Well, well… I feared the worst after 2 pathetic performances, the match being on TV and all the expected promotion prospects winning. A lot of players needed to take their chance and they did! Luck was with us, but chasing everything we got ourselves right into Norwich. Pleased for JRC, looked like he was off but grabbed his chance and Dack getting there. Very pleased 👏🏻

Cor blimey! Really couldn’t have been much worse (I am sure Norwich feel the same!) Will both teams rotate players or try for a decent cup run? In the League Cup we’ve gone for the rotation.

Just one more game - me on Football Manager, too often.

JDT will be keen to make amends, so I suspect a more experienced side will be deployed. The Marbella trip has probably helped Dack, Hirst and Buckley’s case to make the squad, with Dolan pressing for a start.

Looked like 2 useful run outs to keep the players ticking ahead of PNE. Obviously you can’t draw too much from rotated friendlies, but looked to go as well as could have hoped.

Okay, for those either disengaged with the WC or where (interesting) matches don’t clash, will you be seeking alternative live football, ie non-league teams? I wonder if they benefit or lose out by carrying during the WC?

Great result! Cup runs are great for raising the profile and belief around the team. Also lots of minutes for the wider squad - all players who will be expecting more time in the starting XI as the season progresses. Good times!

Great 3 points, a real potential banana skin navigated - shows how much we have progressed. The squad really is proving strong, as players are rotated they are all keen to take the chance. Good times!

I think Vale deserves to be in the mix, yes (much) more to be done, but there have been flashes in the U23s and Welsh U21s. Right-back option for Saturday, Travis as cover, allowing Wharton and Garrett to remain in a 3 man midfield and Carter to remain in the heart of defence (he deserves to start, not be cover). Exciting times - away win, just - as usual.

He always knew he would get us top of the league. #SleeperAgent

2 for me… 1- Losing to Swindon away under Brian Kidd after we were relegated from the PL. I had just moved to Swindon and convinced loads of new friends to come to the match. They were bottom, massive financial troubles - heavens opened and we were swept away to a miserable defeat. 2 - Losing 3-0 to Spurs at Ewood under Roy Hodgson. This was as were started the slide from 2nd. I’d gone to the match with my Spurs season ticket holder flat mate. He wasn’t smug, oh no, much worse. Driving back he got onto 606 to say it was the worst Spurs team he had seen, clueless under Christian Gross and that he had no idea how any team could lose to Spurs, let alone 3-0. Mind you as it soon turned out we were genuinely just worse.

Good 3 points away from home, especially as we have often struggled against the struggling sides. 3 in midfield key and 2 upfront, much better, should stick with that on Tuesday. Phillips exciting potential but I’d give Carter the nod ahead of him at this stage. Looking like Dack is going to have to dig deep to get a chance. Roll on Tuesday.

Hmm a frustrating match. Whilst I don’t think we were as bad as some people have felt, we simply didn’t create enough chances. JDT needs to switch the formation, 3 upfront isn’t working. Dolan and Hirst and aren’t good enough, and Gallagher isn’t a wide player.

Subdued performance. Decisions didn’t go our way, but that can happen and generally evens out over the season. Hirst needs minutes in the U23s to get back up to speed. I understand there is a priority list for penalty takers but Dack was ‘robbed’, so it should have been his. We may need to look at the formation / tactics, too many flat performances against teams who are struggling.

Yes his first signing - from Blackpool. I remember as that was the 90 Minutes quiz question that I won to meet the players at the training ground. (90 Minutes were useless. They sent me the letter to say I won and details would follow, they didn’t so my mum had to phone up to sort out!)

I remember his debut, away at Wimbledon (Selhurst Park) - panic buy as Hodgson missed out on someone else and we were struggling. Torrential rain, he looked lively but missed two sitters. Rest is history. As an aside we all got soaked and my mate was due to meet his girlfriend’s parents for the first time at a swanky hotel after the match. He turned up looking like a drowned rat, like us, went down badly!

Same XI, build some momentum. Luton have given us real issues in recent times, though they are struggling. Surely our back 3 will make sure it’s 3 points, not another Reading.

He bossed the Blyth Spartans FA Cup match in 2009, but was never going to get a run under Big Sam

Announcing contracts for those two would make for a good transfer deadline day.

Wharton was an absolute joy to watch. Carter finally got the chance his loan spell earnt and he seized it with both hands (though nearly gifted Blackpool a penalty). Hyam looked a natural fit. Diaz gave everything, fair play under the circumstances. Vale is getting closer to a goal. Dack is getting the minutes. Dolan though is struggling, perhaps needs minutes in the U23s to find some form.

If we are a striker light for tomorrow then I’d start Vale. I know he hasn’t really got going yet, but with game time he could yet deliver goals. Presuming we bring someone in, could be his last chance.

I am surprised we are looking to spend so much on a CD when we have Wharton and Carter both due back soon, alongside Ayala and Phillips.

Another win, another chance for the wider squad to get minutes - good result and performance.

Quite a thumping. Phillips looked very raw, Pickering repeatedly gave the ball away, none of the attacking players could hold up play… Ayala was the only plus, real quality. *But* fine margins, clearly an off night - it happens. Key is how we respond, there is enough there to suggest we will.

Great performance for the fans, building on a very exciting start to the season. JDT will be pleased those given a chance to impress grabbed it by both hands. Good times!