Saint Pete

Anyone know any more about why Stewart came off at half time? The OS mentions that both Scienza and Ross will need to be assessed in the coming days, but doesn't say anything further about nature of any injury?

On reflection, I'm not too despondent about coming away with a point last night. It always had the look of the kind of game that we struggle with and I hope it will be a timely reminder to the players and manager that they need to be on it in every game in the run-in irrespective of the apparent merits of the opposition. There are literally no easy games in this league unless you earn the right. I'm pretty confident we will see a much improved display at the weekend against a team that will look to dominate us, although of course Coventry are flying so will be a difficult challenge.

Maybe "meaningless" was the wrong word, but others have used the term "nothing games". Reality is there would be an awful lot more nothing games without the lure of the play offs in the last quarter of the season. If entertainment is a factor (which I think most people would say it is when we give up several hours of our time each week to watch matches) then surely it is more entertaining when there is some prospect of a meaningful outcome? The other reality would be that you would see a lot more teams with an "on the beach already" mentality in the last 10 games, and see more teams fielding weakened line ups once it's not feasible for them to achieve a top 3 place. This then would transmit to the fans having a more "who cares" attitude to matches. And I don't think it's fair to call fans "stupid" for wanting to watch their teams achieve a higher placing and potential promotion. I take it you boycotted the last few games of 2023-24 championship season and subsequent play-off semis and final that saw us go up with a win at Wembley after finishing 4th unlike the stupid fans who went and enjoyed it? That said, I disagree with extending play-off down to 8th place, a step too far. Current system is fine, if anything could be adapted to give the higher teams more advantage.

Would take any of Leeds, West Ham/Brentford or Port Vale, preferably at home. Probably won't happen though!

You can't compare leagues directly like that and assume he would score the same here. From what I saw of him, I don't believe he would have scored 18 in the Championship. But what I do know is we should have been signing a decent big man up front for this season in his place. I guess Downs was meant to be that but clearly not up to the job.

Got to say, I love to see the likes of West Ham and Spurs struggling like this! Mainly because their fans are so entitled, no manager is ever good enough for them as they think they should be winning the league, trophies etc. They deserve and are partly responsible for what's happening now, although they are far too pig headed to ever admit to that!

For the clubs it may be about money, but don't discount the impact of the play offs on a huge amount of fans. It keeps our interest to the latter end of the season, our current position in the table is a great example of that. Yes, it would be fairer if the top 3 teams went up, but personally I prefer a play off system to consigning the vast majority of games in the last quarter of the season to be meaningless.

This is the purist view of course. But you surely have to acknowledge that in a 24 team league the play offs do add a lot in terms of keeping the the last 10-15 games of every season interesting for a lot more clubs and their fans? Would we be giving a flying f*ck about the rest of the season now and monitoring the league table each game if it weren't for the play-offs?

Ramsdale brilliant saves tonight, hopefully get us a couple of extra million when he goes permanently?

Not over yet but tonight's results put Arsenal in much stronger position at top. Away win at awkward opposition and City dropping points at home to Forest. I think they might finally do it this season.

There's still around a quarter of the season to go, so a lot can happen. We're fixated on Wrexham at the moment as the team above us but it's very possible that the likes of Hull will have a poor run in that lets in someone else. The positive in this round of matches is we have slightly more breathing space versus a few of the teams below us when it was so tight before. Obviously matches against the teams around us will be crucial. We just need to focus on ourselves and keep picking up wins like we are at currently.

I would expect Charles to come back in, it's possible that Downes may be given a rest as he has started both previous games? Also, Larin may make way for Stewart to start?

Fellows clearly needs to work on his shooting but his main problem currently seems to be a loss of confidence. He was playing great in the good run when Tonda first took over, but his form has deseted him since then. Hopefully the coaches can nurse him back into form as still think we can use his crossing ability (when in form) now that we have strikers who are a danger in the air. Matsuki has certainly proved he can offer something a little different as an option on that side or in the centre though.

I agree, we know about his strength, but I was impressed tonight by how composed he was on the ball once he held the ball up, picking out the right passes. Also worked his socks off unselfishly. Gives Tonda a decision to make in next match between him and Stewart.

Would be great if Fellows could find a goal, we need him with confidence back in run-in.

My word, keeper having a mare!!

Maybe QPR on top is a stretch, but our play has been poor for large parts of that half, Sky put stats up that we showed we didn't have a shot for 30 mins or so after our goal and only one touch in the box. But I guess at least we have not allowed QPR clear chances while we have been in our poor periods. When we do deliver good ball in the box, we do look dangerous on the plus side.

Not really a deserved lead, but we have looked dangerous on the few occasions we have put it together.

Matsuki headrr 🤣

Scienza not at the races at all tonight so far. Poor passing/decision making.

Really poor from us since the goal. Only one team scoring next of we continue like this.

Cracking finish that!!

Can only be because he is being treated with care after fairly recent return from injury?

Well it's a good chance for Matsuki to show what he can do from the start, although must admit I thought Edozie might be the one to replace Fellows.

Not sure we will see Stewart or Downes start 2 games in quick succession and I would be tempted to give Edozie a start rather than out of form Fellows. Peretz, Bree, Stephens, THB, Manning, Charles, Jander, Scienza, Azaz, Edozie, Larin. There's an argument for Bragg rather than Jander, wouldn't be against that either.