and there we go.

our ability to not score a second when on top is going to cost us.

Before the game I couldn't see us scoring with that side. Great to see the high press back. Hands up -did not see that performance coming. Team spirit back in droves. That said, it doesn't reflect well on the new signings who, apart from the Ginger Ninja, were all bombed out the side. Anyone else wonder if Rodwell is a negative influence given his previous?

Nowt you can do with those. Great hit.

Great goal. Much better all round. On paper lack of creativity.. but the pressing game Sheffield can't handle.

Difference so far is we've gone back to a high press. Why we don't do this all the time is beyond me. It's very hard to play against as we've found ourselves.

Well taken goal that. Conway looking 10 years younger today.

Unlucky there. This side desperately needs to score first.

Started with a bit more fight at least.

Dear god that is a woeful line up. Double up on Dack and no other threat. Shocking

Factor in, we would have been happy with 'anything but Coyle' back then. I think the fairest reflection in TM is that off the pitch he has been a roaring success. On the pitch, he has neither exceeded or failed expectations. The indication from TM would be a squad in 3 - 4 windows (playing attacking football) to challenge for promotion. That is now his measuring stick.

Given that teams have managed to stroll to the title and others have won it at a canter, maybe a brisk walk is all that's required. To be fair, even the bookies thought we would walk league one. It maybe dependent on league. Perhaps a scientific formula could be produced to calculate the correct Velocity? V=LS+M

It's been a good start points wise, not performance wise. I have no illusions. I think we are nailed on for bottom 6 at this rate. Just didn't think 'learning to walk' was a good analogy ??

Maintaining a jog, trot or canter should be the minimum expectation rather than learning to walk. A sprint here and there would be great following the amble of the last couple of matches. Clear enough?

We've only been out of it a year!! We should be jogging at least.

Well.....great timing. I bet he couldn't sign it quick enough after the last 2 performances. Like the integrity of the guy. Not sure he's going to take us forward though. Let's see if Venkys keep their word and support him, as per their statement.

Could that be because most managers over think it?

Scary how bleeding obvious it is. Lack of width with natural wide players combined with the ever-present defensive midfield 2 is TM's achilles heel IMO. We can't 'go at' teams by getting wide runners on the ball. Then end up hoofing when they press us.

Agree with that. Thought we still looked shaky at the back last season but we could outscore teams. We've been crying out for a dominant CB since Samba left! Duffy did it for a while before throwing his toys out. We have 2 left backs that can neither attack or defend adequately and Nyambe at RB who I think has promise but is still learning. We need an old experienced warhorse at the back (oh for an Andy Todd). Despite it being obvious for a couple of years, we still don't have that ball playing midfielder that can sit and dictate. Whittington failed miserably and Davenport (potentially) is never fit. Don't get me started on the lack of width...

Ironically, the Carlisle game was when he let all the attacking players play. Then said it would never happen again. That said, I remember Carlisle having about 18 shots on goal so it was too open an approach ?

Or Swansea...or Bristol...didn't have a sniff against Sheffield U...stole a point at Derby.... When we lose, we are generally made to look awful. When we win, we have usually had to run ourselves into the ground to eek out a 1 goal win. That alone would indicate that we either don't have the quality at this level of we aren't tactically set up well enough to compete.

Interested to read the TM fan interview. Good to hear. One thing that does perplex me though...TM's radio lancs interview today he stated that he's watched Wigan over the last couple of years and they are a good passing side. Therefore he was surprised they abandoned that approach and went for direct balls into our box. Now when ever I've seen Wigan, they have always been aggressive and direct. Indeed, I said before the game I didn't think we'd cope with their direct approach. So if I knew what to expect (and it's exactly what they did second half at Ewood). How can he not? Now I may be wrong and Wigan may play like Barcelona most of the time. The really concerning thing is a team will change to long balls into the box because they know we can't cope. It's clearly a weakness most teams are looking to exploit (and has been since Duffy left).

All managers have a shelf life at a club. Once the team starts back pedalling, it takes a massive effort and rethink to turn it round. We've seen it with Souness, Bowyer etc. TM is at that point. It's clear now that our season aim has got to be staying up. Anything more is not acheivable with the current squad. Now I'm in two minds. I'd give him the Janary transfer window to have a shuffle and address some glaring failings and hold off on contract talks. If he doesnt make changes, then he clearly can't see what the majority of people can and needs to go. He has a history of doing well initially, then the wheels falling off. Probably because he starts over thinking things the longer he is there. Still like the guy though (like Bowyer) but football's ruthless

Exactly how I see it.

Agree with all of that. We tended to only play for spells in a game - which was generally enough to win it. A trait which has continued but where as we scored freely last season in the good spells, we haven't the quality to make/convert the chances in this league.