What's the strength in depth up front?

On the bright side at least we don't now have to put up with Gallagher running over.

I was in Liverpoo briefly last night and conditions were really nasty but not especially dangerous I didn't think. Tail wagging the dog again, the safety authorities calling it off on the freak chance someone gets hit by a bit of debris or a slate or something I presume.

Dodged the Hull bullet, but as I alluded to a few weeks ago there must be a reason that he is amongst the frontrunners every time a Championship job comes up. Must have allowed him a Clause in his contract making it relatively easy and or cheap for other Clubs to get him out of Ewood should other Clubs come calling. Hopefully won't be an imminent problem if results keep going well but he's had bugger all support off the owners to date.

Some very unfair comments about Dolan on here I think. Is he absolutely top drawer? No, but I'd nevertheless have him pegged as one of our slightly better players and is the ideal age for a player you'd want to keep at the Club. It's difficult to have a worthwhile opinion on this without knowing what the Club are offering and what he's asking for. I can't remember if he's had a new deal since originally signing but if not he'll currently be on relative peanuts for a Championship player who regularly starts. From the players' point of view, he's probably at the wrong Club at the wrong time caught in the middle of Venky's/Waggott/Pasha inspired austerity and belt tightening. My expectation is he'll be the latest in a succession of players to leave for nothing and he'll end up at another Championship Club on considerably more money. On balance they'll probably be better for it as well. From our point of view the key question should be not the wages per se but can we replace him with better? I'd venture to suggest the answer will be "no" and he'll be replaced with another cheap journeyman approaching the end of his career who was never any good to start with like Hedges.

Great article Ian makes a refreshing change from the banal shite churned out by Jackson. Must be the sign of a good education. Lol. The main difference between Kendall's side and Eustace's imo is that in 1979-80 when we were promoted we had a 20 goal striker in Andy Crawford who could nick a goal when it really mattered. In 1980-81 we didn't and weren't. I've no doubt the same fate will befall us this season as we don't even appear to have a ten goal striker in the squad currently unless Venky's suddenly find their cheque book or we pull an Adam Armstrong like rabbit out of the hat in January.

Not In my book. To me adding quality means improving the quality of the starting eleven, adding depth means bringing in people as back up in case of injury or suspension. I don't think many people would argue that if we were really serious about making a promotion push we need a striker who can find the back of the net, a pacy winger and although Batth has done very well, a centre half who all walk straight into the team. Unfortunately all we usually get is a bit of tinkering round edges in terms of padding out the squad a bit because it's cheaper. Especially in January.

Good job it's not at home or it would be another game off due to a waterlogged pitch. If it goes ahead the weather will make things exceptionally difficult.

Perhaps it impacts other areas of their business.

Exactly what I was thinking. Mowbray's brother Darren is no longer at Aberdeen though so hopefully that stops us buying any more of their dross.

Correct. No point turning out otherwise.

Worst possible draw for us, away, run of the mill Championship fare, and a good possibility we'll be beaten. In general though some great ties for some of the lesser Clubs. Scandalous replays have been scrapped. How much more money could Tamworth have made if they manage a draw against Spurs?

Armstrong?

Exactly the less glamorous the better as long as we progress to the next round for as long as possible.

Possibly. Not really what we need though is it?

It's OK, I know it was only theoretical and even if the player and Eustace were interested I can't see Waggott/Pasha/Venky's being ambitious enough to go for it. If we're looking at a lad from Dundalk with a scoring record of 3 from 30 we're obviously scavenging right at the very bottom of the bargain bin.

14 points from those eight games would be a nice haul. Win and a draw from Hull/Sheff Wed Win and a draw from Luton/Millwall Win and a draw Sunderland/Hull 2 draws Leeds/Burnley. Would keep us nicely in contention moving into the New Year.

I think he'd have quite a bit to prove if he came back from the naysayers who reckon he downed tools. It'd be a definite yes from me but doubt it would happen. Likely to be far too ambitious

Yeah, we've already discussed that, we had a winger in Gary Bowyer's time who was recalled early (Mo Barrow?) so the rules must have changed.

Imo Kaminsky didn't make outstanding saves, Raya did. Kaminsky was on the whole a good solid keeper but nowhere near as good as Raya. As for Pears, I was as critical as anyone about the circumstances in which he joined the Club but since the FA Cup disaster at Wigan after which everyone wrote him off completely I think he's gradually improved and the Sheff Wed howler apart last season I think he's developed into quite a reasonable keeper. Not as good as Kaminsky or Raya but nothing to warrant anywhere near the amount of criticism he gets on here with certain posters who jump on the slightest error he makes irrespective of whether it costs the team a goal or who blame him for goals which are blatantly not down to him but down to defensive errors.

Yeah you said that before. Hope you enjoyed your night out!

Wasn't selected when fit though.

Sure we've had players recalled early in the past? Two spring to mind, Palmer and there was a winger when Bowyer was here (whose name escapes me) who like Duberry never saw the light of day.

I'm surprised he hasn't been recalled already. Doesn't seem like it was Eustace's choice to bring him in.

Certainly was his last season or two. Couldn't move.