Badger

Agree with this, has certainly surpassed expectations ( although he did that by scoring a single goal in his first appearance). Seems a bit cumbersome at times but holds it up well, and is a handful for some defenders.

Lots of positives yesterday. Tonda’s team selection and subs showed a good use of the squad. Archer was a questionable one but we got away with it. Three points, and no more injuries as far as we’re aware. It’s in our own hands. No one saw that in November. Negatives from yesterday,but nothing too significant or new, shame Fellows didn’t break his duck, and Archer remains shit.

The early posts exclaiming optimism over the appointment now make interesting reading. Some people clearly taken in by one programme with Carragher and some media hype.

I’d like to think he’ll be here for a few seasons just starting out on his career. Perhaps just wishful thinking. The immediate danger might be if Spors fucks off and will no doubt want to recruit him at the new club. But we have to accept that at some point he’ll want to manage in Germany.

Coventry fan told us last weekend the best ‘away’ goal he’d ever seen at Highfield Road was from MLT. Think it was in the 3-1 when we had Ekelund with us

Mine have already been mentioned. Mick Channon v Liverpool 1981/2 - as Gerald Sinstadt said in the commentary “you won’t see a better goal than that …” ( you can dispense with last two words ‘this season’). Individual brilliance- MLT’s first v Newcastle taking it past two defenders … Greatest goals as in most important Moran v Skates 1984, and of course Bobby Stokes in 1976. Honourable mention to Stuart Armstrong v Coventry

Agree with this. We looked weaker, and Oxford a lot more comfortable on that side after Fellows went off. Matsuki offered very little.

Several people have commented how vocal he is towards the back 4, which is great. No idea what he's saying, but if he's bollocking them with a few f, b's, and c''s thrown in for good measure, might it be a case of Peretz Syndrome ?

Not a patch on the christening of ‘Lego Head’ , and more recently ‘Weasley’ although that one didn’t last long enough to catch on.

Nothing against Newcastle, but obviously can’t stand their ownership. And good to see the smug factor on Smug Eddie’s face be reduced

THB struck one with a bit of venom in a shoot out a couple of season ago. Rather him and that approach (Ruddock style) than a tame side footed effort, or straight down the middle. (No mention of a penenka surely no one is that stupid ?)

Ridiculous that a team walking off the pitch causing a 17 minute delay could just resume the match. At the time I thought the ref should have abandoned the match, and Senegal forfeit it. Right decision to strip them of the result.

Argentina tried to set a precedent for walking off the pitch in 1966.

Is someone able to access this to cut and paste the article? Bastard paywall

I’d be happy with the creative potential if it was consistent. The luxury player strikes a chord. Very few will stand comparison to MLT but this is similar to the situation with Peter Osgood in Division 2 in the 1970’s. Osgood was more talented than Azaz but the discussion around him was much the same, how he utilised his skills, but just drifted out of games too easily.

Was he outstanding yesterday? We all see things differently but for me he seemed to lose possession a fair bit. A good signing, though room for improvement and consistency

Coventry fans we spoke to before, and more importantly after, the game were a decent bunch. They accepted the defeat quite well and their observations were interesting. Comment from a couple of them was that our midfield was quite dynamic and overran them, Downes especially. Personally I think a draw would probably have been a fair result especially given their chances. Not a fan of the ‘dark arts’ but we’ve been victims of it all too often - including I recall from them at St Mary’s in December- so nice to see someone else on the receiving end.

He has the knack in the box of arriving undetected, which is a trait of a good midfielder, and Japanese. I’m pleased Tonda and his team have channelled Matsuki’s inner ‘Pearl Harbour’ to good effect.

Of the teams involved you'd think Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool will all want a Saturday fixture with possible European ties the next week. Although i suspect the TV companies will just insist on the scheduling so someone - Pep or Arteta- will be bleating about it.

Have the FA had a QF weekend falling on Easter before, and if so was a match scheduled for Good Friday ? As logical as some of the arguments are, I'd imagine the final say on the fixtures and timing will be with the broadcasters. If they've already designated the slots for Saturday and Sunday then that's when the game will be.

Are they not able to segregate a further section of the Chapel to offer another block or so in the corner?

Wouldn’t surprise me if they try and sign him on the cheap as a back up option. Especially if the qualify for Europe (which now looks unlikely). He made a couple of excellent stops v Man Utd the other night, including one that looked similar to the save Pickford made at St James a few days before, and the media went overboard about.

This is what the FA Cup is all about. Chance for a one off scarf and be seen live on TV holding it up at a ridiculous time of day to deprive people of watching something else in their usual routine.

As good as Preretz is, I think this is a stretch. Ramsdale is easily a top PL keeper ( although the ‘Big 6’ want something else or extra) not sure how Peretz would fare.

Definitely. I just want the opportunity to buy a half/half scarf. But difficult knowing which one we’ll get. Perhaps I can pre-order one of each from a dodgy website in China. Get in ahead of the rush. Just in case.