Andrew3000

A lot of baubles got cronched by the dog. Didn't do it last year, always surprising me. Merry Christmas!

The Fleetwood striker? Interesting, only joined them in Jan. If as you say he'd not be champ standard, then it would seem unlikely that we'd go for him. There is a tension between adding what we need now to improve our push for promotion vs. What improves us over the longer term. This type of player gives us a different option and wouldn't be expensive, but would cost a fee and given that we haven't paid one yet, would surprise me.

Yep totally agree. Just another thought about the striker, I think we need the pace option and a proper target man, because in my view Collins and Waghorn are not quite that either. So arial dominance ( actual tbreat from crosses and corners and reliable hold up play) and pace in behind are both things we lack. Adding either will improve us, but both would be ideal. JJ may be the pace option, but like many say we would be foolish to rely on him.

This, plus Elder or another LB option. Plus need to start scoring from set pieces. Oh and to keep Bird, Nyambe and Cashin. Unlikely for all of that to happen, but that's what is needed for us to mount a serious automatic promotion campaign.

1Wildsmith 6 24Nyambe 6.5 Battled hard. 7Barkhuizen 6 35Nelson 7.5 Another solid display. 6Cashin 8.5 His defensive instincts are incredible. Yet again, handles a bigger, more experienced opponent with tenacity, class and brilliant anticipation. Drove forward to good effect too. Amazing how we've grown used to this consistent level of performance from one so young. 3Forsyth 6.5 Good to have him back. 4Hourihane 6 Some decent stuff, loses half a mark for some dodgy dead balls. 17Sibley 6 2Wilson 7 Ball sticks to him and he is so positive driving forward and dribbling. Several good crosses. Needs to work on shooting. 22Fornah 6.5 All action box to box stuff. Had a good shot. Couple of sloppy passes nearly put us in bother. 8Bird 6.5 Not as influential as he can be. 11Méndez-Laing 7.5 Huge effort, real menace, nearly had a goal and that is a special touch and pass to set up the goal. 5Bradley 6 9Collins 6.5 Decent touch and sharpness. Worked hard but his lack of pace is such a limitation. 19John-Jules 7.5. Brings the Disney moment. Classy first time finish. Most fans are hoping that he stays fit and gives us the new dimension to our attack that we need so badly to become a promotion worthy team. This moment may bond him to us. Pure joy to see him score. Such gratitude and warmth in his post match. Please let his career take off with us. 📺

1Wildsmith 7 Good save. Takes a mean deep free kick. 24Nyambe 6 Not one of his better days. 35Nelson 7.5 Solid and brought ball forward well too. 6Cashin 7.5 Decisive, won his battle with Martin mostly. Very good use of the ball. Weak offensive headers. 17Sibley 6.5 Not too bad considering out of position. But no composure at crucial attacking moments like the chance he had. 4Hourihane 6.5 some lovely passing and the odd decent dead ball but some crap ones too. 7Barkhuizen 6 not much to comment on, needs a confidence boost. Didn't do much wrong. 2Wilson 6.5 Some bright moments. 12Smith 5 Not his day, let players break through, minimal impact, time for Fornah to take over. 22Fornah 7.5 Keeps and uses ball well and finally got to see him drive forward with him creating the move for the winner, pressing up high, lovely trick and acceleration, good pass to pick out NML. 8Bird 7.5 Good game. Has become much more of a positive presence, really pressing and using the ball quickly and creatively, rather than the safe and ponderous stuff of last season. Pleasing physicality added to the silky skills. Can't decide if he messed up his chance to score 2nd half. It was great defending, but could he have shot a fraction sooner? 5Bradley 6 He is just not the dominant force we expected. Did nothing wrong but seems passive and quiet. 11Méndez-Laing 8 Constant menace throughout the game. Used his pace and power to great effect, especially with the first goal. Last year we'd only get 60 minutes of this. 9Collins 6 Some good pressing, not much else. 10Waghorn 6.5 seemed to be more involved and effective at holding up than Collins during his cameo. ATG.

Blatant attempt at sportswashing. Water way to conduct business. Lot of flannel spoken by the club.

I get the pride and excitement of representing your country but with Fornah, I cannot help but feel that this could inhibit his chances here. Surely at this stage if his career, his first permanent move and having lost his place, he needs to be available to impress in games like these. I'm concerned because I think he's really good and want him to succeed with us. Just think he may have his priorities wrong.

1Wildsmith 7.5 Great save, great kicking including 2 influential free kicks that led to goals. 24Nyambe 7.5 solid, aggressive. 5Bradley 6 35Nelson 8 Masterful defensive display and a stunning ball to NML which made the highlights reel. 6Cashin 8.5 Imperious. Won so much in the air, reading of the game means he can intercepts so often before his lack of pace becomes an issue. 3Forsyth 9 Solid, good use of ball and a great finish nearly 2!) 4Hourihane 6.5 Some good passing and defensive work. 7Barkhuizen 7 Bright, good movement and superb cross led to penalty but sometimes chose wrong options and moves broke down as a result. 2 great chances to score, good to see Warne putting arm around him when subbed. Needs encouragement and a confidence boost. 17Sibley 6 Good shot. 12Smith 7 Some good closing down, battling and lovely through balls. 8Bird 🦅 7.5 The kind of aggressive display I never knew he had in him until this season. 11Méndez-Laing 8 constantly roasted the full back, shame he got injured. We await the news with baited breath. 2Wilson 7.5 Energetic, mind- bending dribbles and a peach of a cross for Cashin. So deserved an assist there. 9Collins 9 Good grief. Won so much in the air, held up really well. Kept winning free kicks. 2 goals. So pleased because when he got booked I feared tbe worst but he exacted footballing retribution. Come to take of it, this last comment equally applies to Forsyth!