saintant

Total bullshit.

Maybe because we've gone about it in the wrong way - we should be looking for a new number one so that McCarthy becomes our new number three. We are weakening rather than strengthening in a very key position and I believe we'll live to regret it.

I'd be delighted if we got McAtee but just can't see it happening unless Jason Wilcox has some influence.

Think he'd be fine at this level.

Maybe that's the idea - make us grateful to have Baz in goal because the alternatives don't bear thinking about 🙂

From what I saw it was a slight scare but we were never in any danger - Baz got to the ball ahead of their player. Can't deny though it was far too sloppy at that stage of the game.

I notice us and Millwall were the only two sides to win away from home.

He scored a lot of his goals for Blackburn by making runs into the channels. We've never used him that way which is why we've never seen the best of him. Poor bloke has been starved of the sort of service he thrives on.

I think if we do sign Matt Grimes that will help AA because he's brilliant at pinging very accurate passes into the channels which would give AA the chance to use his pace.

I'd be amazed if Norwich sell him to us in the week before we play them.

Matt Grimes, Max Aarons and Danny Ings please (assuming JWP, Lavia and KWP go).

Grimes would be an amazing signing and would add a new dimension to our game. He would provide the longer passes to go with our short ones because he has a left foot like a wand. Very talented player.

Watford battering QPR.

He could be the perfect replacement for KWP. Quick, good going forward and in recovery and can play on both sides.

Was he even at the game or is he just a complete idiot?

He has what it takes but there are huge question marks over his attitude and fitness. If we could get him fit and hungry to play he could potentially be brilliant for us but is it a gamble worth taking.

I don't think it's all on the centre backs. Our problem is that the rest of the team is packed with small players who lack the height and physicality to defend corners against big sides like Sheff Wednesday. Add in the fact that Baz rarely, if ever, comes out to catch or punch and it is a problem that will be difficult to resolve.

There's a long time left in this window and I am sure we will receive numerous offers from Prem clubs for JWP. Over 3 weeks to go and clubs will be assessing their squads and looking at what they need and what is available. It's hard to imagine all 20 Prem teams could not use JWP for his experience, fitness, passing and that's before we mention his brilliant goal scoring record from set-pieces. He'll be much in demand as the window unfolds in my opinion. Hope I'm wrong but that's how I see it playing out.

Maybe the new set-piece coach will rectify this and other defensive failings against corners/set-pieces. What I don't want to see is bloody zonal marking!

They need to think back to how a, less than full strength, Man City side absolutely destroyed them in a cup game last season.

I have no doubt that a fit Danny Ings, with his clever runs and movement, would score a shed load of goals for this team.

Defending set pieces is a difficult one to resolve because the stark reality is that we are a small side lacking in physicality apart from the two centre backs. I fear we will concede quite a few goals from corners/free kicks crossed into our box because we just don't have the height in numbers to combat this. Sheff Wednesday are a big side and the advantage to them at corners was very evident and led to their only chance/goal - other sides will certainly look to exploit this weakness in our armoury. One way to combat it would be if Baz was more aggressive in coming out and claiming/punching crosses but he doesn't appear to have that in his game and he's not the tallest or most imposing figure. Maybe the new set-piece coach will help but he has a job on his hands in this respect.

Some of what you say is valid. The major point you miss is that we are very much a work in progress. There was far more pass and move last night than we have seen for far too long and that is a good solid base to start from. Moving forward we need to see more clever runs into the channels and opposing penalty box like the one JWP made to set up the goal for Adams. That is how we'll make chances rather than choosing to go down the flanks and cross hopeful balls to our diminutive forwards - we were guilty of trying this too often last night. If we can encourage the clever runs from deeper positions central to goal we will be on to something and will become a very tricky side to play against. I'm sure Martin and his coaches will be working on this aspect of our game. For me the signs were very good and, as to meaningless football for the sake of it, I would draw your attention to our ability to hold the ball and run down the clock during the nine minutes of extra time when, in the past, we would have been in a panic and hoofing the ball at every opportunity. Let's see how this team evolves because that was just game one in a long season.

I don't mind players who aren't happy at being substituted. It shows they have some passion and fight. For too long we've been a submissive side that has not looked up for the fight. If players are going to show more grit, determination and a desire to win then I'm all for that. Russell Martin comes across as a nice guy but I reckon there is a bit of steel about him and he is someone who won't tolerate lack of effort or commitment, things we've been missing of late.

He is far too good for the Championship - would be a real coup to keep him but I think he'll be snapped up by one of the mid-table Prem sides.