Open End Numb Legs

Plus there may be police leave constraints around the coronation which has a knock on effect.

My advice to him would be to take his time with the goals. Today's players (of all teams) take an age to celebrate in a huddle, probably has plenty of time to check if the scorer is in doubt.

I struggle with the subtleties of formations. I blame it on watching on TV and not seeing the whole pitch. Anyway, no one is reading this confession so hopefully I can bluff my way through tactical discussions. 443 for me.?

Great comments. For me there was a noticeable change after the January window and the team spirit looks great.

It would be painful to see him getting splinters on the bench for 88 minutes for a really top club but that's the game I guess. Having said that they sit in luxurious seats these days, but I digress.... A conundrum, the bigger the club, the less game time potentially and he is still developing. Hate to see that stall?

I think we would all love to see him over lapping more and getting to the by line however from a team point of view he would be running into space kind of 'reserved' for Bell. That out ball across from the right, into green space for Bell to run onto has looked an important play for us at the moment. Scares the right backs defending it I am sure. Love to see 1 on 1s, it drags cover across and creates space in the box.

Yep, all about him of course. Nothing against Liverpool but his voice really grates.

Sorry if anyone has already mentioned him but, Mike Bassett. I know he was England manager but selecting Benson & Hedges showed a lack of judgement.

Let's hope these are just rare incidents and it will all fade into history. For me the physical contact with an official is only part of it though as the intimidation needs sorting out too. To have a someone scream into your face must feel like it is only a moment away from violence and that has been going on far too long. It is a very emotional time of the season and difficult to keep a cool head when things go against you on the run in to relegation or promotion. It feels like it needs leadership by coaches and captains, set an example on the day. What is said behind closed doors with committees and meetings is not going to have the right effect in my opinion. On their part, the officials need to referee with empathy and communicate well. Sometimes it just needs a minute to cool and calm a situation rather than just getting cards out.

A fair discussion though one mainly prompted by our injury list?

They passed the ball better, generally controlled the midfield but we were actually better with the final ball I think and had more shots on goal. A fair result, could have gone either way. Could we have parked the bus at 2 - 0? Maybe, if that is what some prefer. Too early to try to shut the game down in my opinion.

Well, I didn't want to put it that way but.....!

There was a change after the Jan window I think. I don't want to speculate why, just seems a better spirit within the players, they have pulled together well as a smaller squad, despite the injuries AND needing to play out of position in some cases.

When footballers play like that it makes the officials jobs much easier. Fair result, nothing contentious, great entertainment.

The replay shows that was a really good decision.

Neither team deserves to lose.

We need to pass better, then we will win. Plenty of space now the game is stretched.

Cornick MoM so far. Effort, determination.

Nice roll of the dice by Nige to keep Bell out in space. He hasn't got drawn too much into midfield so we have looked a bit outnumbered there but the gamble has paid off with the goal even though it was scrappy. Missing Scott's passing today. Need to get a bit tighter in defence, can't keep giving Giles that much room.

Getting crowded out in midfield now. Ball down the channels is where the space is.

They will need a 50k stadium now. Will the FM site be big enough?

I know we all hate refs and assistants when they make mistakes but I hope they don't hang this one out to dry. If they do then it would be interesting to see how they all react. A one match strike by all of them together would send an interesting message - no ref, no game.

I can see it now, beautiful people drinking champagne in a flotilla of super yachts moored up by Totterdown Bridge for home games, it will be just like the Monaco F1 GP.

Would it be possible to asset strip the Mem land value whilst leaving the club with a new stadium but a big rental bill for the privilege and only ticket price income? I am sure the owners would never do that, just a hypothetical question.

Yep, he should have just laid him out proper!