S-Clarke

My overriding opinion when Tonda was appointed wasn't positive, I felt a bit sorry for Tonda as I felt he was going to be thrown under the bus. It's not like I didn't have evidence to go back on, as Selles and Rusk are the examples of when we tried this before. No one of us really knew about Tonda, it was really his analysis background and no footballing/management background which made us all blink a bit. But maybe he's what we needed, a bit of intelligence and analytical structure applied to the players in a way they understood, as I'm sure we all agree that as a squad/players - most of them are as good as this league can offer. Personally I think he's very clever, very perspective and an exceptionally quick learner. He always seems to be thinking and analysing, and obviously that comes from his background. I didn't realise he produced the dossier for the Germany team in the World Cup Final against Argentina many years ago, so I'm not sure why it's taken so long to be truly seen. I don't think he's a shouter, nor an ego driven manic - he seems calm, composed, introverted and quite reserved - which is probably why he's not been on anyone's radar before now. I don't think he can hide now though. We can definitely shout when they get it wrong, which they have, but I think it's worth giving genuine credit to the footballing department, including Spors, for a few elements this year. The singings of Jander, Azaz, Larin, Pertez, Leo - not 'obvious' picks, but absolutely shrewd. I'd been calling for those sorts of clever signings for years, and we've done just that. Still was a blot - but I think the intentions were right, it just didn't work and it doesn't always work. At this stage the 2 year deal may not be good enough! Let's hope he's not the Saganowski of Management

I'm not getting too excited about 2nd, I don't think that's realistic as we will literally need to win every game, in addition to the other 3 dropping points, 5/6 games isn't enough for us to leapfrog 3 sides. If we had say 15 games left then absolutely, well in there - but it's just come a little late. It's amazing it's even being debated though. Let's just finish as high as we can, I reckon we'll end up around 4th/5th. The momentum is with us, very much in the same way as it was with Forest under Cooper years ago when they finished in the playoffs.

I think you have to take these things over the season - and it'll be Leo for me. Azaz would be close but he has had dips in and out, along with the team, but Leo has been more consistent even during the down moments. There are many more options now than there were a few months ago though, and that's an amazing turn around.

Exceptional finish yesterday, he's deceptively quick - you can see the runs he makes into the channels where he pulls CB's out, he always seems to get to the ball - definitely has a decent yard of acceleration. He's given us a really good structure to build an attack around. I think we felt somewhat forced to include Armstrong before, given his record...but I think his inclusion was to the determent of the wider team, as the attack never really functioned. If only Downs had been that player in the summer, we may well have been celebrating winning the league over easter.

That was truly exceptional, from the first minute of that game we were just 'on it', you could tell. I was somewhat bemused by Wrexham's desire to leave huge gaps in between their CB's and CM's, but it was very positive for Azaz who thrived better than anyone in that game. The tempo from the off was quick, sharp, purposeful - that's how I'd describe us these days, purposeful. Not passing for passing sake, not just launching it long for the sake of it - our approach to all aspects is based around a genuine purpose and everyone has bought into it. The goals were coming way before they did, but when they did it was never really in doubt. I'm a huge fan of Matsuki, I'd describe him as our 'Park Ji Sung' - not a spectacular player, not blessed with incredible pace or skill, but full of heart, energy and 100% reliable wherever he is on the pitch - a perfect player for the 'away' games at the tough grounds, as we've seen in the last few weeks. Downes has been a man reborn and that all stems from having a structure to operate within, rather than them just working it out themselves on the day - which it sometimes felt like over the last few years. I'm not really counting the goal they scored as it was ridiculous - sure, a big man can win a flick on, but they're not supposed to bulldoze the defender in the neck before doing so. That goal did unsettle us a little up until half time, but previously we may have baulked at that point - even under Martin - but there seems a stronger mentality throughout the entire bunch now, they ride through the bad moments a lot more effectivley. I thought the second half was excellent, I don't think Wrexham went all guns blazing as I thought they would - we still had really good control and could have gone 3-1 before we did, as Larin forced a good save from their GK. Larin did get his goal though and it was terrific, it rounded off a strong night for him - hold up play, running the channels, providing an effective pivot for the entire attack. The goal topped it off, he's deceptively quick - although Cleworth (I think it was him) looked slower than me. Great finish though, really clinical. The last two goals were the cherry on top, and fully deserved on the balance of play. Azaz deserved that goal, he was the best player on the pitch for me. Somewhat aided by Wrexham's inability to fix the gap between CB and CM, but he took full advantage - his touch was exceptional all night, making 50/50 balls into clear opportunities. He's been everything we wanted from a number 10. Going back to December this felt like a season to forget, not many memories or 'good wins' to put into the scrap book from this year - but since January we've been different class. Leicester away will still be the game of the season/century for me, but last night was a real statement of force and intent. If people weren't paying attention before I think they're all zoomed in on us now. We're not just lurking over their shoulders, we're hurtling towards them like an express train. Isn't it nice to actually be talking about and enjoying football again? This is what we all love, not worrying about balance sheets, transfer fees - all we ever want is a team to get behind and grow with, and this is as strong as it's been for a long time - in such a short period too. I never saw myself saying that a few months ago.

The contract will stipulate that I think, we'll have to sell him this summer to avoid losing an asset for £0 - unless he signs a new deal, which I'm honest is unlikely unless promotion happens.

We were chasing him all summer tbf, we just dragged out the deal to get the best price for us. The attitude comments came from a weird German reporter, who I think had a personal grudge against Leo for some reason.

''Never fall in love with a loan player'' Damn.

Proven us all wrong and I couldn't be happier. I mentioned it into the reaction thread, but we look as well coached as we've done since the Poch days for me. Not a 'world beating team' (in the context of the Arsenal game), but players clearly following well defined instructions in a structure that has been put in place by the coaching staff. Tactically smart, but I think the players have responded to the way he coaches and provides instructions. No over complication, just well coached players.

He makes moving with the ball look easy, like he's gliding with it - similar to how Bale used to look for us from LB, just flows along the ground. He's fun to watch, what a pickup - getting him is utter top tier scouting, no doubts.

I was pleased it wasn't a dragged out ET, because that would have been tough. But we actually came through last nights game being able to make strategic subs (Leo/Stewart) and still win - and I don't think we were back to the walls or 'blowing' out of our arses either. Wrexham will be an entirely different challenge though, I notice they've got Moore back - and that's a different challenge than we've faced for a while.

What an incredible night, I struggled to sleep all night after that. Adrenaline pumping. Often in these sorts of games you need a bit of luck to win it, but I thought we were actually unlucky - Leo through and making an extra touch, Leo hitting the bar. It was fully deserved, it wasn't a smash or grab and certainly wasn't a backs to the wall job - it was played like two PL teams if I'm honest. That was the best atmosphere I've heard at St Mary's, the WBA game was up there last year - but this was even better for me, I guess the 'late' winner somewhat makes it more dramatic! Leo had a decent game - although not his best in my eyes. I thought Bree was outstanding, ditto Jander - those two did some very 'quiet' but effective jobs tonight, we were so hard to break through and they were quite often the reason. This isn't a comparison with Poch's team by the way, but...this is well as we've been coached for many a year, everything is coordinated. The press, the block, the transitions - it's slick as butter, and that's not through luck - it's a really strong foundation and a well coached team who know where and what they're supposed to be doing, so all the credit to Tonda for me as he's made us look like we know what we're doing. I always had a feeling that the Leicester game would be defining, you cannot underestimate the amount of belief that has given everyone and it's such a unique circumstance - so we've got to feed on that for as long as we can. Maybe we can move our home ground to Wembley for May?

True, but I still think he was seen by the club as a 'development' player rather than a day 1 hit the ground running type, which was the wrong sort for me - this meant we were still relying on Stewart being the proven experienced type. Larin fills that hole for now, he's certainly not a world beater, but he's the sort we should have aimed for in the summer rather than more up coming prospects.

It's the same argument as in the summer really, we cannot put all our eggs into the Ross Stewart basket. If we keep him around it should be on a deal which works for us, lower wage, shorter length, weighted towards appearances etc. But we need to go out and buy a first choice striker, Stewart - if he stays - will be part of the squad, we need to go out and buy a Larin or similar who is going to be the main striker. We can't have a situation again where we are so poorly stacked up top with just Stewart as the only 'true' number 9 we have. I'm somewhat discounting Downs as he's continued his 'non footballer' form at Hamburg too, so I think we can discount him ever being any use.

Jack Cork? Played a solid part in our promotion from the Championship, and came into his own in the PL under Poch too. Solid 6/7-10 player for me. Can't remember too many stinkers, just steady.

I don't think there's any situation where we won't go strong, we cannot think of going weak or resting players - even against their second string. If you step off it and go with a weaker side, lose heavily, it just crashes out any momentum. I agree with others views that this ''play the kids in the cup, focus on the league'' is such a defeatist approach in my eyes. It's not just us, I've seen Newcastle and Villa fans suggesting going weaker in the European comps (when they were in them) to concentrate on the league, so they could qualify for Europe next season. Make that make sense. As fans we've been indulged by the finances of football, it's not for us to worry about - we're the fans, all we can judge success on is winning silverware - surely? Modern fan bases seem more bothered about achieving a 'Positive net spend' or a '15th' place finish so we get £2m extra, rather than actually going all out for a bit of silverware. Quarter finals don't come around too often, European runs don't come around too often (for clubs like us), so let's just grab the chance.

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.