Number 6

I feel like I can see what Rowett is trying to do with us: sort the defence out and we stay up. It's that simple. We've scored first in four of his six games, and lead in five of them, but only converted one win. We're just generally incapable of shutting up shop and seeing a game out. The positive is that getting those goals early has put us into favourable positions and you'd hope it would lead to a few of the more favourable fixtures being converted into three points.

Most seeing recent form as a random blip and nothing else. Their underlying stats are poor, despite recently winning 4 on the bounce they've still won fewer games than any relegation rival, and their remaining fixtures are probably the worst of the bunch with either relation rivals or teams in and around the playoffs (+Sheff Weds).

Newcastle Man U Brentford Arsenal Fulham Palace Man City Wolves 0 goals scored 21 goals conceded

His only thought is to draw a foul. He's got nothing else. And refs won't buy it outside the Prem.

I think yesterday cemented that there is no comfortable end to the season for us, this will go down to the wire. We're clearly a side not capable of stringing together three of four wins, and will rely on opposition having off days against us. But in the same way that a single win doesn't mean we're safe, a single loss doesn't relegate us. Each game is winnable, each is loseable (our two most difficult opponents left both suffered defeats to our relegation rivals). It feels very bleak after a loss, but we're in the mix with five teams who are as bad as each other. Three shit teams will survive.

I said the 9 should be retired to honour our best every player. But I take that back, it should have been retired so that ***** like Ayew don't get to wear it.

It can't help creative mids like him and James to have Ayew up top to aim at. The movement is non existent.

We're also looking a bit blunt going forward under him too. I get that sorting the defence is important, but we've looked all out of attacking ideas against Norwich and QPR.

Not inevitable but today was a huge increase in the likelihood.

Think he made a mistake not freshening up at half time. Could see the direction the game was heading after the last 20 of the first half. He needed to change it up.

There was still loads of time left at 1-3, so why do we just play the rest of the game out like it's a training match? Zero intensity. Charlatans.

Realistically both QPR and Charlton are safe. They'd have to lose almost all of their remaining games. Only Sheff Weds have had a run that bad this season.

4 more wins keeps us safe I think. With the right attitude and application, we get that done over the next 5 games, or very nearly done.

There are other factors here. Fee may be lower if we've got a better sell on fee or a high fee for the loan. Can understand scepticism given our track record, but we only have part of the picture, and even that part may not be 100% accurate.

Just got to worry about our own games and final total. Might be that we need to get to 52 or something this year, but we have the games to do that. Also the picture could look completely different in 1hr anyway.

Yes. I think, should we stay up, then next season would be about setting the foundation for a successful future, and I think Rowett ticks the boxes for that. It's probably a season of aiming for 6th - 10th, giving youth a chance, and building with the right type of signings. Rowett hasn't played youth as much as I'd like so far but I think that's understandable when he's on a short term contract and just looking at getting the best outcome in that time frame.

Don't want to sound too much like my wife, but that's absolutely massive.

Mukasa and Daka on please

Now put this ****er to bed

Get in

Looks like an overly cautious line up. Don't like that at all. Hopefully we can get the result but can't see anything other than a pretty turgid game.

I'm loathe to use the phrase must win, but this is getting close. It's a great opportunity to get the first win under Rowett.

Nowhere near a red. Awful decision

If we played badly but got a point, then surely it's a good point?

Fair play to Oxford. Clearly some fight and spirit there and it shows how getting that win can build a little bit of momentum. Looking at the remaining fixtures I think we have the easiest set out of us, West Brom, and Oxford. Oxford got a great next couple and then it turns difficult. For us the run after Ipswich is paramount. I think the likes of Preston, Swansea, QPR who have nothing to play for become huge opportunities. Stoke was the same and we squandered it.