Open End Numb Legs

Do you think the loans are starting to plan their return to their own clubs and some beach time?

I was checking that just before our 2nd goal. They would have been safe I think had they won instead.

15th, 11pts clear of the drop and 23 pts off a play off place. Better team lost again today??

Didn't see this game but would it be fair to say that our no.1 issue to solve is scoring goals when on top in a game? We have some great spells in games but don't score. Then we fall off the pace?

I assumed mid week that Mehmeti must have a minor knock, 87 mins + added time is not worth it.

If they are, it is via the long way around. Build new stand in old stadium, increase revenues, build new stadium, move to new stadium, attract larger crowds (their thoughts, not mine), increase revenue again, own better players, get promoted. Timescales? Glacial?

Not watching the game but hope that we are trying a few tricks or ideas that work in training but might be too risky in a normal game. Nearly end of season, mid table, when else is a good time?

A good cross? Must have been practising ?

No, I guess he holds holds grudges from when they did in the past.

Yeh, you are right but although he doesn't make the journos lives easy they do ask silly questions at times.

If I am getting twitchy it is because we have run out of popcorn whilst we sit back and see how this all works out. In the unlikely event it all goes to plan, even if that happens, there is a cricketing analogy which is 'runs on the scoreboard first' - in other words they will go through all this over many years just to get below a level compared to their local rivals. We are taking notice because it has a lot of interesting factors - local rivalry, overseas money (or lack of), development of difficult areas (the FM, and The Mem) with a bit of football thrown in, oh and not forgetting strangely spending money on a new stand at the old ground. Crack on chaps, I am off to the shops. ???

The irony of Southampton playing in sky blue shirts.

Do you reckon we will see a 2nd half where Arsenal try to walk the ball into the back of the net v a parked bus? They have the talent no doubt but we've all seen games set up like this that end up with frustration.

The other thing is to see the quality of play by a bottom of the table side in the Prem. The gap to, for example, Sheff Utd, hoping to get back there.

They can't park the bus for another 65 mins surely.

Doesn't seem to have a good word to say about any team they play. He should concentrate on improving his own team rather than scattering insults around League 1 like confetti. I can only suspect it is some form of attention seeking, anything to get a headline.

If Rovers want to lease it they will need to convince the developers that they are a going concern. If they went bust or back to non league an empty stadium is no use to anyone, hence the thorny issue of capital and whether it would ever get built. A more solid bet for the developers is an indoor arena with a wide variety of potential customers rather than a single loss making sports club.

The money won't be a problem for the 6th richest club remember.

Just as a basic principle, I have discovered over a lifetime at work that senior managers and leaders I have worked for had very little talent at anything other than talking a lot, without actually saying anything.

My memory is not brilliant but isn't there a history of clubs having a new ground built and losing, literally, their form on the pitch and getting relegated or similar afterwards? Sunderland, Boro, Derby, Cardiff, Bolton, Coventry.... Sure someone could do a better job of this than me, just my thoughts.

Is that one of the normal entrances to their ground or just an emergency exit?

I would like it though expect we would need a 'bleep guy' and delayed video for any live games with it.

I still think he can do it. He came on for just 3 mins +5 added on so my guess is he was not 100%.

Further to my point above about the advantages of getting to the byline, especially on the left when attacking, a right footed player will cut inside onto their preferred foot when nearing the box. All this does is close down the space as all the defenders are moved closer together. Unless there is an overlapping left back to pass to, the better move is to stay wide, use the space get to the byline. This isn't a criticism of City, we see it in the Prem too. Defenders love to pack the box, the aim should be to move them around, draw them out. To be fair we have done that bit fairly well lately but the final ball, as mentioned has been poor.

Heckingbottom told the press after the match about our time wasting in the 1st half. I don't get that. The crowd were whistling and booing, presumably the 4th official was getting it verbally, eventually we got a booking. BUT!! - we looked more likely to score and were playing some really quick football. We had no reason to waste time, SU and the crowd were trying to take the moral high ground whilst at the same time struggling to get a touch of the ball at times. Total nonsense.