Saint Pete

I think everyone needs to be assessed at the end of the season depending on what league we will be in. Personally, I still think Fellows has a lot to offer at Championship level, but he is clearly at a low ebb confidence wise at the moment (as was Archer until last night by the way). Fellows has an excellent previous record at this level with West Brom and has still shown flashes of what he can do for us, including a great assist for the winner against Arsenal recently and he's still young, so I don't think we need to write him off just yet.

Whilst Archer put in a good performance against a pretty low level opposition last night, I think it's premature to see him as a starter in our best 11. We shouldn't lurch from thinking he shouldn't be anywhere near the 1st team to he should be starting in big games on basis of one decent showing in my opinion. Yes, Fellows has been disappointing this season, but he himself has contributed a fair few assists along the way and at least some good performances. And we do also have Matsuki as another good option on that right hand side. I have a feeling he may get the nod in the big games coming up. Don’t get me wrong, I'm happy that Archer put in a much improved performance and that goal will do him good, but I think we should be seeing him mainly as another good option off the bench in a wide position at the moment, particularly if we are chasing a goal late in the game.

Larin seems to have the edge in terms of current form and has been way better than I expected him to be at this level. I still feel that Stewart probably has a higher potential bar as a player though (if only he could remain fit). It's a great problem to have and whoever Tonda goes with to start in the big games to come, I am sure both will be needed and play their part over the 90+ minutes.

Brilliant management of the squad again tonight, a comfortable efficient win and several of our best players given a break at the same time. Also, the bonus of Archer turning in a good performance to give us another viable option for the last few games. Also, I love that the goals are coming from all over the team (and squad) now. Just looked back and we've scored 12 goals in last 4 games, including 10 different goalscorers! Sign of a very well functioning team/squad.

Yep, the home game v Ipswich gives us a chance to overturn the 6 goal gap. Win by 2 goals and that's 4 goal swing.

Er, nope! You are still forgetting that Ipswich have 5 to play and we have only 4. So, even if we win our remaining 4 including the Ipswich game, they could still win their other 4 games and finish 3 points above us. That said, we have much more of a chance after tonight's results, particularly with the 5 goal swing.

Maybe just haven't started it yet as both games are 8pm kick off?

Just thinking, if Bree was injured who would replace him at RB? Is Jelert fit? Along with the lkeeper, it's probably the only position where we don't have obvious ready made replacement. Credit to Bree for making that spot his own in last few months.

Downes has played the full 90 mins in the last 2 games so wouldn't be surprised if he starts on the bench. So if Azaz is out, it could be Bragg and Jander in midfield with Charles in front of them? Matsuki and Scienza in the wide positions and would expect Larin to start with Stewart coming on later. I wouldn't mess with the back 4 unless we absolutely have to and someone really needs a rest.

The Wrexham performance was obviously more eye catching but I think today is the one that shows how far this team have come on. This was exactly the kind of game against an ugly physical opposition that we would previously have dropped points in, particularly after the setback of going behind. But the way we found a way to turn it around speaks volumes for the confidence and steel that Tonda has instilled in these players. There was no panic, just a determination and belief that we would find the quality to come back and get the 3 points. Scienza's star quality was key for the vital equaliser of course but my MotM by a mile was Flynn Downes who was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. He was the heartbeat of the team today and won so many challenges where he seemed second favourite. Also thought Jander had his best game for a while alongside him, always felt we had superiority in the middle of the pitch, even in the 1st half.

I see OS says it's a sell out today and ticket exchange open. Should be a cracking atmosphere, looking forward to it!

Ipswich are a decent side but Coventry are better and we went to their place and won. So, if we do make the play offs, we shouldn't really fear anyone. It's a 6 point gap now, but if the 2 results go our way tomorrow, it's 3 points with a 6 pointer against them at home still to come, which doesn't look so uncatchable. At the end of the day, we need to just keep winning and try to finish as high as we can. Control the controllables as someone once said!

Ipswich are the ones firmly in pole position at the moment. Although the point for Millwall puts them 2nd for now, it was good result for Ipswich as they now have 3 games in hand on them. We really need Norwich to beat Ipswich tomorrow (and of course we need to beat Derby). If that happens, things start to look more possible as we still have Ipswich to play at home.

If Ipswich lose to Norwich and we beat Derby tomorrow, I will start to believe a bit that the unthinkable could actually happen! But our focus should still be on securing the playoff place.... for now.

Spurs currently in relegation zone on As it stands table! 😆

I agree about Manning, he has answered some critics I think who said we couldn't possibly play a back 4 with him as left back. Also, a word for James Bree. I don't think it is fluke that our improvement in defence has coincided with him returning to the fold. He is an important part of our back 4 set up now, he is not flashy but is very calm and assured and always seems to be in the right place defensively. Also, pretty good on the ball and has an eye for goal occasionally which is a bonus! Must say, I couldn't understand why he was discarded by previous managers, but credit to Tonda for recognising his qualities.

Agree with that except I would start Fellows instead of Matsuki as long as his fitness is OK after last night. He looked like he was returning to form so would be good to keep his confidence flowing. Also, Larin may start instead of Stewart purely to protect him from potential injury and with another key game coming up v Derby.

I thought Fellows had a decent game last night, does look like he's getting his confidence back in terms of his general wing play, showed up well against that opposition. Just needs to show more composure in shooting positions, but he's still worth his place on that form in my opinion.

Ah OK, thanks. Surprised Charles not starting in that case. Otherwise pretty much as strong as we could be.

No Downes?

I'd totally missed that Roy Hodgson is back as caretaker manager at Bristol City! Came out on top today against mad Nate in his first game. 😁👍 Got to admire his enthusiasm for the game at 78 years old.

Fifa have done their best to make it impossible for the big nations to not make it to the World Cup Finals so that would be some feat if Italy don't make it! 🤣

Italy struggling in playoffs v Bosnia. Down to 10 men, heading for penalties.

Yes, agree they looked good. Asian teams have done very well in World Cups previously (Japan, Korea) so not sure why people think we should roll them over easily when we are missing probably our 3 best players in Kane, Rice, Saka?

Yep, shame Watkins not available as we needed another proper striker if Kane not there, but I think Tuchel probably thought Calvert-Lewin and Solanke were not up to it at this level (rightly) so he tried something different with the false 9 thing. Didn't work out so reckon we will rely on Kane and Watkins in the final squad assuming they are both fit. It's only a friendly so not too bothered, we will be a lot better with Kane, Rice, etc back in the team.