DJ Barry Hammond

I imagine he’ll be part of the preparation squad, especially as it’s a short turnaround to the Tranmere game after that. Whether he gets named on the bench for Fulham… probably depends on ins and outs.

Nah, he was with the first team squad all week and last night. Ok, he didn’t make the bench in the end, but he was still part of the teams buildup to that fixture - so he will be doing the final bit of that overall experience which is the post game stuff. He’ll also likely to continue to be part of the squad for Fulham, so playing in this would put him at a disadvantage in terms of that game’s preparation.

Kasey’s just signed a new deal I see… is he about to go out on loan because we have another wide player coming in 🤔

This confirms interest, but suggests no bid as of yet.

Are you sure? There’s various reports of us bidding / asking for conditions. - indeed this looks like one we’ve tracked for a long time too. He’s been up for transfer all summer, turning done Rennes in the process. We also know Watford have been pushing for this one to be resolved behind the scenes of late - wanting him back training and considering him for the squad against Stoke (ultimately left out). Yes, I know Girona are reportedly interested, who also have Champions League football, but I’ve not been able to find any suggestion they’ve tabled a firm bid. Therefore - we might be the only current offer and he saw enough in us last night to say “let’s do it!”

Well… I was kinda of expecting the club to complete a deal of some kind today or tomorrow - so to see a hint of something, especially a transfer we’ve already been linked to, reinforces that belief.

I think he’s a much better player than many give him credit for. He’s also 6ft 4, so he’d add something we’re lacking within the squad. But - I don’t think we get into the conversation here, even if we were interested, we’d get gazumped.

I know the guys hardly played for us - but I can’t help think he’s been such an important signing for us. Every clip I see of him - and most of these are off the pitch ones - he’s positive, encouraging, massive smile and seems the sort of guy that just brings people together and makes life at a club enjoyable. Obviously the reality is he may not get much of a look in with us across the season - but regardless of the minutes he plays, he’s clearly a very important player for us.

One of the things to note, we’re not exactly the tallest of sides - certainly the first 11 wasn’t, so at least Justin, whilst not exactly tall himself, has a presence in the air. It’s something Cooper will need to look at and consider with our transfer business, otherwise we’ll be ‘short’ when it comes to set-pieces.

Yep, it was noticeable he had Faes on the left side, Vesty on the right, presumably to provide mobile cover on that side and allow Kristiansen licence to get forward. Equally, I think Justin was picked at right back to do the opposite, play a kind of Simpson role and just let Abdul get on with what he can do.

You’re forgetting Vardy - we could definitely play two up top in some games.

I can only assume they’re trying to help us get him sold for £25 million. Good work guys 😉

It’s a good night for Twitter banter

😂

I’n praying one of them’s Fotis.

There was no point booing a player that would love to get booed and up his performance because of it. He instead went far too relaxed and into show pony mode (great cross for their goal mind).

It has to be said, they did really well in the first half too. When a pattern of a game becomes set like that, it’s really hard to break out of it. It would have been so, so, easy for heads to drop after the first goal and concede a second - but they didn’t. They dug in, got to halftime, knowing they could regroup. Then, whether it was Cooper or the players themselves, they sorted it out - press higher, because then you don’t have 11 deep in your own half with 100 yards to go to get a shot on goal. The bravery and fight in that second half got it’s just rewards and almost more. And make no mistake, that is also a huge result for the rest of the transfer window. It’s the sort of team performance that will get players thinking “yeah, I want to be a part of that.” Fingers crossed we back it up with another performance against Fulham.

Football’s equivalent of rope-a-dope there. Fail to know us out, we’ll strike back - arguably won the contest on points.

So is that 39 points to go, 45 or 47?

Steve Cooper masterclass 😂

Did I just see Soumaré sprint!?!

We probably didn’t need this delay - sucked the atmosphere out of the game. Hope he’s ok obviously.

No. ****ing. Way!

For his defensive work - with the irony being his man scored the goal (to be fair, he did track the run).

We’ve done well to limit that to one. Need to be braver and engage higher - the blocks been so low there’s been no out ball.