malcolm waldron

You're showing your age now......

Difficult to argue with those that are saying only when we get back to where we were when they came in can we even begin to think about praising them. I was thinking earlier (funnily enough before reading this thread) about our recent managerial appointments. If I'm right out of the 5 (yes 5!) in the last 3 years before super Tond, one is currently operating in the lower reaches of the Championship, and the other four are unemployed. Yes there's some context behind that stat, but it says a lot about Sport Republic's strategic thinking and planning to me at least.

Are you planning on having a quiet one if we win then?

Sadly I suspect the pace he showed for his goal last night would look snail-like against Premier League defenders if we did manage to go up.

Couldn't agree more with this. I first noticed it in the QPR game (I think) when he sprinted forward as Leo ran from the halfway line to score in the second half - as I'd had him down as a lumbering plodder before that (based on no real evidence it has to be said). So for someone of his size and physicality he can certainly move quickly - and what a signing he's proved to be. Don't get me started on the player he was brought in to replace.....

Thanks - and I genuinely appreciate the Shakespeare reference! Always good to have a some literary culture on here. I think my original 'oftentimes' reference was around English language words that fell out of favour 300-400 years ago still surviving in US English - and now being picked up again through mass US exposure on social media. Anyway, Tonda is forsooth an upgrade on Will Still.

Thanks for sharing that - interesting reading. Is the author American though? 'Oftentimes' isn't a term I recognise?

I also think high and to the right was also a weak spot for him. Everton at home and Ipswich away being obvious examples...

I can't remember the new eligibility rules (someone on here will know I'm sure) but hasn't he already appeared in earlier cup games? IIRC he has an assist for that Matsuki wonder goal and I'm pretty sure he smashed through a group of defenders to head in the winner at the far post against Northampton? Followed by ripping his shirt off, jumping into the away end bellowing '...ave it'....with his face contorted with rage. I'm sure all this happened and unfortunately there's no way of checking if it did or did not, but assuming my memory is correct - then those appearances sadly mean he won't get to play against the Gunners.

I was surprised with how physical Norwich were from the outset last night. Our old friend Jack Stacey I thought would target Edozie early on - I thought he deserved a booking in the opening minutes and it's a shame we didnt target that side far more after he finally got the yellow card. As for their no. 20 - I've only seen it once in real time but it looked like he smashed his shoulder into Jander's face right at the start of the 2nd half? I doubt I'll see footage of that in the highlights but that to me was a second yellow and then they're playing a whole half with 10. And then it's a different game completely.

I don't know a lot about Bournemouth but I've got a recollection that the 'strike' he went on wasn't that straightforward? Didn't Eddie Howe want him to play in that Covid summer series of games but he was out of contract (and they wouldn't extend it) - and therefore he was one injury away from a real problem career wise? There also seems to be a suggestion from a few people on here that Adam A was a problem behind the scenes. Is this just gossip/rumour or do we actually know of any truth behind these views. Sometimes one person can start a rumour and it can then become a fact very quickly.

I get your point but didn't we realise that the Baz experiment should have been consigned to the bin in May 2023? I guess that's what you're saying in your last comment above. I can't remember what Spors said back in August at the fans forum - was he asked about it and said GK not a priority, or words to that effect? Perhaps I'm making it up. I certainly remember Russ being very supportive in summer '23 and thinking - really??!

Agree with your comments - and I'm still frustrated that for a team with the ambition of getting back to the Premier League, we've ended up with two strikers who can work in the preferred formation but by the look of it can't be relied upon to play much (Larin may prove that wrong but he looked pretty unfit on Saturday) and one that can't and who has no confidence. How did we end up in this mess?

Special recognition to the fans who went last night and who go up and down the country watching the team. Last night you got your payback for all those wasted and expensive weekends - and there have been many of those over the years. Hope you all enjoyed it. One of the things that struck me during Nov/Dec was Leicester and Birmingham (I think?) fans complaining about the long trip down to St Marys. Try living down here and going to away games!

Hopefully Everton will pay £40M for him this summer too then...