ck-

I agree. I’ve been so frustrated with the way he ducks under the ball for headers, but yesterday he was immense. I don’t think he lost one, and he really powered through them.

That’s true. And I accept that wherever you draw the line, there will be millimetre decisions. My point was that this isn’t what the offside rule was for. It was to prevent persistent goal hanging with a defending team just hoofing the ball up to a player who was dawdling near the goal. This seems to be against the spirit of that.

Coventry goal against Manchester United. Attacker’s left little toe nail was 1/2cm closer to the goal. Surely that isn’t what the offside rule is for?

And they go up on goals scored

For all we were “under the cosh” Cambridge didn’t really have any chances. I hate the retreat into defend a lead mode, but we are very good at it.

Something weird with Wildsmith today.

Why is Collins playing defensive midfield?????

I believe that’s not allowed - pitch has to stay same size all season.

I always preferred hedgehogs, but am prepared to revisit that in another hour’s time, depending on results. Come on you Shrews

I groaned when I saw he was starting. But all the frustrations I’ve had with him were absent today. He was an absolute rock. He actually jumped to win headers rather than that weird thing he does where he’ ducks under the ball. He passed the ball to or in front of our players. He seemed to do less of the wrestling in the penalty area at corners and looked so much more effective as a result. He looked a leader out there today, and I’m ashamed I doubted him.

Interesting. First few minutes he got caught in possession, couldn’t seem to get past his man, and couldn’t shield the ball. I found myself sadly reflecting on how our once most promising junior player has seemed increasingly lost as the season has gone by. I was ready to give up on him. And then “something” happened. I’m not totally sure what the “something” was, but something seemed to click. I think it was when he received the ball deep after about 20 minutes and instead of trying to muscle his way past, he shimmied, cut inside and was suddenly in acres of space. From then on I thought he looked dangerous every time he had the ball, and was definitely in the top three players on the pitch. Let’s hope he can build on this.

I’m looking forward to all the tactical geniuses who called this a sackable formation and no chance of any goals, coming on here and admitting that they got it wrong.

I’m 59 with an artificial knee and I think I could do a job 😂

I didn’t know whether to clap, laugh, or heart this.

Interesting one for Bolton today. Looking at the form for the last 6 away league games, they’re right at the bottom! https://thefishy.co.uk/formtable.php?table=3&tab=tab-away But they’re playing against Bristol Rovers, who over the last 6 home games have only the 17th best record. https://thefishy.co.uk/formtable.php?table=3&tab=tab-home The form table would suggest a dull nil nil draw. 6:0 to Bolton it is then!

Can I suggest you try something like basketball instead. Might be a bit easier for you to follow, where the tactics aren’t too taxing - just run from one end to the other, shoot, turn round and defend the other team’s attack.

I remember a few seasons back, a continued insistence that Vydra had clearly hit a shot completely the wrong way - should have gone for the near post instead of across the keeper, or some such blather - with an absolute insistence that it showed he simply was not, and never would be, good enough. Vydra then went on to destroy everything in his path, scoring for fun as one of the most efficient scoring machines Derby has ever had. Since then I’ve read the proclamations of footballing insight and knowledge that are beyond us mere mortals with the respect they deserve. The ramblings of someone who likes the sound of their own voice a little too much.

That’s still a long way from being “a stinker” in my opinion. The context is that they have won their last 5 home games with an average score of 3-1.

So the manager has a stinker because the opposition didn’t look like doing anything? I wonder if that might be anything to do with how he set the team up. Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t a good setup.

Been watching this second half for over 20 minutes already yet there’s only 4 minutes gone. What’s that all about?

No worse than Nelson hitting the ball as hard as he could from 6 yards and it barely making it over the line. We’ve had as many - if not more - clear cut chances.

Hmm. The worrying thing about that is it will be delivered late, and to our neighbours.

Thanks @B4ev6is You can clearly see his influence here with the rainbow marking where he’d guided the ball into the net.

Is RamsTV frozen?

2.2 points a game for 7 or 8 games gets the teams in 3rd and 4th to the 89/90 point mark. The likelihood of them exceeding that rate is low I think. So we need 12 points from 7 games. Call it 14 to be safe. That’s still 2 points a game, or 4 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. We’re in the driving seat but it’s still all up for grabs.