Isn't that just the rules for within the Premier League though rather than to get promoted to it? I may have missed it but I only see reference to qualification for competitions, nothing about promotion. So they seem to be the rules for getting into Europe. The EFL as its own entity has a right to totally different rules as to who it decides gets promotion.

Second half when he assisted the first goal?

I'm not sure you read my post properly as you seem to be drawing conclusions about my intent that aren't the case and/or aren't what I was saying. I tend to come at things with balance and look at both sides of every issue. I'm also willing to revise my opinions when situations and contributions change. That's probably why you usually agree with me as you say. But when it comes to GB, you admit yourself you made your mind up on day one (which is rarely the right way to approach things) and clearly, that was that. I repeat, I think the GB thread is a better home for extended debate on this. However to make it clearer...I didn't say he wasn't a bullshitter, in fact I pointed out some outright bullshit he said in his CV. I also pointed out, people distort facts in their CV all the time, which they do. I never suggested he was a good DoF as you seem to think. I also wasn't defending those players whatsoever- again I was quite clear they were all gash on the pitch for us. I merely observed they weren't a financial disaster for us, which they weren't. And I already took their wages into account, again I thought I was pretty clear with that. Meanwhile, Szmodics was a success that more than financially compensated for those balls ups. None of this means GB was a super DoF or I was happy with the flops.

They've only just become available to Championship clubs, realistically. Would have struggled to get a work permit for one in the EU days, and were completely off limits really until the GBE exceptions stuff came in summer 2023. Plenty of clubs will have their quotas filled soon too. Also not cheap traditionally, especially for second tier sides, to scout at the other side of the world in what until relatively recently was seen as a bit of a football backwater. Perceptions slowly started changing since the 2002 World Cup after Japan and South Korea performed so well, later getting a boost when the likes of Park performed well in Europe, but it doesn't feel like it's been super long since it became trusted as a market.

Eh, it's a CV, that's what you do with them. You arrange the facts in as complimentary a manner for yourself as you can wrangle without outright lying. You leave out the bad stuff. There was just one outright lie in there that irked me - Harrogate wasn't our record win, it was our record away win. Oh actually looking closer, I've spotted one more lie. It wasn't our best placing in the FA Cup in 15 years, it was only our joint best placing. We reached the quarters in 2012/13 too, pathetically going out to Millwall. Although I guess you could argue that's not technically a lie, since it equalled our best placing. Not sure if the part about the League Cup is true. I did have a chortle at some of the things he is trying to claim credit for nonetheless, but I bet most DoF CVs are full of shite like that. Think it's worth pointing out though, the failed signings you mentioned were far from disastrous financially. Hirst was a loan (did subsequently prove he is capable in the Championship too, but wasn't ready yet), Ennis was sold for probably about break even when wages and sign on fee are counted, Wahlstedt sold for a slight profit, think Telalovic went for about what we paid. O'Riordan is still around so we will see what happens, though it doesn't sound like his loan is going promisingly, so probably a bit of a write off. All told, with wages etc too, we're probably only looking at the equivalent of one million quid player being a flop. Very different to the days of wasting 5 mill on Gally say. And Szmodics was bought and sold for a huge profit. It was on the pitch the ones you named were all gash. Anyway, wrong thread for GB stuff in truth.

I heard he bowed to the fans as he was subbed off, but I missed it, is that right? He's so Japanese, and I absolutely love it ❤️

On the whole, it doesn't seem like these loans are going well? Obviously I'm not watching the games, and even @KentExile probably isn't watching many if any, but I'm noticing lately most of them seem to draw or lose most of the time. Not that that's their fault necessarily, but I feel like players normally develop better in successful sides. Very few are playing at an appreciable level, so I'd have hoped they could at least be developing confidence and winning mentalities. Of course there's something to be said for fighting your way out of a bad run too, but still. Chesterfield fans sounded very happy with Markanday early doors, maybe that's still the case, but 2 goals in 7 games is just ok really, especially considering the level when he's been a Championship squad player. It's less than I'd have hoped for in sheer numbers, so far anyway. At least Chesterfield seem to be having a solid start, in 9th place. Still think it's a shame he has only gone to League Two. Harder to tell from numbers how Garrett is doing, although being a bench player in the last game for a team currently struggling in 21st place in League One isn't encouraging. Those are the two players of most imminent relevance, since they're the ones with most first team games under their belt. The others, guess we'll just see how they've developed when they come back and play in the youth sides again, hopefully seeing a boost in form for the u21s and u18s.

?? He was Man of the Match against PNE. By quite some distance if you look at this site's ratings (1.2 higher than anyone else, with an 8.2 rating). Three important saves if I remember rightly, and the stats say Preston had 5 shots on target.

Lampard was a master of it.

Despite this, I don't expect him to start on Tuesday. Not fully fit yet and the game is soon after this one. Another half seems suitable.

If it could be maintained all season (it can't) then 100% yes. That's a 92 point season. Well, not 100% yes...last season it would have meant finishing 3rd, and in the 16-17 season. So in the last 10 seasons, that's an 80% rate of automatic promotion with that points tally. And a 20% rate of going up as champions. (CBA to look further back than the last 10, which is all that shows on the google table)

I think that Batth goal is gonna end up going down as an own goal. Think it's the defender's foot slams it home.

Shoulder.

Been hankering for ACD to play, but he's actually been poor. Not sure what's up with him, I know it was only Carisle u21s but he looks a shadow of the player. That was a bit better though as I'm typing.

Oh Gueye 🤣 That had me creasing! Only cos the game is done, mind. Hasn't scored a goal in the league, has had piss weak shots from relatively close in, and thinks he can nail a beauty from near halfway...only for it to not even have enough power to reach the byline 🤣 The lad has strong arms, but he either has wank shooting technique or must really skip leg day.

If Cantwell had scored that sitter I'd have said give it to him. Utterly transformed the game. But yeh probably Trav.

I'd be looking to give Trav or Tronstad a rest shortly. It's a partnership we rely on and there's a fair few games coming up.

He was almost certainly going to have to beat one more man unless he just shot immediately from no man's land. QPR risking getting someone else sent off though the way they're playing. Get in though, who gives a shit now!! Cantwell has transformed the game.

That was the weirdest header I've ever seen. Trav I think? Had plenty of time to think about it and aims it right back at the throw in taker, who had no Rovers players anywhere near him.

And not long after we have another pop from distance in a similar position and boom, winning! Should be a different game now, QPR have to stretch their shape to get back into it, opening them up to our counters, or sit off and lose. Fuck me Hedges is having a stinker, get him off.

He's not moving at enough pace for me to put it into the reckless category I'd consider it a red.

Insane that's not gone in! All started from Cantwell actually having a dig, something we rarely do until we're in the box.

There's no intent. He's running with the ball through a few players, it ended up a bit loose and ahead of him and he's desperately trying to get it back. I don't think he even spots Batth until quite late and just gets to it second. It's dangerous (Batth's leg isn't in fact broken though or anything like it), but it's accidental. Very different to the Preston red that someone has compared it to, which was as clear a red as you'll see after our lad getting scythed from behind.

It's crazy we are still having this issue. Was it the season before last that we had it the first time? There really shouldn't be supply or production issues from Macron anymore as there allegedly were at the time. From what I've heard they seem to prioritise clubs with bigger followings. Macron make very nice kits, but if we can't buy them there's not much point and the club is losing money. A halfway competent CEO would have been suing them or ending the contract for this failure to supply us properly (and there'd be a clause in the contract to enable this). But of course we don't have a halfway competent CEO.

Not gonna lie, I know that's hurt Batth but my initial instinct is that's no more than a yellow.