Holmes_and_Watson

COYR!

They had a header early on and one that got deflected wide. We've been in control, dominating the proceedings. But our final pass has been very poor. Where Adams would be offering a target, we've bottled out of a lot of better options. Runs from KWP, Smallbone and Brooks not picked up, where they were clearly better placed. We hit the post, and Aribo put it well over. AA nearly in. WBA will be thinking they've weathered a half. We have to go back out at full pelt, and drive more. They are there for the taking with a better final ball.

Downes got an early knock. He's been vital and would be a massive loss.

Dreadful throw in

Brooks more involved at least. Can see KWP being key.

Meeps. That could have deflected in.

Post! Nice move!

Whatever contact there was got ruined by the dive.

Some decent early possession, but neither created anything yet. We'll never build a passing game around Stephens and Aribo. Their keeper had a nearly moment there.

But he's not my type. 🙂

No Adams on top of having no Stu or Has a while back, weakens that starting XI. Either a 3 or Stephens ahead of Bree (is Manning injured?). AA central since Mara was pants, but needs Brooks to step up. Some concerns there. We have enough talent in the side, and they've all had plenty of game time. Deep breath and COYR!

I thought he might be. Even the commentator said that some in the club didn't think he'd have lasted this long, after a poor start. I think that's the end of any parachute payments for them. Wagner's deliverable was promotion, it seems. They continued with passing it put from the back, without any of the movement, work rate, creativity or passing angles needed last night, and recently. They relied heavily on Sargent and always have a disaster waiting to happen in defence. They are still lumbered with a number of first framers for a couple of more years too.

Chocolate

Moon

All this is a traumatising reminder of when I got my eyes swapped out for late '80s monitors in my cyberpunk phase. 🙂

Grates

What is the normal attrition rate of a club? How is that impacted through relegation? What is the impact of new ownership on attrition? How many normally depart when the new owner is looking to operate a multi club model? Has the requirements of managerial / senior staff changes had a ripple effect in other areas? Are the departing staff going onto better things, indicating that we've been hiring really well, but bigger clubs (see also the relegation above) are cherry picking ( as we no doubt do from elsewhere)? Just some question that might give it a bit of perspective.

Too big too fail? There are over 100 charges and they will be fighting every one of them, and no doubt using any influence they can to avoid punishment. I've not listened to it yet, but the Beeb had a programme tonight about sportswashing of Newcastle and Man City, and the influence they may have on a number of areas, not just football.

That was a lovely tribute to someone who sounds like he was a great bloke. One who had impeccable taste in football clubs too. 🙂 Despite the difficult times, your post makes him shine through. Thanks so much for telling us about him.

I can't see me avoiding that coming up at the next team meeting.

Rainbow lanyards are very handy for finding your pass in your bag. Or for not forgetting it, if you've left it out.

I felt my responses were really well balanced and fair. Oh rats, I'm doing this, aren't I? 🙂

It'll be interesting to find the first person who thinks this imaginary Long effort doesn't go over the bar. 🙂

The last person caught practicing epicaricacy over a football match in our village was burned at the stake.

The deeper passes work a lot better under Baz than Alex. Even then it has limits. I've seen Baz take care of silly passes (where they're lazily expecting too much of him), as well as others where he has had to hoof it (usually prolonged pressing). He's even had a go on at least one occasion. Alex needs that extra moment, either to control it or think about the pass. It's a bigger risk and they must instruct the defence to have different positioning and triggers to clear it. Super when it draws in other teams and we ping it past them. Not happening so much of late for various reasons.