So disappointing. Always said that Holtby sets the tempo and puts us on the front foot and feared when he was out and I cannot believe he was allowed to miss this game. However, that opened the door for Buckley who appears to have completely bottled his chance. He's a talented boy in my opinion but if he's mentally weak he'll never make it at this level. Got to see how the new players bed in but more importantly how we recreate the intensity of our good wins this season.

Makes the decision to give Holtby extended parental leave look very poor. I'm all for family but, bloody hell..... Glad that Buckley has been trusted to start, it's a big game for him. But that bench....

Exactly. And even more so when Mani admits there hasn't been any so called 'hate' recently - so why bring up the term?

Where is the hate?

Looks like old Tony is going for a shit or bust season. Good, it makes for an exciting 6 or 7 months.

Each to their own

Has Elliott definitely signed? No confirmation on Sky Sports?

Touché

No idea what happened to him but he was unplayable about 3 years ago

Some of the shite on Facebook today has pissed me off no end. Seriously, some of the clowns on there would give Barry and Madame a tic a tape welcome to Ewood. The ignorance is sickening.

That'll serve him well with all the temporary lights in the area at the moment.

I have, not sure about him.

Blimey, Anna bloody Trybull.....no wonder he's 'injury prone'

"Ellie, why the long face?"

Too slow to play in our most effective system and would end up being shoehorned into midfield on occasion so a big no from me.

Nailed my colours to the mast on Williams, I firmly believe he's destined for a very good career at PL level. Feel free to remind me of this if he doesn't....but you won't need to.

Not sure on that, I think he'll feature a lot this season, probably in at least 50% of their games and be a fixture in the matchday squad. It wouldn't surprise me if he gets in and around the England squad either.

Brandon Williams???? Not a chance, the lad is destined for a great career, hard as nails as well.

How there are statements that the European scouting network has had success is beyond me. Success is measured on either the players signed contributing to promotion or raising their own value so they can be sold on for a profit. Early signs are good with Kaminski and Holtby (difficult to attribute the latter's known quality to an improved scouting network but I'll go with it) but the true 'success' of them will only be apparent should one or both of the objectives be hit.

Totally agree, however it's strange that you fanned the flames on the Hughton debate earlier if this is what you really think.

Okay Joe, add Mowbray's Celtic disaster to the mix, still similar?

I think he was seriously overrated while he was here. A good footballer but defensively poor - still I could be proven wrong, time will tell. Not sure it's a good move for him as Fulham need a rough house CH, they have enough 'nice' footballers. One thing is for sure, he'll get to work on his defensive play. A lot.

Looks like he did Len, PAPR is (was?) Agnew's PR business.

Agnew was in PR originally (I know, amazing isn't it?) and I thought Andy went to work for him before setting up on his own? Could be miles out though. Yes, thought so https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2008/news/football-journalist-scores-new-role-in-pr/

Did he not end up working for that poisonous shithouse Agnew? It's often forgotten the part he played in our recent past. Horrible bastard.