Minty

Chaplow's touch may have been poor in recent games but to say he has no touch or control is just plain wrong. He is clearly improving and getting back to his best, and that only comes from playing in competitive games. He was excellent for us before Xmas, and I feel his return now is timed just right to play an important part in the last two games, and I think Nigel knows it. He brings that edge of urgency when we need it, when a team is getting in our face, he combats it and spoils the oppositions game.

Agreed, which is a point I was also trying to make with regard to Academy players recently, but others were insisting that money would talk. And of course it will for some players, but we probably wouldn't want those players.

Billy said himself in an interview that we were a far fitter team than Doncaster and that he was having to work to reach the same levels, so we've heard it from the horses mouth. Although he has missed a few chances early on, last nights goals were cool, clinical finishes, and the first vs Pompey was similarly good, if not better (to readjust and finish as he did, was excellent IMO). I have no doubt that he will get better and having a stronger fitness base to work from undoubtedly helps.

I doubt we'll sell out, but frankly taking 3000 to a televised game at Middlesbrough would be a good effort. Hopefully it'll go even higher.

That's a whole different kind of stress, and frankly, bring it on. Back to Boro, I also don't buy this whole 'they might have nothing to play for, which would be great' thing. I don't think it'll matter either way particularly, and they may be more intent on spoiling our party if theirs has just been pooped.

Stop talking about your lens collecting, what about the football?

Exactly my thinking. Control the controllables. Win our game, nothing else matters.

Hopefully their promotion will mean they take their foot off a little, and we can still win the title! But for now, congratulations indeed to them, thoroughly deserved. I don't think it's any surprise to see another thoughtful and intelligent manager up at the top.

Hopefully Jos' withdrawal tonight was just precautionary and I'd be very tempted to go with the same XI on Saturday.

A draw should be enough, and maybe we won't need ANY more points. But lets be positive. Let's go and win and do this in some style. Besides, the title might still be possible, and I don't want us giving up on that until that's mathematically impossible.

Sorry, had to get in early just to say this: Win this game and we are promoted. Simple as that.

3-1 is a great omen. That was our scoreline of choice last season, and that ended pretty well.

Not gonna get drawn into the usual stuff, however I just want to ask alpine about one thing: Nigel Adkins has a degree in Business & Finance, physiotherapy credentials, a graduation certificate from the LMA Applied Management course, his UEFA Pro Coaching badge, and finally, a Psychology Diploma. He is also relentlessly positive. You may have noticed. This is because he believes, from all his experience and the qualifications above, that this is the right way to go and that garners a winning culture and psychology. We currently sit in 2nd place, 3 points clear of third, with 3 games to play each, thank in no small part to the manager and his approach. That is why so many people are positive and optimistic. Because he has shown that it works. So, whilst you're absolutely entitled to your opinion, given the respective knowledge, experience and achievements of yourself and Nigel Adkins, most people, thankfully, choose to follow his approach, not yours. Can you not see this?

I thought we were pretty composed on the ball tonight. And if anything I thought the crowd lacked belief as much as, if not more than, the team tonight. Anyway, I actually meant we need those things off the pitch, and amongst the fans, before Tuesdays game.

I think that's a little over-dramatic. We are still in a strong position and if anything, our away form is currently better. Now is the time for composure and belief.

I think you'll find that keeping the ball moving, even 3 yards, is actually a good thing to do. Unless Guly himself lost the ball, then you are trying to find blame where there is none IMO.

Yep, this helps... Come on people.

Apologies for repeating myself but how many more people are going to completely ignore Fonte's inability to get anywhere near the resulting cross for the first?! Yes, Fox should've prevented it, but there was still plenty to do.

He was a straight swap for Hammond and did what Hammond was doing... link the play, spread the ball and be available for a pass. He didn't *change* anything, but he wasn't dreadful at all. Sometimes it's about who is available to receive a pass (or not) rather than the person on the ball doing anything wrong. He did fine when he came on tonight IMO.

And seriously, the people who're moaning at alpine, give it a rest. I've actually seen more reasonable posts from him tonight than in a long time (sorry alps, your knee jerk stuff is usually way OTT), but people are STILL playing the man, not the ball. It's monotonous. If you disagree, deal with it and pick it apart constructively. All this *****ing at each other is sad as f*ck.

Actually, I don't think his initial position was that bad... get pushed too far out and you're open to a ball between CB and full back. What he did wrong IMO, was to not get out quicker and closer to Kebe.

Don't agree with that at all. Fox didn't prevent the cross for the first and that is fair criticism but there's still a lot to do, and it's a straight battle between Fonte and Roberts. Fonte didn't get anywhere near it. As I said earlier, scapegoating doesn't help anything but picking on Fox when that was only the first part of the goal is blinkered IMO. Picking on Fox again when he did all anyone can do in that circumstance - stand your man up. the early cut back was not cut out, and the run wasn't picked up (Cork could've done better here IMO but again, no point picking on individuals, twas a poor team goal. Fair, although we had opportunities to deal with it and didn't. That is entirely fair and I agree.

I think a balance needs to be struck here. It's not as if we didn't create anything at all... I know I criticised our forward play at times, but we did still manage 12 efforts on target and forced Federici into a few good saves. So it's not black, but it's not white.

I do believe Forest are now 2nd in the form table behind Reading after our defeat. They will be no pushover. I draw the line, however, at giving their manager any credit for this.

How long have you been on here? We've literally just lost the game. Emotions run high. That's football. One thing I've learnt is that while emotions run there's little point challenging the initial reactions that people make because nothing constructive comes of it.