Totally agree. A young lad who has suffered tragedy in his life with regard to his best friend and who has built a career after being rejected by North End. He gives 100 per cent every week, never hides, even when having a poor game, and is a more than useful Championship player. Clearly, Eustace, like previous managers, obviously rates him. For me he'd always be one of the first names one the teamsheet. Still only 22 and will get better. I just hope we can persuade him to stay.

Powell and Saadi were both excellent last night.

Totally outclassed today by a Palace outfit that was so much better in every department. Palace had lads who were big, strong but also technically good. Worryingly, the three players brought in over the summer failed to make any impression. Mafoumbi, in fairness, had no service and was unable to get into the game against a strong Palace defence. Doherty, made no impression on the wing but it's early days for both and hopefully they'll settle in time - but today will have done little in terms of building their confidence. Barrett looks very poor indeed. Eastham looks a far superior 'keeper and yet he seems to be the one on the way out. I really don't understand that one. Once again, Jake Batty had a really indifferent game and I'd be concerned if was regarded as back up to Pickering. Jake would be better going out on loan and try to find the form his showed a couple of years ago. On the plus side, Stritch scored a cracking goal and Bloxham looks to have a bit about him. As others have said, it looks like it's going to be a long, hard season for the Under-21's on the evidence of the first two League games.

For me Gent is far better than Batty. I had high hopes for Batty but he seems to be going backwards. Gent has had a good season in Scotland and is now going to a decent League One club. Whereas Batty seems to be drifting in the Under-21's. He needs a move, either on loan or permanently for the sake of his career. I suspect if Pickering is injured, Brittain will move across and Leo Duru, who looks a real prospect, will come in on the right.

The Under-21's and Under-18's both have games tomorrow so it will be interesting to see how we approach the games tonight and tomorrow at Wigan. The squad is going to be stretched to the limit.

Don't the club get some sort of financial grant from the FA if games are played on the home ground? I noticed Aston Villa have moved their games from Walsall to Villa Park for the coming season.

Looking forward to the new season thanks Mercer - as I have done over the past sixty-odd years. I doubt anyone bought a season ticket expecting anything other than a struggle - I've bought season tickets in every decade knowing a particular season would be difficult. Unless something changes dramatically, which I doubt, I fully expect us to be involved in a relegation battle again but I believe we have a decent manager and that he and his staff will keep us safe. I may be right, I may be wrong, but I'll enjoy the ride nonetheless.

Got my Blackburn End Car Park renewal - £220 and, as you say no Cup games or friendlies. That £30 off season tickets is soon going to disappear with extra charges for buying season tickets in the shop and paying extra for cup games.

Got the info from a friend who got it from contacts at Hyde I think. Nothing been on any website.

Neither Whitehall nor Baker played at Hyde. Looking at the squad it was basically first year pros and the under-18's - 22 players were involved. As you say, likely to be the same tomorrow with two games BCD at Brockhall.

If the referee was applying all rules to the letter of the law then the Stanley 'keeper would have been sent off early in the second-half and several players would have been booked. However, the referee in the second half went out of his way not the apply the laws of the game to the strict letter of the law - which in a friendly is fair enough. But then he refused Tyjon permission to come on after Saadi had left the field. Instead he allowed Saadi to return even though he had been substituted. Tyjon had been on the pitch for less than a minute in the first-half - coming on when Szmodics was injured - again a foul that would have earned a booking if the laws had been applied. The officials, in the second-half, seemed to have lost the plot.

No. Stanley don't produce one. In the Championship Swansea don't whilst Millwall and Bristol City leave it to the fans to produce one. There are a few in League One and Two that don't. Never understood how non-League clubs can but League clubs like Rovers, Millwall and Bristol City can't make if work from a financial point of view.

Like the humour there Matty.😁

Total gulf in class between the two sides. Hanley way past his best for playing at this level - not sure he was ever at this level of football.

Yes it's a decent interview - talks about the six months he's already been here. Outlines his job. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.