OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Nope, a win here and momentum is regained. I'm not shlepping up to Stoke to see a mid-table borefest. I'm expecting us to pepper their goal because if they've got Baz's understudy in goal, it'll be like shooting in to an empty net. Betting on another Charlton. 1-4 to us.

Yes, Azaz and Matsuki had just about run their course today, so accept Fellows and Charles coming on (would have preferred to see Stewart on at this time) - and you don't know in advance in advance that Charles going to be an effective sub. He was well off the pace last time. To start, I would have put Fellows on for Matsuki (who was playing on the wing today so a like for like). Charles comes on 10 minutes later for Azaz - but when Scienza gets injured he comes on then. And Stewart comes on for a few minutes. Robinson isn't adding much nowadays so why bring him on at all?

With the subs, I would have spread them out for a start. Four changes in 10 minutes affected our flow. And I would like to have seen Fellows and Scienza on together, though appreciate Scienza got an injury so had to go off when he did.

He actually had a strong subs bench today but used them badly. Hopefully he's stumbled upon a solid Back 4 being our best option. Bree straight in was a gamble but worked well. Matsuki was ok. Don't know is Scienza was struggling when the first subs were made but we lost the initiative with the subs. I'm betting Tonda will be with us at the start of next season, so let's hope he stumbles across a few more winning formulas because he's learning on the job.

Back four again worked well. THB and Stephens very solid and Bree was excellent. In fact, I remember him with much blonder hair and not so tall. Was that really Bree playing? In the end, disappointed we didn't get all three points from being 1-0 up because that play off place has more or less slipped away. Scienza is becoming a legend. He was getting it in the neck from those morons all the first half, so great to see his celebration.

This is a season defining game. Win this and we look up the table and think it's possible to still make the play off places. Tonda's forgiven for his recent poor performances and confidence is sky high. Lose and...nope, not worth thinking about. Sounds like it'll be a draw.

This is what I find difficult to understand. His 'safe' options and 'safe' players are the cause of us to slipping away from any chance of play off places. It's there for everyone to see and yesterday was a classic example. A solid four at the back and players in midfield works. THB looked relatively assured, Wellington actually looked good and with Stewart up front we had a focal point and created many good chances. When we reverted to a back 5 at the end, it all went to hell and a handcart. I also found it odd when Manning was congratulating himself for making a block. It was like an epiphany. Sadly, he reverted to type after that and didn't stop any more crosses 😒

Yes, I said this a few games ago. Reminds me of the chant: "When you're sat in row Z and you're on the head, it's....Tom Fellows". Someone needs to spend an hour with him running with the ball and then shooting the ball along the ground. As you say, he thrashes at it but you can still power the ball a foot off the ground. Pleased that Blackmore questioned Tonda on why he hasn't done a back 4 earlier. Hopefully the penny has dropped because in those last five minutes we surrendered the midfield and were overrun. Didn't help that our subs were Manning and Wood.

SR, please take note. You bring in a centre forward who can hold up the ball, lay off passes and shoot once in a while and we look a much better team. Ross isn't a magician but he strengthens our team.

Let's see how they set up. Hope this works but suspect Wellington Boot may be playing centre back in back 5. And Stewart starting is always a concern he'll over do it. Bragg's concussion could mean he'll miss a couple more games

Sheff Utd should have some key players missing given their sending offs last weekend. Yet again we play a weakened team. We've had so many opportunities this season and we're pissing them against a wall. Really would like to know just how much autonomy Tonda has in picking the formation. He needs to be asked directly and really pressed on the matter. Sure, with our lightweights, even with a bolstered midfield, they'll probably be easily pushed off the ball - but they have to try something new. Wood has become a liability so it's a simple decision to drop a centre back.

Always remember within a couple of months of SR in charge, Ralph said he would stay a maximum of two more years. He saw SR for what they were straightaway. Since then they've hired yes men who are married to statistics rather than managers who can read the game. Tonda E is no different. I said at the time it was odd he was made manager before the Brum game but can understand how the Board folded to Spor's pressure to give him the job. With hindsight, he is far too inexperienced.

Depends what Leo says. I'd like to have a chat with him to try and find out his thoughts. Problem being a selling club and selling the family silver is that eventually you're left with a pretty crap team. Anyone could tell that recruiting a whole team of lightweight 'flair' players for the Championship isn't going to work, but apart from Shea Charles that's what we've done. And with four minutes to go, suddenly they upped the speed and took quick throw-ins and hoofed it up field. Are footballers really that thick? They should have shown that urgency from the start and particularly after going one down.

Let's see if Stewart can brighten up a dull afternoon.

Yep. This is up there with the worst. And what's a shame is watching the Coventry game earlier on Sky, was thinking this should be us this season with all the excitement of being at/near the top competing for promotion....instead, we're not even competing at the moment. We don't even look like we're trying.

If the farawaynews stream coz I've only got some gloating northerners when I get sound?

Wish they'd show some urgency. We're 1-0 down and pissing about taking 10/20 seconds for every throw in. C'mon. These players need rockets up their arses!

Yep, one of my cousins met up with one of the Oxford squad before the Christmas fixture and asked if they had a game plan and he said exactly that. Two on Scienza, close the midfield and look for a mistake at the back to make the break. We're so damned predictable, it's frustrating. Really think the forwards and backwards chant needs to be in full voice if/when we start pissing about at the back again.

Not only is the Championship much weaker than a couple of years ago, but also there seems to have been quite a few games when we've played teams that have got their own long injury list. Which makes our performances this year even more woeful. Hull are missing players but not expecting much tomorrow. We'll have 5 at the back and create a couple of chances which AA will squander. Heading for a 0-0 unless Stewart is fit to play. Starting to think Edozie could make a difference. Someone to run at the opposition and create openings.

I would have thought loans are their main option - surely they can bring someone in? What happened to this much vaunted multi-club model? If Romulo was any good, why didn't he come to us from Gotzepe? Who else is in the SR fold or is this just another attempt to copy the likes of Man City that isn't working?

Agreed, would need to be a loan striker but I've always also thought there are lads in the lower divisions who could be worth a shout. Someone mentioned Alassana Jatta. Got to go for the big strong type so surely worth a look. Someone who can control a ball and run at defences. Chuck a ball at a player and watch their first touch. Someone like Tyler Dibling has a good first touch. The rest (fitness, game awareness, passing etc) can be trained in to them. And how often do players come back and be at the same level as before they left? Forget the JWPs etc. We need to move on.

To be fair to our players, you don't see a starling murmuration like that every day. They were probably watching it like us...certainly more entertaining than the footie. Also the chants were pretty good: "Shit on the home end", "They're coming back..." etc Tried to get the Brum "sideways and backwards" chant going but it didn't really take off. Also, didn't really get the anti SR chants at the beginning. Would have had more impact when they made it 2-3.

Yes, saw Leo come over to some kid and talk to him. Wondered what that was all about. What's he going to do, get it washed and use it for the next game? Meanwhile the keepers' pre-match shirts looked like they'd rolled around in the mud. If it was to encourage them to dive, it didn't work for their second goal!

He didn't have much to do in the first half and with the action all at the other end in the second half, it was difficult to judge his performance - though work in progress is a good, if not a little generous, comment. He may be a little rusty but at least he could have bent down and tried to make a save for their second and what looked like master saves at the end of the game on the highlights look simple to make and he seemed all a bit flappy. But he seems to have a bit of presence and this should instill confidence in the defence.

I'm hoping he'll play against Doncaster - God knows what I was thinking when I bought a ticket for that game but now there's something to watch out for.