Ghost of Clough

In my opinion, the criticism of Warne is fully deserved. The results are only just acceptable; the standard of play is sometimes good, but often poor; a couple of players aside, his signings are average at best; his use of the academy is awful; management of players fitness and doing his best to keep them injury free is shockingly bad. However, there are enough positive signs to keep me clinging to the hope that he can take the club where it needs to be. Other people have different opinions, including those who don't think he is capable of improving, so think it's best to part ways now. That's their justified opinion. A united club isn't one where the manager comes out with snide remarks, pushing some fans even further away. He should be doing everything he can to prove them wrong and get them back on board. Your comments are just as bad because they're divisive and you gain absolutely nothing from it

I always said it was 1 season too soon for Whittaker as it even took him time to settle at U18 and U23 level. It also didn't help that what Rooney demanded from wingers was different to what Whittaker can do. He seems really settled down at Plymouth and enjoying it there. It's disappointing we couldn't retain him in an environment which allowed him to develop at his own pace - similar can be said of one or two other player.

Technically, if it was actually concussion then he will need rest. As per the FA's guidelines, players are advised to rest for at least 48 hours (physical and cognitive) and then ease back gradually. This would mean he would only return to training tomorrow. They also include minimum time periods for the stages of reintroduction to playing matches following concussion: Stage 1 - rest for 48 hours Stage 2 - light exercise for 24 hours Stage 3 - football specific exercise for 24 hours Stage 4 - non-contact training for 24 hours Stage 5 - full contact training for 24 hours Stage 6 - return to play

Warne's approach is out of touch with how every other Cat 1 club operates, especially those not in the PL. Warne's "truly ready" is when they're top half L1 standard and is extremely unlikely to use them, even for a handful of minutes at the end of games. Even youngsters on the fringe of the first team don't get in the side until we have a mini injury crisis. Thompson - barely used last season. Was in fantastic form in pre-season, but was only used when season proper began, then only given a start when we were down to just 2 other CMs (Bird injured and before Fornah/Embleton signed) Rooney - Not even used in the League Cup, only started when both RWBs were injured, Bradley was in the worst form of his career, and before we signed Nyambe. Then there are our best U21 prospects such as DRobinson who aren't even used in the cups or brought on when 2 or 3 goals up with a few mins to play. EFL Trophy - left on the bench for the 2-0 win over Lincoln League Cup - left on the bench in a dismal performance against Blackpool FA Cup - not used in either tie Carlisle - 2-0 Barnsley - 3-0 Same for Weston. After scoring and assisted on his debut, he was an unused sub in the following 2 games before dropping out of the squad completely. 3-0 up vs Barnsley is a good opportunity to gain some experience and certainly better than watching from the bench. 3-1 down to Crewe was another chance for him to help the team get something from the game.

It was Malachi Sharpe (U15), James Scanlon (U14) and Sekou Kaba (U14)

Picked up a knock. Best to rest him so he's fit for the weekend

Wildsmith Nyambe Nelson Cashin Forsyth Fornah Hourihane Wilson Sibley Mendez-Laing Collins Subs: Vickers, Bradley, Ward, DRobinson, Barkhuizen, Waghorn, John-Jules

You're judging him on a 'one off game', where Crewe were determined to cause an upset. The Crewe manager doesn't even deem him good enough to be a regular starter in League 2. What makes you think he can have a greater role for us than at Crewe? A big part of us struggling to break sides down is a lack of players on the pitch who can create in the middle of the pitch from open play. Smith, Fornah and Hourihane are poor at that, which is why it's important we sign someone who can.

I hope not. 1 goal and 1 assist in the league and he isn't even a regular starter for them.

Fornah definitely put in a performance worthy of keeping the shirt for the Port Vale game. Seems pretty likely with Smith seemingly certain to be out for a few game - hopefully Bird is just a bit sore and came off as a precaution. Whislt I dont think Houirhane-Fornah-Bird is the ideal combination, I do think it's better than what we have had for most of this season. A lack of wingers, other than Mendez-Laing, who can score in the league is continuing to be a problem this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Warne reverts to 352, especially now Waghorn and John-Jules are both fit enough for the matchday squad. Collins, Waghorn, John-Jules and Mendez-Laing competing for the 2 spots for now, with Washington to add to the mix when he's fit again.

He was also the player who forced Bristol backwards immediately before Fornah won it back for our winner. He was our 4th best player according to Whoscored with 7.03, behind Cashin, Mendez-Laing, and Fornah. It surprised me he rating was so high, but looking at the stats... he had the joint most shots on target, joint most key passes, most tackles, most interceptions, 3rd best pass accuracy, and the most fouled player.

He typically played as the 8 in a 3 man midfield for Reading last season, which would be the more advanced of the two DMs/CMs in a 4231.

Fantastic driving run from Fornah after winning it back in the first place

Hourihane leading the press

Midfield is just far too weak defensively with Smith and Hourihane in there. I have no idea what it would take for Warne to break that partnership up.

Warne doesn't want to break up the leagues best midfield combination of Smith, Hourihane and Bird. Sibley will be LB, unless we for some unknown reason Warne decides to play with wingers backs - then it's any two from Mendez-Laing, Barkhuizen and Sibley.

Is this the official match day thread?

He's adjusting to U21 football. His height means he will need a bit of time to adjust to the different level of physicality. He was injured for a good chunk of last season, but scored 3 and assisted 4 in his last 4 games in the U18s.

An 18 year old who is ready to be a regular starter in L1 is fine and improve our squad is fine. 20 year olds who aren't ready (such as Springett) is the type of player we need to stay clear of. I'd snap your hand off if offered 18 year old Callum Marshall on loan - 16 goals and 2 assists in 10 games is a level above anyone we have right now.

Quite a few players at Championship clubs not getting much game time. A few of the better (and younger) options being: LCB - if Cashin leaves Caleb Taylor - 20 years old, West Brom Left wing back - if 3/5 at the back Sam McCallum - 23 years old, Norwich (out of contract in the summer) Nathanael Ogbeta - 22 years old, Swansea (out of contract in the summer) Wingers - assuming 4231 Wanya Marçal - 21 years old, Leicester Borja Sainz - 22 years old, Norwich Malik Wilks - 24 years old, Sheff Weds Forward Reyes Cleary - 19 years old, West Brom (out of contract in the summer)

If they don't want to join us, or we don't want them anyway, it's hardly going to change when we aren't subject to Clowes' business plan which was approved by the EFL.

Oops! I knew I should have checked his nationality first 😣

1 year after buying him from Man City for £20m. 2 first team games for Man City, 34 games in all competitions for Southampton

Could be gone for anything from 2 weeks to a month. First game is Jan 15th and last group game is Jan 23rd. They have Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon in their group - top 2 go through automatically, plus best 4 out of the 6 3rd place teams. The Final is Feb 11th.

Our "ability to pay more" is set by Clowes, not the EFL. The decision to not use any of our budget on transfer fees in the summer and put it all towards wages was Warne's decision. How big do you think our budget needs to be to earn promotion? Clowes thinks it's enough already. Historic figures from other clubs suggest we'll have a top 3 budget for the current season, even though the decision was made not to spend any of it on transfer fees. Last season, Plymouth won promotion with 101 points with a £10m budget - £9.1m on wages (inclusive of promotion bonuses) and £900k on fees. Our wage budget will be higher (even excluding promotion bonuses), and we also spent 150% more on agent fees than they did.