paulhanley

I would say that's the wrong way of going about it. We've had nations joining NATO recently and NATO is the way to go. But nations need to be paying their way more as part of that structure.

Generations of world leaders have had a go at resolving the multiple layers of issues and enmities in this part of the world. The word "intractable" was invented for the gordian knot that it is. At the moment I don't think the world has the statesmen to skillfully de-escalate this. For instance I can think of many US President/Secretary of State combinations I'd rather have had to tackle it all. When you look at Russia/Ukraine, the shrewd/subtle/incremental growing of China's threat to the west and this, I think we're living in a world that is less stable than for many years. We can reflect on how the west has handled all of these issues since the end of the Cold War and pick fault - there'll have been undergraduate essays written about that by the bucket load. Whatever the problem, there ain't no obvious solution other than raising our awareness and preparedness. I hate to say Donald Trump is right that the nations of NATO need to up their defence spending. I hate to say Keir Starmer is right that we need to spend 2.5% on defence. God alone knows where the money comes from given the levels of debt in the western world. But the only way ultimately that you can even big to put a lid on all these conflagrations and flashpoints is by making it known that you are prepared. It's a dreadful situation to be in.

I don't get the way he does subs. It often seems done to a script regardless of what's actually happening on the pitch. Imagine Bruce taking Andy Walker off in a big game after 75 mins....

In all likelihood we will finish this season in the late 80s points wise and in many other years that would have been good enough for top two. I can't see Derby drawing or losing at Cambridge but I couldn't have seen the drawing at Wycombe and losing at Northampton either. Those two results give us a little bit of optimism. If we end up in the play offs then Aaron Collins is the type of player who'll thrive in that environment. Increasingly impressed with him.

Today has the potential to be one of those memorable "stepping stone" days to a successful season. Like beating Bournemouth and Hull away late in 92/3, Ipswich at home in 01/2 (Bobic) and West Ham at home 1-0 with Jay Jay's screamer. I also remember a 1-2 win at Stoke that was a massive step to surviving a Prem season. More recently that late 0-1 win at Southend when Beevers scored in the last minute. I just hope we've got it in us. They're obviously going to need the work-rate and passion but also high levels of concentration - and we don't always do that! Any prospect of Orient nicking something at Derby? Unlikely but there are easier fixtures Derby could have today. We've seen for ourselves that Orient don't entirely meet the description of a flat-track for teams at the top.

In our hands again now. Still tough stuff with Pompey next. It's got to be three points on Sat regardless now. COYWM.

You said what I was thinking. Hopefully this goes the way of their Northampton game and not that way!!

It somehow doesn't have the same feel as 92/3. Yet. If Derby slip up on Wednesday night and we beat Pompey I will massively change my tune!!

Obviously fingers crossed for Pompey tonight but I learned a little bit of info re another part of Derby's run in today. I work with a Wycombe fan who earnestly told me of the bitter history they have with Derby. All to do with when Wycombe got relegated because Derby's points deductions didn't kick in until the following season. Derby pursued legal action (this is going back to early 2022). No love lost between the fans. Wycombe will be a bit more pumped up for this than you might have thought.

I think Pompey will just want mathematical certainty. They're at home and their fans will be demanding.

The only thing we can do now is find ways to win, one game at a time. Next up, Bristol Rovers - and it's our away form that's been the problem. If Derby don't win tomorrow and we win at Bristol, I know exactly how they'll start to feel. We've got to keep that feeling in Derby bellies for as long as possible. They slipped up at Northampton and Wycombe/Cambridge away are a similar type of fixture. If we do our bit then Derby may well drop points in those away games. Parallels from history? Hoping for 92/3 when we caught Vale late, not 90/1.

Yeah no doubt. I'm sure a few of theirs got mega confident last Saturday.... and have had to have a nervy little glance over the shoulder for the first time in a week today.

Derby still hold all the aces, esp given their goal difference. Door just a little more ajar now than it was this morning - but our margin for error is still minimal.

I actually think they need a bigger away end on a permanent basis. They're never going to fill three sides of that stadium with home fans and in most divisions they'll play in there are local derbies in which the opposition will bring more than 4000. This was always the problem at Springfield Park - and why in less ticket controlled days BWFC were regularly in the home ends mingled with theirs.

I would put both us and Burnley ahead of Blackburn. I think the capacity of Turf Moor disguises just how big Burnley's support actually is. Would still put ourselves a bit ahead of Burnley though.

Ha. No railway station and town centre!

Hitchin is a fabulous little town, I lived there for a spell. Can't speak highly enough. The railway station is a good mile or more of walking from the rail station though.

Aye. I was focusing on what's gone on since New Year but you're right.

Exactly this. There's always a chance of a narrow loss in an away fixture of this variety. What's cost us is Orient (a), Northampton (a), Charlton (h), Wigan (a), Blackpool (a), Exeter (a).

There's a difference between confidence about tomorrow and overall arrogance. That's somewhat lacking in respect for the size of club Bolton is.

From memory it was Pratley but Eidur was instrumental in that little come back. There was all sorts going off that day v United. I'm sure loads will have their tales. On the pitch the rags thought they were going to score the first ever goal at the Reebok but didn't.

When Heskey scored against Blackburn and we beat them 2-1. It was one of the Christmas games eight or nine years ago. Admittedly it was only after we'd scored the second (having been 0-1 down) that the atmosphere reached the heights. The first Saturday game at the Reebok was at home v United, 0-0. Atmosphere absolutely crackled that day.

I don't live in Oxford any longer but still in Oxfordshire and work with a good few OUFC fans. They are very, very downbeat and after this result out to get the manager Des Buckingham. They can't believe how much worse they've got since Liam Manning left, with pretty much exactly the same squad. As such we should celebrate the fabulous win but just be a bit cautious. They are at a low ebb and were very vulnerable. To avoid the "flat-track bully" accusation we need to replicate at Derby and come away with the result. If we do that- what a shot in the arm that would be!

The heroics at Barnsley gave us great hope but the failure to build on that yesterday speaks volumes for where we are at. I see a lot of sense in what people are saying. Key injuries have affected us badly and I agree that we lack leadership on the pitch. There's an element of the squad lacking physique as well as the leadership thing. Especially against better sides we just don't seem able to grip games that we've gained control of through possession. There seems also to be a lack of concentration and inability to keep switched on for 90 minutes. Despite all of the above we are not far away from being good enough. If we don't go up, grafting bits of experience and know-how in to central midfield and central defence ought not to be difficult. But that's for another day. One thing for sure, if we do scramble up via one of the two routes available, the Championship is very likely to chew up and spit out our current squad.

He's right. I don't like it either. People say players get abuse from the fans and of course they do. However they always have. Previous generations of footballers didn't indulge in this behaviour to any degree though. They rose above it and showed professionalism. In any event those who claim that terrace heckles give players the leeway to behave like this in response are effectively saying two wrongs make a right. They don't. Defending it means you are happy with the result - the unedifying spectacle of highly paid and privileged professional footballers effectively goading the very people who pay their wages. It's a bad trend and it needs addressing across the whole game. Well done Ian Evatt for calling it out.