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Which one’s Gary Lineker?

Will he have enough points on the immigration scale to play for us... I've got a feeling UEA are gonna have a sudden influx of footballers all studying part time PHD's soon 😂

That would be Olano-o.

Is that what westcork called him?

Doesn't really matter if we go down. It will upset a great many who want the EPL at all costs. The lack of summer signings has meant we have gone with what we had and in all fairness they have largely looked physically and tactically out of their depth. But I still like to critique each game at a time and Sunday was really awful. You can;t make it any better. So have a moan then, move on and look forward to Friday and hopefully a better team and a better performance topped off with some goals and a win.

Apart from the League Table, the club is in a good place😉

I wouldnt call this season atrocious. We have played well. We have been the better team many times, yet failed to get the reward our performances deserved. We've not been unlucky, we're just not a Premier League team. We tried to compete with practically no investement. This was a choice the club made. You could say it backfired, but I havent really felt like staying up this season was pivotal to the clubs model. Perhaps bagging the TV money and the parachute payments and enhancing the reputations of our saleable assets was the main objective, with the plan to keep the core of the team together and be in a good position to mount an immediate promotion challenge with a clearly embedded philosophy. To stay up probably would have required a huge amount of investment, it's not like we're missing one key player 20-30m would fix. I think they looked at Fulham previously and chose a different strategy. I still maintain the club were not too fussed about staying up. Had they been we'd have seen ever more desperate splurges in the transfer market. I like this team. Its a good team that plays some great football, but has proven it is not Premier League standard. Doesnt make it sh ite, nor our season atrocious. Not the way I view it

I expect you to be proved right, he wont cost enough to be any good. If Sheffield United aren't interested why should we be? Another for Sloughbottom park.

I just don't see the midfield thing, not at this level. In what way? This level is tough of course but I think much of the feeling is that he hasn't met what we expected of him this season. And I think we were impressed last season as much because of when he came forward with the ball. He can pass and over distance as well. But we did last season and have done this season, been caught through the middle with poor positioning when the opposition has the ball and quite a lot of ball watching. I would love to see him tried as a holding player. I would love to see him more involved. He looked quite happy to come forward looking for it when we went three at the back late on Sunday and quite neat with the ball at his feet. Maybe they have tried him there n training, I don't know, but at this stage, i don't see any harm in us trying something a bit different. This part of the season has reminded me of Hughton and Neil when they were so worried that they didn't dare do anything different. Surely DF could still get us playing a nice possession based style but try two up front and three at the back or something that the opposition might not expect from us. For instance, it seems a fairly widespread opinion that Rupp and Duda have added nothing and maybe made things worse. Good for DF, he tried something. But it hasn't changed anything and in fact, Sunday was one of the worst performances of the season.. So we haven't added anything from Trybull and Leitner. However slight the chance is of staying up, we have to make a stab at it. Forget goal difference, that won't keep us up. And DFs job is safe so he is worry free about the future. Start on Friday by showing you have the nous to take this club further by showing how you can adapt.

No ‘hoping’ needed about it. I would like to think that after 2.5 years people have worked out Daniel Farke is clearly not a vindictive type of person, and far too mature for petty squabbles. He has standards and morals that clearly need adhering to. Like it or not, the facts are that Emi does have a little history of being a bit temperamental. If Farke’s trying to improve this element of Emi’s nature, then I would imagine it’s not just for the good of the team but ultimately for the good of Emi too. I truly believe that is exactly how Daniel Farke is as the clearly genuine and decent gentleman that he is.

You should be banned for that comment alone.

Haha, you do see that a lot, it’s very true, Eddie. They make for some interesting reading at times, but there’s no better way to truly judge a player than by watching them on Grefstad’s 165’’ TV

I think Emi has some frustrating qualities but the good far outweighs the bad. If we'd found a way to get results without Emi then I could see the argument but we haven't. For me it is Farke's job to find a way to get the best out of his most talented players. I posted Rupp's stats on another thread by the way- worth a quick read.

....and about 2 million of those contained the word "bell"

We could also so easily be Sheff Utd just outside the top 6.

Put your purses down ladies, the real enemy is Ipswich.

With all the talk about Emi recently I firmly believe that now is the time he HAS to start - frankly I think the time to start him has passed, but here we are, now. Rupp just hasn't shown enough for me. It's time to go for broke, really. A bit of a conundrum is the number 10 role behind the striker, I remain dubious about Marco at this level (I am 100% happy for him to show me how wrong I am, however) - This leaves me with either Kenny at number 10 (as we saw a bit of before) or Duda. There is an argument for Mario, but I think he will be best deployed deeper, alongside Tettey. I do like Kenny, and I believe he offers more than a few fans on here give him credit for, but I just think Mario offers more for us going forward. Which brings me to big Alex himself. He sounded absolutely gutted about the Wolves display, I feel that he will definitely be fired up to prove something this Friday. Nobody can doubt his determination, which is half the battle when you're at the foot of the table. Godfrey had a bit of a nightmare Sunday, which is why I would have Zimmerman back in, if fit, not sure where we currently stand on this. So, to commence proceedings, I'll put this forward: Krul Aarons Zimbo (if fit?) Hanley Lewis Tettey Vrancic Emi Duda Cantwell Pukki Subs: Fahrmann, Trybull, Mclean, Godfrey, Stiepermann, Rupp, Drmic/Idah I had a brief temptation to go with attacking 4-4-2 (more 4-2-2-2), swapping out Duda for Drmic/Idah alongside Pukki, but I just don't see DF going with 2 strikers from kick off.

Come on lads, cheer up! It’s all a ride. We go up, we go down. Just enjoy the ride. We could be mid-table and boring, imagine how bad that would be. worse things happen at sea, y’know? https://youtu.be/SJUhlRoBL8M

Oxford, Fleetwood and Portsmouth already winning. Currently now 9th 5 points from the playoffs- O dear

Spurs v Norwich will be available next Wednesday on BBC Red Button once Sheff Wed v Man City gets underway on the tellybox.

Didn't stop you looking though.....did it?....

Just want them to finally do us and football a favour and go out of business. It’s the final inevitability and I can’t wait to see it.

Unfortunately there are millions of people that simply can't afford to self isolate. At least two weeks off work with no cover, no safety net of sick pay, insecure jobs.

No way. Tim will definitely be here next season and surely he will be POTS. I can't think of anyone who has earned it more than him this season. So McGovern and Oxborough will be enough without bringing in someone else.

I also find myself replying to him, then realise who I'm replying to Alex. Then think, why bother cos he'll either change the subject, but stay on football , or ask you what your favourite sandwich is. Conjecture such as suggesting 'its personal' is shoite stirring, nothing less .

I think as always you're a wise owl Alex🙃 Not sure if the stats will back this up but I think losing Byram is a massive blow. I've seen a lot of posters suggesting it's not because Jamal doesn't weaken the team. But I see Byram winning far more headers than Jamal ever will and we don't have many players who can do that. McLean is the only other I can think of apart from the centrebacks.

And an open mind. Once some people get an idea in their head ,nothing will change their opinion. I took part in an interesting exercise once, 30 students on a coaching course were asked to evaluate the same player, that didnt know he was the object of the exercise. The post match assessments varied wildly. With the player receiving Mark's from 4/10 to 8/10 and remarks varying from 'sloppy' to ' key playmaker '. Funnily enough, those that were more experienced and highly qualified agreed more in his performance. The purpose of the exercise was to teach the students( all adults) that what you think may not ,in fact be true, as the match was recorded and analyzed in the class room afterward by a team of 5 coaches all with a least UEFA A licenses. Twas a a very informative session.

It’s a disaster of a season and anyone who’s enjoying it and pending relegation deserves some kind of award.

Maybe. I feel the reason Farke likes Rupp is that he is a player you can reliably count on to 'do as he's told.' However if you fill your team with players like that you kill any real chance of any inspiration. You need to give creative types like Buendia a bit more leash- I doubt Wes always did as he was told and we know how that worked out.

I wish I could be a "true fan". I guess it's too late and now I will die wondering what might have been...

Todwell is pleased we have Rupp...

There is definitely a limitation from what stats alone tell you. I personally like to combine my own thoughts with them to try and create a clearer picture.

Yep, said it a few months back, he needs to get his head sorted, see a psychologist..... look what it did for Ian Wright. Pressure to deliver can have a strange effect on a players head, he needs to be trained out of that internal pressure .. which leads to frustration....and therefore the displays of petulance that we see too often lately.

Morning All.And how exactly do we achieve that. Oh guru of football. Please reread your post, then explain to us more mortals...and DF, where exactly hes going wrong and more importantly how he can ' easily' make this happen. No pathetic ar$e covering by claiming that you are on a wind up. Back up your statement or look like a ridiculous troll.

I could maybe understand benching Emi if we'd decided we wanted to add more pace and Hernandez was starting or if we'd decided to switch to a back three with wing-backs and didn't think he'd fit. But to persist with Rupp is just stubbornness at this point.

I think quite a few, myself included, are regularly victims of "short-term-itis" with regard to the most recent result/performance. And yesterday was dismal. I just hope that the players keep showing some fight & desire to get some points on the board and keep morale reasonably high. If yesterday becomes the norm performance-wise over the next few weeks, an already shaky team spirit will take a nose-dive and we all know how that tends to end. It's in nobody's interest to throw in the towel yet, including the few who fancy their chances of a lucrative move over the summer. A defence that was performing fairly well recently made two enforced changes, one of whom has played very little in the last couple of months. I think many would agree that deep-midfield has been a weak point in comparison to virtually all opposition since August. Our 'creator-in-chief' looks to be frustrated and possibly causing a bit of unrest in the camp. Our two primary goal threats are marked men, are barely getting a sniff and are poorly supported in attack (see deep-midfield for root of problem). Our two new signings are understandably struggling to make their mark in a team which is similarly struggling for rhythm & consistency having walked straight into the starting 11. Confidence looks shot if first to concede. Goals have dried up. Injuries are biting again. We're only heading one way, but if we don't pick up a few points here & there and look competitive in the majority of games, I would worry about squad, management & fan togetherness and our prospects of tackling another big promotion push from August with a positive mindset. The rest of the home fixtures are Leicester, Southampton, Everton, Brighton, West Ham & Burnley. I think it's hugely important that a couple of scalps are taken here and that we hold our own in these matches. Anything at all on the road (Blades, Arsenal, Watford, Chelsea & Man City) would be welcome of course, but realistically doesn't look likely given the current situation. Maybe a draw or two. If I remember rightly, Farke experimented with 3 at the back in pre-season and showed a willingness to be flexible with the formation. We've been hampered pretty much all season with defensive injuries which has limited options. The financial constraints are hugely detrimental to consistency of performance and on-pitch competitiveness at this level. The summer window was not a success, and I for one was generally happy to go with what we had at the time after the Amadou signing, perhaps blinded by the positivity surrounding such an amazing promotion season. Hopefully yesterday was just a particularly bad day at the office. We deserve to be bottom, we deserve to be relegated, but I really hope that we can get through the last 11 fixtures with a positive mentality, stay in games, tack on a few points and finish strongly. Maybe a trip to Wembley is on the cards! OTBC!

Welcome to “Wasgornon in traynun neyull?” 2020

Do they have tablets?

That says it all, Eddie, and he’s absolutely 100% spot on.

Yes

Here's that good news I promised. A kind lady in Chicago USA saw what we do on Facebook and sent a donation of £25 to our Presentation Pot. So already we have new totals and here they are... I'll be back later with the stats🙃

You just confirmed what he said. We have some superiority complex. Sam Allardyce, plays to his teams strength’s get this bojjocks out of you deluded head that we play this wonderful brand of football. I will spell it out. We can’t F@#king defend. We can’t F@#king score goals. What the F@#k is there to be so happy about!

And then ask if they would like to swap places with us.

I think something as gone fundementally wrong behind the scenes. Using hindsight from that Friday night we started the season at Liverpool and; Evidenced by the fact that despite our poor form/results Farke can't/won't turn to Trybull/Leitner/Stepi/Hernandez/Vrancic. Evidenced by the fact that Krul (who hasnt done badly) is still our No.1 despite Farhmann being brought in to be No.1 Evidenced by our most talented player, struggling to get minutes. Evidenced by the fact that Byram is somehow ahead of Lewis at LB. Evidenced by the Roberts and Amadou's loan, cut short. Evidenced by the fact a 42 year old Alex Tettey is the first name on the team sheet and Kenny McClean as a free pass to start everygame. Evidenced by the fact a unknown average German signed in Jan, somhow has been first choice for everygame since, likewide Duda appears to be undropable, despite anything other than a good 45 minutes. Wolves was just all too predictable, some little flashes of powederpuff and quickly dominated by a team in second gear, culminating in 3 soft goals. What I have found particulary frustrating is the 'possesion is key' message, its not. Wolves were ruthless yesterday breaking quick and turning attack to defence in in 2/3 very good passes, whilst we even at 1-0/2-0/3-0 down, we didn't increase our urgency and were happy to retain possesion, trying to move up the pitch nice and slowly.

I think the players realistically know they’re down. That doesn’t mean they’re not trying, just that their motivation is rock bottom. This season we’ve had a combination of lots of games being just short (which is demoralising) and a few where we’ve been a long way short (which is also demoralising). This is why it might not be the end of the world if we do sell one or two for big money and bring in replacements. A lot about us getting promoted was team spirit and togetherness. When that has been damaged in a relegation season, it’s not easy to just rebuild instantly, without a few fresh faces

I am beginning to think Ben isn't as good as we first thought as a CB. I still think he could give it a try as a holding midfield player.

Seriously, TIL, does every thread you get involved in have to descend into this? Not sarcasm, no hidden agenda, just a friendly pointer. You are the common denominator here, I really believe relaxing and not taking everything so seriously/literally would help an awful lot. Shall we stay on topic maybe?

Obviously it's great fun to see their current predicament, but we should also, perhaps, learn the lesson of their demise, which largely arose from the sort of over-spending that several posters on here advocate.

Cameldonum was Alan Watkins a onetime Sun journalist who sadly died in late 2016 at the age of 74. I crossed swords with him a number of times because he was a cantankerous old stick but he did make a mark in the world of newspapers in the glory days. I actually attended his funeral in Burnham-on-Crouch, which a very sad and sparsely attended affair. Alan was originally from Lincoln and held shares in Lincoln City. He had maintained good contacts in the game, and on the occasions when he was minded to be helpful, he had an excellent contacts book. When it came to recounting his life it was almost an impossible task as he interspersed factual information with imaginary details, so I never did actually find out whether he had actually played in goal for for Aldershot Reserves and whether he broke the news of Robert Maxwell's watery death. Both of these things he claimed. Another unusual fact, Alan was an afficianado of bus and train timetables! Also a classical music buff. Until very near the end he ran a night desk for a news agency, and you will probably find that a lot of his posting was in the wee small hours when UK newsdesks are quiet. I am unable to search or provide a link from the device I am using, but if anyone would like to Google Alan Watkins on the Burnham and Maldon Express website, I think you will find details of his life, his death, and funeral details. RIP Cameldonum. Gone but not forgotten. Edit - just remembered another of his extravagant claims - he claimed credit for breaking the story about Enoch Powell's notorious 'Rivers of Blood' speech at a low-key fringe gathering in Wolverhampton in the 1960's.