Chester40

Puts Fury to shame.

Slightly unsatisfying for me. Despite the positive noises from everyone there. Zhang lumbered round and dropped him twice despite barely throwing a punch and never really letting his hands go. Parker didn't really commit but won as he was busier.

Zhang landed 16 punches in 5 rounds so far. Wow.

Just in time to see the most pathetic round of boxing ever then 🤣

Madame Tussuads would have a real issue with Micheal Buffer. He would look suspiciously too waxy if they put the real one on show never mind recreating his image.

100% agree. Ball was all over him like a rash. Knocked him down and took everything he threw at him. Gutted for him. Joke.

Having read the amazing biography of his life... I'd hope he has a fair few more miles on the clock than you though!

I agree that it's a good night ahead. Things are finally moving in this ageing era of mega-beasts! Either way - Joshua gets closer to the chance to fight for something big ..or he gets taught a lesson and he's off the table as a creditable champion. With only a fight with Fury left for him as worth watching (Wilder seems done now). Parker seems a decent bloke, but he seems to be just under the league of the top heavyweights so I kinda hope Zhang bullies him into submission and that then allows him to take on Fury eventually and all questions are answered.

He accepted results weren't great, that what he was trying wasn't working as quickly/well as he hoped...and he had various reasons (excuses) why that was the case and felt it wasn't within his scope to change those things (ie finances, ownership, fanbase etc). Having read a number of manager's autobiographies that's their version of 'failing'. It's never their fault.

Warne et al...? Plus Medical staff, groundsmen, stewards, catering, ticket office, general office/admin, stadium upkeep, advertising, sales team, revenue generation, academy staff, cleaners, maintenance, security ... guess it could be quite a lot of people still. Wonder what it was like before...

Surely it's time to get CBT and Waghorn some minutes.

Scruffy AF start to the 2nd half...

Back 3 is a real back 3... Dominated and should have been out of sight. Vale got a foothold and we couldn't get out without be too troubled. Barks and Bird especially looking loose in possession. Long ball over the top and Barks does well and lays off for a good cross from Adams that is steered home by Gayle. Not actually played a lot of football but they look very susceptible to the long ball and are doubling up out wide so when the ball drops in the middle we are picking it up in space. Wildsmith done nothing. Ward MoTM so far. Back 3 untroubled largely.

Playing a back 3 in a way that's attacking. End of...

Needs to put him on the naughty step.

Wide spread back 3. Dropped long ball over the back, Ward pulls it back and Sibley sidefoots a shot that has a triple deflection and in.

Definitely looks like a back 3..

I personally think a back 3 is a good option...but we have played it poorly at times. We have seemed to spread really wide and then pass it out from the keeper and play it ponderously across the back 3 to the other side and inevitably knock it down the line. Its congested, are receiving the ball with our backs to the goal at chest height. Cue scrappy game, lots of free kicks for backing in, ton of throw ins ...and we lose control of the game.

Can't see it personally.... Back 3 spread wide with Adams covering if back 3 are dragged too wide. Ward and Sibley pushing up and crossing - even over lapping if we get on top. Could potentially be very attacking if we do it properly. Also could be very negative if not.

Wildsmith Wilson Nelson Cashin Sibley Adams Smith Thompson NML CBT Gayle Ratters and energy in midfield, lots of attacking options down the wing.

That's it, get us on back on track talking about Warne's poor tactics.... as opposed to his poor team talks.😜 If we lose today the **** will hit the fan that's for sure... be nice to just talk about football rather than regurgitating the same arguments over and over.

The only thing I could hear in my head after Wildsmith's 'tackle' was Cloughie saying 'oh bloody hell, you need shooting'. Just criminal. As stupid and brainless as anything you will ever see. Always said it, Warne-ball is only acceptable when you win. First half was better and we were winning. 2nd half was bloody terrible. All the chickens came home to roost. NML looked shattered, Bird was ineffective. Two shocking defensive errors and we are left just launching it aimlessly. Needs a big turn round.

Wildsmith ...shocking... so so poor. Not the first time either.

Defensively we have looked really solid. Wilson been decent in patches. Adams and Smith have looked a good pairing. NML another sluggish performance. Bird not quite picking the right pass. Gayle looks on the edge of something.

Ffs, always something. Niambe pulled something. Barks on- reshuffle to drop Wilson or Smith to full back I'm guessing.