see a career in the lower league/NL, but not Championship level.

Pike was someone I was sure would have a career in professional football. Was probably the best and most consistent performer when the U23 challenged Man City for the title the season before last. Had a loan spell for Fylde last season and seems to have dissapear a bit since then. Burns probably a bit of same scenario. Being 20, they are probably victim of being not being as highly rated as the younger generation and not being preferred. With so many seniors dropping down to U21, there is limited spaces for the academy players. While it helps on the result, I'm not sure it's beneficial for the younger lads

Good post. I'm one of Buckley's biggest fans, but calm over the situation. He had a dip in form, and is not getting a look in when Wharton and Morton are on top form. Garrett and Smzodics is also doing well, so he just has to wait for his chance to come again, which he will. He was on the bench against Brum, this time Dack was preferred, so it's almost a luxury problem. Wouldn't be suprised to see him start against West Ham in the league cup.

Flying over from Norway tonight to attend the match Tomorrow with my mate. Doing the full hospitality experience in the Premier Suite. Does anybody know when they open the doors?

It's a good observation. Not only Buckley has struggled, but it has been a structural and tactical problem throughout the season. The midfield two has been overloaded, and the passing options forward has not been available. Putting Wharton in really helped to open up more passing lanes, as well as Breo and Gallagher running the lanes to create options to put it in behind

Think it's more of a confidence dip as someone suggested. He played very well in the first couple of matches but faded badly afterwards (as most of the team). Also think he put pressure on himself before the season to become the main man in the midfield and that looks to have had an adverse effect on him. He'll come good again, no doubt. Morton and Wharton has deservedly gone ahead in the queue, but the season is long and form will fluctuate. Would also like to see Garrett get an opportunity esp with Travis out. He is competitive, but has all the composure and passing that Travis lacks in that role.

Good result, in a relatively poor match. You could see the game plan, however the offensive execution were lacking most parts. Hedges seems the only one that can pick up spaces, hold the ball and make something happen forwards. None of the front three was able to connect with the midfield which resulted in a lot of sideways and backwards passing. Defensively it looked ok, but we lacked ideas going foward. Breo wasn't at his sharpest, but scored a good goal. Gally gave his usual effort which made the goal for Dolan. Dolan is an enigma, still looks like the kid in the playground who never learned to pass. His effort and energy is top class for pressing, but pretty poor being an option when we try to pass through the lanes. Problem is that we don't have that many good options on the bench either, esp for the front 3. Hirst was a bit embarrasing as people has mentioned. Hard to gauge Dack, not one to make an impact when it's back to the walls stuff against Millwall. We're lacking option upfront with some pace and imagination. Millwall put on Burey which caused some havoc down the left, we lack that option of pace and trickery. Should be something to address in January.

Having watched all 3 parts of the interview with GB, quite enjoyed it. Probably the most insight behind the scenes in a long time. Some "political speak" but also quite a lot of open and honest answers as well. Said the transfer window was his steepest learning curve of his career. Also said the Ash Phillips contract negotiations was probably the toughest he's been involved in. All in all gave the impression that there is a lot more coherent plan and structure for the club from direct contact to the owners, transfers, the role of the academy and contract handling. Might be lip service, but refreshing to hear a sensible approach being communicated in these areas. An improvement in itself from the club.

Charlie Weston might have a chance if he kicks on. Has a football brain and decent all-round ability as a midfielder.

Terrible performance from manager to every single player. The end.

Don't think it's coincidence. Broughton has a lot of experience from Academy level and there is a increased focus on bringing players through. The focus is justified as the current batch of youngsters is the best since the Duff/Dunn generation. Duff and Duff were the standouts, but there was also Broomes and Martin Taylor involved in the England U21 setup. And of course James Beattie who had a fine career in the Premier League. All 5 born in 1977-79.

Totally agree. It was a tactical failure. I think the formation with fluent 4, is a bit hit or miss. It left huge gaps against a Bristol City that overloaded centrally against Wharton and Morton who was outnumbered. The fluency requires a huge tactical understanding which the players were not able to implement. We were both too narrow and too wide at times which Bristol City were able to utilize. I'll give credit to Dolan, who showed end product with his goal and assist. Got his eyes up from the ball and made the right decisions, something he has been lacking, but maybe are improving?