Patches O Houlihan

What a massive goal that is - and AA back up and running. COYR

Watch the press conference and you'll know why Smallbone is starting

There are definitely games where Will is really delivering. But right now Downes, Aribo & Stu would be my preferred midfield based on performance alone (not sentiment, politics or managing players mindsets)

Downes is fit according to RM

I'd agree, but watch the press conference including the bit at the end about Smallbone's social media experience, and then tell me that an emotional manager who is a fan of his play won't be starting him today.

Based on the press conference I think we'll see a midfield of Flynn, Stu & Will - the three who were pretty consistent through our 25 game run. Bree almost certainly in for KWP, although we might get Stephens on the right if he wants Manning to get forward without KWP's presence. KWP unlikely but hopefully fit again shortly (Preston or Sunderland)

Lets get Dignitas as a shirt sponsor There's Fonte of course, but who else could we bring back from the dead?

Honestly! you want the moon on a stick you do!

Juve are confirmed to be down a midfielder... Pogba banned for 4 years for doping

In fairness if we can field that team we'd smash them

Safe standing on it's own won't be enough to create that - we'd all need giant foam hands

As I understand it he has a muscular leg injury unrelated to the achilles injury he had when we signed him. That achilles injury was his first serious injury problem of his career, and he looked great playing for Sunderland. If you'd been off the pitch for a year and went out and started playing hard again I'm sure there's a chance you might pull a muscle. It's unfortunate but these things do happen. He's way, way less injury prone than Ings, and look what Danny managed for us - and we've still haven't managed to replace him.

He's an Irish international who is only 22. Goalkeepers as we know hit their prime later than average. Last season he had not protection, and whilst there have been a few clangers this year there has been a big improvement - particularly collecting crosses and playing the ball out under pressure. He was clearly signed as a longer term investment by the club, and as we know goalkeepers tend to stay longer at one place than out field players (or at least that's my impression). He is clearly the best goalkeeper we have at the club right now. If we get promoted we will need to sign 8 or 9 players for ~£20m each on average, and avoid falling foul of financial fair play in case we screw up and get relegated. I think it is unlikely we will sell him if we go up. I think we have many larger priorities for funds than another goalkeeper, and if his trajectory of improvement continues he will be at a similar level to PL teams that finish 10th-16th which realistically will be our level. What will screw up this plan is if he loses his confidence because he gets loudly criticised by his own fans after every match (even one where we lost 3-0, he didn't play and wasn't on the subs bench). In 15 months whether he's amazing or just good, as a ball playing international keeper with 3 seasons of first team starts he will be worth plenty - even if just bought as a back up. As far as I can see he is what we have until the summer of 2025 at least. Moaning endlessly will not change that, and is just likely to devalue him in numerous different ways. Yes he screwed up for our first at the weekend, but he's also made some great stops that he wouldn't have made last season. I will always try to give our players the benefit of the doubt, otherwise being a fan ultimately just seems to be exchanging your time and attention for an excuse to be negative about someone who has broadly made a success of their life so far. TLDR: Every time we moan about Bazunu it doesn't reduce the likelihood of him playing, it just reduces his value and makes him more likely to play badly in future games.

Fuck off with your endless vendetta

BFH

We've started ok, and Ally McCoist will be the saving grace of this whole TV production. An even handed pundit worth listening too - such a rare beast!

I have a theory. We only have 3 CBs, and Charles was always going to play in midfield. If we play Harwood Bellis they will make their mind up to sign him tonight and we'll have the whole Van Dyke saga to relive all over again...

I can see it now: Sulemana in the Sims role, Arma in the Schlong role. Titanic music plays, Anfield silenced and tears on the touchline. Bring it on! 😇

Ross Stewart is reported to be jogging now. RM cagey on chances of returning before the end of the season, so probably unlikely.

We're not even good enough to be flat track bullies right now

I'm fucking cross

Rothwell is a waste of a shirt

We need edozie on the left, Sulemana through the middle, Adama on the right. what can't RM see that? Has he not watched sultana's goals against Liverpool?!

That's harsh on Fraser, Brookes, KWP, THB, JB and Stu at the very least