We do have a strong bench. Tbf it's a difficult one to answer. I was more curious about whether he was ill or just not in the squad for another reason

Haha yeh I do rate him too. Shame about the red (I thought that wasn't a red but this has been discussed)

Fair enough! It's great to have this forum for these discussions. Glad we have 3-4 players we are debating over who had the better game in a 0-0. Wouldn't have had this discussion last season!

Yeh Trav did well too. And tronstad especially considering his yellow. Pears man of the match is a big call. He did his job. Did he do exceptional? I don't think so.. he did better than we expected though

For me? Batth Played well. Cleared well. Managed our box well. Pears did have some great saves for sure

Bristol don't have an arena yet but there is one being built called YTL and that will be about 10mins cycle from our home when it's finally open in 2026/27 can't wait for some big acts to be able to come to Bristol!! Even better it's so close to where we live.

Or he has an agent who knows he won't be able to do great things at rovers and will start making noise at clubs like Southampton

Yeh I don't think he was our "best player" either. Definitely his kicking game was off and not sure he plays that game well. He's definitely more of a passer than a long distance. Hopefully he keeps on the run of clean sheets. Anyone know his record so far? He's currently on 2..

Haha. Wish JE can spot the trend and bench him when required.

Good thing is that he has quality and experience..he will come good.. matter of when not if. Ideally sooner than later but it's a long season ahead

Any word on his continued absence? Seemed ill last week but didn't make the squad at pne

Yuki and Gueye? But yeh I totally agree. Wharton money, Raya money... That's a whole different thread though! At least we aren't paying huge fees dodgy agents now

This is great

Anyone seen him u21s or training?

Was an interesting game to watch. Definitely on paper can see why you would say that. Never easy playing against 10. We didn't lose away from home...didn't concede. Could have been worse but also we could have played with gueye up top to start against their defence and used him more

Agreed. Hedges probably needs a rest too. He's been off form lately and had a big injury end of last season

We were getting such terrible advice back then. Things seem to have finally changed where we are acquiring players cheap who are doing well with their value or even increasing. Sammie signed for £1-2m and sold for £8m+

I wish they would retrospective review these decisions. Such inconsistency

Gutted for him. Think he will have had a good season there otherwise

Agreed. His working out is good..no losses so far..only us WBA, and Sheffield Utd unbeaten so far..and we have pears in goal (a historical liability)

Ohh mate! I think we will do better against QPR. Less pressure as its not a derby and hopefully we get to play 11v 11. The red (well deserved) did change the dynamics of the game..also we should have started with mak against their huge defence and I think we will against QPR. Have faith

Good point What's realistic as an expectation ? Obviously we would (as fans) want us to win the league, unbeaten and smash scum home and away but let's be realistic. We managed to avoid relegation last season and we missed out on play offs by a goal the season before So this season. A guarantee top 6 spot? Or mid table with a new squad establishing itself? Definitely not bottom half of table..

Pears OG.. oh dear that was unfortunate last time round. What a change in squad. I hope Mak is back!

It's a really good discussion and one I value this forum for. Is Wharton ' valued ' for what he brings (his vision, class etc despite relative lack of PL experience) hence he plays when injured using pain relief because he is that good they need him in the team Or is it Palace are ' desperate ' for cm's because lack in squad depth so they play him regardless of injury and pump him full of pain meds. Watching arsenal yesterday they played timber out of position as white was injured but they were so desperate after the red they subbed Saka and brought on an injured white which shows more desperation (than the club holding value in timber and therefore playing him anyway as a right back and dropping white) I think palace could play others in cm if they are desperate but value Wharton therefore play him regardless even for 45mins

Maybe but like you said any away point is good and playing against 10 always different. Shame about Becks red but nevermind. We got a point, pears got yet another clean sheet and we are still unbeaten. I'll take that