trousers

Indeed... and that's exactly my point, why not ask the obvious question given there's no reason not to...? It's not me generating conspiracy theories, I'm simply highlighting that it doesn't make sense not to ask about the latest fitness news on one of our key players. Adam has asked at all previous press conferences, why not this one? No conspiracy, just an observation about which I'm a bit curious.

I don't get this embargo. What's the point of it when all media outlets are pumping out stories online 24/7 these days? Where's the logic in fans having to wait an arbitrary 12 hours to find out whether one of theirs team's key players is able to play in tomorrow's game or not? I get there might be an argument for keeping the opposition 'in the dark' as long as possible but, surely, if that was the case then why not keep it quiet until 1 hour before the game, not at some meaningless/archaic deadline later the same day...? Usually when players are back in contention it gets sung from the roof tops in the live press conferences... The fact that Adam Blackmore didn't ask the obvious question about Downes this morning smacks of him being told what he can and can't ask about... (Yeah, conspiracy territory I know... But why wouldn't Adam ask this obvious question otherwise..?)

I suspect this morning's press conference is going to wind up some people. All about how "brave" we were versus Liverpool but not a single question or reflection on how awful our decision making was up front. Felt a bit head-in-sand territory to me. Conspiracy theory alert but I'm wondering if Adam Blackmore is a tad wary about asking 'home truths' type questions these days after his mini 'spat' with Russell earlier in the season...? Roy Keane and Ian Wright called it out on Wednesday night, saying that the manager should be furious about how wasteful we were in the final third, but I'm not seeing any sign of that viewpoint being addressed in the press conference(s)... Anyway, positivity is never a bad thing so maybe I'm wide of the mark in highlighting these observations...?

RM: "KWP won't be out for long but this game is too soon. Hoping he'll be ok for the next two" Did anyone hear him say anything about Downes? (Adam Blackmore mentioned Downes but I don't think he asked a direct question about his fitness?)

Does that plan involve buying a non-injury-prone/clinical/prolific striker, just for a change...?

Yep, and for the rest of the season... No more tinkering with team selections... Start with the best players in each and every game.

I'm sure there's a punchline there somewhere but can't put my finger on it...

Make up your mind(s) Charlie....!

Could be urban myth territory but don't we usually have a poor track record in games follwoing an international break....? (It doesn't follow that history is certain to repeat itself, of course....)

I'm not sure but I can't ever remember a game being rescheduled for a date before the original game was due to take place.... I think the earliest possible reschedule date is Tues 23rd April (11 days before the end of the season....)

The average age of each team was pretty similar... (That said, probably a wider age gap in the second half...?)

Yep, probably our best starting 11 on paper. I guess we'll play Stephens and Charles in place of KWP and Downes if they're not passed fit to play though

Yep, no need whatsoever to risk any of our key players in this game.

Bugger... 3 flatters them a little

Good job we haven't got another away game in 65 hours time... Ah...

Yup

We've been worse since more of our regular starters have come onto the pitch...

Always a risk when playing extra meaningless games...

Game over

I guess it could be a sign that Downes isn't "close" to returning ergo we need to give Charles as much game time as possible... (?)

FFS Charles... Open goal pretty much!

KWP coming on...?

FFS... make the right decision when you get to their penalty box... You're professional footballers FFS

We've got a kitten. The scratch marks on my legs would beg to differ... 😂