ron obvious

I'm seeing definite signs of improvement as he gets more time on the pitch. I'd say he looks to have more footballing nous than Idah, if lacking in pace & physicality by comparison. Will he keep on improving at his present rate? Who knows. But I'm not writing him off yet.

Can I just add that the situation was compounded by another useless ref missing a blatant handball for Hull's goal the previous evening. A certain Mr. Stroud ....

I never warmed to Howson. I didn't understand why he was captain - far too shy & hesitant when he spoke, certainly not an inspiring character. Although undoubtedly an excellent footballer, he always seemed to keep the club at arm's length, so to speak, never fully engaged, which I initially put down to his shyness, but came to believe that he really just didn't want to be here.

The more I think about it the more I think Howson made his reaction to try & distract attention from Sainz coming off worse from what was essentially a coming together - basically it was an act of self-preservation by Howson. Unfortunately the ref was a complete Richardhead (as was Hull's ref last night).

Both 'boro commentators (who were very fair throughout) agreed that it wasn't anything like a red card, even after several replay viewings. But our capitulation was shocking. I firmly believe it's to do with the way Gibson & Hanley play - it's great when they can slowly walk the ball out from defence, but they are sooo pooonderous that they get turned too easily by any sort of overload from midfield. I'm not saying they're solely to blame, but they're a large factor. One tiny, tiny plus from tonight was Sid's performance, notably his link up play & eye for a pass was encouraging. There may yet be a useful player in there after all.

Just checked out Hull's 'goal' from last night; as blatant a handball as it gets. About 2.42 in

I'd like to see a replay of Hull's goal. Brum seemed pretty sure it was handball, which was also my suspicion.

Carlton Palmer reckons his value has gone up to £10m with Celtic & Rangers both after him. We'll see.

I'm getting as addicted to them as he is to coffee. I just lurv the guy.

Watching online I thought that in the second half Gibson & Hanley realised there was no real threat from Sunderland & started moving into their half- still mostly at walking pace -, giving us a lot more attacking options; did it seem that way to you?

Give My Compliments To The Chef, from the same performance, is also stunning.

He looked anonymous on Friday.

Really? You're forgetting this guy. Let's hope he turns out as good...

It's a bit worrying. He looked knackered as soon as he came on. appears to have zero pace & just sort of gangles about. But of course it's ridiculous to judge him on the tiny amount of time he's been here. I'm not making any sort of judgement on him for a month or two, in the meantime I'll be getting behind him & hoping he comes good.

As I've said, many times, I reckon Zal's his dad.

They were watching it on t'telly 🙂

Over the years I've found I can tell how well we're going to do within the first five minutes. It's like there are 2 NCFCs - the Jekyll & Hyde of the footballing world, only it's Mr. Hyde we want to see. Today it was Dr. Jekyll. No energy. Lethargic. Didn't look up for it at all. I wonder why it is? What happens to the collective mentality that turns an excellent footballing side into a bunch of nervous, exhausted wrecks?? It's really puzzling. And extremely frustrating. What doesn't help is that Rovers are the worst sort of side for us to face, they're simply too physical for us, we get bullied off the ball far too easily. Players like Nunez, Sara & Sainz are technically excellent but need to learn how to cope with players like Blackburn's (assuming that's possible). And I really think we have to do better than Hanley & Gibson at CB. Together they seem to slow everything down, we become ponderous, uninventive - & ultimately fragile. Kenny has been a revelation, he makes the team tick & dovetails in with the midfield so well. If we had a really good quality Pl standard CB alongside him we'd be sorted. At least at this level, & if we could abolish Dr. Jekyll & let Mr. Hyde's animal spirits have free reign ...

It was fabuloso. The goalie didn't even move, there was no point.

Very worried about this one. We look half asleep. Bit better after the goal but relapsed into a torpor again.

Though it went through the goalie's hands. Maybe Angus would've stopped it? Dunno.

His latest one cracked me up. Little Richard anyone??

Harry Kane lite. And I'm not sure he's even lite ...

You have to be optimistic, & you have to take the situation for what it is. When I was 11 I played for a team of 11 year olds competing in a league of 13 year olds. I think our best result was about 11-1; if we scored in a match it was like we'd won a cup final. I never lost hope though. And no matter what all the pundits & experts may say, things are not cut & dried. I cite Luton as a perfect example. Norwich drive me nuts with their continual foot-shooting, but they're the team I support, warts, frustration & all & everything else included. Frequently hacked off at the end of a game, but it soon passes, & there's always the next match ...

Yes he did, in his post match interview. With all due respect, how a player looks to someone not directly involved is pretty irrelevant.