Ossydave

The formation is helping and we look more potent going forward for sure. However, as more games pass the opposition become more and more wise to things like this. Second half last night a classic example, Alebiosu totally nullified. In a few more games time every team will do the same, VI needs to have plan B and C lined up or we will struggle again.

Yes he's definitely out which is a huge loss, Derby seem to be winning games in midfield at the minute, so much so elements of their fans are saying they've been much better since Travis got injured...... Forshaw actually did ok tonight, but a full 90 would be too much for him, suspect it'll be a split shift between him and Montgomery.

City were awful, didn't think we were much better, then go on to say we were much the better side? Did you have a few drinks too?

Great performance really soured by the injuries. I didn’t actually notice what Wharton did for his? Toth’s was weird, I thought he’d done his ankle till they were strapping much further up, which makes it much worse tbh, HUGE blow if he’s out for any period of time.

We've not served up a first half performance like that midweek for some time, if we can keep it up second half it would be quite something. As always away from home though the pressure will come, hopefully we can withstand it.

I wouldnt say a wind up, possibly a club plant......look at their X feed and it's hardly a big surprise either. Prime example of the content they post....

Unless we're getting pumped 3 nil at half time, there will be more anger aimed at Eustace, BBD and Sanderson than there will at Venkys by the Ewood crowd.

There's been some very disjointed performances this season, heads have been down and I'll openly admit I've questioned if the players liked VI or indeed understood what he's trying to do. Otherwise happy looking players have looked miserable as sin. In hindsight maybe they just care and don't like losing though? He doesn't really come across as a likeable person, but you don't always have to be to be a successful manager. Yesterday they looked like they were playing for him for sure, hopefully a couple of wins breeds more confidence. I have to say though, our last 2 opponents have looked like teams with managers on their way out, so it's no surprise Still has been binned off tonight. Like us, Bristol appear to have played struggling teams at the right time recently but came a right cropper at weekend so it'll be interesting to see how it pans out on Tuesday.

So? Doesn't really make it valid. One of the masters of set pieces was Tony Pulis, except he didn't do anything extraordinary at all, just worked hard in training and adapted the players to suit their strengths. It was seen as the way forward for lesser teams like Stoke at the time and to an extent the dingles under Dyche. Now it seems to be the latest fad even with the so called bigger teams.

It's got to be, that's not even funny 😳

I don't really understand how this is an actual job role, it's not a complicated task to be half decent at set pieces. Still, given how shite ours are I suppose it may be a positive move....

2019 our last win there, a certain Mr Szmodics actually played for them that day! A ground and city I really like, but never seen us win there ☹️ still in 2 minds whether or not to go as I am off work.... Absolutely no idea what to expect but we rarely play well midweek, especially after a fair trek like this. 2-0 Bristol I think (sorry).

Some of his crosses are dreadful - not knocking him one but, I'm a massive fan, but they are. I would say Brittain edges it on crossing ability, but for me Alebiosu is a better all round player - his pace is a defenders cheat code.

Can't see us doing much at all to be honest, by that point Baradji should in theory be just about up to speed and a 'new' player in the mix. A centre half needs to be priority, I'm writing Carter off at this point as he's proven far too often he can't stay fit. We should really be sniffing round the loan market but I know VI doesn't favour loans. We won't sign more than 1 or 2.

Decent enough. Hard to believe Leicester will be that bad all second half though, or their shots so wayward! Smart move taking Henriksson off, walking red card and offering nothing. The helicopter needs an appearance today ideally here!