Hootsman

So that's an interesting point. Why do you 'expect' fullbacks? Because yes, that's definitely a fair expectation, but his style of football doesn't need traditional FBs. So we end up in a position where a 'non-traditional' manager is always going to be in conflict with a sizeable number of our supporters. I guess that if he gets to the PL, he surely deserves a shot at implementing 'his' style?

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. Or rather, I don't disagree with you that lately, we've look a bit flat and just not that great. Over the course of the season though? I'm happy. Spread this run of form over the whole season and I don't think we'd be talking about this. I'd rather have a manager with a very defined philosophy, rather than one that chopped and changed every time something went wrong. I appreciate you might not agree!

What's with the Graham Potter love in? I don't think he's done anything that special, right?

I hope we do give him a shot next year. He had a great start to the season and whilst the last third has been....not as good... He's still learning the trade. Assuming we go up, I'd like to see what he can do in a league where we're not expected to dominate games.

Someone else mentioned it, but we were surprisingly open at times. Not sure if that was because we were 'freer' today, or whether WBA were just good? Coady was good when called on, but was it THAT much of an improvement on recent defensive performances?

The good: the result, Hamza, the team showing they actually care The bad: some of the performance, ball retention in the final third. The only thing that matters: 3 points secured.