superniko

“Browne isn’t ready yet” - based on your scouting of the Irish league no doubt He’s a right back whose played football all his life. He’s more ready to play a 3rd round fa cup tie against Wigan there than Dolan is at right wing back

Jesus that’s bad. I still have memories of Reid’s screamer and Roques hat-trick. Maybe they were the last wins!

Regardless of Dolans talent / non-talent. Who the hell would play him as a wing back? Not quite Gallagher right back levels but not far off. (Didn’t watch the match so it’s a blind comment)

First match I’ve missed for a while, though I’ve seen the Pears clips. I’ll skip over that as everyone is in agreement. I just can’t believe that starting line up. I’d love a cup run don’t get me wrong, if you’d asked me over the last 5 years or so when we seem to exit 3rd round but also be sat 12th in the league. But why the hell is he playing Brereton over Butterworth or Lenhian over Carter/Magloire or Travis over Johnson etc etc etc. Disappointing result, maybe a blessing in disguise though I never want to see us lose. Silly from Mowbray risking so many of our first 11 and pathetic “hands tied” comments afterwards

We took 2,262 away fans to Huddersfield in a similar fixture (29th December 2019). I don't remember the cost but do remember after going 1-0 up early doors we got battered. Might have been my final away day before the stadiums were empty.

Superb for the first 20 minutes then fairly flat for the remainder of the match. The pitch gradually tore up as the match went on, glad our FA cup tie is away next week, hopefully the pitch can recover a little bit as it takes the edge away from Rothwell and Buckley (I know the pitch is the same for both sides) Plenty of changes for the cup, Johnson, Butterworth, Gallagher, Dolan, Edun, Ayala to all start. Would also add that the back 3 were brilliant again. Lenihan is so composed bringing the ball out and Wharton remains unbeaten

Not 100% convinced it was a penalty, though they are easily given. The clear mistake for me was not bringing it back for a free kick on the edge of the box

I’ve got a bad feeling about this. A defeat and Huddersfield are only 3 points behind us and it’s a bump back down to earth for Top 2 dreams. Another win and we’re 2nd going into the cup break….COYB

Ah yes - I thought that was postponed but it’s the WBA match that is off.

Whisper it quietly….but we could be top of the table on the 2nd Jan with Fulham and Bournemouth not playing until the 3rd.

This will be a big test of the teams character. Should be 3-0 and instead we go in 1-1. Hopefully we come out flying

More and more impressed with Pickering every time I see him.

We just need to keep putting points on the board if we keep playing. Keeps the pressure on teams playing catch up in the new years. We'll be 2 ahead of QPR, Stoke, Coventry, Sheff Utd.

Surprising considering they would have watched us get smashed 7-0. With Bournemouth playing on the 27th this week, a win on Boxing Day away at Hull would have us in the automatic spots even if it's just for 1 night!

1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 since Wharton came back into the team. Take a bow. I jest as Lenihan and the whole back line deserve credit for that. It’s the best Travis has played for a good while, the middle 3 really suit each other. Superb, we look unreal, only way it could have been better was Brereton getting his 20 up with a Cantana special

Wigan away. Cheap tickets and a full stand selling out for that I’d expect

The Top 7 all play each other on Saturday except ourselves at home to PNE. What an opportunity this is to put a bit of breathing space between ourselves and 7th. Fulham v Bournemouth Coventry v West Brom QPR v Stoke We could be 5 points clear of 7th with a win

Yeah, the Wigan offer 2 years ago was a much better atmosphere to the rest of the season, but still only 18k in total, albeit a poorer away following. A decent ticket offer and we would get 20k for pne, which is usually the highest attendance of the year since we’ve been in the Championship.

Can’t be understated can it…when did he come back from injury? As we’ve only conceded 2 in our last 4 games. (Think he was back after the Fulham trouncing and red card for Van Hecke)

He didn’t start today but I can’t help feel Dolan’s work ethic and personality is rubbing off on others. He works his socks off, and even without him today we played like a team without the ball. With the talk of “gegenpressing” as Rangnick is looking like the United boss, I love that we’re sort of moulding into that, like the Bielsa Leeds side in the Championship. Not having loads of possession but as soon as we lose it we press to force the mistake and then use pacey, entertaining forwards to take advantage. I can forgive a lot in Rovers side if they work their socks off, and when we have that we get rewarded like today (albeit it felt like a poor Stoke performance despite their position)

Agree with all of that. On to Preston, should be a cracker.

Buckley was absolutely superb, I think that’s the best I’ve seen him play. Not just the neat passing and through balls but he’s so good at picking opponents pocket and little pressure tackles. Rothwell first half was also immense. Great work from the midfield 3. Also a shout to the back 3. Lenihan was brilliant, looks a lot more comfortable in a 3. Well deserved win, hopefully Rothwell and Kaminski are okay as missing the two of them and Ayala would be a worry. Even better after hearing the hopeless commentators. One of the worst teams we’ve played this year, they didn’t have a midfield at all.

FlashScore. LiveScore would be the same too so which ever you prefer from the two.

Wow - a lot around us struggling today

Not sure what’s worse here the commentators or the ref. I suspect a late Stoke penalty