arbitro

Elliott Bennett got a round of applause but there were loud cheers when he said he really enjoyed his time here bar one season. He qualified that by saying something like 'we all know who was in charge then though'. 😂😂

I don't think he is injured if that has been implied. My concern is that he can't complete a full game and after 50 minutes he looks tired. I would start him on Tuesday to try and build up his fitness as I think he will be crucial next Saturday. His aggression and drive will be needed.

The really pleasing aspect of today for me was that we actually came back from behind to win against difficult opponents. And the most pleasing aspect was winning. These are the type of games where historically we have dropped points so I'm delighted with that. And again great credit to Eustace for his use of substitutes as we now have five goals from players he has brought on. And the real beauty of this is that you don't need to be a Guardiola to see it. We have actually predicated every one of his changes so far this season and essentially they have been like for like. Nothing complicated and keeping pretty much the same shape and formation. It wasn't pretty at times and we looked ragged and weary in phases but the main objective was achieved and seven points from the first three games is a great return. Clearly we have a few who aren't up to speed fitness wise and I would be giving them each an hour on Tuesday to build this up.

Indeed. The number of free headers the Oxford defenders were winning was frustrating but that stopped when Gueye came on. I would have started him and brought Ohashi on.

Today will be another hard match which is what the Championship is. Having seen Oxford last season and their two league matches so far the thing that struck me was how big their two centre halves are. Given our weakness at defensive corners/set pieces I think they will look to exploit this and in Branagan they have a player with good delivery. But it really is more about us. If every player does their job we should win and as ever I'll take a scruffy 1-0 just as long as we win. In our two league matches so far we have started quickly and got on the front foot. Hopefully we do the same today and get an early goal.

Max Davies played against Rangers last Monday.

I saw Hayden Carter watching the under 21's at the Academy yesterday. Normally players are straight home after training and resting the day before a game. I am assuming from that he won't be fit.

I expected more too. We'll never know but I wonder how many would have bought tickets on the day. Whoever makes these decisions down there should be accountable.

Around 1300 I believe.

Palace were just too good for us all over the pitch. They were bigger, stronger and quicker and this was the main difference I thought. Aside from a 15 minute spell at the start of the second half we were never in it. I fully concur with unleaded about the new keeper. In my opinion he is a downgrade on anything we have, whoever decided to give him a contract needs to look at himself. He is a liability. Mafoumbi just didn't get into the game and it was no surprise when he was substituted at half time. The three half time changes gave us a glimmer of hope and we scored soon after half time but Palace rode our pressure and assumed control and were comfortable winners in the end. It's going be a long season I fear for us at this level. There are quite a few of last seasons under 18's in the squad but they will have to learn quickly if we are to compete.

Ah. I misread your first sentence.

There were no travel restrictions when we played them two years ago and the vast majority went by official coaches/buses. I know a few who made their own way by car but at that particular time there were no trains on the day.

I'd be surprised if they haven't laid on enough transport for fans wishing to use it especially when they recommended it. If I was you I'd try again later today and if you still can't book and online give them a call.

If anyone fancies a free whiskey pre match this is for you.

They are both midfielders. Hopefully we have another pair of brothers coming through but I'm not sure how local they are. Wiki mentions American descent through a grandparent.

The Edmondson who played yesterday is Stephen, the younger brother James who debuted at Harrogate. James is, I understand is still coming back from a long term injury.

It was a friendly and the fact it was listed on the under 18's fixtures was a misnomer I think we Rangers had a few older players too. There were no team sheets but from memory Eastham, Bell, Davies, Litherland, Strich, Boggan, Saadi, Biniek, Shorrocks, Edmondson were either started or came on.

The scoreline doesn't really reflect the game and in truth there is a case for making Jordan Eastham the man of the match as he made several excellent saves. We were clinical in our finishing though which was the most pleasing aspect of the game. Iannis Hagi looked a class act and I asked one of the Rangers backroom staff why he wasn't in the first team. He told me that there was a fall out with the manager and also a rumour that playing one more game entitles him to a hefty pay increase. He is the type of creative player I would like to see here but Rangers would want a decent few for him. It might be worth a cheeky loan deal 😄😄.

I have seen both of their league games so far and we should underestimate them at our peril. They are organised and with the likes of Cameron Branagan in midfield they can play, particularly on the counter. The two big centre halves aren't particularly quick but are a real threat at set pieces. I think they will look to capitalise on our weakness in this area. If we do the basics right and match their endeavour we should have too much for them.

The Premier League and EFL too.

A big tough guy like you wears a nappy?

I really don't believe it was a block by Hughes. The two players tussled and both players were guilty of holding and this occurred nowhere near the ball and had no consequence on the shot and subsequent goal. I reiterate what I said about the referee blowing too early and giving the VAR nowhere to go.

The issue was that VAR couldn't get involved because the referee blew before the ball went into the goal. Effectively play was stopped from the moment he blew. Webb talks about 'actions with consequence' and the contact between the two players had no effect on what was a stunning free kick. Had the referee not blown too early it would have been interesting to see what VAR would have advised him.

One of my pet hates is players getting cautioned for technical offences like dissent or kicking the ball away. For somebody like Travis who plays on the margins a cheap yellow card often takes a lot away from his game.

What was Travis booked for? I saw the referee flash his card just after Travis made a challenge on the far touchline and thought it was for that. The game restarted with a throw in so it can't have been for the challenge.