S-Clarke

Zombie football is how I'd describe it.

You think we've got a chance of getting to Wembley? Season feels like it's already over.

What an absolute load of horrific bullshit. Outclassed by a team many levels above us, seemingly. Not acceptable.

It's good to see a proper 6 in there without Downes, we need Charles to be disciplined in the role though. I hope Rothwell is given a bit of freedom as I think he's blunted when he's stuck in a rigid pivot, could see the best of him if he's allowed to carry the ball forward. The team kinda makes sense tbh.

Yep, tried a Panenka like an idiot. He did make up for it with the 4th or 5th goal deep into stoppage time though.

I think the levels have been quite skewed this year, in both leagues. The 3 who came down were 3 somewhat established PL clubs with big wage bills and lots of players who had proven themselves to be top flight players, the 3 of us managed to keep hold of some real quality which has been why the levels at the top end have been so high. On the other side of the fence the 3 who went up haven't improved the level of the prem, they've not been able to compete at all for varying reasons. Luton gave it a good shot, but ultimately they are well off the level required - ditto Sheff U, neither were ever quite good enough to start with and they couldn't invest. Burnley did invest but they copied our approach and signed kids. I think Leeds/Leicester will give the PL much more of a go and drag the hoverers right back into the mix next year, Everton have genuinely got away with it (again) - because in any other season they're toast. You can pretty much tell the level of that league this year by the fact that the two teams who have been deducted points are still outside of the bottom 3.

I never understand when people say that, it's nonsense. Rothwell has scored some important goals for sure, but I just felt Charly had much more about him. Yeah, he gave the ball away sometimes (flair players do that), but in open play he could carry the ball which Rothwell seems incapable of doing. Big chance for Rothwell tonight to demonstrate his game in a more advanced role.

Not sure why, but I've kinda felt similar this season. I thought it was maybe that I was getting old and grumpy, but it has felt quite a chore to watch us which in my head seems like an odd thing to say given that we're on 84 points.....but I just haven't been convinced at any stage really, something nagging me that is just not good enough with this team/setup. I've enjoyed some games for sure, but it's not going to be one of those seasons I look back on in years gone by and reminisce about it (like the 2011/2012 season)

I believe Rothwell was his replacement, and if I'm totally honest with you - I have no idea, was pretty gutted when it was announced as it came from nowhere. He wasn't playing enough was the argument, but he should have been in the team every week.

Why would you want to sell him? Ideally we now keep him and make him a pivotal starter in whatever league we are in, he's a PL level player as proven. He was in and out of the side way too much and could never establish himself. Class player who we were lucky to still have, and we massively misused him.

Depends what his aspirations are I guess, but in my opinion if any of our out of contract guys were sticking around (Che/Stu/McCarthy) then they'd have signed by now.

Great news, he did not deserve an end like that. I hope we give him all the help he needs to get to the Euro's, then if he has a good Euro's he'll have a pick of clubs in the summer now he's not going to be injured. I can see him back at Celtic, could be a great move for him.

That was the most pointless FA Cup Semi Final win ever, the Utd players knew how much they fucked that and how undeserved it was in the end - they didn't even run over to celebrate with Rasmus when he scored, all very odd for them. The right result would have been a Cov win after the way they got back into it, but I guess we now get to see Utd pulverised by their neighbours. The money makers in the FA will love it though, will generate the bean counters more money than a City v Cov final.

It definitely is a freak season for sure, at the same stage last year Sheff U were promoted on 84 points and Luton were on 78. I don't think the points tallies will be anywhere near as high next year, but with the players we had this year (KWP/THB/Downes - absolute PL level players) we should have got closer to the teams setting the pace imo, we've always been stuck on the periphery and look in from a 'what could have been' angle - and that's what's frustrated me more than anything.

Those bits I've highlighted are the key takeaways for me - what we are seeing playing out here (in terms of chances gifted/goals conceded) is identical to what played out at Swansea and MK Don's - he hasn't learnt. I've read some of his comments from yesterday calling them nonsense goals to concede, we need to cut that out etc - absolutley agree with him, but he said exactly the same about the Bristol City goals, the Huddersfield goals, the Ipswich goals etc - it's like groundhog day, no one is learning anything in my eyes and I don't think it'll ever change. I get what you mean about stability 100%, but my fear is that Martin has consistently shown that he cannot coach a team to defend at multiple clubs. His teams always gift up opportunities and opponents know that. If we fail this year the quality of our squad next year will be stark compared to this, so we'll score less goals and probably concede around the same/maybe more - which will equate to a Swansea City and MK Dons finish of mid-table if we're not careful.