S-Clarke

It was a very ugly second half for sure, but I'd say this has been something we've lacked for a long time - having the sort of players in the side who can help you win ugly - goalkeepers are usually critical in that approach, as if you're bad you're likely going to face some shots which need saving! You cannot underestimate the difference Peretz has made to the side with his saves, but also with the mentality of the defence and the confidence throughout the entire backline when defending set pieces or communicating etc. Of course he makes saves, which goalkeepers are paid to do, but it's his personality and energy he brings which has given us an extra kick too. I thought Azaz worked his arse off - as hard working as I've ever seen him, and with little moments of quality in the areas that matter too. Matsuki was another who worked so hard, always pressing, always harrying - he doesn't have the pace or ability of a Leo, but the energy he brings has always been infectious. Larin had a bit of a sloppy night I felt, but even through that - it was his presence which enabled Azaz to score, so it shows how important a physical presence actually is - they don't need to score, or even play out of their skin....things can still happen around them because they make defenders to defend. This was mentally a big game - we had expectation on us for the first time this season I'd say, against a side in stronger form than us and the results around us had gone our way, so we had an opportunity to take advantage - and we did it, by hook or by crook. Oxford at home on paper looks dooable, but they've seriously picked up in recent weeks and are fighting for their life. If we play to our ability we'll have too much for them, but if we are complacent this is a huge banana skin.

Worked his arse off, his press was excellent for most of that match. He tries things which don't always come off, but those sorts of players are called match winners for a reason - they take risks, but he's really upping his work rate now.

He was all over the place, he had no control of that game at all. All Norwich did, as others have said, is kick us and foul us (Edozie especially).

We've certainly picked the right time to have our uptick in results, because all the other teams around us have played either each other or top sides - and we've been able to pull back a ton of points on Hull, Millwall, Wrexham etc. I'm conscious that we'll have off days between now and the end, as every team does (the Wrexham away game is a biggy in my eyes), but the balance of home games left against away games surely puts this strongly in our favour. If we'd have had a better start to the season, even talking 6 or 7 points better, we'd be breathing down Boro's necks right now.

The biggest thing for me is why did it take so fricking long for a professional football club, full of professional scouts, analysts and coaches to realise we needed an actual goalkeeper to be succesful? This Bazunu project has been to the detriment of this club, and even if he returns this summer, I hope this experience with Peretz hammers home the fact that we've been playing without an actual goalkeeper for quite some time, bar the few games in the PL with Ramsdale. If this doesn't concentrate minds, I don't know what else will. I'd love us to sign Peretz, but even if that ship sails and he has other options, I want this experience we've had to be used as club-wide realisation that we need spend on a goalkeeper either way.

I wouldn't see it as a free hit, no game is now. If Wrexham do lose, this is a huge opportunity and mentally it could be massive.

Yeah he was excellent, really busy, good touches, keeping the ball in tight situations - but he was also excellent tracking back and pressing too. He did have a bit more freedom yesterday because of the 3 CM's, and I think it benefited him as he was able to float across the front 3.

Yep, 8m euro or around that. I would imagine he'll have a few suitors after the last few months, but I think he appreciates playing - he doesn't want to be a bench player. We need to sort out the Ramsdale situation then we will make the call on him. I just hope the Ramsdale sale doesn't drag on for weeks.

The recruitment definitely has had an uptick this year compared to previous years, and it seems as if maybe he does know what is required and has an eye for things. Tonda being a fine example - no one would have done that, and a lot of us were against it, but he stood by his decision. I think January fixed some of the gaps from the summer (Striker/GK), but the likes of Leo, Jander, Azaz, Peretz, Larin have been sound additions and good 'left field' finds, exactly the sort of scouting we've been missing.

He's turned his season around, completely different player. I still find it hard to accept some of his performances early doors, and even last season when he downed tools in January...but he's doing his job now and is back to the player we remember at this level. I think he seems settled in the side at the moment. Much more disciplined in his approach too.

It was an excellent away performance, well deserved and in control for 90% of that game. We went with 3 CM's to crowd out their midfield, as they like to play through the lines - but we were all over them, blocking passing angles, space etc. They became very pedestrian and they were somewhat easy to defend against because of that. Their best player was their RB, who has always been a cut above this level - he caused us some problems on his overlaps, but we contained him fairly well I think. The biggest takeaway is how comfortable the entire 11 look now, you can see triangles happening between players because they play together every week. We've got two CB's who have been allowed to form a proper partnership and it shows, but being backed up by a proper goalkeeper does make a huge difference. I don't think Larin is the greatest finisher, but his strength and pace does give us a totally different dimension to how we attack and it has changed our threats. We have the option to hit it and get people around him/running off him, and we look more dangerous for it. I remember something Pardew said when we first signed Lambert, he wanted the Lallana's and such to get close to him so they could benefit from the strength/hold up and use their ability after he's done the 'tough' work. We've seriously missed a proper 9 for so long. Peretz is quickly becoming a fan favourite. That save he made in the first half yesterday is a perfect illustration of the sort of goal Bazunu would have let in, and it would have been debated on here as a ''should he have done better?''. This is exactly the sort of moment we were all talking about when we wanted a keeper who can make 'match changing' contributions, that was exactly that. I love his personality and his character, I think he's put life into the entire back line - they now have trust. I love his constant appreciation for good bits of defending etc. I did say he was a bit flappy at the start, but I think he's even improving in that aspect as he's been very commanding in recent weeks. One final special mention to Downes who has turned his season around. He's got his head down and got his levels back to where he needed to be, but I repeat that a lot of it is down to familiarity and selection consistency - we were too chop and change early doors, loads of new players too...and it was all a bit disjointed. I think Still tried to overcomplicate it, but our approach now is pure simplicity. A capable GK, a consistent back 4, a strong target man and a solid midfield. That then allows us the foundation to have an Azaz, Leo, Matsuki, Edozie, Fellows etc doing what they're good at. We've put ourselves in a great position and I still look back at that Leicester game as being really defining, it's given everyone so much belief and momentum - and momentum in football is hard to stop, especially at this level.

That's it in a nutshell really, when you have a 'proper football team', you can have off days and still get something (as we did against WBA). We had a few off days under Adkins at this level, Leeds away one of those - we were awful, but we were a team with those two key attributes you mention - and we got the points because of that. It was never rocket science and it never required us to sell everyone really, just stop with the square pegs and play players in their right places. I'm not saying Armstrong is a bad player, but we were often tempted to play him as the 9 because of our options in the wide areas - but it never worked. It felt a bit forced with Armstrong around, but it's more of a natural attack now.

Well deserved, pleased for him. Let's hope this isn't the peak!

100%, with those sorts of players you have to take the rough with the smooth. They're naturally fairly inconsistent in game and over a season, but have enough moments over that season to be worth their place - isn't he our top scorer? I think he's got 7 or 8. Not bad numbers for an AMC, about right - the issue with our numbers is we've not had a proper number 9 to hit those double figures ahead of him. He somewhat reminds me of a 'Tadic'Lite' in terms of how he's seen by the fans, ''lazy, not doing anything, lumbering around''. I just don't think some fans have the right expectations for these sorts of players.

My fear is that we'll not be able to trigger the Peretz deal early on, due to Ramsdales likely 'temporary' return - the club will very likely need to shift Ramsdale before we can sign another number 1 goalie. Newcastle not taking up their option complicates things a bit for us, if it drags on I'd say Peretz has probably flagged up on enough scouts radars to have a few interested parties if we dawdle around. Hopefully we have a plan..

I think the biggest takeaway from last night is how important a capable goalkeeper actually is. It gives you an opportunity to still scrap a point or 3 in games you have no right to do so, we didn't have that before - but Peretz was the biggest positive for me. It was an absolute smash and grab point, it was horrible viewing. Nothing went right, our passing was all over the place, some of the free kicks were wtf. There was no real pace or energy in the game and it was horrible to watch - but these games happen, it's just how football and form goes sometimes. I do worry about Downes and Charles in CM. I don't like them as a pair and I don't think it's ever worked right from the off. Jander has been off form in recent weeks, but he's certainly more progressive and less passive in his game. Charles wants a lot of time on the ball, if he has time he's a good footballer for sure - but when you've got Downes and Charles in CM I think the game has a tendency to pass them by if the opposition are pressing harder. A point from that is remarkable though, so take that, get the fuck out of west brom and take it to Coventry. Totally different test and we'll see how we fare against a side, if we're totally honest, shouldn't be as far ahead of us as they are based on our starting positions (squads/transfers/finances).

I don't think the end goal is really clear, all that's happened so far is massive destabilisation across the entire middle east, which will ripple world wide into our own pockets. We'll see the costs, it's the 'war machine' at the end of the day. I think you can get rid of all the leaders you want and I don't think anyone disagrees with the idea of trying to topple this regime, but you'll always have radical people left behind in huge numbers who end up dictating the next course of action. Trumps idea that 1) the Iranians will topple the rest from inside and 2) he will choose who is next in charge feels a bit far fetched to say the least. Iran isn't Venezuela. It's an enormous country, in an already volatile region with splinter groups spilling all over the middle east. I honestly have no idea how this is going to end.

They will likely stay up, but it's fun to watch them sweat a bit. Liverpool away next, who haven't been great...but I can't see them getting anything there. The Forest game in a few weeks is massive. I personally think it'll be Forest who go down in the end of it all, it's nice to see a close battle for a change though rather than it being tied up by November. Nuno will have the last laugh at the end.

Yep, credit where it's due. I'm still not totally on the Downes side given how he kicked up last year and the way he downed tools in previous games, but he seems happier in the setup we've got right now.

I don't think he did, no. It was a slow burn to get there, not going to lie. I think looking back some elements were forced with the injuries to Jelert, Mads, Wellington, Bree not here etc - so we had screwed full back positions for some time, which didn't help. He did have Jelert available for a few weeks though though and we still persisted with Fellows at RWB, which confused me. But maybe there is something we're missing with Jelert. What we were doing previously was square pegs/round holes, but it all feels and looks more balanced now - and all it took was a bit of common sense. Honestly sometimes it's as simple as playing the best players in their best positions. We're not perfect, don't get me wrong, and if we get done tomorrow then all chips on the table....! But I'm more comfortable when I look at a balanced team, rather than seeing players forced into roles not suited to them.

I mean...this is like an FA Cup game against a lower league team. I feel sad for Wednesday, because their team is barely L1 in quality at this stage - so in that respect, this should be a no brainer for us. They always put up a fight though, that's what's struck me all season. They don't have any real ability or depth at all, but they always give all that they have - so it won't be an absolute walk in the park, but we just need to do our game and things will happen.

I think he's made a huge difference to the camaraderie in and around the defence in this team, he's a presence, a character and he's mad. It's what you need as a goalie. Bazunu on the other had was meek and weak as piss, so as well as not being able to make saves, he never ever commanded his area or provided any form of presence in that sense.

Slightly different from 2024 I think, we were pretty much always far away from everyone else - it was always the 'Top 4', we were never battling for the playoffs in 2024. That was pretty much always a given. I think we're primed to be one of the teams who come from 'bottom half' to playoffs, probably the most primed and capable of teams to do it in recent seasons - outside of Forest a few years ago maybe. The big positive for me in the last few match days is that we've swatted away the teams above us, rather than being 4 or 5 points off but in 12th with loads of traffic in between....we're now 4 points off and in 7th, so we've really strengthened our hand here. I don't think we'll be able to maintain what we've done in recent weeks all the time, there will be dips - so it's not going to be easy, because we're chasing rather than protecting a cushion, but there's something there to catch.

Yeah the use of him at the start of the season was very odd, I think a lot of it was due to our squad size as well. We carried too big a team after that summer transfer window, and only now are we seeing the likes of Edozie, Matsuki step back out into the fold. He's not the quickest, nor the strongest - i think he gets knocked off it a bit...but he's tenacious, and that's what I love about him. He's always pressing, full of energy, he's your perfect press trigger in that sense. He's got good quality with the ball at his feet though, as shown by his second goal. I think playing him off the right is an interesting use of him, because he's not getting lost in the middle with his lack of physicality and he can get more space. I think naturally he's more central/10 type, but he's doing well.

I want him to do well, and he has done well up to this point - but we do have one of the best teams in this league, so we had to have an uptick given our quality. However, once we've moved away from this fixed 3 at the back, shoehorning Wood and Armstrong in at 9, we've looked more comfortable. I never thought we had the CB's who are happy in a 3, they all seem much more comfortable in a pair. THB - Bednarek, THB - Stephens etc. There are a few things that have shifted since that miserable Christmas - - The Bazunu experiment being ended - The return of Bree, so we didn't have to force a winger to play in a 5. - The introduction of a 4 at the back as we had Bree to operate as a proper RB again. I think we were somewhat unlucky with Mads and Jelert having injuries pretty much all season, so our RB slot was never perfect and I think we tried too much to fill that gap, thus changing the entire team structure to fit around Fellows. I feel there is more balance now, we play with proper 9's, we play with proper full backs and we have a pair of CB's in position to build a partnership. It's the most consistent 11 we've had all season to the point where we can actually name it most weeks, that's a huge shift from earlier days. Credit needs to be given to Tonda who has been involved with 1) identifying the issues, and 2) suggesting and implementing the solutions which make sense. There will be further bumps in the road, he is still very inexperienced in many aspects, but it looks like he has the backing of the group and they're all grown up and big enough to know what's right or wrong on the pitch. We just needed someone who didn't overcomplicate the plans they're asked to follow.