HitchinFox

QPR are hilariously bad. But yet they're keeping us at bay. This is a like a training session - and will be a useful one whether we get the winner or not.

I think Brendan Rodgers has only ever wanted to be Brendan Rodgers, Elite Coach. And that's the problem.

Could end up being another Sidnei Tavares if he's not careful. Tavares looked good for us. Sadly, he clearly thought he'd already made it, agent/dad started chirping (his cousin Nani probably didn't help), got his "dream move" to Porto and....then completely disappeared. Currently on loan at the mighty Colorado Rapids, where he can't even make it onto the bench.

How's your understanding of Brahms? Seriously though, football is a form of entertainment, perhaps even comparable to art. Like many sports. I'd always argue that the more you understand what you're looking at or listening to – whether it's sport, a piece of sculpture, modern art, fusion jazz or East Enders – the more it "opens" to you and the more you get from it. Cricket is perhaps the best example of this when it comes to sport. A simple change of the field mid-over can create a great amount of excitement in those who know why the captain/bowler is doing it. Someone watching for the first time, however, might enjoy the overall experience – but would probably not even notice a bloke slowly walking out from the slips and onto the square leg boundary. At the end of the day, though, if whatever you are watching or listening to and it gives you enjoyment (or makes you "feel"), you're all good. I watch German porn. No idea what they're saying, but I still enjoy it.

I agree. Part of the problem is that the refs today still look back in reverence at the hype created in the mid- to late 2000s and early 2010s, which stated that English refs were the best in the world. It was true to a point, at the time, because the Premier League started doing things with refs that other countries didn't (increased funding and evolving support networks, technical training, performance support, psychological support etc), designed to help the referees improve their on-field performances. Two things though. One: the extra training and support is/was available to the Premier League refs. EFL and below – not so much. Two: other countries have since caught up with their investment in refereeing – if not actually already passed the Prem. Perhaps the fact that we've fallen behind is that we (or at least those responsible for refereeing) still believe we have the best refs around. Perhaps we need to swallow our pride, have a look at what other countries are doing and try and further develop those support structures. As for the hilarious uselessness on display last night – a mixture of arrogance and incompetence – Stroud might be an excellent example of this problem. He is well in his 50s and spent a few years in the Prem at exactly the right time. So he might still think he's part of that "best in the world" generation.

Sunderland came to win and had a plan. Made it tough for us. Good game to watch too – probably for the neutrals too. Look forward to Leeds dropping points tomorrow.

Is anyone mates with this ref?

He really is. He is off the pitch too. Tiny bloke, huge ego.

Forgot how painful it is to listen to Andy Hinchcliffe.

Oh, Cesare. Should've scored.

The ref loves himself. Recognise him. Used to be the CEO at Beds FA.

You'll find that a huge majority of football fans (not just ours) don't watch football through a tactics lens, purely because they don't really understand any of it. They know the rules of football, but literally don't know what they are looking at. Some of the comments/shouts these fans make during games are the equivalent of someone standing up and shouting "you need to play much louder and faster, use an electric guitar" in the middle of a Brahms Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall.

Need a third here. We're p*ssing on them. Just need to put the game away.

Is Daka on, wearing Vardy's skin?

Looks like the Euro 2028 tournament will be played across the home nations – and Ireland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67003581