Forester

Fox is good going forward, including set pieces. But he has never closed down a wide man and prevented a cross from coming in - he just does not think as a defender naturally does. We got a away with that in the championship when teams don't punish you.

Some massive over-reactions on this thread tonight. I am as disappointed as everyone else with second half but a number of unfair points in my opionion as follows: 1. Been as underwhelmed by JayRod as every one else up to now, but thought he worked his socks off first half and was a threat. He faded 2nd half as did Lambert - see below 2. Today is a case study as to why Nigel left Lambert on the bench at Man City - he isn'tfit enough to press the opposition's back four for more than an hour. Thats why he was take off to much derision - but we were being run all over from not being in Fulham's faces upfront 3. My biggest grievance is that we are now in mid-October and we still dont have a settled back 4. Injuries dont help, but truth is we only have 1 premiership quality defender and thats Clyne (albeit Fonte did well today). Massive priority for January - but that could be too late if we are not careful 4. Have a look at our next 6 league fixtures - reason to feel we can get at least a point and in many cases three from each game (Spurs looks tough though). So not a crisis - we just need to be competitive going into January window 5.Paulo's distribution and shot stopping looks firstclass. With more experience he could be a world beater - hope we stick with him

in every season overthe last 8 years, 86 points would always get you up

While I'm not usually of the "spend, spend, spend" club I do think that smashing our record fee on this guy could be very good business. Don't forget we have the Oxlade-Chamberlain money to spend, Hooper has a hugely impressive goal ration including Championship (with a team that struggled), and crucially as a young English player he will have significant on-selling value if we wish in a couple of years. Not suggesting we would want to sell him on, but merely that this plays a big part in determining value.

Very good summary I'd say - agree with Cork (and Hammond 2nd half excellent after a very poor first half). JWP, Hoskins and Stephens all looked promising but Doble looks unlikely to be good enough. Great turnout from us

A truly memorable day out - and a lively and fantastic atmosphere on the trains! Horrendous to see the brick-throwing incident (I believe it hit the guy's daughter who went understandably bezerk). However, these morons are a tiny minority - we had some great conversations with Plymouth fans beforehand and like us in recent times they are going through the mill.

Fully understand people's concerns, but right from the outset its obvious that ML was providing cash injections to fund the difference between income and (player) expenditure. The debt to equity piece would not necessarily be tax efficient for ML's family - its true that if the assets were sold then they could become effectively a creditor to a new owner. But, as has been pointed out, if they really had some devious intent (I don't believe that for one minute) they could always seperate the ground from the rest of the business etc. So I see nothing here at all to be worried about. However, unlike John Smith's bizarre rant, I think Steve has done nothing wrong here - in fact he has helped us learn more about the club we all love. Isn't that what the forum is here for?

Had a minor heart attack when I saw the programme today list the kick-off time as 7.45pm - having booked train tickets earlier today on thew basis of 3pm!!! Have checked both our and Plymouth's websites who both confirm 3pm. Phew!

Had a minor heart attack when I saw the programme today list the kick-off time as 7.45pm - having booked train tickets earlier today on thew basis of 3pm!!! Have checked both our and Plymouth's websites who both confirm 3pm. Phew!

While people have highlighted his successful track record of two promotions and last year keeping the smallest club in the championship,pretty remarkable enough, one important thing has not been stressed. This is that each year he has had to sell his star players as well - Andy Keough and Billy Sharp who got the goals that promoted them 4 years ago were then immediately sold to Wolves and Sheff Utd. Then he signed Martin Paterson, who he was forced to sell to Burnley. Finally after keeping them up last year he the had to sell Hooper to Celtic - a thankless brief which makes the success incredible. Fully accept the pressures at Saints are more, but you can't question his right to get the job. Lets all get behind him - starting Wednesday

correct NC there but no Marcus

Either you have never seen Marcus before or are fibbing. I sit very close and can assure you he was not there

Sung to knees up mother brown for the last 2 games - can any one answer this?

I think you are not far off the truth. I was adamant until a couple of weeks ago it would need a record 81 points to get in this season, but with some surprising results lately have re-worked forecasts and now reckon 79, which is still a lot. I have Huddersfield in, but now think Charlton who have a horrible run-in may miss out. I think 9 wins out of 10 for us is a must, and it MUST include the Charlton game. I still feel that Swindon defeat will probably prove decisive, but we are still alive.....

Just seen severe weather warning for heavy snow Buckinghamshire Monday! http://www.metoffice.gov.uk

I am a big supporter of Pardew, and will remain so for another couple of years come hell or high water. But he needs to reflect on some issues obvious today: 1. As mentioned by others, Papa Waigo is totally ineffective as a wide midfielder, but has done brilliantly when upfront. Today, as was the case at Leeds, he is just wasted where he played. And then hauled off without having a chance to cause real problems to Exeter. 2. We lacked the workrate of Exter in the second half. Pardew says he cannot fault the work rate - well he is wrong and most people there today would agree that Exeter chased and harried us out of the game 2nd half. 3. On a poor surface, Papa Waigo, Puncheon and Lallana are at least one too many flair players in the same team. For all of the stick that he gets, Wotton makes a real difference to our midfield, particularly without Hammond fit. We will not get out of this division on technical ability alone, particularly at places like this

Not sure if this has been raised on the thread, but even if you believed Newcastle were interested, Lambert cannot register with another team (other than loan) this season as he played for Bristol Rovers on the opening day (and scored!). FIFA prevent more than 2 pemanent club appearances each season.

Nicola is a seasoned and experienced businessman, but lacks experience/contacts in dealing with football matters. So Oldknow is surplus to requirements, and if the mooted Director of Football arrives (this was talked down at the fans forum) there is no requirement for another executive manging the business

Cracking day out-thoroughly deserved win and we should have had them dead and buried long before Connolly made it certain. His reaction was of real uncontrolled joy - he looks like a man absolutely desparate to prove a big hit. Quite a selection headache! Key men today for me were Davis, Trotman, Wotton (again makes Morgan look a better player sitting deep behind him and Hardman), Adam and of course Lambert who just gets better and better. How many will we take to Leyton Orient? Finally think that AP deserves huge credit for identifying the right type of player who has made us look a strong team. In the build up Penney their manager was talking about us being a "big strong team - dangerous at set pieces". How many years since we last heard that?

From some one who watches a lot of away games, I think Morgan should really only be selected for home matches. He is usually a total passenger away from home, lacking the time on the ball and commitment level necessary - Wotton by contrast gets physically involved and Hartlepool away in November........ I should emphasise I am a big fan of Morgan's - he was awesome against Rovers - but at this stage of his career and in this division we should pick his games

Really disappointing, but only 1 point less than I was expecting from these first two games. Millwall and Huddersfield will both be involved in the top 6 in my opinion, are settled teams with a manager having had time to develop their squad. As others have said, the next 3 games offer a real opportunity to pick up points and I believe 7 out of 9 is realistic, which would leave us having minus 2 after 5. That would not be a disaster. We have to expect to be in the bottom half at least until after the Xmas period, and with the squad still being added to we need to show patience and be absolutely behind all at the club. Sounds like a travelling army at Swindon so looking forward to that!

Pardew would be a good appointment. He did well at Reading, and left for West Ham despite huge pressure for him to stay. He then achieved play-offs and promotion in both seasons, and as has been documented took them to the cup final. He was very harshly sacked, and arrived at Charlton following a Rupert-like spell of madness that saw Curbishley, Dowie and Read in charge over 6 months. He greatly improved them and nearly kept them up. His only full season after relegation saw Charlton going well until January, when he was forced to sell Andy Read and end Danny Mills' loan, along with huge injuries to key signings (Todorov one example) at a time when the financial strains of relgation began to bite. If its announced, lets all get behind him - he has more chance of success (as any one would) with FULL BACKING from the fans, and not just for a few months. Lets see some one stay for 3 - 5 years for the first time since Strachan.

always worried by a 1st time poster with a rumour! However, if true would be an excellent choice - has done very well with minimal budget promoted twice. Be surprised if he would want to drop a division having won at Wembley - but bigger potential down here

Pearson has just led Leicester to win the title of the division we are now playing in

This story is factually incorrect and all fans should totally disregard it. Will leave you to guess the motivation behind the rumour originator