Yelloow Since 72

The fact that Doc was playing as a striker in that game against Newcastle says it all! A hard working team became a good team when Ashton came in that January and provided an attacking striker. Had he come in at the start, City wouldn''t have gone down that year.

The only match report I could find, but heavily biased towards the scum! http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=15480&title=murray_nets_as_reserves_draw_with_norwich

1-1 final score.

TWTD were actually quoting from the Green un site. No further scores yet.

There may be updates on the official site for those not going, but not sure they cover the reserves away matches. The Pink un twitter sites are another possibility.

I think that OTJ will compete with Russell for the holding role in front of the defence. His height could be a great advantage in this role, especially for set pieces, but we need to see more of him to know how well he might do. Gill struggled a bit in an unseetled side after the departure of Gunn, but I''d like to see more of him in a successful side before making any predictions.

  Nice one Mr Carrow! I can only count 11 players brought in this summer, unless you are counting Spillane and Martin coming back from Luton. If that is the case, then Holt, Martin, Spillane, Hughes, and Askou have already proven their worth to the team. I think that Nelson, Tudur Jones, Wiggins, Gill, and McVeigh (as cover for Hoolahan in the hole) will also prove their worth over the season. That only leaves Whaley, Maric and Theoklitos as question marks, but even these need more games before any decision is taken.

I think some and some. Personally, I think that this City team has many ''squad players''. I would rest Hoolahan and Holt and play: either Rudd or Theoklitos Francomb    Nelson  Stephens   Wiggins                        Tudur Jones       Hughes                        Gill                          McVeigh        McDonald                Cureton Subs:  Rudd or Theoklitos, Askou, Smith, Martin, Maric, Lappin. All of those except Stephens have been first team players and Stephens has at least been on the bench a couple of times.

I also agree. The squad has gelled very well in winning 5 out of the last six matches, and should have drawn at Leeds. There are at least two decent players at every position, and Lambert''s diamond formation is making the most of them. There is also at least one decent young player coming on beyond that at most positions (not including Spillane, Martin and Smith who have now established themselves). To bring in new players on loan now or in January could disrupt that and demoralise those trying to get into the team. I don''t agree that Gunn''s players are average. Holt, McDonald, Hughes, Askou, and Forster have certainly proved themselves, and Nelson, Wiggins, Gill and Tudur Jones need more games before they are judged. Personally, I''d like to see what Tudur Jones could do at the base of the diamond in fron of the defence. Question marks about Whaley, Maric and Theoklitos at the moment, but generally I think that Gunn did a good job of getting players in with what little money he had.

I think it''s useful to have Karsa linking the various elements, but agree that much of the credit for the young players goes to Martin and also to Crook, who is managing the reserves very effectively to bring young players on as well as helping senior players coming back from injury. The whole set-up seems to be getting results.

1-1, Holt to score (unless he''s injured, when it''ll be Hoolahan unless he''s injured...)

I agree cherub, as he wasn''t the only player to struggle against Colchester, and then in the matches following Gunn''s sacking. People are far too quick to write players off (including all those who applauding Roeder for off-loading Martin and Spillane to Luton). Lambert wants more pace and Whaley is one of the few in the present team who have it (whatever others say, he does have pace). Give it another moth at Rochdale and review it then. Lambert doesn''t seem the type to make a knee-jerk reaction and then allow his own ego to dominate and as we all know, there isn''t a lot of money to bring other players in.

Whilst avoiding the ''crucial'' bit, I do think that Monday could give some indication of City''s potential. Even with a loss, the sixth place is still there but the match will give some indication of this team''s potential for automatic promotion. A draw would be a good result, a win would be a great result and keep City in touch with automatic promotion. Yes, there''s a long way to go yet, but there''s also a lot of ground to make up on the four teams at the top. Hear''s hoping it happens, starting on Monday! OTBC!

Apparently Remy Gordon is the son of Disco Dale, so let''s hope he''s a chip off the old block!

At this stage of the season it''s just another game. Yes it will be a test of the current run, but it will be subject to luck and who takes their chances. It''s always tough to win away and this will be even harder. Take it as a game and leave it as that. OTBC!

I agree Flash, as this is getting tedious. As the BBC commentator pointed out, it isn''t helped by strikers backing in to push defenders off the ball. Other refs could have called it the other way. Doc''s doing all right IMO. OTBC!

Where are you guys getting the scores? Lakey is still at HT on Twitter!

Some people just can''t see beyond their own prejudice! Competition between CBs is necessary if City are to push for promotion! OTBC! (and Doc!)

and four points clear of relegation!

I think that it''s great that there is competition at RB, which will help both Spillane and Otsemobor. I never understand why some fans get a kick out of writing off City players. At least two players competing at every position is vital.

I agree that Gunn deserves credit for building a solid team of players, but would also like to commend the way Lambert has avoided the supposed ''freezing out'' of players like Russell, Hoolahan and Doherty, all of whom have a role to play if City are to push on for promotion. It will also be interesting to see what happens with whaley if he comes back from loan soon. OTBC!

According to the radio commentary after viewing the replays, Matt''s version seems spot on. I also agree that it was refreshing to have a good, balanced ref for a change.

I agree as well, and would replace McVeigh with Martin on Saturday, but keep the rest of the winning team together. Rovers will be a much tougher test, for sure.

I disagree with much of this, except that it was very much a team performance. Askou was unusually low-key, making Doherty''s contribution even more important. Doherty performs well when he keeps his concentration, which he did very well last night. If City are to push on to the play-offs or better, they need competition at all positions to keep that concentration and intensity, and CB is especially important in this regard. Askou has been the most consistent performer to date, though he has also made his share of mistakes, some of which conceded goals. Doherty and Nelson have been pretty even, IMO, but the competition will help them both. I would agree that both Spillane and Smith had cases for MoM, but don''t disagree with Doc getting it. This ongoing denigration of City players is counterproductive, IMO, and detrimental to the Club''s success. City need every player performing if they are going to push for promotion.

Took the champagne away as well - MoM!