Andrew3000

Very interesting. One from each category (youngster and champ exp) would be amazing push for promotion! Obviously not realistic given that we expect are least one other of Washington or Waghorn to be available next month. I like the sound of the range of options and reckon youngsters will be lower down the pick list.

Sounds like a busy day. Care to share the names you heard?

Cool. I like that not only are we not signing Gregory, we are openly rebelling against the notion.

The person with a link to Fornah told us it was him.

Me too. The triumph of hope over expectation and reality!

If this is true, hopefully a sign that Warne can no longer tolerate the imbalance. Start him with Bird. Hourihane to be a super sub in very advanced role, looking to provide those quality finishes when the game opens up.

31Vickers 6 2Wilson 6 Gave the ball away a few times but kept going. Lovely ball down the line to NML from which he crosses for the winner. 35Nelson 6.5 6Cashin 6.5 17Sibley 6.5 Determined display and some encouraging driving runs. 7Barkhuizen 5.5 good early runs, then nowt really. 4Hourihane 5 Time to bench him and only bring on as an attacking sub. Cannot get near opponents nor drive past them. I have never liked him and Bird together and never will. 22Fornah 6 hope he doesn't leave, more to come from him. 8Bird 🦅 7 Extra point for the fab free kick. Otherwise struggled in that two. 5Bradley 6 Looks more confident and we looked more dangerous from set pieces with him up there. 27Blackett-Taylor 5 Looked a little lost, no understanding with team mates yet. Didn't get given the ball much. Too soon to judge, but underwhelming first impression. 16Thompson 6 Much needed dynamism but didn't get on the ball much. 11Méndez-Laing 7 Tireless shift where not a lot clicked but he covered so much ground and kept demanding more from his team mates. Looking more of a leader these days. What a lovely cross for the goal. 9Collins 7 superb finish. He's got bags of character. ATG

Really sad, thought he would come good. He has tidy feet and a good passing range. He drove forward so well for the goal he set up, was it vs. Bristol R ?

Connections at Watford or Grimsby? I'm confused! Interesting random link. Young, tall, decent level of experience. Can play rb.

You could argue that with TJJ injured, we need 2 strikers now. I too am annoyed that we seem to have wasted time on Smith and perhaps missed out on Ladapo, but you can understand why he was worth trying for. Let's hope there's a game ready loan option who either adds more height, pace or creative x factor. Stressful but intriguing situation.

Come Back Tomorrow.... Can't Because Traitors (is on)

31Vickers 6 2Wilson 7.5 Relentless driving forward even from the deeper position he was asked to play kept the ball so well, great skill and some lovely balls in. 35Nelson 7.5 supreme in the air, used tbe ball well too. Took off half a mark for being uncharacteristically too passive for first goal. Thought he could have put more pressure on Seddon. 6Cashin 8 Solid and takes so much responsibility with the ball to start moves. One right footed chip over their player (when played into a difficult position at the back ) was just a delight, took all pressure off instantly. 20Elder 5.5 Still not sure what he is. More legs than Fozzy is helpful but reticence in defending and attack. Did drive forward well occasionally, put in a decent ball but more often check back inside rather than driving on outside or playing tbe fozzy ball. won a couple of headers but some wayward passing. Match sharpness and confidence lacking, hopefully there's a much better player in there. 17Sibley 6 11Méndez-Laing 7.5 it's great to see 90 mins plus of running from him now. Constant threat to them, great assist, some great balls in. But yeah, lost the ball for the goal. 8Bird 6.5 Decent shift. Good awareness to cover defensively at times. Balance in midfield wrong of course but not his fault. 4Hourihane 7 very mixed night. Worked hard, some good dead balls, some sloppy passing and just gets run past easily. Such a wonderful finish though. Once again, can we get him in these positions more instead of further back? 7Barkhuizen 7.5 Not as persistent a threat as NML but great finish, loved to see him pointing to where he wanted that ball and a nice headed assist. 5Bradley 6 19John-Jules 6.5 Battled well, some key touched but as others said, we need to vary our attacking play to see him thrive. Trying to get on the end of endless crosses did not seem to suit him. 16Thompson 6 one of the few who can press really well. 9Collins 7 mixed night but huge effort, well taken goal and some decent link up. ATG

Fair enough. Odd player for them to pick on though. Don't get the hate towards him otherwise, not your usual pantomime villain. Curious.

Anyone know what the chants of "pedo" and "she said no" from Burton fans were? Seemed to be aimed at Cashin. My brother pointed out that they did this last year too. Obviously nothing in the official public domain, just some local rumour? Sorry to introduce such an unpleasant topic but it is really bugging us.

Let's hope NML finds his dancing feet. To the rescue here he comes!

AI, AI, AI O, up the football league we go.

In the summer, maybe. Had a bit of everything. Not a priority right now. Shame its not worked out so far for him.

1Wildsmith 6 some decent claiming of crosses but possibly could been better for the last 2 goals. 24Nyambe 6.5 Great effort but seemed a little panicky. Can see why because they had pace and power in abundance. 35Nelson 6.5 Decent enough but the goals are a defensive mess. 6Cashin 6.5 As above. Done for pace in first half. 3Forsyth 6 Struggled against pace and attacking link ups not quite so good. 20Elder 6.5 Opposite side to me but seemed to be sound defensively and ok on the ball. Seemed to come inside rather than go outside on his left. 4Hourihane 5 Slow, sloppy and lightweight. Gave the ball away a few times that put us under unnecessary pressure. 16Thompson 6.5 He's dynamic, quick and tidy feet, kept tbe ball and used it well. Huge effort and I'm looking forward to seeing him gain fitness and replacing one of tbe less mobile midfielders. 2Wilson 7.5 superb first half ball winning, driving forward gazza-like. Was so looking forward to seeing him in front of me in 2nd half, but he was knackered by then. 24Ward 6 One decent ball in. 11Méndez-Laing 6 some great defensive ball winning but never seemed to have the ball under control going forwards, nothing came off and he didn't seem on same wavelength as others. 19John-Jules 6 Nicely worked shot but didn't get much of tbe ball. 8Bird 6 Midfield was wide open, they just waltzed right on through too easily, especially second half. Not all his fault, pairing him with Hourihane was a crime in this game. Decent effort given, but nothing that effective. 9Collins 7.5 Great effort. Great header for the goal. Some good hold up play. 7Barkhuizen 6 Good cross for the goal but not a lot else. 17Sibley 6 one great tackle but didn't get hold of the ball generally. ATG. Best side we've seen at home. I knew they'd have attacking menace but their midfield surprised me and totally dominated ours. We did OK and Warne was decisive about addressing issues as best we could. Needed to be at our best to win and weren't.

Agreed. It's a dirge and lyrically, a cringefest. We need to change it up. Someone posted up a version if the derby ram folk song and actually it sounded like it could work, particularly the chorus.

Lovely touch by the club to announce it today. Really positive news, he's so important.

Yep, we need to see his general play. Also makes sense to start him and be more clinical early on. If we take the lead at home teams have to take more risks which suits us.

1Wildsmith 6 kicking was a bit off today. 23Ward 5.5 some dangerous crosses but stupidly gave away that penalty. 35Nelson 7.5 So often decisively snuffing out danger and seems to head the ball a great distance. 6Cashin 7 Slightly off it compared to his recent standard. Unlucky with an attacking header. 3Forsyth 6 wasteful with the ball at times and not his best defensively 5Bradley 6 4Hourihane 5.5 ball use has to be exceptional to justify his lack of athleticism. It was average at best. 7Barkhuizen 6.5 so pleased he got the goal. Had a bit of spark about him. 2Wilson 6.5 Needs coaching on shooting. Decent runs, end product mixed bag. 19John-Jules 6.5 Touch of calm on the ball set NML off to set up goal. 8Bird 6.5 great effort in a horrible game. 17Sibley 6 Did well with effort on goal, then anonymous until hooked. 22Fornah 6 One sloppy pass nearly cost us. Needs to start though, brings balance. 11Méndez-Laing 6.5 Nowt really came off until his shot for the goal. 9Collins 5.5 stupid booking, completely drawn into their gameplan. Nobreal impact despite usual effort. extra half mark for calming down in 2nd half. ATG

Happy birthday!