England Ram

1999 of course 

It's more like we went for the ugly sister first, she turned us down and set us up with her even uglier sister.
Basically, we've decided to shag one of The Corrs, and ended up with Jim.

ATG 
31Vickers 6 - Average, just feel Wildsmith would have got a hand to few of the goals we’ve conceded lately though. 
2Wilson 5 - Very poor first half but much better when able to be much further up the pitch and not given the ball with no outlet and a risk like the first half. 
35Nelson 7 - Solid. Man amongst boys sometimes. 
6Cashin 6 - Average. Passing poor at times. 
17Sibley 7 - My MOTM. Played out of position again and still wasn’t the worse defender. Was also our main threat first half and the only player to carry the ball at the opposition in either half. 
7Barkhuizen 4.5 - From the positions he took up today Sibley could do it all much better. Shame Elder was injured but then Sibbo might not have got a game. 
4Hourihane 3 - Needs dropping. Poor play all round. Actually made CBT look even worse than he was as he kept looking at him making runs and turning away from him and telling him to slow it down!! Infuriating. Can’t tackle, track or make a simple pass. Slows us down even more than we already are. The midfield looked 10 times better once he went off. 
22Fornah 6 - Played well. Energy, drive and pressing that we’d dearly been lacking. Also found a white shirt forward as well. 
8Bird 6 - Average of a 6  First half a 4 but mostly as he was covering Hourihane. Second half a 7 as he was a completely different player post subs. 
5Bradley 7 - Best game for us. Solid & assured. 
27Blackett-Taylor 5 - struggled to make an impact but it’s not all on him when he’s open, or making runs in behind and we are turning away from him or not putting him in and playing at a snails pace. 
16Thompson 6 - Energy and tenacity sometimes goes a long way to change a game.  
11Méndez-Laing 6 - Average. Gets some credit for the cross that we scored from. 
9Collins 6 - Generally poor. Gets a point for the great goal. Needs to stay on side though. 
 
Manager - 5. Just think he’s reverted to type after the Posh game and we are a poorer team for it. 

They decided we only need a small % of grass on it as we only play a small % of our football along the ground. 

His performance drastically improved as soon as he didn’t have to carry Hourihane. 

The weird thing is, I think he's a likeable bloke (maybe I'm wrong), but he gets less leeway because of the style he adopts.
The reality is that if you play an ugly style and win, you can get away with it. But if you play one and lose you get less sympathy from fans.

We just played 90 minutes football today - I can’t remember us once having a player make a run in behind and us trying to play that pass to that player (successful or not). It makes it easier for opposition defences if they know a striker isn’t running in behind us.

ATM 
 
31Vickers - 5  if 6 is average then he gets a 5 as he was a bit shaky and didn’t seem to instil any confidence in the defence. 
2Wilson - 8 MOTM Defensively OK which was his actual job, but a constant threat up front and got us off our seat more than anyone else. Kept going and nullified their wing threat as they were always worried about him.  
35Nelson - 7  coped well with everything. Unlucky with the slight deflection for the first goal. 
6Cashin - 7 Good game generally but was one of those guilty of starting to lumping it forward when trying to get the winner. 
20Elder - 4 Was struggling with his distribution even before the massive error for the second. Defensively OK When I’ve seen him before and was similar last night, but that error as the last man was madness. 
17Sibley - 6 Average. However, he’s one of the only attacking threats from the bench and we played him at left back. 
11Méndez-Laing - 6 Assist for the goal. Had a 1-1 in the first half he could have done better with and really tired towards the end but kept going. 
8Bird - 7 Thought he had a solid game. 
4Hourihane 6 - Would have been a 5 before his goal. Gave the ball away on simple passes, didn’t beat the first man or ballooned it over the back post with most of his set pieces or crosses then comes up with a lovely winner. 
7Barkhuizen - 6 Got man of the match for a goal and an assist which gets his score up as that got us the points. But other than that he was an invisible part of our front 3. 
 5Bradley - 6 Average 
19John-Jules - 6 Average 
16Thompson - 7 Average general play but worked his socks off closing down and bringing some energy when we were starting to rock a bit. 
9Collins - 7 Work rate was spot on as always and a great header for the second.  

ATM 
 
31Vickers - 5  if 6 is average then he gets a 5 as he was a bit shaky and didn’t seem to instil any confidence in the defence. 
2Wilson - 8 MOTM Defensively OK which was his actual job, but a constant threat up front and got us off our seat more than anyone else. Kept going and nullified their wing threat as they were always worried about him.  
35Nelson - 7  coped well with everything. Unlucky with the slight deflection for the first goal. 
6Cashin - 7 Good game generally but was one of those guilty of starting to lumping it forward when trying to get the winner. 
20Elder - 4 Was struggling with his distribution even before the massive error for the second. Defensively OK When I’ve seen him before and was similar last night, but that error as the last man was madness. 
17Sibley - 6 Average. However, he’s one of the only attacking threats from the bench and we played him at left back. 
11Méndez-Laing - 6 Assist for the goal. Had a 1-1 in the first half he could have done better with and really tired towards the end but kept going. 
8Bird - 7 Thought he had a solid game. 
4Hourihane 6 - Would have been a 5 before his goal. Gave the ball away on simple passes, didn’t beat the first man or ballooned it over the back post with most of his set pieces or crosses then comes up with a lovely winner. 
7Barkhuizen - 6 Got man of the match for a goal and an assist which gets his score up as that got us the points. But other than that he was an invisible part of our front 3. 
 5Bradley - 6 Average 
19John-Jules - 6 Average 
16Thompson - 7 Average general play but worked his socks off closing down and bringing some energy when we were starting to rock a bit. 
9Collins - 7 Work rate was spot on as always and a great header for the second.  

ATM 
 
31Vickers - 5  if 6 is average then he gets a 5 as he was a bit shaky and didn’t seem to instil any confidence in the defence. 
2Wilson - 8 MOTM Defensively OK which was his actual job, but a constant threat up front and got us off our seat more than anyone else. Kept going and nullified their wing threat as they were always worried about him.  
35Nelson - 7  coped well with everything. Unlucky with the slight deflection for the first goal. 
6Cashin - 7 Good game generally but was one of those guilty of starting to lumping it forward when trying to get the winner. 
20Elder - 4 Was struggling with his distribution even before the massive error for the second. Defensively OK When I’ve seen him before and was similar last night, but that error as the last man was madness. 
17Sibley - 6 Average. However, he’s one of the only attacking threats from the bench and we played him at left back. 
11Méndez-Laing - 6 Assist for the goal. Had a 1-1 in the first half he could have done better with and really tired towards the end but kept going. 
8Bird - 7 Thought he had a solid game. 
4Hourihane 6 - Would have been a 5 before his goal. Gave the ball away on simple passes, didn’t beat the first man or ballooned it over the back post with most of his set pieces or crosses then comes up with a lovely winner. 
7Barkhuizen - 6 Got man of the match for a goal and an assist which gets his score up as that got us the points. But other than that he was an invisible part of our front 3. 
 5Bradley - 6 Average 
19John-Jules - 6 Average 
16Thompson - 7 Average general play but worked his socks off closing down and bringing some energy when we were starting to rock a bit. 
9Collins - 7 Work rate was spot on as always and a great header for the second.  

I’m getting sick of this….. this is a football transfer thread about Corey Blackett Taylor.  Can we all please stay on topic!!  It’s tedious trying to sift through meaningless puns 😡
Next person to quote a stupid chip shop pun is gonna get battered

Let’s remember, the Wendies thought Mendez was s*** and were laughing at us when we signed him. Ok he’s done it at a higher level and has a better pedigree but this lad is 26, he’s up there in L1 in terms of stats, if he’s a similar player to Mendez then how much better will that be for Mendez teams having another problem to deal with. Sounds like we’re all over this and good if so.

First one to snigger about NML getting an extension... etc... etc... 🙄

ATG 
1Wildsmith 6
24Nyambe 6
35Nelson 6 - should have left Cash to deal with the third as he actually contributed to it. 
6Cashin 6 -caught out of position for the second and could have been stronger for the winner. 
3Forsyth 5  - Early yellow put him on the back foot that was already being outrun. No support from NML. 
20Elder 7 - Actually thought he was a great when he came on. The threat down his side was lessened due to his defending and the attacking threat our side increased. 
4Hourihane 4 - I’m hoping it was him who went in at half time and said ‘boss, they’ve got me on toast here, I’m useless’. A game too far for his legs and current ability. Sadly showed up what we are missing in the middle and up front. 
16Thompson 6 - Clearly not got the wind or legs in him yet to be chasing shadows, but more effective than all the rest of the midfield. 
2Wilson 7 - Early threat and actually a joy to watch when he’s skinning defenders,  tired and always had two to beat so became less effective. 
24Ward 6 - not much time to make an impact. Ridiculous treatment by the Posh fans. 
11Méndez-Laing 4 - Clearly knackered. Not effective going forward and waltzed back for their first. 
19John-Jules 6 - Harsh treatment by the ref. Would have been even more effective if he’d got the decisions his play deserved. 
8Bird 6 - Over ran by their midfield but still progressed the ball well and as always calm in possession and passed to a white shirt. 
9Collins 7 - Two goals besides the crap pen. Worked tirelessly and manned up when others around him shrank. 
7Barkhuizen 4 - Gets a point for the assist. Other than that an absolute passenger. 
17Sibley 6 - Not effective going forward, neither was anyone else, great midfield tackle with no yellow so that’s a bonus. Really want him to hit the strides he’s capable of but didn’t affect the game like there subs did. 

Well a terrible start. Or was it? Wildsmith made  silly mistake when the striker was already diving, and an excellent free-kick from a soft free-kick. Get used to them, they'll be a feature of the match. But in reality we were still at least equal to them in those opening minutes. I noticed there was much talk form Oxford about our pressing and closing down, but it was they who were buzzing around anything in a white shirt at the start, but evidently it couldn't last. But the picture soon emerged of who was controlling the game, with Derby only coming short on end product. But so on top it was unreal. I noticed the ref clamped down on Nyambe for stealing about 4 yards for a throw, but let Oxford steal ten every time, until late on in the match. He gave them free kicks for next to nothing, but let lots go the other way. NML was hurled ot the floor just before half time but nothing was given, and he let them kick the ball away loads of times without reprimand. How many yellow cards have we had recently for that offence? The only surprise is that his surname isn't Simpson.
But actually none of that matters because of the relentlessness of the team, who found just a bit extra zip in the second half. I had a few moments when I thought this was going to be one of those nights when the ball just won't go in, around Wilson's miss, but apart from that momentary blip it felt inevitable that we would score again, so yet another rival, posing quite a threat on paper, have been made to look quite ordinary, although Oxford were a better "ordinary" than many others. But doing it is something we are getting rather good at.
I admit I was one foot into the Warne out camp a while ago, justifiably, but credit to Paul Warne for sticking with 4 at the back, because it works. Credit to him for being prepared to go that way, instead of insisting on reverting to his preferred 3 at the back. It takes courage to do that, but it is paying off. I worried when Bradley made his customary appearance - I often do, and for a few minutes while we made the adjustment we were wide open to the counter attack, but it did push us further up the pitch and the onslaught increased. Great substitutions, typified by Cashin being involved in our attacking moves from the substitutions onwards. He was virtually a midfield player. 
Highlight for me was the impact JJ had - suddenly we have a striker who knows the right place to be, and has the ability when the ball arrives slightly in the wrong place to make something of it. I really hope he can get a load of game time in, especially if he goes back to Arsenal early. I also hope we can hold on to him, because he could be the huge difference we are looking for in the next window. And it would budgetarily favourable as well (if such a word actually exists).
We have now entered a period where we don't need to worry bout who we have got to play. We can let them worry because they have got to play us, so the only difference between the teams we face will be the colour of the shirts.
And this feeling is reeeeaaaaallllyyyy good!
COME ON YOU RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How was the darts?

I hope Smith doesn’t walk straight back in. It’s not a coincidence we have been far, far better since only Hourihane has been in the team. They simply can’t play together. 

Can’t decide if your missus is expecting a baby, or she’s not expecting what you’re about to do to her. 

I'm off to bed to hopefully help bring another Paul into the world.

Great to see Thompson today. We have missed his energy!

What a result.
To start like that and come away with a win is massive. 
Follow that up with a win on Monday and it’s the best Christmas we’ve ever had. 
COYR!!!

Similar. Results without performances was never going to be sustainable.
Warney seems to be learning and the players improving. This season looks like it might shape up nicely 👍

This is more or less where I am with things. I think his realisation that 3 at the back wasn’t working and reverting to a back 4 has been key in results improving and long may it continue. Looking forward to the Oxford game - I live 8 minutes away by car from the ground! 

I was Warne out, and am still not convinced by the quality of football I’m having to watch.
But I can’t grumble with the results (besides letting the lead slip in the 96th minute) and being within touching distance of the top two.  
If he’s saying that’s the closest we’ve got to performing how he really wants us to then it’s a positive sign that the previous dross wasn’t his football at all. 
Hoping for at least 4 points from the next 2.