Kathcairns

Good job from the gaffer today. Tactics good, formation worked, subs were fairly seamless. It actually could have been 5-0 without flattering us. I am still perplexed by our tendency to disappear into our shell as we did the last 15 minutes of the 1st half. It was like we'd collectively lost our minds for a while there, with even the senior players looking rattled, but that aside, no real grumbles at all. 
I thought the back 5 worked well too, with Ward and Sibs the standouts. I think I'd still favour a 4 if Ryan and Fozzy were fit, but 3 goals scored and none conceded, to some extent, tells its own story, even against a poor side like Vale and I'm chuffed we've at least stopped the rot. We will need to back that performance up though as it's likely Brizzle will prove a significantly sterner test with our arch-nemesis, the Wardrobe lying in wait 👀

Sibley will only look better when he is surrounded by higher calibre players in tactical systems that suit him, he has shown he can do it at higher levels. Remember when we played Man Utd in the cup and he terrorised McTominay, always been a fan and dissapointed with how he is utilised under the current tactical style.

Sibley is, and always has been, one of the only players we have who can score from out of nothing. Doesnt seem to matter where he plays, he’s liable to get a goal somehow. That’s a serious asset. He was very good yesterday, including defensively. Made some good tackles. 
Please start next week and don’t get subbed after 45mins. 

I take your point Caerphilly but you still won’t convince me that Ward should get MOM over Sibs. Ward had a great game tho and if we persist with 3 at the back (which I’m sure he will do) then for me that’s your 2 wing backs every week, so much more attacking intent and Sibley probably still the best finisher at the club

I’ve been an admirer of Sibley for a long time. It’s driven me mad that he didn’t really seem to be getting a regular run of games. 

He’s really taking his chances now and has shown his versatility. Long may it continue.
🐏

I get the joke of course but there is a serious side. Every time Sibley plays, the chap sitting next to me makes some comment about how long it will be before he is booked. I have to keep reminding him that Sibley has matured a lot since his bad old days and is no more likely to get booked than any other player.

He does divide opinion somewhat 😂
It's an interesting one as back in his academy days, when it was much easier to catch games live, I watched every game I could and that was a good generation amongst whom, he looked the comfortable standout. He literally scored for fun. He's never looked quick, but he was utterly unerring in front of goal. and we all predicted huge things. Fair to say that things haven't since gone according to plan and he's now struggled to convince a good few coaches that he's worth a regular starting berth, but what I really like about his recent endeavours is that he's now putting in really good shifts wherever he's asked to play. I think he has to start the next game and if he can now add consistency to his goal contributions, he can silence his doubters once and for all. FWIW, I still believe in him and I'd re-sign him in a heartbeat. 

In front of goal he’s got poise and killer instinct   

The Ward v Nyambe debate is a bit superfluous while Nyambe is injured, but for me it's about Warne making the right choices.
In games where we need to be on the offensive then Ward is perfect. Backs against the wall, I'd want Nyambe there every time. 

No chance!  I was that skippety, I went straight down the middle of the road (Chequers Road, not the A52!).
It all got a bit parpy, but feckem!    🤣

Agreed on Referee. Compare and contrast with Jeremy Simpson! Yesterday was composed, not fussy, and got nearly everything right (despit couple of iffy Lino’s) Well done ref.

Well just so long as you didn’t skip home along the cycle path outside Costco. That would have been very annoying to the hundreds of bell ringers that use it. 

Thought ward looked fitter than most yesterday, looked quick, sprinted often and made some great tackles. Really impressed 

A solid, comfortable performance. 
On a side note, impressed yet again with Sunny Singh Gill, let the game flow and not made it about him. He's welcome to ref at Pride Park any time. 

Other than the last 15 - 20 mins of the 1st half that was a really good game and performance.  I thought he’d stick with Wilson at RWB but pleased he went for Ward.  I was surprised to see Hourihane on the bench again and I do wonder if that might be how he sets up now at home when the onus is on us to attack more.
If Barkhuizen’s early chance goes in to make it 2-0 I think we’d have gone to get 5 or 6.  The wingbacks were superb going forward and not really troubled defensively.  I think Bradley enjoys being captain.  It looks like he thrives under the responsibility and he looks more composed on the ball than earlier in the season.
First game of an important month out the way.

Few random points, some of which I'm repeating what others have said 
Shape: hoping this puts to bed the idea that this formation always looks like 5 at the back. I'm sure if we play this formation against someone like Bolton it'll fall into a 5 but, when done well, this is how it can look against lesser teams 
Ward: brilliant. Which is great partly because I remember how good he was in pre season and partly it sends a message to every player who has to drop down to the U23s to find a bit of form 
Gayle: always nice to get you first goal 
CBT: could do with said 1st goal, if he scored next game I imagine he'll fly from there 
Sibley: I love an in form sibley
Adams: see above
Bench: even with a few injuries still, that's a strong and versatile looking bench 
 
Port Vale: good fixture to have after 2 defeats 

Having spent the first half getting a good view of all of Ward's input in that NE corner, I'd already earmarked him as MOTM... A first for me, due to a lousy attention span and lack of footy knowledge!  I just don't normally even consider a MOTM!
My smugness knew no bounds, as it was announced on the PA later.  "Wow!  I actually do know stuff", I thought to myself.  I literally skipped home!  😁
Then I come on here.  No other player gets a mention on that topic.  It's as if it was a no-brainer.  A one horse race.  Clear for all to see.  Even for the dumbest of fans. 🙄
Needless to say, my smugness has diminished somewhat, and I'm back to conceding I know f all... but it felt great for that hour or so!
Still, at least my blind faith 3-0 prediction held good.  I'm on a roll!  💪
Next week, I may even get involved in pre-match line-ups and tactics!  😲
 👀🤣
 

There was nothing wrong with their keeper. This is a loophole in the rules that needs fixing. As its the only position that doesnt require the player to stay off the field for 30 seconds he went down so Darren Moore could make tactical changes. Their outfield players all sprinted off to the half way line immediately when the the ref stopped play and surprise surprise they are much better for the next 10 minutes.
 

It was actually a complete performance today - the back three have been coming along nicely as Bradley is getting more and more comfortable. The wing backs made a big difference today. Ward & Sibley were the best two players for us today. 
I don't know how much was down to Vale just being completely out of sorts and low on confidence. I guess we will find out over the next couple of months, but would love to see more of this performance on a weekly basis. 

Enjoyed this afternoon after Tues. Sibbers and Ward were excellent. Very pleased for Sibbers as always. Brilliant from Ward to keep the ball alive and deliver for the third. I like Gayle so far - always looked like he would score that - makes me laugh alternating between bursts of speed and hobbling creaking at the seams.  I'm sorry though but I dont think I'll ever warm to Barks. May just be his body language but just never seems bothered and, other than that little touch to Adams, thought was poor but perhaps just me. 
Port Vale didnt employ the usual League 1 dark arts as badly as some. And for once well reffed on the whole. 

Good win today. Well deserved. First time I’ve liked the way we set up with wing backs. Sibs and Ward were excellent. First 20 really good, then we had a period when nothing happened probably when their keeper had issues and the game was stopped. They had a 10 min spell brought about by us carelessly losing the ball, then an excellent goal, cash put ward in a difficult position with his pass, under pressure his first touch was outstanding, plays an excellent ball out wide (about the only ball he could play under pressure) Barks does really well, great cross from Ebou and the perfect header from Gayle.
From that point we started to play with a flourish, got an excellent third, could’ve scored more then the game fizzled out as we made our changes. They were poor but you have to play what’s in front of you, we were ruthless at the right times got that second which by then we’d earned the right to play and managed to play some good stuff at times. We haven’t got that second goal often recently and as result every game has become a scrap. 
 
There is reason to be encouraged today, Gayle is a major threat, we might have found the formula with our wing backs and there was reasonable balance with Ebou and Bird in the middle. This coupled with the fact we’re getting players back from injury we should be strong for the run in to hopefully get us over the line, and if not, we should be strong for the playoffs.

There's a gang of new kids in the back row. I don't know where they've come from, but they don't let up from kick off onwards. 
They drag everyone up there along with them, myself included.

Have your opinion, fine, but if that will never ever change regardless of anything, why are you even here discussing it?

We're 12 points ahead of Oxford in 7th, same games played. Although mathematically possible of course, there's no realistic way they finish above us with only 10 games to play. Making up over a point a game on any side near the top of the table is a tough ask, especially when you don't play them again this season.
Hopefully that gives us the confidence to throw everything at going for 2nd place. We don't really need to look over our shoulder, and it makes little difference whether we finish 3rd or 6th. Let's go for it.

We need automatic, nothing less. As much as I Love London, our latest trips to Wembley have not been a bundle of fun, the  play offs are too much of a lottery for my liking