malcolm waldron

And that's a really good point. I've been wondering since QPR home (?) or maybe even before that - Plymouth away, when I seem to recall in both games RM saying he was unhappy with the way players were trying to play. I think that's been a feature this season particularly with some games where we've come out looking a very different (and worse) side than in the first half. Surely though this is entirely under the managers control as he then has 45 mins, standing yards away from the action, to change things that in his admission aren't working. This is a very different issue than, for example, Che missing two sitters in two mins at the last home game.

I'm not sure what the original comments were (too depressing to go back and try and find it) but when we equalised I thought - great, we've effectively reset the match now that we're level. Even better then to go 2-1 up fairly soon after. So for me their 2nd and 3rd goals were key. if we'd gone 0-2 up then of course their subsequent 1st goal would have greater significance because it could be seen as the one that started the comeback. That might have been what was meant....?? Anyway - on to Blackburn!

Since the Leicester home game back in September I've quietly been comparing Mvadidi (tricky, pacy wide player) with our own tricky, pacey Kamaldeen. 12 goals vs 0 (and I know KS has been out injured for a while) highlights what we're not getting so far from our investment.

Based on a sample size of just one though surely...??

Are you referring to yesterday's game specifically???

Ipswich remind me a little of our 11/12 team who also went straight through the division. A hard working side, sticking to a plan but with versatility if that plan isn't working - coupled with a relentless ethic to take games deep. I watched the last part of one of their games a few weeks ago (Bristol C I think) where they went 2-1 down quite late on, and still went on to win - having missed a penalty too. That - and a healthy degree of luck having seen some of the Blackburn game on Friday. All I will say for next season though, if we don't go up, is that there are good players available if managed correctly. I thought Woolfenden was a real rock at the back last night, Davis was a threat down their left, and Broadhead took his goal well. I doubt any of these cost much, and yet have been galvanised to perform at very high levels. Which begs the question - how many of our players (in a technically stronger squad) have been similarly galvanised?

Sadly I'd been looking at those dates (or rather wondering which specific days they'd be) since September (2-1 away to Boro).

Off his goatee'd chin if I remember correctly? Might have been Leeds at home in the mid 90s? 1995? I seem to remember The Echo called it a 'goatee goal' at the time.

Does anyone know if the shop will still be open? I may as well make a long trip down worthwhile by looking for some half price bargains. I appreciate with roads closed, 18 appliances in attendance, local residents being told to stay indoors etc that I may have to go through a tortuous route to enter the megastore......

For those of us really looking forward to seeing what Brooksy can do on the big Anfield stage tonight, I have an update. I've just bumped into him at Fleetsbridge Tesco Extra - where a close examination of his basket showed a large bag of Dorritos, salsa dip and a rom-com DVD (£1 - he likes a bargain). This looks like he's setting down for the night in front of the TV. Gutted.

I think thats the issue. In the first half Smallbone and Charles I thought went missing for large parts of it (you could see THB getting increasingly frustrated about the lack of passing options when we had the ball at the back). That, plus giving the ball away, led to a disjointed first half. Stu coming on gave us more drive (and risk) with the ball going forward but left us horribly exposed when we lost the ball high up the pitch - which we did a lot. The lack of any sort of control worried me.

I think we're now starting to get a real insight into RM's philosophy around player management. Dropping Brooksy, for reasons that have still yet to be adequately explained, from the entire matchday squad midweek was unbelievably harsh - particularly as many of us on here were crying out for David to start against Watford. Clearly whatever disagreement between the two existed must have been resolved behind the scenes as yesterday Brooksy looked fired up and with a point to prove when coming on. Well done Russ!

Fairly sure that the rules were changed last summer - and so frustratingly I think we're unlikely to see Brooksy in the starting XI again this week due to playing for B'mouth. Obviously that all changes after the Liverpool game and if we dont beat them then his 'cuptiedness' (?) will be over - so expect to see him make his full debut against Birmingham.

Very painful memories indeed. Is it just me or did he appear to spend most of that video talking to himself? "Romeo done"??

So I'm confused now. Does the fact that we're still in the cup and therefore apparently he's still cup-tied mean that he can't play in the crucial game against Huddersfield on Saturday? If so would it have been better to have lost last night so that he can play now? Can't help but feel this muddled thinking from the club might come back to bite...

It was actually Waitrose in Branksome but I didn't want to destroy Brooksy's hard earned image as a man of the people where every little helps.....

Just bumped into Brooksy at Hamworthy Tesco Extra. He didn't say much (in fact anything) but from the look on his face I can tell he's absolutely buzzing about tonight.

Anyone know why they're forcing him to wear last seasons kit while training with the first team? Is it one of those apprentice wind up things?

Think you've mis-read it. As I see it they're saying their last 16 games feature 9 of the bottom 10. Dont know how many of our last 16 do for that matter - but it seems to me those 4 away games against teams around us will play a critical part in deciding who gets second.

Carried on to the pitch by the medical team to score the 90+7 winner at Wembley in the play-off final would be a good way for him to contribute this season...

My source (who I'd love to name but obviously i can't) tells me we're "relaxed" about transfer activity - and he hasn't seen us this "relaxed" since Les kept spouting all that relaxed guff in the Telegraph, 24 hours before we gift-wrapped a bargain basement Sadio deal to the Scousers in 2016.

I thought the Man City away game a couple of years go put that idea to bed....or am I getting my matches confused?

The only thing i disgree with you in that sentence is the word partly. EVERY time he prepares to receive the ball, or sets himself up following a first touch is with his body fully in field (i.e. back parallel with the touchline). As a result every ball is passed in field, condensing the play, or he is forced to run in field with the ball, condensing the play. This happens every time and so he must be being coached to do this. Why? Is it to create space outside him? I don't know but I'd love someone to tell me.

I always thought Niemi was "funnished......"

Absolutely agree with this point. I didn't go to the tactics evening but did RM explain why we appear to play in a style that allows the opposition to reset and line up in a low block before we arrive over the half way line?