You can disagree with it, but not sure exactly how it can 'sound like nonsense'. Recent history would show that managers that play with a certain style tend to get more media attention.

Whilst I mostly agree, do we really want Wahlstedt to make his league debut against a team that we will ship a bare minimum of 2 goals against? JDT seems reluctant to drop keepers, but a 5-0 drubbing might make him rethink his choice. Then again, if Pears somehow pulled off a clean sheet he would be undroppable.

Couldn't agree more, to the point that I can barely believe that it is real.

I didn't say it was about making him look good, just that this style might make him look good.

I love this idea. It's the flaw in most conspiracy theories. It relies on perfect incompetence paired with incredible foresight.

I don't buy all of the conspiracy theories about JDT being on the verge of leaving. That being said, I can slightly believe that he may see this season as a bit of a lost cause and may have identified some value in being a manager who gets a side to play a certain 'brand' of football. He will get more attention out of us playing good football and finishing 12th than he will out of us playing Allardyce-esque football and finishing 5th and going out in the playoff semis. I still enjoy it. I want to be entertained by the club that I support and I know that I am guaranteed value for my time when a match rolls around...although I would like Pears dropped.

No more Pears, please. Please.

🙄

We are often overly harsh when assessing our performances. Thought we were excellent for large parts of the game. Created more than enough chances and we were entirely comfortable until a shocking officiating decision changed the game. Still could have put the game to bed and did ride our luck a bit late on, but overall a well-deserved 3 points. As for judging new signings based on 30 minutes when we were on the backfoot? Give players time and a proper opportunity.

That wasn't a dig at all. He spoke highly of Wharton, but was making it clear that he felt that he'd benefit from guaranteed playing time and development by staying here. It's exactly the kind of message that we should have for young players. I would have preferred if he had mentioned the possibility of Wharton getting Premier League football with us at some point in the next couple of years, but other than that the message was pretty spot on. We have to make it clear to young players that it's important that they get first team football, that we're a club that can develop their talent, and that they can either reach a higher level of football through our success or that we won't stand in their way and that regular playing time in your early years is a springboard to greater things. Not a dig at all.

I think you're unnecessarily harsh to him on this point. It was of course going to be mentioned, either by him directly or through a question - so it makes sense to address it. As for the 3 year comment, most transfer fees are paid in installments, but he's more likely referring to the fact that the Championship's FFP rules are over a rolling 3 year period. So an injection of an 'unexpected' 5 million puts us in good standing regarding our FFP status for the subsequent 3 years.

Broughton certainly has his critics and takes a lot of flack on here, but I thought it was a superb interview. Spoken openly and honestly about the full range of topics that supporters would want to be addressed. From the budget, to Phillips, to Wharton, it is exactly what we've been calling for in terms of clarity and reassurance. If another DoF came out and spoke like that we'd have dozens on here asking why our own staff couldn't do the same. Assuming that there is nothing misleading in what he said - which I would be surprised if there were - then it gives me a much stronger sense that we have some safe hands in key positions at the club (even if they might not have as much power or independence as we might want).

Of course it does. Ultimately I watch these matches to enjoy myself. This is a pleasure to watch - even when we're losing.

Yes, this has been far from perfect. Yes, we've missed a ton of chances. But it's impossible to not enjoy the way we play.

Might be a slight overreaction...

He wasn't at all at fault for the goal, but can this be the last time that we see Pears start, please? Incredible the number of times he has to push things away or tip things around the post when he could either catch them or not go for them.

He's young, far from the finished product. But performances like this are what people need to remember when they talk about him being unsellable or worth tens of millions.

Wharton looks like he's worth about 2 pounds today.

We also have to accept that we've been out of the Premier League for over a decade now. 15-22-year-olds will barely remember us as a Premier League side. A bit of a tough pill to swallow, but I can understand why they reference the two 'biggest' clubs on his resume. They want him to come across as instantly credible to those unfamiliar with who he is, not illicit the response of 'why is a former Blackburn goalkeeper telling me who can break through at Chelsea'.

Let's go Premier League exclusively? Numerous times where the lines have been messed up for offside decisions (West Brom 21/22 I think?) or the entire phase of play hasn't been factored in (Arsenal vs Brentford last season). Those are black-and-white instances where the technology has been incorrectly used. That's just a factual error. No debate. Clearly worse. Rodri's handball against Chelsea a couple of seasons ago? The goal that wasn't given when the ball crossed the line in the Sheffield United vs Villa game (I think it was)? Those are literally off the top of my head and just focusing on the Premier League. If I took a bit longer and looked back through examples I think I'd find dozens that were clearly worse. But recency bias always comes into things when these debates take place. Wrong decision? Sure. Worst ever? Give me a break.

It's definitely not a red, that's crazy. It's also not even in the top 10. We've had moments where the technology has completely failed, we've had totally incorrect interpretations of defenders playing the ball or not, and we've had some truly clear and absolutely obvious errors. This was probably a penalty 9/10, but to make it out as if there's absolutely zero room for debate is wrong. If you disagree with me, are you saying that every time a goalkeeper comes out to get the ball that his first contact has to be the ball? What if he doesn't get the ball but just brushes into/knocks a player over? How many penalties do you plan on awarding this season when a keeper comes out for a cross? This is an extreme version of that, but it's not as black as white as many are saying and it is certainly far from the worst error of the VAR era in the Premier League.

That's just patently wrong.

It's a penalty, but it's not as stonewall as some of you are making out. There's always going to be a degree of debate over a keeper making contact with a player when he's going for the ball and when that contact had no impact on anything following on from it. I'd want it. I'd expect it to be given. But there will be far clearer penalties that aren't awarded this season.

It might be the only opportunity that we have... I still think a win at home to West Brom is a very good start.

I know, I know, it has only been one match. But this messageboard is so often inundated with total negativity that I thought it might be time to enjoy a little bit of optimism. We're off to a great start. We've got a young squad that a lot will be envious of. We play a brand of football that is genuinely really enjoyable to watch. 1 down. 45 to go. This will almost certainly age badly, but let's just take a moment to embrace the positivity. A couple of more signings and there could be reason to hope for - and maybe even expect - a good season.