goodymatt

Big missed opportunity losing at Watford with Wolves and WHU drawing.

Best we could select really: Jander not fit, Bragg fills in Azaz limited pre season, so Dobbin starts. THB plays despite speculation. Good attacking options off the bench if needed.

Will our THB replacement choose to go back to Sheffield United over us?

This is the issue with nit planning for the panel on the back, much like Sunderland last year, looks awful.

Lankshear wins it

Offside saves Boro, they then hit the bar. Hectic ending.

Boro equalise, Lankshear of course

Skates winning

Lincoln take the lead at Boro.

It does seem like Benfica are being linked to a few CBs at the €20m price point: Tosin, THB, Ryan Flamingo and Tiago Gabriel. Not sure if Marco Silva wants two new CBs or if our high valuation of THB might lead to them going for one of the others?

Is this guy any good?

I mean, they’re most definitely not ‘getting closer’ by continuing to offer an amount we will never accept. Strange reporting from a main Portuguese newspaper.

Probably just due to his late preseason rather than an injury?

Hopefully THB is just their alternative to Tosin and they sign Tosin and piss off.

BBD back to Derby makes sense.

I found in the earlier episodes under the new format that Justin Peach came across to have a bit more of an ego but he was probably just trying a bit too hard whilst they got into the swing of it. Lucas comes across really well. I do think they over egg spygate but that’s what gets you clicks I suppose. Do we know the actual reason Ryan Dilks left? I wonder if he chose to go solo or if Justin Peach just saw the chance to upgrade on him.

Fair comments and he does deserve more respect for that season. Smallbone is an 8 and Bragg is a 6, not really like for like players and we also play a significantly different style now.

In a Martin set up, his one touch passing and well timed late runs were very useful. I still recall a few goals conceded as a result of him almost pulling out of a duel though. That season he really contributed and showed up well in the playoffs too. Roof came off St Mary’s when he scored vs WBA and the assist was perfectly weighted in the final. I’d still pick Bragg in our current set up but do wonder if Smallbone could have offered us something as a squad depth option. Ultimately we should be looking for a better all round player (and less injury prone) if we want to go up and stay up. Smallbone is a weird one as he’s not too small or slight but he’s just not physical enough to contribute defensively.

Smallbone a great one touch passer but lacks speed and positional sense. Often losing those 50/50 duels that Bragg mostly wins. Bragg suits our current system far better IMO.