M42Owl

Bit of a tonking for my side today: cheers Derby.🍺 0:3.

Considering Derby’s loss, a draw is a decent result. Still effectively 9 points above play offs and a difficult game chalked off. Just need to be on our game for the two home games.

Not sure to be honest. I set up an account years ago and had issues with accessing my account. Didn’t lose any money, but thought this is too much hassle: f*ck ‘em. Maybe a case of cutting off my nose to spite my face, but I cba to sort it out or set up a new account.

That’s a difficult poll to answer. The straightforward reply is “none, I’m happy as it is”, but if it’s a means to help run the site, then I’m happy to put in a few quid, with the proviso that suitable payment terms are available (I.e. something other than PayPal).

In that case, I’ll just reconfirm my proposed change. Out Brown EXE £1.5m In Shodipo LIN £1.5m Revised Team Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Shodipo LIN £1.5m Adeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

Twat. Brown not Reesh.

As I brought in naughty boy Brown the day before Exeter dropped him for non-footballing reasons, I’ll transfer him out again, if that’s allowed. Out Brown EXE £1.5m In Shodipo LIN £1.5m Revised Team Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Shodipo LIN £1.5m Adeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

I believe my scored yesterday should be 2-0 (Bishop, Clarke-Harris), not 1-0.

On the disallowed goal: I was on the North, towards the kop and, although Gregory jumped to avoid the ball hitting him, it passed between him and the keeper. In no way was Gregory impeding the keeper’s view, and it’s a hard push to say he prevented a dive. A clear goal for me. But my celebration was muted as I saw the linesman stood still. I thought that he was sure LG was beyond the last defender, but unsure whether he was interfering with play. So I think he did what he should do, and got the ref to decide. Can’t say I noticed either looking at the replay on the screen. Something else happened in the match that I don’t think hasn’t happened for some time. We scored from a throw-in. Usually, our throw-ins result in rapid loss of possession, but wow, we scored from one. When was the last time? Has there been any word on why Famewo didn’t play? He’s going to be needed until James comes back.

I’d like to make the following changes please. Transfers Out Leigh (ACC). £1m Ironside (CAM). £2.25m Transfers In Brown (EXE). £1.5m Adeboyejo (BUR/BOL). £1.75m Revised Team Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Brown EXE £1.5m Adeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

Will he? I think he’s more than a bit tarnished after Chelsea and Everton and a modest time at Derby. I think his next job will be championship. Somewhere like Sunderland or Millwall if they start badly next season.

For me the Ihiekwe signing has been the reverse of the Henegan signing. Henegan: thought he would be a modern Guy Branston, but turned out more Rob Jones. Ihiekwe: I had high hopes but he’s been a bit of a let down. As @HappyOwl said in relation to Richard Wood, he doesn’t seem confident as the main man. More Lees than Loovens. And he’s no better than Iorfa with the ball at his feet. If he’s receiving the ball, it’s to be hoped there’s no opposition within 20 yards of him. But he has shown commitment in the tackle and block and won his fair share of headers. “Solid” is the term I’d use to describe him. However, I’m not convinced that we are desperate for him in the starting 11 (definitely needed as cover on the bench though) against most L1 sides that present limited attacking threat. Playing Ihiekwe will add little to the defence but will take away Palmer’s attacking threat. But we probably will need Ihiekwe’s greater defending when up against the better sides: unfortunately he won’t be back in time for Plymouth / Ipswich.

We currently only have three players out injured (assuming B&B are as good as ready to return) and have lost two returning loanees. Yet we are down to bare bones in defence. If the 11 that started on Saturday plus B&B are fit and available for the rest of the season, then I think we’ll be champions. Possibly a few points clear. But another defensive injury, e.g. Iorfa, and that solid base of clean sheets can soon become a liability. I don’t expect Ihiekwe back until late Feb at best, James is anyone’s guess, and I’m not overconfident in Hector. So unless, until, reinforcements come in, I’m as pessimistic as ever. Its not so much that I think we’ll “fuck it up”, more that luck and circumstance will go against us.

Bit of an odd moan. There’s been few more clear cut penalties all season. And it hardly affected the outcome, anyway.

Wing?

Three matches postponed today. Does that mean that the FF comp is off (I’m sure I read something about three games off triggering cancellation)?

It’s Bakinson OR Adeniran for me. Vaulks +1 behind Windass.

I don’t think there’s much scope for DM to overthink this one. Johnson in for James. Adeniran or Bakinson in for Byers. Only discussion points are: Gregory for one of the front two? Wilks for one of the front two or Hunt? We just need to start on the front foot, keep pressing, and don’t give them any hope.

I thought he’d got his fitness back for his substitute appearance v Cambridge(?). Looked full of running, albeit not for long. So I wasn’t surprised to see him have a decent, if not spectacular, 90 minutes on Saturday. As much a new signing as Adeniran and Famewo and makes the departure of Mighten less of an issue.

It’s only recently that she’s started tagging along. Perhaps she didn’t believe anyone would really want to watch Wednesday away? Sunderland last year, oh the joys. Cheltenham and Portsmouth (Brighton for her) to come. She might even fancy Bristol. Next year she might be tempted with Luton and Middlesbrough.

Take the average goals conceded per game so far. Round up if playing away, round down if at home.

If Ipswich get two points per game from now til season end, they end with 91 points. For us to get 92, we “only” need 1.85ppg. For Derby to also get 92 they need 48 points at 2.3ppg.

I’ve seen on the sky news today a couple of comments on Saturday’s game. Wycombe unhappy about a fan throwing something at a Wednesday player. Can’t say that I saw that. Anyone see the incident? And something about unsavoury chants. Can’t be from Wycombe fans as I never heard a murmur from them all match. But neither did I hear anything untoward from the Wednesday end.

Couple of days away with the Mrs. She’s coming with me next week too and we’ll have a look round the delights of Cheltenham and Gloucester. One day, she might actually go to a match.

Oops! Press post too early. The match started all them. Defence was very nervy. I thought this could be a long 90 minutes, but we got into their half, then scored, then never looked like conceding. They had some good possession but we kept them at arms length, such that Dawson hardly had anything to do after the first 5 minutes. The best chances, the only clear chances, fell to us. Great game, perfect away performance against a team in form, great three points. Injuries didn’t affect our dominance. Both looked serious, but I did wonder if the stretcher came on a bit quicker than needed: another bit of Wycombe gamesmanship? Hopefully Byers won’t be out long. James’ injury did look bad at the time. MotM between Paterson, Windass and Vaulks.