Millenniumram

The trouble is, it’s a competition that absolutely nobody outside these two divisions gives a s*** about. So the prize money is never going to be worthwhile. A much better idea that I’ve been pushing for years would be to combine the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy into one competition - containing all 72 EFL clubs, and excluding the Premier League teams. That way all EFL clubs get a genuine chance of winning a trophy (and hopefully there would be more interest with bigger Championship teams involved), and the Premier League teams get the reduced fixture schedule that they’ve been harping on about for years. Whilst we’re in the competition though, why on earth would you do anything but try to win it?! It might not be a major honour, but a trophy is a trophy at the end of the day, and this club has been so starved for success in my lifetime that I’d take anything! We should have as good a chance as any team of lifting the trophy at this point. Cup games like this provide a great chance to get minutes into squad players as well. That doesn’t mean throw our U21s out to the slaughter, it means giving players who normally start on the bench the chance to start a game - and should have more than enough to see off Bradford.

Looked an outstanding talent in the game against Port Vale, if I’m remembering the right player, and there was a lot of hype around him. Can’t see us signing a centre mid this window though, Warne loves Hourihane too much. The injury probably puts pay to any potential move for him anyway, very much doubt he’d pass a medical - other than maybe right at the end of the window, so guess it could be one to watch if we lose anyone in midfield.

Agree that doesn’t help either - Bird and Hourihane as a midfield two is too one paced. Bradley still scares me though when the ball goes near him.

Made hard work of that, which seems a recurring pattern. Glad we got over the line though. A very good spell towards the end of the first half sealed it for us really - we looked pretty incisive and strong going forward, but that three at the back remains extremely shaky.

Thank god for that. Wonderful play by Bird

You get punished for sitting back. It’s what we always do and we always f*** it up

We’ve been asking for that. Been dreadful this half

I thought he may have needed a rest to be honest, but he’s proved me wrong today with a seriously lively performance

GET IN COLLINS

Mendez-Laing has bounced back from a poor game against Peterborough to have a superb game today. He’s everywhere

Forsyth is getting roasted by Rooney down this near side. May need to get Elder on at half time

GET IN MENDEZ Justice as that should have been a penalty

They’d also been the best defence in the league up until those game. But we all know Warne is desperate for a back 3

Very strong call to drop Wildsmith. That back three absolutely TERRIFIES me - it’s the same one that was absolutely calamitous at the start of the season. Glad to see John-Jules start (hopefully this means we’re more convinced by his fitness now), but I have a very bad feeling about this game.

Seems like a potentially very talented lad, but still quite raw I imagine at his age for a CDM - only really got a proper taste of first team football recently. I’m not convinced he’s what we need - unless of course we lose Bird.

Bird is still a good player at this level - really don’t get the hate from an (admittedly small) group of supporters for him. He very rarely makes mistakes, which is something that can’t be said for many of our players. I think you’d be lucky to get £3m for Bird in League One with 6 months left on his contract. You wouldn’t get a better player (in the same age bracket) for that money in my view.

Unfortunate post about an hour before we choke a key match in the promotion battle, to a team who simply have more pace and youth than us. 3rd time this season we’ve conceded an injury time goal at home to lose points I think? You don’t get promoted doing that. Got to manage games better.

Oh I know, I’m just giving my view. Warne won’t be sacked irrespective of what happens - as I’ve said before, his job is one of the safest in world football.

Promotion isn’t just a perfect result, it should be the minimum expectation this season in this league. If I don’t meet my minimum expectations, then yes I would be fired.

He said about him not being capable of starting a match, but I don’t recall him mentioning his fitness as having been mismanaged by his previous clubs, unless I’ve missed something?

Promotion I hope. Paul Warne’s P45 if not. Happy New Year all!

In principle yes, but what if that’s instead of another striker signing?

Think that was the plan when we originally signed him (hence only a 6 month loan) - but that won’t happen now. My post was based off some information I was told by someone ITK - that the reason he isn’t starting is because our medical team doesn’t believe he is capable, and aren’t sure when he will be again. Sounds like we think his injury has been mismanaged at previous clubs which is why he’s had his issues here. It’s not impossible we will give him more of a chance to prove his fitness and extend his loan until the end of the season, if the medical team have enough confidence in him, but I think it’s unlikely. Only a gut feeling though.

Yeah it’s a real shame for a player with his level of technical ability. Another player whose potential has been ruined by injury - we’ve seen a fair few of them.

I don’t know - he’s not pacy like Tomori, but he still makes some incredible recovery tackles. Players like Thiago Silva aren’t exactly rapid but still look top class in the Premier League - I don’t think Cashin would struggle to adapt.