(not THE) Kevin Moore

A valid point, however, I'm impressed at how closely we have matched Brighton under Adkins, given that Brighton have the luxury of SUCH a big gap they are going to be playing under almost no pressure and results will affect that. Because we've given ourselves such a mountain to climb with our shocking start to the season I think we're going to be playing under more pressure and all things considered we're doing admirably. I think we'll go up in 2nd and all this handwringing and 'woe is me' from some on here will be proved to have been nothing but a lot of hot air and wasted energy.

Well yeah, but he's on 10 now so that means 6 from open play, which is not a bad return for a CM, it's more than Schneiderlin, Hammond has 4 league goals and Chaplow has 4 league goals and 1 FA cup goal (admittedly in less games). So on very small amount of info, he looks like he'd compete for a starting slot rather than just being brought in as a squad player, and is young enough to improve and perhaps move up a level or two... encouraging that Everton have been sniffing around as well, Moyes knows a good player.

Think he's Oldhams top scorer for the season so far... but not sure we need a left midfielder as much as a CM... unless this is with a view to the longer term and we feel he can play in the Championship.... If indeed any of the rumours are true... a big IF.

you made me CQUMB... Hope the weather/insurrections are to your satisfaction?

Would be exactly the sort of player we need, solid, committed (ahem) tackler, good passer and scores the odd goal too, plus he seems to have a good engine.

I'm with you on this. Connelly for me is similar in style (before anyone takes me to task to daring to compare the two) to SKP. his movement, awareness, control and passing are exceptional (for this level) plus he's a niggly little fooker. If he was fully fit he'd be starting alongside Lambert in every game FACT, it's only his injuries that have apparently held him back this season and I hope he can play an important part, even as a cameo, in the last few games. Oh and I really rated Telfer as well, both as a player and a person.

what was more concerning was his apparently inability to make a challenge without it inevitably leading to a free kick within 25 yards of our box. He looked ok bursting forward into space and arriving late into the box but he's certainly not a complete player... but then what do we expect at this level? He is obviously capable of playing to a high standard as his performance against Manure (1st half) proves, maybe it's the inconsistency that has stopped him playing higher.

I think in terms of VFM (although not strictly 'on topic') I would go with the double signing of the Pauls (Williams and Telfer) on frees by WGS, instantly the leakiest defence in the league became much more robust and we became a harder side to beat, which gave WGS time to impose his ideals and work ethic on the whole team. I was REALLY excited about the Svensons and Delgado... obviously very disappointed by the way Delgado worked out but the Svensons did a good job for us, Michael more than Anders, but when Anders scored that Free kick against the Argies I could hardly contain my excitement!

Stern was all right surely? He scored a fair few goals for us... Forecast I agree with though, which is perhaps unfair since I've never seen him play.

that's what I was going to say

I love the sash personally and I'll miss it when it goes. But then I guess it's a love or hate thing, as with anything distinctive, the trouble with a design that no-one hates is that (generally) no-one really 'loves' it either. I think that applies to most things in life that are 'designed/styled' like cars, houses etc....

I presume Norwich would have to pay out a MASSIVE loan fee to take him now, for Peterborough to even consider it. Looks like P'Boro have rejected it anyway from my understanding but if N'aarch go back then who knows. N'aarch are looking to cement their play-off place so are desperate.

How many of their goals are scored/assisted by CMS, they've scored loads recently and maybe 1 in 3 or 4 is scored by him. It seems to me that Boyd has been scoring a lot (and he looked class against us as well, better all rounder than CMS on the day I thought) so they might gamble of getting the money in now. Obviously this wouldn't help us much if they carry on winning games 2-0 instead of 3-0

a point helps neither of us and whoever loses is bound to get relegated... a big BIG game... I'm not sure I can bear to listen to the commentary and will probably just end it all out of sheer stress if I'm honest.

remind me how old he is again? That you've written off any chance of him ever improving?

Nail on the head, I find this whole thread really discomforting, just don't think it's on at all... to even allude to this as anything other than a really bad thing. I want us to go up on our own merits not because someone got injured. If this thread was purely about wishing a talented footballer a speedy recovery then that would be something else entirely, I certainly hope he can come back from this.

A 2 goal winning margin allowing us to sub off key players with Saturday in mind would be my ideal scenario..... so expect a close 3-2 win with us scoring in the 93rd minute to claim the three points. Let's not get too carried away with predictions, Yeovil did manage to get a draw against 'udders' at the weekend so they're clearly no mugs.

Think I'd rather the games in bold were draws personally, as I think Notts County, MK Dons, Peterborough and Charlton are all in with 'some kind of chance' and we don't want Charlton to get any kind of confidence boost before we play them.

This is bordering on positivity non? But yeah, I think it would be awesome!! Would love that to happen for the matchday experiences, the fact that local competition can be a spur to better performances (look at Cardiff and Swansea this season) and it might go some way to killing the mejah stereotype that 'proper' footie clubs/fans come from big cities or the north or big cities in the north.

Indeed and they have all been of concern, but how many under Adkins, with this group of players? That's the main concern for me, what happened under Pards/Wilkins and before we signed Chaplow, Guly etc... is not really relevant (apart from that it has given us this uphill struggle) because it's in the past. We've also had other 'Single' Wins, which never get picked over and analysed in the same level of detail as the results that haven't gone our way. The reason we are in this position at all (which could still be 2nd on GD IF we win our games in hand) is more to do with the shocking start to the season than it is to do with Adkins or the January transfer window... IMHO

The players we signed in Jan were to address our lack of pace and to give us cover in areas we were short. Since N'Guessan has played some good/bad/indifferent games for us (having not had much game time at Leicester recently) and Forte is injured it's difficult to say how good they are. Suffice to say it'll take a LITTLE bit of time to see how they fit in... rather than writing both of them off on the basis of minimal time on the pitch. I think the issue is that people hadn't heard of these players before... which is a pretty **** reason to decide they aren't good enough at this level.

There is a difference between saying we were unlucky and saying the Walsall didn't deserve to win. I don't think anyone is saying that. we went with a game plan and lost (arguably) our best midfielder within minutes, despite that start (and some lumpen football) we went on to create numerous chances which didn't go in, whilst Walsall took one of their few chances with aplomb. There really is nothing more or less to it. so picking the Walsall game (disappointing as it is) and saying that this ONE game is an indicator of our promotional hopes is ridiculous. I was fuming Tuesday night, but then by Wednesday I'd had time to get things into PERSPECTIVE there is still plenty of time and plenty of points to play for, we've not made it easy for ourselves but who knows how things will pan out. Football is a 'funny old game' and quite often the result doesn't go the way of the form book, or even the performance on the day. Earlier on in the season Sunderland Battered Blackpool and created loads of chances, Blackpool created 2 scoring opportunities and won 2-0... what does that tell you about either teams long term prospects? **** all, that's what.... it was a SINGLE game.

erm.... so using that logic, I'm going to use a sample of 1.. say the 6-0 to say we're going in the right direction... you're using a sample of 1 loss to say we're not going to go up? Of COURSE sample size is important, you're being a mong. Take the results since Adkins and it puts us second in the form table, so direction is fine... despite anything you (clinging on to every negative result) might claim. And I'm pretty sure this is my last post of the day, so you can go back to your idiocy again now.

Hyperbolic ********... our promotion no more 'fell apart' then than was confirmed on our great run of results earlier in the season. It's concerning, and I would have kicked the cat on Tues if she'd been handy but all this moaning will mean nothing should we secure second spot on the last day of the season... it's all irrelevant. I tend to not stress about things that haven't happened yet because you waste a lot of energy on stuff that never comes to pass, expect the best, plan for the worst.

You can't have it all ways Alps old chaps, it's either all about results or performance does matter... so you can't say 'we played well but lost doesn't cut it' then when we scrape a win moan about the manner of the win. It's either all about results (and we then come back to the 2 points a game average) or performance is important... make your mind up. Over the course of the season, you'll have some ridiculous results... it's the law of averages (and why I'd argue that form tables should cover a longer period than the last 6 games) to isolate one result as an indicator of form/likelihood of promotion is barmy... if you're going to do that, why not isolate the weekends result? Or the 6-0? Yes it sucked to lose to Walsall (and Tranmere) but if we go and win the next 3 games then it won't really mean diddly and you'll have those scars on your wrists for nothing.... As others have said, if Bournemouth are in 2nd when we've played the same number of games as them then absolutely they deserve to be there... if not then they absolutely don't.