Holmes_and_Watson

Another sliding doors moment for SR, that they are always on the wrong side of. Ballard had been injured, and he was probably a season back on pushing through. We went with the more proven Archer. It's not so much bringing in Downs, as Ballard being behind top scorer AA and 15 million Archer. We could, and possibly should, have extended his contract and loaned him out for the season. Assuming he was willing to do that. Then moved Archer on, if possible.

Well done Baz!

Only to and from the grounds for games. 🙂

SR's centre forward gets one. No need for a y re-enforcements in that position in the window.

What they're up to on their rest day tomorrow. If there's a y shopping they need to get. Things to think about when defending against Archer.

2 players on him, he manages to still get the header, while Peretz has come across only to flap as it goes past him. We've had a few chances. But the lack of momentum in getting them, and our defence-for-a-laugh is grim.

Utter mess trying to pass it about from the back. Our gift that keeps on giving.

Nope massage board 🙂

Flatulence

I read "deflect" as "defect" and was picturing Front Line Farage, sent to the Russian front, having been lied to about having a non combat role. 🙂

Our thoughts are with Gaëtan Courtet and his family at such a difficult time. As expected, he did well coming on tonight. He's the one player you know will raise the standard when he's on the pitch. Really pleased he got the goal as a tribute.

What a difference having a target man makes. I felt for Courtet not starting, as Moulin went with 1 up front again. However, there was more shape to the formation. Abi worked a central area, ahead of the rest supported in numbers from midfield. VA had a decent tempo too for a while. On 20 they headed onto the post. On 27 the visiting keeper saved off the line with his feet. The breakthrough was on 35. A poor defensive pass was intercepted by Abi. He spotted a gap between the defender in front and the keeper. The ball hit the post, but Abi was first to a kind ricochet back in his direction. Diomande tried hard to also provide an outlet. He'll be disappointed with a couple of tame efforts. Bourg-en-Bresse had offered little more than a scuffed effort from range. But VA didn't push on, and the visitors came back into it. While Abi had a memorable debut, Passi did not, losing his man on 52 mins, and allowing a crisp shot for the equaliser. He was at fault a few minutes later as Louchet had to save as Passi allowed an effort to go across goal, for what was nearly a second. Moulin made changes on 65, going two up front. Only a minute later, having attacking options paid off. An excellent run on the wing from Koum resulted in the ball going in towards Abi in the box. The opposition defence were drawn to stop the target man, allowing the deflected ball to be rattled in by Courtet. A good goal involving good play from 3 VA players, finally having decent outlets in the side. Although Abi was the target Courtet, bright for not having had to run himself into the ground for a change, took down a lovely throw from Louchet. He was also instrumental in the third, doing enough to get between the defenders and get the ball to Ipiele, who also looked lively from the bench, to slot home a third. The visitors had tried to push late on, with Louchet making sure of one, without being too troubled. There was always a little tension of losing a very late equaliser, but the third finished it. Our Rento came on with a few minutes left. He got involved in some attacks, intercepted to concede a throw in, and couldn't stop his man going past him to create a late attack. Mixed, but we'll see where, and if, he's going to fit with Abi's arrival. A solid win, in a quiet stadium. A fair amount still to work on, but a start and some hope of more attacking, dominant football.

It's another step towards the end of the football manager seasons that gave us wonderkids/ top youngsters in the game of Bazunu, Larios, ABK, Salisu, Edozie and Mara.

My concern is that they form a coalition with the Greens. Then noone can see how much my boobs have enlarged under hypnotherapy because of the height of my yogic flying.

There's that party with an identity comprised of tutting at wherever the other parties are, run by a former Post Office minister who was utterly useless as people lost livelihoods and freedom, and who imploded at the first sign of having to make a political compromise. There's the more credible monster raving loony party I suppose. 🙂

You've not been following the "Trump threatens Atlantis" story?!

Quite a lot already on the shoulders of Abi. VA so desperate for a forward. Playing a 2 with Courtet seems ideal. Courtet has to play as he's easily the hardest worker, and most astute player they have. He just needs support, and hopefully that's what the new guys can bring. The crowd, or absence of a number, is going to be interesting to see how it impacts the atmosphere.

A threat level Trump can only dream of. I voted tactically last time. But if I go through the manifestos (for what they're worth), I'd be surprised to see enough weight and thought in Reform. I'd be looking for more than surface fluff before taking them seriously. I would find out though, as the others have been so poor. I can see lots of ego clashes between Farage and everyone else, before I can see solid policy making. With this labour government, it's been the bonus policies of assisted dying and ID cards that have been a turn off. Everyone expected them to have the tension between Starmer's (say anything to get elected from the centre) and the very left (that he couldn't purge in time). You know what you're getting. But it's made them dysfunctional. The core launches ideas without consulting their own party, send out defenders of it, only to swiftly back track. All while trying to react to reform.

Fox

Stone

About to make a connection between the Arias playing for Wolves and our Federico Arias from around 20 years ago?

According to https://alwayswolves.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-wolves-mateus-mane/ "The promise was clear to see and, despite a trial with Southampton, he opted to sign for Wolves in the summer of that year."

Yeah. Bloomin' Australian and New Zealanders Crowded House taking their weather with them!

Meal

I heard the weather had joined Labour. The tides come in...change their minds, and U-turn back out.