Pugin

Bali did really well yesterday apart from one lapse. Prior to that he had been in exactly the right place no fewer than four times, to get the ball away in dangerous positions. I think that Bali in at left back, and a change at number 9 with Teemu talking a break, must be the two changes in Daniel's mind. I think that Kenny in for Rupp is a given. The irony is that Giannopoulos was brilliant against Liverpool.

Great reply, thank you. But what do you mean by ''call out''? How does it work? I have experienced the type of situation when Wilf Zaha was running across to the South Stand before a game two seasons ago. Some fool screamed abuse at him, but it took a very imposing rugby-shirt-wearing guy to take issue with him,. I think the language he used was 'No, no, that really is too much'. The point is, silent condemnation is no solution, if fact quite the opposite.

I am surprised by the OP's list of complaints. Having experienced several other clubs at close quarters, City's customer services and comms are right up there with the best. I feel the one area where the OSP needs to show leadership and moral rectitude, and that is on the question of the booing of players who take the knee and participate in other symbolic shows of unity against division. It is currently the big issue, and we need representative bodies such as OSP to not only condemn the booing, but to propose measures by which the offenders can be singled out and ousted from the club. They do not deserve to be allowed to attend a family club.

Why speak of a great guy like Jordan Hugilll in these terms? What do you get out of it? Genuinely, I worry about your mentality and mindset. Why exaggerate like this to decry such a good and decent person who was a joy to have at the club and who the players love? Just, why?

1. The absolute horror of hearing about the death of Emiliano Sala, who had signed for Cardiff from Nantes, only to die a horrible death when the little chartered plane plunged into the sea,.It affected me quite badly. You don't expect footballers in their peak to die. 2. Semi final defeats. England x 2; Norwich x2. 3. Probably, Emi leaving.

Todd was distracted by Bayern Munich interest a year ago. He admits it and has learned from it. He is fully committed to becoming the best player he an for NCFC. Daniel loves him and loves his attitude. He has been brilliant in pre-season particularly against Huddersfield. He is no fool, and definitely in control of his agent. So just leave him alone to develop into the player he will become. He is in a good place.

Bayern Munich were the only club to pursue a serious interest in Todd last season, to the point where it appeared at one stage that it was happening.

Don't be too sure about that. When Man Utd come calling, not many players refuse.

After the unavoidable hammer blow of Emi moving on, we seem to have achieved the impossible by replacing his energy, enthusiasm, guile, creativity and personality. OK, so it needs two players to fill that gap, but so be it. It is galling that Emi is likely to be worth twice what we got for him within 18 months or so, but that's when the weightings within the deal will kick in - payments for International recognition, selling-on payments and so on. We have added a keeper who can challenge Tim Krul step in seamlessly when needed. If we can somehow find a Teemu mark#2 and maybe another quality player who can go wide, we look ready to have a bash at the Prem. I have a funny feeling that Spurs may at some stage be prepared to release Skipp again, which really would be the icing on the cake. I bet we are also monitoring Jamal Lewis' situation at Newcastle. Let's pray for fewer key injuries this time around, and obviously activate the contingency plan, whatever it is, if Todd or Max depart. No predictions from me this time around. After the first 25 minutes of the opening game last time around I was convinced we would ship 9 goals and not get a point all season. After the 3-0 crushing of Newcastle, I was sure we were bound for Europe. Trying to stay more grounded this time. PS I am number 601 on the Season Ticket waiting list. Now, I am not one to wish ill on anyone, but all the same....

Let's see how Emi does. He's an emotional character who has loved the last few years in Norfolk, as he has grown up, started a young family, and generally blossomed into a fantastic footballer. Life has been been good and it has showed in his face, his behaviour, and his body language. But he is driven by emotion. If his partner doesn't settle in the Midlands and his blissful life takes a turn for the worst it will effect his performances and the smile may disappear. He will be a different creature then. Just as he was when trying to establish himself at City, with a few bumps in the road. His good fortune is that he is now under the wing of another experienced and paternal manager, who will nurture him and be aware of what is going on in his head. One thing I know for sure - just like Jamal, Emi and in due course Max and Todd, at the end of their careers and realise that City has been and extraordinary place to be over the last three years and they may well strive unsuccessfully to find such contentment again. I don't know how we managed to keep him for the last year, but the wheel has turned and cannot turn back.

Even Peter Crouch got a smattering of applause when he warmed up for Stoke two and a half years ago!

I will offer an alternative view on Andre Dozzell. Firstly, he needs to get away from Ipswich so that he gets away from his dad. Jason frittered his career and failed to achieve half of what he should have achieved. It is many years ago now, when Jason was at Tottenham, that my brother viewed a house in a nice part of Ipswich only to discover it was Mrs D who was the seller. She had nothing positive to say about Jason, merely that one of the reasons that they were selling was that from a sizeable income, £500 a day was going up Jason's nose. Sadly, there have been numerous addiction issues since as well as law infringements, and frankly Andre has to carry the weight of his dad on his shoulders. He is close to his mum, and she appears a constant and solid support. As a player, Andre is capable of magic. The rumours a couple of years ago were based on a real interest from Norwich, and no doubt Norwich, and the England age groups, could see the rare potential. I hope he gets a good move and can develop as Andre Dozzell, not 'son of Jason'. Norwich might work, but my gut feeling is that he needs to get further away from Ipswich.

Me too. But he really needs to work on his pronunciation of 'camaraderie'. He gets lost in the middle of it, but back on track by the end.

I look forward to the day when Mick McCarthy takes a side back to Portman Road as an opposing manager. Half the home side would applaud him and half would abuse him. I would bet my house that he would lift his side to a sizeable win Ir would be such poetic justice.

No problem, happy to oblige. 'The new Makelele' scans better, anyhow.

It's not easy for a defensive midfielder to stand out in the hurly-burly of the Championship, which makes Oliver Skipp's ever more authoritative displays so exceptional. We could even be lauding him as the Player of the Season in a few months time. I thought he was the new Tettey, but it turns out he's the new Claude Makelele 🙂

England did have such a player - Owen Hargreaves - but injury ruined his career. My fear is that Jose Mourinho will see Skippy as the new Claude Makalele, and nobody knows the value of such a player more than Mourinho.

All very true. Sarr will likely go to a Palace, or Leicester, maybe Newcastle, Everton or Wolves, whenever his contract starts running down, and Watford should make a small profit. Maybe Zaha will move on from Palace, and Sarr will replace him. That's seems feasible. The only thing that worries me about Placheta is that he came into the side and was looking quite dangerous and involved, but he has stood still or if anything slipped back slightly. That can only be down to him finding the experience and coaching a little bit hard to take on board. I am sure we will be patient with him. To end on a positive, Giannoulis has been the opposite - he has grown and improved with every single game. Looking a great find. Brilliant!

Control Ismaila Sarr, and half the job is done when playing Watford. Easier said than done, because he has extraordinary pace. Prez Placheta could learn a huge amount from Sarr - perhaps he will. Funny thing is, if Placheta builds up the rest of his game then he will be able to use his pace (if that makes sense!)

I like to think there are odd coincidences within football, and based on that I might have a punt on Oxford getting 7 tomorrow, and Ipswich 1. It would effectively signal the end of Lambo's high level career which was launched by a 1-7.

Very tight knit, virtually all of the team are still exceptionally close, they have reunions and an unbreakable bond. The other exception is central defender Eric Young who was always a bit of an enigma and liked to stay very private. There as stories such as him being dropped off the team bus in strange places. No suggestion of anything untoward. He just liked to retain his privacy and that remains the case to this day. The eleven from the Final team (except the two mentioned) are the really close group. I feel sorry for the other squad players who were there, but not really there, none more so than Vaughan Ryan who was in the side until three weeks before the Final. Against Chelsea, Steve Wicks smashed into him unnecessarily and broke his cheekbone. Vinnie Jones took his place and Vaughan Ryan's big chance of fame had gone. Great bunch of lads and Bobby Gould is a delight. He lives in retirement near Bristol and gets great enjoyment following his son who is Chief Exec at Middlesex CC and his grandson who is a goalkeeper at Kidderminster.

I have been researching a book about Giantkilling. Wimbledon players and Bobby Gould have been amazing. But I keep hearing 'Steer clear of Fashanu'.

Young referee out to make a name for himself Absolute nightmare. Three sendings off. Every foul seems to be a booking. Very poor refereeing, but we will probably see him at EFL level in a couple of years.

John Fashunu. 'Thief and a scumbag' was one description from a former clubmate. Of the wonderful Wimbledon Cup-winning side, he is largely an outsider. Still a lot of resentment that on the eve of the Cup Final he tried to channel the Players' Pool through his hooky mate Eric Hall, for his own benefit. And for that criminal challenge that ended Jon O'Neill's career on his Norwich debut. There was intent to seriously injure. Unforgiveable. Oh, but primarily Danny Mills. He is just sneering and unlikeable. But Fashanu is probably more deeply flawed.

Twice. And the second time he corrected himself. But he also once called him 'Martin Krul', no doubt confusing him with Martin Kuhl, who played for Birmingham, Portsmouth and a few other clubs. That was mildly amusing. I heard nothing to make him deserve to be called a 'bell-end'. Ogrizovic was excellent, and full of praise for City. A real died-in-the-wool football man. And he valued Todd at £50 million!