shurlock

Sure -Forte isn't terrible as a 4/5th choice striker; but neither would have I expected Connolly to be no.2 right now or have a front line made up of converted strikers. Strength in depth is fundamentally about being able to introduce players without having to change the shape of the team. Yes we don't play with pace but build through a hold-up player like Lambert - who else could do his job -not just when he's injured; but when he's knackered (as appeared last Tuesday and Saturday). WHU have Carew and Cole. Arguably that's why we were linked to players like Sharp and JayRod.

Still remember this nob from one of the last times we went there

I agree - the size of the squad is absolutely fine; rather the issue is strength in depth. Can you see all those players coming in, doing a job and getting us promoted? Obviously, you would hope that they wouldn't have to play at the same time in a big away game say; but who knows. We've done OK without Lallana -better than expected but his absence has also exposed some of the gaps. As much as I am happy to sing Chaplow's praises, he's not a LM and we've lacked width, guile and delivery with him in the side. Indeed, Chaplow is not really the issue - its the 10+ players that don't make the match day 15/16. Ultimately, are they up to the quality to get us out of the league if history is right and promoted teams rely heavily on this particular layer of the squad.

Of course, having a squad is one thing - be willing to throw fringe players into a big game and getting results with them is another. There was a v.interesting prematch interview the other day where NA said that teams that get promoted use on average 28-30 players over the course of the campaign and we had used 18-19 players to date, implying that we're rotating the squad well. The interviewer picked him up on the gap (of course still early days) forcing NA to acknowledge that our success was down to consistency more than anything else.

Agree that we havent prioritised the cup and we've rested first team players -and I am perfectly happy with that. But whereas in previous rounds, a few first teamers would always feature (e.g. Guly) or players who had started on the bench the previous saturday be given a run out, I bet tonight's team is considerably weaker -notwithstanding the fact that we're up against a good side for a shot at the last 8. Just look at our midfield: in previous rounds, you could confidently expect two of Cork, Hammond, Morgan and Chappers to start - I wouldn't be surprised if only Morgan starts tonight.

For all the talk about giving a youth chance, cant help think its an acknowledgment that our squad is pretty thin and not up to the cycle of tuesday, Saturday, tuesday football. Its not like we were itching to give youth a chance in earlier rounds, and against inferior opposition. Only Reeves has started; and when it came to giving youth a taste from the bench, NA consistently opted for experience. The Reading game was a shock to the system, proof positive that we perhaps can't maintain the tempo and intensity we've set ourselves this season. With Boro coming up, even playing members in and around the matchday squad is not worth the risk -and I dont have a problem with that. So yes it will be nice to see Ward-Prowse debut but lets not kid ourselves that it was by design and maybe accept what it says about the squad and even our ability to compete.

Thought it was Hoskins who came on.

MON's too smart to do a King Kev or Kenny not to mention probably doesn't need the hassle of dealing with insistent, ignorant owners. ...now go watch him join them.

Travel by train from London to the majority of home and away games and would say over the course of the season, it costs me between £2 and £2.5K. Has meant that its harder to turn jobs down (finding jobs is enough of a struggle right now) and have to think twice about spending money during the week and going on holidays. One silver lining is that the time spent traveling means its harder to pi $$ money up the wall on a saturday night.

Good will immediately stick £3-5m on his valuation.

We do just that Guly/AL have license to cut inside. While the role allows Guly to come more central, its still v.v. different from that of an attacking CM where you have options/runners to your right and left and you're more likely to be played in rather than playing others in.

Last min equaliser at Wolves (2-2) after Vignal had got sent off Jose's goal at Brighton Our comeback at Preston Our comeback against Franchise JPS against Watford BWP v Leeds Stern John's equaliser at Palace a while back also memorable for some nob in no-mans land and the chucking of missiles at the end Adam at WBA Some good times at Loftus Road as well

Would switch De Ridder and Forte.

Forte on the right where he's supposedly better (according to the Scunny fans) and De Ridder up front. SDR's a more intelligent player and would arguably link up better with Guly, Lambert etc if they're playing.

He f**king loves it.

Yep, he read the game well and won his headers (though so did Mills against Lambert!). Would have been nice to see if he and pearce could handle a bit of pace.

I agree - my point about SDR is that given the options we have at the moment, he's a no-brainer. He's only the one who offers a bit of pace, directness and guile -but as you allude, that's a weakness rather than a strength, underlining our lack of depth and hopefully the Jan window will see the arrival of a proper pacey striker. What I would say about SDR is that he's versatile and is comfortable playing up top - was excellent against Cardiff in that position, though surprisingly more subdued when he began on the right against Watford (don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is a long-term answer). As we're likely to rotate the squad on Tuesday and Forte et al. are likely to feature, I would like to see Forte to start on the right (most Scunny fans think he's more effective there) and De Ridder go up top rather than the other way round which has been the ploy to date.

Its a fantastic away point - Reading are looking like they might do what they did last season. They lost a few players in the summer but have a system and are finally managing to integrate their new additions within it. Surprised that Fox didn't take more corners - we're a threat from them esp when he's taking them from the left; yet duties were shared between him, Chaplow, Guly etc. Similar story at Derby.

Settled then -he's been sh/t from one day. Its a lovely sunday morning and I feel extra renewed with that nugget of infinite wisdom.

Love it how you come across all big man after going to a game. Guly's had a few dodgy games -not helped by being played on the wing (notwithstanding licence to cut inside); but he's not sh/t. And Swindon -what about it? Wasn't the whole team sh/t that day- you'll also remember Guly was playing left wing.

Taking a cue from the darts is especially tinpot.

Is Holmes fit?

Connolly has been off the pace since the Burnley game. Thought SDR's chance had come at Cardiff and he got a start against Watford before going missing again. Connolly's form (and we don't have any forward options), Lallana's absence (and we don't have anyone who can beat a player) and the general lack of pace in the team make SDR a no-brainer.

Thought he did well and Fonte wasn't missed, though didn't think much of Reading's front two. Think most of the defensive credit should go to the fullbacks as Reading have got real pace and threat down the wings.

EDit