I think WBA are a really good team, watched them a few times this season and it’s just not dropping in the net for them (xG anyone?). Missing their main striker but they will be top 6 this season no doubt. By far the better team here tonight.

How would people line-up at full fitness now then? (with the obvious caveat of unknown capabilities of some signings) Kaminski Brittain - Hyam - Wharton - Pickering Wharton - Travis - Morton Dack Hedges - Brereton Subs: Pears, Ayala, Mola, Buckley, Szmodics, Gallagher, Hirst Backup: Carter, Philips, Edun, JRC, Garrett, Dolan, Vale Perhaps I'd start Ayala, when fully fit he's one of the best in the leauge.

Not kept too close an eye on things elsewhere, but how have other clubs fared? Few headlines from flicking through articles below. Watford held onto Sarr and Pedro (and got Davis in from Villa to replace Dennis, that'll be some front 3) and Sheffield United held onto Berge, whilst Burnley seem to have signed a fair few Maatsen and Vitinho look decent from what i've seen, but it's a complete rebuild there. Boro seem to have done okay-ish, but they didn't spend much of their sales income (FFP was looming after the last 3 years). Norwich don't appear to have done much, they could be the 'money club' that struggles in my eyes, I think the top 2 will be out of their reach. Sunderland spent £10m!! on Jack Clarke (Neil not Mowbray) WBA dealt mainly in free transfers but Wallace and Swift look fairly shrewd. Overall, I think we've done okay comparing to rivals, though our 'out' column is a little worrying with solid 1st teamers. It's an open league for sure, there isn't going to be a Fulham this year.

hopefully not Diaz!!

Callum Styles off to Millwall

Agree…Hyam, Brittain and Szmodics replace Lenihan, Nyambe and Rothwell….debatable if they’re improvements as it’s early doors but it’s cost us £5m or so to do so. Not replaced Van Hecke nor Khadra as loans. Feels better because of Phillips, Carter and Wharton stepping up and Dack getting back to fitness but that’s nothing to do with the window. Edit: not a stain on Broughton or JDT as those players were gone and out of their hands, they’ve done well to replace them. I’m just skeptical that we’re stronger than last year

Sander Berge off to Club Brugge too, would be a bonus to every other team in the league

We have Watford in 2 weeks. Hopefully someone comes in and swoops up Sarr and Pedro last minute tonight! Always good to play relegated clubs once the window has closed.

JDT is gonna have some job naming his first choice 11 here! (when we have players back to full fitness)

Won't need a work permit if he was born in England (and I assume a passport holder)

Is Dembele more of a Dack / Szmodics sort of player? Or is he a wide player or a central striker? Don't know too much about him given he barely played since leaving Peterborough.

Not sure how i'd line up now with the way Wharton / Morton played and the vision and touches from Dack. Feels like the 3 of them could link up brilliantly together, but wouldn't really want Dack as a 'false 9'. Travis, Wharton, Morton in the middle, Dack in the hole and 2 upfront? Doesn't give us much width and it's a completely different formation (not to mention the lack of strikers). Be interesting to see where we end up after today. Backup full backs seem the biggest priority and a striker (unless Hirst is the instant answer)

7 (SEVEN!) clean sheets in a row for PNE

Can’t argue with that. Tracking back to block the cross with 1 minute to go. Tremendous lad and would wish him well if he decided on a big move (would love it if he stayed and took the gamble with us this year)

Shakey last 5 to 10 minutes, but overall feel much happier after that match than the last few weeks mainly because 1) Wharton looks the real deal in the middle. 2) Hyam looks a very solid addition and great to start with a clean sheet Could have put it to bed earlier but nice to see us playing some good stuff and creating chances.

In fairness, we don’t have many options on the bench

Commentator adamant for a penalty against Carter there. Very bizarre, Yates was horizontal with arms wrapped around Carter. Was the biggest nothing coming together you’d see

Kaminski - Delivery is atrocious: is it the coaching or just his bad execution - probably both. Dack - lovely assist. I think he’s pressing well too, as much as the others upfront anyway. Diaz - great finish, there will be bids tomorrow Pickering - solid 1st half given he’s up against Bowler Dolan - weakest of the front 4 but we are without Gallagher, Szmodics and Markanday isn’t getting a look in yet. Don’t think he’ll be a regular in a weeks time. 2 young lads in the middle, very solid. Happy enough overall, started slow, not dominated but looked the more dangerous, let’s hope we push on more 2nd half and put the game to bed.

Completely off topic - but I just don’t get why players chew gum during a match (Travis in this instance)

We’ve not been brilliant but I agree, nothing like last Saturdays 1st half

Looks like it yeah. Rotating all over the show! 😂

Bradley fucking Dack

Happy with the team given the circumstances - ie JDT saw and acted at RB from Saturday (not that I’m confident with Travis there either) and also reacted to Whartons 2nd half vs Buckleys 1st half on Saturday. This wouldn’t have happened under Mowbray

You're all over the show here

Yeah i'd be amazed if he plays. Had his right calf strapped up after the match on Saturday. Will be Hyam and Phillips i'd have thought, which I agree with in those circumstances - not worth risking Ayala