Just seen they’ve won 3 of their first 4. Bit of a cliche but don’t seem many easy games atm, at least on paper.  I’m going a deserved but edgy 2-1 win.  Still not firing on all cylinders for a while.

Taylors touching the ball out for their corner was tactical genius.      Give em a corner,they have to bring a few out of their half,we get it back easy, quick break, goal.     Genius

1 minute ago, only1swanny said:

We've simply no threat in the middle. 

We'd be better playing two strikers. 

 

Or out wide to be fair. Even when we brought on a second striker we didn’t put a half decent cross in for either. 
 

Surprised Schumacher didn’t switch the wingers over to do that but I guess it paid off in the end. 

1 minute ago, CumbrianWhite said:

Randall unfortunately hasn’t got the bottle to play for a club and fanbase our size. I was more than happy to give him a chance but today was the final straw really.

He had 2 good chances and should of scored both. He’s currently our weak link, mental we’ve spent over 2m on him and Mcatee and we still need to spend more to find someone to play in that position. 

He got both his shots on target today though, so there's some improvement. Should of scored both but I'm willing to give him time 

17 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

We can give him stick for being soft, or not making runs, or not scoring enough but the fee is irrelevant as that was the judgement of someone that paid £800k for Dan and Vic.

But Randall linked up play quite well at times today, especially 2nd half, and was often given the ball when surrounded by 2 or more men, he often did well to keep us on the front foot.  I suppose its like his shot on target 2nd half, was that a plus because it was a rare shot on target for us, or a negative because he didn't score?  Its not black and white but when its Randall or McAtee judgement is made before KO by many.  

I get that, but McAtee shows some effort for me. Randall on the other hand never has and never will. He is dispossessed multiple times in a match when everyone is screaming pass. He is a poor player that will see out his contract and leave on a free because no one will ever want him unless subsided by us. 

I wanted him to do well like every player. If every player does well for us, we have a good season but he is one of the reasons we won’t do well this season. He plays in such an important position in this system and provides fuck all. Again, only my opinion. 

The fee is absolutely relevant. When you sign a player for money and big money for us, you expect him to deliver some aspect of quality. Victor is on par with Randell aswell, if you are bought for big money, as was Victor, who was the biggest money signing of the last decade, then you have to deliver. 

Let’s hope he becomes as impactful as you suggest he is because we will all be happy as he will score and assist goals left right and centre. 

Edited August 23, 2025Aug 23 by Under_Score

4 minutes ago, W.cramp said:

Taylors touching the ball out for their corner was tactical genius.      Give em a corner,they have to bring a few out of their half,we get it back easy, quick break, goal.     Genius

It was literally the only time in about 100 minutes when we broke against a less than packed defence.  I'd have to watch it again but god knows how they allowed that situation to develop.  When they got the corner all they had to do was put 8 men near the edge of their own box and they'd have won.

If you have flowing hair with blonde highlights and wear rolled down socks with your shirt hanging out, you've got to be seriously fucking good.

1 minute ago, Under_Score said:

I get that, but McAtee shows some effort for me. Randall on the other hand never has and never will. He is dispossessed multiple times in a match when everyone is screaming pass. He is a poor player that will see out his contract and leave on a free because no one will ever want him unless subsided by us. 

I wanted him to do well like every player. If every player does well for us, we have a good season but he is one of the reasons we won’t do well this season. He plays in such an important position in this system and provides fuck all. Again, only my opinion. 

Let’s hope he becomes as impactful as you suggest he is because we will all be happy as we score and assist goals left right and centre. 

I've never said he's impactful, or that I rate him.  I was just responding to a comment that he kept giving the ball away.  He didn't, it was factually wrong, that's all.  There's no way today he was dispossessed today more than Burstow, Cissoko or Duberry, but only Randall or McAtee gets stick for that.

And no, I don't rate him and ideally he never starts another game for us because we'll have a better alternative or play with 2 up front.  I just feel that stuff is made up to suit a narrative.

Get rid of Randall fuck me he’s a baddun. Bairstow is very good at what he does, Randall needs to play off him. He’s no where to be seen. £1m!

Reckon Vic and Burstow/Dalby will work really well

 

But Vics Injuries may have just ruined him for us. 

 

And it shouldn’t be play Dalby when he’s fit for bairstow. They both need to play

3 hours ago, gonzo said:

That first half is as bad you'll ever see.

Simons and Erahahon at home just can't happen ever again. Zero productivity.

Second half was much better but still can't gather why it takes us so long to reach ACD or the other side. 

Taylor will be our left back. Conway looked like a pub player today btw. 

This no10 malarkey isn't working.

I trust the manager to fix the problems we are seeing mind. We are a few tweeks away from it clicking.

Simons and Erahahon will become our first two both home and away,. Trouble is the system and not those two

Add Sheeran and get rid of the ten

As soon as Dalby is match fit lets go 4/3/3  and play ACD, Burstow and Dalby as a front three

This is the best squad we have had in ten years it just needs tweaking

 

 

 

Been a few comments on Conway.

For me, first half he was below par - the lad's set a high bar in fairness.

It's the second time he's had a (relatively) poor first half, can't remember the other.

On both occasions he's been miles better in the second. I take that as a big positive about the lad's character.

 

The good

Thought that Lincoln team was very good to be fair but we wrestled back control in the 2nd half and had em on the ropes. That prick getting the OG was wonderful.

The midfield replacements. Sheehan class, carrying and distributing the ball far more quickly, giving anyone receiving the ball from him that crucial extra second or 2. Even defended well. Morley showed urgency and good on the ball as well.

The bad

Right side defence. Cogley poor today. Toal beaten in the air/positioning for the goal, beaten for pace against Barnsley. Showing his weakness without Santos there. Missed Forino today.

Cant see what the plan of attack is. Wingers cutting in but Randall crowded out and FBs not overlapping aggressively. Not enough early crosses as well, appreciate that its generally better to build up and cross from a better position with more in the box but at least try a few for some variety.

Still look a bit soft as a team overall. Taylor looked big and athletic so hopefully him, Forino and a fully fit Dalby improves things enough.

26 minutes ago, Johnnyrotten said:

I've never said he's impactful, or that I rate him.  I was just responding to a comment that he kept giving the ball away.  He didn't, it was factually wrong, that's all.  There's no way today he was dispossessed today more than Burstow, Cissoko or Duberry, but only Randall or McAtee gets stick for that.

And no, I don't rate him and ideally he never starts another game for us because we'll have a better alternative or play with 2 up front.  I just feel that stuff is made up to suit a narrative.

So let’s compare Randall to Burstow

Randall made 0 successful dribbles

Burstow made 1 successful dribble

Randall had 1/6 successful duels, so kept the ball 16% of the time 

Burstow had 6/11 successful duels, so kept the ball 54% of the time 

Just comparing Burstow who you said was dispossessed more than Randall, with facts as you wanted 

Just for the record, Duberry and Cissoko kept the ball 44% of the time compared to Randalls 16% 

Edited August 23, 2025Aug 23 by Under_Score

My view of Conway is he is a Wing/back and not a left back....He is Quality without doubt...He is 22 i see him as a left sided midfielder in future.

Others have likened him to Alonso and i see that.

Lets get him tied down on a long term contract and enjoy watching him grow

Edited August 23, 2025Aug 23 by masi 51

Just seen Hamer who took 3 mins to take Lincoln throwings and then scored the own goal is from Bolton

 

You can take the boy out of Bolton, but not Bolton out of the boy!!

30 minutes ago, Under_Score said:

So let’s compare Randall to Burstow

Randall made 0 successful dribbles

Burstow made 1 successful dribble

Randall had 1/6 successful duels, so kept the ball 16% of the time 

Burstow had 6/11 successful duels, so kept the ball 54% of the time 

Just comparing Burstow who you said was dispossessed more than Randall, with facts as you wanted 

Just for the record, Duberry and Cissoko kept the ball 44% of the time compared to Randalls 16% 

Underscore 1

Jonnyrotten 0

As Shearer has said on MOTD about Gyokeres, strikers need feeding and when a new one comes in like him, the team needs to work out how to do it. 

A week now on the training ground, hopefully some time to work with ACD, Gale and Cissoko (and Tutu for when he covers it) on preparedness to go outside, change angles and put more crosses in for Burstow or Dalby to attack. 

Cissoko in particular will be getting the hard word, SS quickly lost patience and hooked him after two airy fairy losses of the ball in a minute. 

1 hour ago, Under_Score said:

I get that, but McAtee shows some effort for me. Randall on the other hand never has and never will. He is dispossessed multiple times in a match when everyone is screaming pass. He is a poor player that will see out his contract and leave on a free because no one will ever want him unless subsided by us. 

I wanted him to do well like every player. If every player does well for us, we have a good season but he is one of the reasons we won’t do well this season. He plays in such an important position in this system and provides fuck all. Again, only my opinion. 

The fee is absolutely relevant. When you sign a player for money and big money for us, you expect him to deliver some aspect of quality. Victor is on par with Randell aswell, if you are bought for big money, as was Victor, who was the biggest money signing of the last decade, then you have to deliver. 

Let’s hope he becomes as impactful as you suggest he is because we will all be happy as he will score and assist goals left right and centre. 

You smoking crack?

Just now, mickbrown said:

You smoking crack?

I get where you are coming from but to me, he shows more effort than Randall 

3 hours ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Johnston has played well this season, our best CB easily on current form, he's stepped up compared to last season IMO.

Disagree massively. 

Randall shouldn't be near our starting line-up. 

27 minutes ago, White Shirt said:

Underscore 1

Jonnyrotten 0

Yes if you just love stats and not actually watching a game. If you saw any player giving the ball away 5 times out of 6, crack on.

I keep hearing we're the Harlem Globetrotters in waiting, but 3 wins in 18 is absolutely abysmal.

51 minutes ago, ianofcleveleys said:

As Shearer has said on MOTD about Gyokeres, strikers need feeding and when a new one comes in like him, the team needs to work out how to do it. 

A week now on the training ground, hopefully some time to work with ACD, Gale and Cissoko (and Tutu for when he covers it) on preparedness to go outside, change angles and put more crosses in for Burstow or Dalby to attack. 

Cissoko in particular will be getting the hard word, SS quickly lost patience and hooked him after two airy fairy losses of the ball in a minute. 

Both Cissoko and Gale are poor