Comrade 86

Were we not told that the 'business' is still losing money? Are we certain that against this background, the enforced business plan makes us as competitive as we might be? Also, what confirmed targets have been lost to date this window due to short-funding?

It's not a perfect system of course and some players get hammered, that's for sure. In this case though, Rooney had very few appearances but was rated on what we saw and what we saw was excellent. Have you forgotten how good the lad looked? Nyambe should definitely be higher, so should Collins IMO, so the figures require a little 'interpretation' though, I do concede. Let's see how they look end of year.

Thank you for your service! I was actually going to be at the game, but I feel like I dodged a bullet, even more so after reading your post 😂 As for the kids, not sure you're being grumpy. I've never understood people who harangue their own team, though tonight's performance would have had me inwardly seething, I'm sure. As for pondering your mortality, I'm sure that's tongue in cheek, but in any case, keep the faith mate, you'll be bouncing like a good 'un when we win this league and for many years yet. COYR

No violence on my part mate, just a polite attempt to qualify the comment, though it does rather appear I was wrong! 🙊

Yep I agree. Crappy luck to have lost both Wash and Waggy, both of whom would be very capable at this level. Warne clearly sought to mitigate that risk, but like a good few before him in recent times, best laid plans have been undone by injuries. I've not heard when that they're even back in training either! I think TJJ is a player, but he's played so little football in recent years. He's the one for the future, but I think he'll need 15 to 20 starts so I hope folk are patient with him.

Getting lost in the syntax here. I don't think G Star was implying the players were the cheapest available, so perhaps not the best choice of words, but he's correct in saying we effectively had a choice of paying fees for players who command manageable salaries, or trying to source better unattached players and meeting their salary demands through not having fees to pay. What we couldn't do is both, ie. pay fees for better players AND afford their salaries. Made that clear as muck, haven't I! 😂

Think @Returning ram means on the occasions he's not banging them in. Ie. that we are a bit lacking if Collo is not on his game. It's a fair comment IMO as I love Collo, but we do need someone else in as if he got injured, I think we'd struggle.

We were really poor tonight. Warne put out a strong enough team, they were just half-arsed in everything they did. I say this very rarely but the lads have let the fans down tonight, some of whom have given up time and not insignificant cash to support them home and away in cup games where we've at times scarcely looked fussed. Poor performances I expect from a third tier team, but a lack of heart and effort is harder to swallow. I'll watch the game again as perhaps I'm being too harsh, but right now I feel like this is on the players who have also let down Warne.

Easier mistake to make than not. I read it the same way as @On the Ram Page

Some might think this is why the likes of Bird and Hourihane start most games.

I'll DM you some simple troubleshooting steps mate. 2 mins.

I love Bradders. Paterson not so much.

Bless him, we're never going to let him forget that, are we? 😂

Feel better soon mate. I like it up there. I've friends in Bradford and a load of us trip up to Hebden Bridge every year or two, which is a beautiful little town with lots of great bars and places to eat. Talking of which, I've also had some amazing curries in Bradford. Serving me good curry is pretty much the easiest way to get into my good books, so Bradford's alreet with me.

If you don't like Vine, whoever he is, fair enough, but could you perhaps engage with someone who actually gives a f***. Unambiguous enough for you?

If you're still struggling you'll find a small clue in the title thread mate.

Wish folk would stop quoting this absolute toilet of a human being, thereby giving him the attention he so obviously craves. Just ignore the ***t.

@i-Ram & @Mucker1884 there's a couple of links posted in the Rugby thread if you fancy reliving the Lions tours of '71 and '74.

A smidge before my time but I've watched both videos any number of times over the years, so for those who do remember JPR, here's a couple of links. The second conveys the sense of man and player rather well I think and while I agree that there were some great players back then, it's a very different game now. Check out our set pieces - blimey! 😂

it's an instant disqualification for me and just another indicator that Ngannou was well top. Desperation as I said. The big lad didn't even flinch though, which is probably why Fury got away with it.

Hard to know where a player's ceiling lies until they are tested though, no? This forum is quite bad for writing off players before they've kicked a ball and if you look through previous years, we're not great a spotting who will prosper and who will not and that's putting it mildly. Writing him off based on the fact that he's 25 seems a tad premature to me as we know players mature at differing rates and irrespective, his best years will very likely be ahead of him. As with any unknown entity and let's be honest, this guy is not known to us, there's no need to be discounting the lad just yet, (or bigging him up for that matter), but with Pompey, Bolton and Derby on the case, the evidence suggests he's doing something right. Likewise, when one considers that there's a strong possibility that the clubs looking at him will not be in L1 next year, does that not imply that said clubs believe he can not only prosper at at this level, but higher too? To be honest, I'm just pleased that we are spreading the net a little wider than has been the case for some time now.

Sometimes I f****** hate sections of our fanbase.

What is it that makes you think his fitness and pace will evaporate in such a short space of time and is there any evidence to date to support your assumption? With some players I'd likely agree with your opinion, but not so much with Nate. The lad's a specimen and he clearly looks after himself. If we were offering a 33 year old NML multiple year contracts, perhaps I'd be worried, but I've no concerns on him last another 24 months or so in the game. He's happy at the club, in the best form of his playing career, fit as a flea and clearly not wanting to leave; two years will do us (and him) just fine, I reckon.

Based on what?