S-Clarke

Been in the works for months, not one for conspiracy theories and all that, but Roy's hospital visit did avoid him the sack - so he could be seen to leave on his own terms.

It's an obligation to purchase on promotion, either automatic or playoff winners. Very good bit of business to do at the time! I think it's more around £20m though. I think it was written into the article on the OS when we signed him.

We were strongly linked a few years back - Sasa Kalajdzic. Wolves sent him out on loan to get some game time in Jan whilst he got up to fitness after his ACL, and he's just done his ACL again - third time now. This time it's a multiple rupture of the ACL and lateral. He needs to retire now for the good of his life after football. I guess we dodged a bullet, but you have to feel for him as he's just lost his career.

As per most Premier League fans, WHU fans are a bunch of entitled pricks. Same as the Palace lot. Not entirely sure what they expect from their club. They're not in a relegation battle, and are in and around the Europe spots after winning a European trophy last year. They've lost a few on the bounce, as every team in the PL is at risk of doing. They need to wind their necks in, they're not as 'big' as they like to believe - a pretty middling also-ran PL club, same as everyone else out side of the top 6. Take what success you can get, but if you think the grass is greener as you want 'more' then there are lots of examples to suggest that they're totally misguided.

Sadly often the case if a team is pipped to the auto's at the death, the phycological impact that has is enormous and it's very hard to pick yourself up again. That's why you so often see a late charger into the playoffs actually pip everyone else. I remember the National League last season, both Wrexham and Notts County on 100+ points. Notts County ended up in the playoffs, 30 or so points better off than their opponent and almost...almost ended up failing. They got up on pens in the end, which are a lottery anyway. Got to put all hope into us getting that 2nd spot, as it's our best chance now.

Sounds like Beale has been dumped by Sunderland, no surprise really as it had turned toxic. He did the Jones on them and alienated the fan base with his shocking comments and actions. Also Mowbray is stepping away from management until the end of the season for 'medical treatment' - so Birmingham will be managerless too.

Won't play this season, they're targeting pre-season to build him up and see where he is. I don't even think he'll be ready for the start of next season.

This is not the game you rest your best players, and Stu and AA are certainly two of those this season. Millwall maybe, but not Hull. We need our best first 11 available and playing tomorrow.

They might as well not have bothered, a total waste of everyone's time. People talk about the money setting them up, but their owners are shit so it won't go far. I think they're in a bit of debt anyway.

I think he's finished as a top level player, he was always a dodgy signing imo. Might perform okish at an also-ran in the Champ or top of L1, but there is no way I'd have trusted him with our promotion hopes. Thank god we no longer have to 'count' on him.

Sunderland incredibly toxic at the moment, reminds me of the time under Jones. Can't see Beale lasting much longer, they absolutely hate him. Including the players seemingly.

If we'd have beaten Bristol City then I'd have been quite intrigued to see a Leeds win, as long as we'd won our 2 games. If that had played out, we'd end next weekend on 76 points and Leicester would only be 2 points above. But sadly it didn't play out like that, so the best result is a Leeds defeat to increase the gap to third back to 4 points (as long as we do our job). But a draw also wouldn't be the worst result, if we do our jobs we'll have created a 3 point gap to Leeds and pulled Leicester to within 6. We don't want a Leeds win now though.

There won't be anything in it until there is an official approach, but I think it's pretty clear that there have been some informal chats to gauge interest. We'll see what happens.

Wouldn't expect much from Swansea tbf, they are horrific.

Our team under Poch was a thing of beauty. Boruc Chambers Fonte Lovren Morgan Rickie Jay Rod Cork Osvaldo

That was an absolute carbon copy of our win last night. They controlled the majority of that game, Plymouth had a little huff and puff spell but they simply had no where near enough quality to do anything of note. Just like us at WBA, Leeds were just way too good for Plymouth and had the quality in the moments that mattered. I know people are shitting this going to the last day (myself included), but I don't see any other outcome to be honest.

I think you're confusing Hull to another team? They play football, pass and move, use the width, have tricky and talented wide players. The polar opposite of cloggers.

Huh?

Great write up, agree with everything you say. Maybe a tiny bit harsh on Rothwelll...! I like him, he's got a good touch and can glide away with the ball - will be important for us imo. Agree on Charles though, I hate the way fans equate the price tag to how he should be. It's amazing how many people forget he'd never played pro football before the summer. I think he's got real potential, just some refinement to do in certain areas which will come. The raw tools are there though, he'd be exciting to coach.

Love the guy, one of my favourite players to have played for us in recent years. Will go on to play for England.

Could play the Fraser role, that's how he started with us - then eventually became a starter. Not many games left mind, and Brooks just wants to start games - so he may be thrown in sooner than Fraser was.

Better second half as he kept wide, periods in the first half he was being dragged too central and the gap was huge. But he was a real presence to have in the box for the set pieces etc, it was a good call to select him just for those moments.

Yep, the subs were made at the right times. But....to counter that slightly, it makes your job a hell of a lot bloody easier when you have a choice of Aribo, Brooks, Rothwell, Sulemana, Edozie to bring on! The quality wins it in the end, but he has to put them on which he did.

Bar a period just before and after half time, we controlled that game. It was never really in much doubt. Started the game with the energy we lacked at the start against Bristol City, so immediately I knew it was going to be a better night. WBA were always going to have spells, but I thought we defended them quite easily - they were very blunt in the main. The subs in the 2nd half were made at the right time, we totally regained all control once that happened. Aribo was absolutely brilliant when he came on, his touch, movement and ability to drive with the ball made a huge difference and opened the game up for us. He was involved in the Brooks goal. Make no mistake about it, this result will have the other sides feeling a bit shit. A lot would have seen this as a dropped points game, but we were professional, slick and composed and made pretty light work of the team in 5th. We were a level above really.

I don't get the moaning either, but I think some have been storing up their moans since September - so they're ready to release all their shit. As soon as I saw the line-up it was obvious - we've gone for height at the back at the expense of expansive full backs on either flank.