The Scarlet Pimpernel

So did we lose 2-4 as per the result on the DCFC website or did we win as per these highlights?

With such an important opportunity to go top that performance was absolutely dire. Reading were nothing special but our passing was shameful and in general the effort wasn't there. No excuses, we are supposed to be a fit team but looked hopeless. Beyond words tonight.

Left back does worry me. Elder has a lot of improving to do and Sibley isn't the answer for me. Hope Elder can show us why he was brought in, for me he hasn't as yet.

The Ramaway...

Burton had 2 shots on goal and scored twice. Both were bad mistakes. NML lost possession in a dangerous area and their lad scores when 9 times out of 10 he probably wouldn't and as for the second, what on earth was Elder doing? He had a terrible game and made a complete mess of marking the last man. Having said that the ball out from the back was inch perfect for their sub to run onto. Again doubt that pass would be that good at this level 9 times out of 10.

I'm not expecting David Clowes to be funding any losses whatsoever which if right means our budget should still be very competitive due to our income. Apart that is from any owners who are prepared to make losses in the division.

Regarding players in there is so much I don't know. As a benchmark are we being run as a self financing business? If we aren't how much is DC prepared to invest beyond what he has already shelled out buying the club. If we are self sustainable then we may have to get used to struggling to land players whilst we have possibly an overpaid squad earning up to our ceiling. Outs may have to equal ins.

Good grief, a 32 year old ex Rotherham man. Just over 1 goal in 3 at Rotherham which was his best spell but we really are in bargain basement aren't we..... Oh well!

More than that as them down the road have a remarkably good pitch. Finances I guess!

I thought Warne sounded quite downbeat regarding players in. Got the feeling we are struggling to get deals over the line. The reality of living within our means I guess.

I mostly agree. It looked very poor. Not sure how much it affected the performance but a very poor pitch.

Agree with this. My comment about getting rid of 6 was too kind.

The team and the pitch looked second rate. Shockingly poor performance. Those given a chance to impress failed badly. The first half midfield were fortunate to be given up to half time. Second half midfield better but only just. Passing was some of the worst I've seen. For me that highlights our problem and it's not the manager as I previously thought. If we coukd afford it I'd get rid of at least 6 of our first team squad.

Hourihane is one of our most important players. Constantly, mainly accurately and quickly, recycling the ball left right & centre.

Crosses into the box don't have to necessarily be high. It's a fact that at any level balls into the box from wide areas are very dangerous. Not all about heading.

Just roughly ran through the home tickets currently available and I think we are around 750.

Thought we stood up to them physically to start with. They tried to dominate early on but we just kept playing better and better. We are no longer a weak team and first half yesterday was brilliant. If we can carry on in the same frame of mind we are in for a very interesting second half of the season.

Sorry to quote myself but this also links in with the atmosphere at pride park thread.

It seems to me, we, the crowd, are kind of judging each game as we don't yet trust them to blow teams away. As a result the atmosphere is tense rather than arrogant. I'm not blaming us fans I'm just saying the players as yet haven't got the unquestioning belief of the fans. If that happens the whole mood will change, players will relax and the better times will role.