Forester

Lots of histrionics on here. Like everyone else who travelled to Ipswich last night, I was gutted at the end but it’s mad to begin calling for the manager to go. We have 78 points with eight games left, there is every chance we will finish with two points per game which is promotion every year, but sadly not this one. I will take the play offs if that is what it is to be. I have enjoyed the football this year, but I think Russell can get better. I personally think we can still play “Russball”, but would like to see two holding midfielders and one ten, whereas we play one holder and two tens, it’s a small adaptation, but we have conceded too many on transition from being very open. So still play out from the back, still give licence to defenders to go into creative spaces, still play with two wide men. It’s a compromise that I think sees us concede ten goals fewer in a season and probably pick up an extra 8 to 15 points

Bazanu KWP, Bednarek, Stephens, Bree Downes, Armstrong (S), Smallbone Fraser, Armstrong (A), Brooks

I have stuck by the view that two points per game is the target, it will have got us up each year over the last ten. I agree this season may be the exception, but that is by no means certain yet. Matches at this time if the season are much harder as a rule, with weaker opposition often highly motivated. See QPR, Millwall, Cardiff all beating top four slides over the last fortnight. If we hit 92 points and it isn’t enough I will take the play offs and not be too down about things. As difficult as those three away games at our rivals will be, as the team chasing it is good news that we have them still to play. Looking forward to the run in

After KWP limped off suspect it will be Bree right back and Manning left back, other than that I like your line up

I think he would be one of two front line keepers, and it would depend who else we got in. But I think at 22 he would be much better than when he was 20.

Wow, so much negativity on here. A reminder that, having changed half the team, we have just lost away to the Premier League leaders but having outplayed them for an hour. The difference, as so often the case, is in both boxes. Liverpool were clinical, we were wasteful. Positives for me were Stephens, Charles, Rothwell, Aribo (first hour). Despite not scoring I also thought Kamaldeen looked sharpest I have seen him this season. I don’t get the “no point being promoted” narrative. It’s pretty obvious there is a big gulf. But from our current squad I think the following are all capable of being in a Premier League squad, albeit not all as starters: Bazanu, KWP, THB, Bednarek, Stephens, Charles, Aribo, Armstrong (S), Armstrong (A), Kamaldeen. But we would need to make eight or nine signings. That is what being promoted entails.

Bazanu KWP, THB, Bednarek, Manning Downes, S Armstrong, Aribo Brooks, A Armstrong, Fraser Have said all season our target is two points per game, which over last decade guarantees promotion. 13 games to go, lots of twists and turns to come. We remain on track, as do three other clubs, but I will personally settle now for 92 points and if some of them are gained in games at Ipswich and Leeds then all the better

I think our best side currently is: Baz KWP, THB, Bednarek, Manning Aribo, Downes, Armstrong (S] Brooks, Armstrong (A), Fraser As others have said, this is getting increasingly difficult as Manning gives us more balance going forward but is suspect defensively, Smallbone v Aribo is a marginal call, and I prefer Adam Armstrong to be down the right but can’t bring myself to not start Brooks or Fraser. Nice problems to have. So you end up with an insanely good bench (for the championship) that includes Stephens, Smallbone, Rothwell, Adams, Kamaldeen, Edozie and others.

Great to wake up and only exits are Holgate (albeit we could not have otherwise names all loans in same squad) and Alcaraz which looks good value for money especially considering him being unlikely to start. We need to constantly think of FFP rules, just ask Everton and Forest. Only material risk I think is centre back cover, where reliant on Charles to be effectively fourth choice. Always an option to play a back three and use Bree there I suppose to bolster, but fingers crossed THB, Jan and Jack stay fit

16 unbeaten! Thoughts and prayers for the “possession football will get you nowhere” gang! We have just hit the magical two points per game level. Forget the league table and what happens tonight, history says 92 points will be top two. We just need to focus on us.

Strange lack of atmosphere yesterday I thought, and a very dull first half that only ignited when we scored. I didn’t feel we moved the ball quickly enough throughout the game and was a bit surprised to hear RM say how good he thought we were first half. Ultimately I think it is a good point because second half Udders had two massive headed chances and on another day we could have lost that. If you can’t win it, don’t lose it. Again thought centre backs were good, AA looks sharp but many under par. If we win these two home games coming up it will look an even better point, and ultimately we continue to close gap on Ipswich.

Not a convincing performance (after the first 30 mins) but a very good sign that we can win when not at our best. Thought Bazanu, THB, Holgate and Adam Armstrong all excellent. We are nearly at the 2 points per game threshold, forget everyone else and the league table. This is the only number that counts if you look at the history books over 46 games

It has its critics but this is the benefit of possession football. It is utterly draining being out of possession, endlessly having to watch runners etc. You have to concentrate without fail and hopefully the “good it forward” gang will reflect. As others have said we are looking very good defensively with a proper Centre Back partnership and midfield much more balanced than earlier this season. Shout out for Charlie who had his best game for a while

Been away from forum for a few weeks and having got back on today I seem to have entered a parallel universe to the one I experience at matches. Jus5 have a read on the Martin thread, good grief. We are one point off third spot and unbeaten in six! Anyway back to the thread. I would pick: Baz KWP, THB, Bednarek, Manning Smallbone, Downes, Armstrong (S) Armstrong (A), Alcaraz, Kamaldeen

You saying Parker getting promoted twice in three years with different clubs is a fluke?

Genuine options that I think could work for club and fans: Scott Parker. Has two promotions as manager from this division on his CV Chris Hughton. Again proven in this division with promotions Tony Mowbray. Ditto, would require us to pay compensation. Brother already works for the club None of these three play long ball football but all have more balance about them than RM kamikazee football

Puel was a decent defensive coach who conceded few goals, took us to a cup final and finished 8th in Premier League. I watched us win up here against Boro under Puel. Trust me that era was light years ahead of this

Firstly, and it’s hard because like others I am fuming, I don’t want us to become the next Watford that sacks managers every few weeks. He is currently our fourth manager in 12 months. Once you get that reputation it is hard to attract good people. He should be given at least until the next international break which means four more games and in total he will have had 11 by then. At that point it’s fair at the very least to judge whether he is beginning to address issues, and it looks like he and players are genuinely learning. If we pick up a couple of wins we will be on 16 points, five off of target and a sense of progress. If we are still not winning by then and not dominating games then it may be necessary to pull the trigger

Spot on, exactly how I see it. 4213 or 4231, happy with with either

Good post, this is how I see it

Firstly am not going to go OTT, ten points from six games is only two behind track and there is a long way to go. However….…. Genuinely concerned if Martin’s view is that we ALWAYS have to line up in that formation with one holding midfielder. Compounded with the flexibility he wants to give defenders to get forward (which I don’t dislike) we are too open. Often last night they had four v four on us waiting for something to go wrong. I don’t think we are far off it going forward, but rather than one holder and two attackers I would reverse that and play 4-2-1-3. When all fit probably Downes and Charles as the 2. The lack of tactical flexibility is an early concern for me. I like his philosophy but any style can become predictable if not changed.

This but only if Downes and Charles are both playing as holding midfielder not just one of them

Beginning the long journey home which started at 3am this morning. I think Martin has done a great job so far given all of the disruption, but he needs to learn quickly after today as in my opinion he played a part in that performance. It was a huge surprise to see Mara start, but I assumed that meant AA would play out wide. Mara offered nothing out there, and to be fair to him he is a Centre forward (albeit of limited quality). Second error was having seen first ten mins why stick with one holding midfielder? Clearly we were exposed on transition and it would have been easy to ask Smallbone to play alongside Downes to rebalance the team. Third error for me was leaving Smallbone and Mara on at halftime. Then fourth, fifth and sixth error was ending with Manning at Centre back, KWP left back and Charles right back. Why? Sure the players need to be held to account, several were very poor, but that was a shocker of a tactical and selection performance from Martin.

Of the outgoing rumours: - would be gutted to lose Adams, Bednarek or KWP - would be delighted to lose Tall Paul, Moos - am indifferent, and depends on replacements and fee, about losing Mara, McCarthy, Kamaldeen

Another enjoyable day in a, so far, enjoyable season. Loads of positives, both centre backs (I thought Charles handled physicality really well), good creativity from full backs and both Armstrongs and Edozie good. Only negatives were Stephens injury and always performance from Charlie. New signings started well, particularly Fraser. Would have bitten your hand off for ten points from August. We have our toughest month of fixtures in September, and I would be happy for ten points from those five games, seeing us at 20 from nine