Finnegan

I've spent a significant amount of my time on this forum defending players that get scapegoated for myriad reasons. I've called out excessive criticism of the vast majority of our players at some point or other. I think I've probably earned the right to point out some somewhat excessive (albeit harmless) praise without being BoRdErLiNe PsYcHoTiC tbh.

I feel the same with some of the praise of Luke Thomas. He wasn't exactly majorly tested

I've still got the photo evidence

For the record I reckon there's a good chance of this. Alternatively, they'll let his contract end, say that he's under consideration for the permanent position, leak the idea of someone ridiculously high profile to Tanner so the fans quickly get over Rowett then a week later hire the next Marti Cifuentes that Top thinks will turn is in to Barcelona from 2008.

Obviously I'm working under the assumption that a change in sporting director brings broader horizons. If its a choice of Russell Martin or Gary Rowett, which everyone has concluded, then sure it's Rowett. But we've just hired a guy that's spent his young career to date trotting the globe and put him in charge of recruitment, amongst other things. You'd hope he's got a wider net than we've had previously ("filter by: time spent at Southampton.")

I was watching our game so I didn't see it all live. When I was reading the text commentary it sounded like he was being unbelievably harsh. When I watched the highlights I think I changed my mind. For a start, he was 100% correct to bring him off. The kid had absolutely collapsed under the pressure and I think he had to come off for his own good. The second slip for the third goal was just unreal. His head had gone. As for him "ignoring him" which the BBC claimed when he was subbed off, pretty sure Tudor was busy using the pause for the sub to try and issue instructions to his players urgently which is kinda understandable given they're 3-0 down in 15 minutes. I think Tudor is a crap manager but we've got no idea how he actually handled the player behind closed doors which is the actual important thing.

And he was here for like, two years max? It'd be like Yoann Bennalouane coming back as a coach and being heralded as like a club legend or something.

This just says more about the fact Ricardo is absolutely finished as a full back and I say that given he's been one of my favourite players though his time here. I'd still back him to do a better job than Reid in attacking midfield, frankly, but he's not got the legs to cover at full back anymore.

Said the same thing before. Depends on what the project is. If its a rescue exercise again next year, low budget, still a bunch of hangers on, poor squad, need to make the most out of a crap situation? Yeah I'd keep him. If we're actually finally going to be out of the woods with most of the wage bill wiped clean, no more pending PSR problems and the ability to start growing again then I'd rather someone with a bit more upward mobility. You'd hope the new sporting director that's worked all over the world comes with a decent network of footballing knowledge which we've very much lacked to date.

Skipp not far off my motm tbh?

FINALLY

I swear Reid has passed to more of their players than ours

How the **** is Reid still on though

Winks is a smart move I think. Gives us a bit of control and hold of the ball hopefully.

FFS. This was just completely unnecessary. They're not good enough to get back in to the game. We've got to stop this stupid shit where we stand off teams. I know Rowett doesn't want us to play possession football per se but that doesn't mean we surrender all initiative all game.

If Reid survives that I give up. Get him off now.

He's been one of our best players.

These are crap and we famously can't defend a lead. Don't park the bus for forty minutes. Get Daka and Mukasa on and let's go get a third. Cmon Rowett be brave.

The commentator literally just said it was strange to see Ayew outside the penalty area.

I know he won't but ****ing hell I'd love it if he took off Ayew at half time. If its about resting Daka then give Richards a run out. Something. Anything.

True. I'm just saying don't count your chickens

Spuds concede 3 in 15 minutes. Tudor subs off the keeper. Replacement keeper shows solidarity by immediately conceding a fourth

PAAASSHUUUUUUNNNNN

Any chance of a counter immediately dies when the ball goes anywhere near Ayew

Hamza with a bit of GBH