MarkBRFC71

We need a goalscorer and a winger. I like Ohashi but he’s not the former, and although Hedges did ok yesterday we need more threat out left. Without those 2 things we will be there or thereabouts the relegation mix.

Wasn’t overly impressed with Tavares today tbh. Bit too casual, and 90% of his passing was 5 yards too short or long. And the corner - one of the worst I’ve ever seen.

What the fuck have we been doing all pre-season?? We look MILES off it - and that against a team who were in League 2 last season. Abysmal this.

Montgomery is miles off a first team level midfielder. Needs loans in League 2 or 1 for a couple of seasons to learn the ropes.

Still too many weak links. Hedges needs gone. We desperately need a striker and a keeper. Can’t fault the energy and work rate but the skill/flair level is negligible. New signings are going to need time but not promising so far - the best of them has been Alebiosu.

23rd? Championship 2025-26 season preview: Club-by-club guide to the new campaign - BBC Sport

Back from a great weekend at Kendal Calling. Highlights: > Prodigy - what a way to close the main stage. Few technical issues with the screens not giving the full experience but still awesome. > Elvana - I'd heard of these but never seen them. They were outstanding, the crowd was insane for them as well. > High Fade - we started to watch Kaiser Chiefs on the main stage but they were just a bit bland so we left after 30 mins. Wandered into one of the smaller tents just after these guys came on and wow - took the roof off. > Reverend & The Makers - had a Saturday afternoon slot and smashed it. I've liked some of their stuff but never really done a deep dive but am keen to listen to more and see them again. > The Kites - never heard of them before but very good. > Fat Boy Slim - great Saturday night party headliner but he's just pressing 'play' isn't he? 🙂 > Lottery Winners - another band I've not really heard much of but really good live, great front man. Overall a great experience - we'll be back in the fields in 2026!

Not sure where Usyk goes from here - he's beaten all the best competitors - twice and easily, and he would do it again. Itauma is promising but too raw to be put in with him yet. Kabayel is levels below. Wilder is done. Chisora pointless. Parker maybe, but I don't see anything other than an easy night for Usyk that ultimately proves nothing. As much as I enjoy watching him - he's one of the GOATs for me - he should retire with his faculties and legacy intact.

Dubois to throw absolutely everything at Usyk, and try to roughhouse him in the first 5 rounds. If he's not KO'd him by then Usyk wins easily. DD has a Puncher's chance but still expect Usyk to win.

No worries. Are you going? If so, you'll have a belter. One for the ages.

I was at Heaton Park on Weds - wasn't sure it would live up to the hype (nor my memories of Maine Rd and Loch Lomond) but I was wrong. Still recovering - physically and emotionally. What a fucking night. Band on top form, sounded as good as ever. The crowd was brilliant - no trouble/knobheads - just 80000 people and voices unified. The only gig I've seen to come close for that communal spirit was the Roses in 2012, but I think this pipped even that.

Holding off getting a 'regular' season ticket for now, as weekday games are a bit of a faff to get to due to work. Last season I got the flex ticket, which having just moved back to the UK in Jan was a perfect solution. I thought I read somewhere (or maybe I imagined it?) that there was talk of doing a 15-game ST or something similar - is this based on anything factual?

The Smiths - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

Although I love Big Mak's enthusiasm, do we need another big galoot who doesn't score?

New Order - Fine Time

The Stone Roses - Mersey Paradise

Saw both Fontaines DC and Maximo Park here in Munich over the last week or so. FDC just get better and better - more polished, better songs and a bigger production. The only downside is as a result the venues get bigger! Maximo always deliver - I loved their first 2 albums but I think they dipped after that - but still some great songs albeit fewer and further between on their newer stuff. Still great live though.

Fair enough, it wouldn't have surprised me if it was knee-jerk but they seemed to have planned it a while ago after all. I agree that I would choose an Englishman IF (and it's a big if) they were on an equal footing to a foreign candidate, but it would be foolish to stand by that and appoint a piss-poor candidate (eg Lampard) just because they are English.

I don't think Tuchel was close at all until the Greece debacle, and Carsley subsequently folding and cowering in front of the press. You give the job to the best candidate irrespective of nationality IMO - my top choices would have been Klopp or Pep but accepting those were both unlikely for various reasons, Tuchel is about the best available right now. I think the FA would have waited for Pep had he made encouraging noises to them about taking over next summer, so I can only assume they've sounded him out and he wasn't keen so now Tuchel's the man.

Men against boys this. They are a thousand times more up for it than we are.

Also Brittain - ok going forward but absolutely gash defensively. Can’t argue with the attacking reinforcements but the defence has been sadly lacking for years and is League 1 standard.

And that’s why for me it was a massive mistake to not get a decent CB in. Keeper was the nbr 1 priority and a CB not far behind. Hyam and Carter are very, very average - if we’re relying on them to be our first choice pairing we’re going to struggle.

So fast forward 21 hours and although we got Cantwell as opposed to a random free - who while if his head is in the game is a good player, clearly has temperament and motivational issues - it played out almost exactly as predicted. Jury’s out for me until we see what tune Eustace can get out of the squad. Also think not strengthening one of our big weak spots - CB - might come back to haunt us.

Or up front.

Past experience means I am setting my expectations based on this exact scenario. Then anything else is a bonus and my day isn't ruined.