DuncanRG

It's a vicious circle now. Referees expect players to go down as a way of signalling they've been fouled, so those who stay on their feet don't get decisions, so more players go down...

He was indeed. He's been a poor one.

What does this mean?

If you think our recruitment is **** poor you should really try supporting, er, almost any other team!

Okay. So Reed and the board are responsible for appointing a manager...you support?

Perish the thought!

I'm far too young to talk about 'my day', but I swear this used to be the norm unless it was a real disgrace, players couldn't be bothered etc. Now half the grounds boo at half time if they haven't scored yet.

I couldn't watch the Utd game last week, but hear we were good in the second half. Can anyone explain what was different about that half? Was it a change in formation/personnel?

Gabbiadini had a good run of starts and didn't do much. We all know this is a team problem. We're also better than Swansea and Bournemouth, and should be better than most of the 3-4 I assume you're referring to, West Brom et al. Everyone's recalibrating their expectations at the moment.

Which ones are those? It's hard to tell at the moment, even though it's demented to be talking about relegation. Yeah. We need to play Krueger in the hole, he's useless out wide.

Neither team deserved to win that, Stoke were lucky but can make goals happen. Properly mad ending.

Yes, it is too early. That's why you shouldn't have made this thread.

Lots of wishes answered now: piling on attacking players. Let's see what happens!

Blimey, that's a stroke of luck.

Lemina proves that he doesn't require a whole season plus preseason to settle in and perform. Some never manage it, some get there in time. People are different.

For me the biggest advantage of a smooth run of early fixtures isn't 'getting points on the board', it's having time to figure out the top teams. They're absolutely smashing it at the moment, but I think we'll see more games like Saturday than the thrashings they've been doling out. Mostly thanks to Romeu and Lemina.

First class

Would Jos have really got a game when Toby was out? Can't remember the extent of our injury problems that year, to be honest, but that would have been a serious drop in quality!

Absolutely stunned if anyone would seriously like us relegated. It was winning every week that made the atmosphere good, as much as lower prices.

They'll be absolutely fine

You seem desperate not to give him any credit. We don't know how much say he had in new signings (I'd assume a fair bit) but we know he was a draw for new players. And once they're here, he had to craft them into a functional, harmonious new team. He did that instantly and we started absolutely on fire. I don't know where expectations come into it. What do your expectations have to be for 7th and 6th to not be really strong finishes?

Some find drums annoying but they would stop the Northam from sending every song into hyperspeed after two renditions, which I honestly think is a major factor. We get decent numbers joining in the chants but it dissipates so quickly because no one can keep time.

Yep, for sure.

Why would you assume we play to counter? That's not how most 3-at-the-back teams do it.

Not a bad back five to have out, especially when you realise Targett and Bednarek are still under 23 themselves