CornwallRam

To me he's a large part of the reason that our defence has been so good, but our attack has been so poor.
His work rate is superb - that alone occupies opposition players. His tracking back is excellent - he directly adds to the defensive effort. He generally moves the ball towards the opposition goal - which is a huge help defensively as it gives us a few seconds to get organised at the back. 
The problem is that his shooting is terrible and his crossing is only average. In a side so short of attacking quality, his lack of threat is not ideal. I'd still play him every time above Lawrence though. 
My view is that he's an asset whilst we're in a relegation dog-fight, but on current showing, we're unlikely to get promoted with him as a regular starter. Too early to give up on him though. It's possible that he'll improve - indeed he might even be tailoring his game to our situation. Maybe, in a more footballing team, he'd run around less and have more energy and 'head space' to be properly creative.

Counter intuitively, I'd argue that the problem of disjointed squads is made far worse by trying to build for the future.
Bringing in 'not quite ready' young players has a massive failure rate. Most academy graduates fail. The idea of trying to build your way out of this division is a mirage. The best players want to leave as the team is perpetually preparing for next season, rather than competing for honours.
Of course a sensible balance has to be struck, but a focus on the present is far less wasteful. 

One up top against a Chris Hughton side was always a mistake. This game needed 352.

One up top against a Chris Hughton side was always a mistake. This game needed 352.

I'm really busy at present and haven't got time to check myself, but when did Mel buy 22% - was it really after Wembley? When did he complete hi takeover? Also who are North American Ownership? It's been denied that the MSD loan is £30m - probably closer to £15m. I believe that the Gabay charge is registered at Companies House though.
I like the Guardian, but at first glance that article looks to be full of mistakes.

I'm really busy at present and haven't got time to check myself, but when did Mel buy 22% - was it really after Wembley? When did he complete hi takeover? Also who are North American Ownership? It's been denied that the MSD loan is £30m - probably closer to £15m. I believe that the Gabay charge is registered at Companies House though.
I like the Guardian, but at first glance that article looks to be full of mistakes.

...sold Pride Park to Morris for a reported £80m and leased the property back from him for £40m.
It was actually sold for £81m (£40m profit) and leased back at £1.1m per year. I can excuse the £80m rounding, but he's made up the £40m lease as far as I can tell
The article drums up the significance of Gabay and tries to downplay the fact the club have stated the outstanding charge with Gabay's company is actually a land Registry error. 
But with the debts piling up.
The only evidence available to the public suggests it's not cub debt. Either another of Mel's companies owes the club money (for the stadium), or Mel/another company owes MSD money for a loan which was used to pay the money owed for the stadium?
“Literally every day is spent trying to work out how to improve our situation,” he said.
Seems to be taken out of context to me. The article makes it sound like a financial situation, whereas reality is Mel was referring to  getting the takeover completed.

DIY SOS - The Big build.
I've started tearing up before they've even kicked the unfortunate family out these days.
Life affirming feel good TV.

To me he's a large part of the reason that our defence has been so good, but our attack has been so poor.
His work rate is superb - that alone occupies opposition players. His tracking back is excellent - he directly adds to the defensive effort. He generally moves the ball towards the opposition goal - which is a huge help defensively as it gives us a few seconds to get organised at the back. 
The problem is that his shooting is terrible and his crossing is only average. In a side so short of attacking quality, his lack of threat is not ideal. I'd still play him every time above Lawrence though. 
My view is that he's an asset whilst we're in a relegation dog-fight, but on current showing, we're unlikely to get promoted with him as a regular starter. Too early to give up on him though. It's possible that he'll improve - indeed he might even be tailoring his game to our situation. Maybe, in a more footballing team, he'd run around less and have more energy and 'head space' to be properly creative.

To me he's a large part of the reason that our defence has been so good, but our attack has been so poor.
His work rate is superb - that alone occupies opposition players. His tracking back is excellent - he directly adds to the defensive effort. He generally moves the ball towards the opposition goal - which is a huge help defensively as it gives us a few seconds to get organised at the back. 
The problem is that his shooting is terrible and his crossing is only average. In a side so short of attacking quality, his lack of threat is not ideal. I'd still play him every time above Lawrence though. 
My view is that he's an asset whilst we're in a relegation dog-fight, but on current showing, we're unlikely to get promoted with him as a regular starter. Too early to give up on him though. It's possible that he'll improve - indeed he might even be tailoring his game to our situation. Maybe, in a more footballing team, he'd run around less and have more energy and 'head space' to be properly creative.

Actually, looking at the replays, their player was holding Wisdom. If it wasn't a goal, it should have been a penalty. Terrible decision.

Actually, looking at the replays, their player was holding Wisdom. If it wasn't a goal, it should have been a penalty. Terrible decision.

They are a good footballing team who are pressing us really well. It's a fairly unusual combination, but if Rooney doesn't change things they'll get 6.

I think some of this might be due to having a very thin squad until the end of the transfer window. Rooney didn't want to throw kids on with things so tight, so the starting 11 generally played longer than would be ideal. I suspect that now we have a reasonable bench, the stats will start to even up a bit.

I think some of this might be due to having a very thin squad until the end of the transfer window. Rooney didn't want to throw kids on with things so tight, so the starting 11 generally played longer than would be ideal. I suspect that now we have a reasonable bench, the stats will start to even up a bit.

I think some of this might be due to having a very thin squad until the end of the transfer window. Rooney didn't want to throw kids on with things so tight, so the starting 11 generally played longer than would be ideal. I suspect that now we have a reasonable bench, the stats will start to even up a bit.

Jason Knight needs to come off - he looks like he's going to get a red card

Rooney has made our corners really dangerous. That leads me to ask - WTF have our managers and coaches been messing about at for the last decade? 

Jason Knight needs to come off - he looks like he's going to get a red card

Keep the faith - we're going to win this 1-3

Keep the faith - we're going to win this 1-3

Keep the faith - we're going to win this 1-3

Rooney has made our corners really dangerous. That leads me to ask - WTF have our managers and coaches been messing about at for the last decade? 

ftfy

Rooney has made our corners really dangerous. That leads me to ask - WTF have our managers and coaches been messing about at for the last decade?