M42Owl

Grimmer can’t be given a ban as that would be unreasonable on him. It’s not his fault that the ref was crap. The first incident is what has caused the problem: two quick fire fouls both, in most people’s opinion, merited a yellow card. So justice appeared to be done when the ref flashed a yellow at Grimmer, and then at Mawson too. But there was a bit of a delay between the two: words said to some players, but we don’t know what. I’m guessing, with the benefit of hindsight, that he told the players that he’d just booked the wrong player when actually he’d booked the right player (assuming that he didn’t think the first foul was bootable). Did Grimmer think he’d been booked or not? There was no VAR like cancelling signal from the ref, but the message somehow got to the scoreboard operate as the yellow next his name disappeared. So Grimmer commits another bad foul and get booked. Would he have committed that foul if he knew that it could mean a sending off? Possibly, but possibly not, and he can’t be banned for something that might not have happened had the ref done his job properly.

Mine has arrived today. No trains on Saturday, so a drive up the M6 and hope the car survives a few hours on its own in Burslem.

England looked quite good going forward, but are Germany all that good? Did Germany’s defence make us look better than we are? Game was a bit like Saturday (Owls v Wycombe). Two very nervy defences looking like conceding whenever the other side attacks.

We’ve played 10 games. We’ve played 5 of the top 8. We’ve played 5 of the bottom 9. We’ve not had an easy start, but it’s not been as difficult as many imagine.

Just looked up the table for the last time we were in this division. The team that came third had 90 points. I remember it all being a bit close with the team that finished third blowing it in the run in and it wasn’t decided until the last game. Two points per game ought to be enough, but if the top 3 or 4 maintain their consistency, it could be close again.

You didn’t stay til the end, did you?

Vaulks has done nothing to warrant a start and, apparently, was poor v Burton, so a good call be DM. I’d have gone with Bakinson, but Vaulks was close to being MotM. I wasn’t expecting much from Hennigan, but he had a solid game. Don’t know why Grimmer’s first yellow was rescinded. Both fouls ( on Gregory and Windas) merit yellow. The second, by Grimmer, borderline red. Ref was very lenient, with cards and whistle. Could have booked Bannan early on but set a precedent with a few words. The front three is what we’ve been lacking for ages. Windass at his best working across the pitch behind the front two.

I’ve always thought that there’s not a lot of difference between the average policeman and the typical hooligan. Never heard of them actually joining in though.

62s and over: £19. Bit of an unusual break point in the pricing, but a fiver is welcome.

I thought we started with 3-4-2-1. No way did Palmer line up as deep as the other three defenders for more than the odd second here and three. Definite back three. Further forward: Windass and FDB roaming behind Smith. You could argue that FDB was an advanced midfielder and Windass was playing off Smith in a 3-5-2. But I saw them as a two behind Smith.

Afobe for Millwall and did Dieseruvwe play for us? Scored for Halifax.

I thought a draw was a fair result. Were we lucky? Did we get away with it? At 2-0 and 20 minutes left, of course we were. But at times our passing and moving was as good as theirs and both sides created little in terms of genuine chances. Our goals were gained through our good play. Theirs (well one, certainly) were gifted by our defence. Just watched, and paused, our equaliser. Very close, but not way offside. Ahead of the last defender, but I’m not convinced Smith was ahead of the ball. It doesn’t matter whether you score in the first minute or the last. We weren’t outplayed, but neither were we consistently dominant: we deserved a draw. We didn’t score until 70 minutes on Tuesday. We’re we lucky to win? Were we unlucky with all those last minute equalisers we conceded last season?

Defence: Derby £8m Outfield Bishop ACC/PMP £2m Chaplin IPS £2.5m Collins BRI £1.25m Clarke-Harris PET £3m Shodipo LIN £1.5mAdeboyejo BUR/BOL £1.75m Total £20m

Just got home and it seems that I’m going to Brighton next March for a few days. Hopefully tickets can be sorted and I can have the Saturday to myself.

So, being a Saturday, I might struggle for a ticket. I'll have to encourage them to visit Brighton without me.

Not a very early match fred, but just wondering about ticket availability. Daughter has just asked her mother if we fancy a weekend in Brighton in March. Apparently there’s something going on in the supernatural (TV prog) world and the star whom my grandson is named after will be there. I wasn’t really interested until I checked the fixtures and saw that we’re at Portsmouth that weekend. So what’s the chances of getting tickets? Should be a big allocation? But high demand if both teams are challenging at the top?

2. Jewell

7. Quinn

I think if Ipswich press high, I can see us making a few panicky long balls. Hopefully, we can be a bit more measured. Either way, we need someone up top to hold the ball up: Smith and Gregory. Some pace wouldn’t go amiss to exploit the space if they advance too high. And I think FDB bursting through the middle would get them worried. Can’t have them all, so difficult choices for Moore to make.

Wickham

I’ve just been reading about the Strauss review on how to improve the England team. And I quote… ”Sky accounts for 70% of cricket’s income, and their insistence that The Hundred is played in August means that this isn’t up for discussion in the review.” Don't hold your breath waiting for it go.

The concept of a play off between “top three just missing autos” and “bottom team just avoiding relegation” is fine provided that the change is to allow, potentially, an extra team promoted/ relegated rather than potentially one less.

Can’t say I’ve looked to see if any manager joins in. Megson maybe?

I’ve been thinking similar lately. When I’m at an away game and they have a pre-match ritual, it all seems a bit tin pot. Hi Ho is getting much the same. I think my problem with it is that it with the first Hi Ho many sit down and shut up. I try to get the second Hi Ho before kick off, but I’m in a small minority. It’s all become a bit orchestrated, as though we’re told to sing it and then we’re confused as to what next. But on the other hand. It’s the only time when everyone, directors box included, joins in. And several players have said how inspires them. So for those reasons, carry on.

“Famewo, meanwhile, might not be ready to play until November.” That’s quite positive news. Previous reports left me thinking back training in November/December, but not actually playing until maybe end of Dec.