Dubai Mark

Many thanks as usual Ricardo, zero coverage today for this plastic, but I am going to take a positive stance and see it as a point saved today :-)

If Jinny doesnt come in for Wis, then I personally would rather see Bridley keep his place and rest Tittey, but it is a close run thing as both are playing very well......a bit of rotation would not hurt right now after a couple of slightly disappointing results.

Wow so very moving and an amazing gesture by the club that also had a bit of class too, the team photograph inclusion and the shirt at the end of the game the icing on the cake, fantastic!

Agree that it was a fine performance and with the suggestion that just this once the substitutions were not required unless for injury.....possibly contributed to us losing the game?

Thanks as usual Ricardo, and from where I was watching summed up the match nicely. Amazingly for me, as I usually very critical of him, I too would give MoM to Hoolahan and agree that this was one time when perhaps he shouldnt have been replaced. IT was actually a very good performance just a shame Charlton had borrowed Chelsea''s bus for this one!

wiziwig working ok''ish for me

Don''t bite COTW.....to late....

Where Buh?...where?...... Sure a lot of people are being measured in the praise they are giving at times and not getting carried away just yet.....but, so is our Manager doing the same!

I am sure we all agree with this:...."but we do need to play at a much higher tempo against the better sides from the start of games" ....and whatever will we be like when we do? ....a few teams in for a tonking if...when...we do!

I really enjoyed your report, definitely represented the game I watched, thank you! I too had Redmond down as MoM...we now need to see him score a few goals, which I am sure will come.

We certainly can often see games differently....for me, sure Wes did improve second half by keeping things simple, playing an earlier ball and not hanging on to it. Unlike in the first half, where more than once he held on to the ball so long he actually slowed the game down and was the main reason why we looked so pedestrian. I am not a huge fan, BUT was surprised he was then taken off when he was playing his part......not complaining though because Murphy did very well and we looked better balanced thereafter.

Can''t help but agree with the comments so far regarding the quality of the league on what we have seen so far, sure early days, but not what I expected. Also, regarding Ipswich...where they are regardless of the quality, is in fairness testimony to their manager, who on very limited resources is at least giving them some hope.

I have always understood LDC''s views on Hughton and again found myself nodding my head in agreement. You know there were certainly a few times when we did witness, although few will agree, some very decent performances under CH and where it really looked like he had just about cracked it....and then, it kept tumbling down again...often due to injuries and often as a result of players just not giving enough.....then he lost his way and as I think many will agree, should have gone a little earlier than he did or.......at the end of the season (fewer will agree on that).

Seems to be a bit of a love in going on, but at this level certainly when he is on his game Hoolahan is a key player for us.......when he is on his game........

Regardless of the poor season he had with us, my guess is that CH will be a good choice for Fulham and that he will do a very decent job for them. As for Bassong, if he too goes to Fulham, then they will have potentially signed the best CB in the Championship, playing for the manager he knows and respects and with some bad times put behind him.

I reluctantly accept the view about our priority this season, understand it...but, I just love a cup run and did feel that this squad with its mix of experience and youth, if managed well (not eleven changes and a low impact bench), could have taken on a Cup run without having a huge impact on us getting automatic promotion. Now, we have the FA Cup coming up....do we simply advise the FA that we do not want to participate this season? Will save a lot of expectation followed by the usual disappointment.....

That is certainly how I remember it too Morty. I was one of those who for some unknown reason wanted him to stay this season, but now I have come off the drugs, I am one of those who wishes him well, hope he notches a few and then moves on.....even if at a small loss.

I guess that NA will have learnt little about these players last night but a lot about team selection for these types of matches. Sure....4,5 even 6 changes with a strong bench....BUT, what he actually did was asking for trouble and meant we have missed out on a potential big pay day or two. Shame, but that said its not unusual for us or other larger teams to go out early with weakened teams in this Cup.....even PL did it!

Many thanks for your report, really appreciated and helps build a picture. The one thing concerning me to date this season is, the "coasting" you mention, it keeps happening and will certainly cost us we we don''t cut it out soon.

It depends on what way you look at it I guess. Sure we can all understand the need to play as many of the squad as possible right now, and can agree that as individuals and squad members these players are of a good quality. BUT.....its high risk for any team to play eleven players together for the first time away in a cup match, regardless of it be Shrewsbury, and to expect everything to work out. In addition, then not to have at least one big gun on the bench to bring on just in case its not working out, is also high risk. NA certainly cannot be blamed for taking a huge risk with the team and bench last night, it was simply a decision that he got wrong, and all manager''s do that at every level from time to time.....there, I said it, and now I will be classed as an Adams hater, which I am not.

Nothing on wiziwig, so unlikely elsewhere

I would question going for a completely different team to the one that started/finished Saturday....surely for the sake of a little bit of continuity and team play there should be some players starting who are regular starters, maybe just the spine of the team (other than Ruddy). Otherwise it could end up with us being like a team of strangers playing together for the first time, probably an exaggeration, but certainly wouldnt be the way to win the match just because on paper its a strong side. I''d like a particularly strong side to start particularly up front, with even Jerome and Hooper together...with the aim to actually have a decent first half and notch a couple of goals, then we can make the necessary changes.

It''s great to get another detailed report with a different view, thanks a lot! Now......Morty.....get''s it spot on as usual....... "Unless Wes is completely on his game, he is a liability" Also, it''s amazing how the views on Murphy vary so much, not just on here.....a mate of mine who went to the game,a nd who is a huge fan of Murphy I must add, thought he looked out of his depth in this and in need of a decent loan period before he becomes a regular. The thing is this is a very talented team at this level and a squad with other options, so any player coming in not being on their game "when" the rest are will not look up to it I guess.

Oh my goodness, how to write a reply message without it being seen as negative or anti Adams. Having read that he was struggling before the game and seeing that we now have an absolutely terrific squad, I was genuinely surprised Wes played. That said, if the Manager had a game plan all week and Wes was part of it, then I can understand the decision and risk he took, but it was not necessary and possibly cost us the win (?). As for his first error? Well, I am sure he has made more than one or two to date.....BUT, he is a rooky Manager and appears to be learning very quickly indeed! It''s actually great seeing what''s happening as the team and management get used to being in this league....more mistakes top come I''m sure, but that''s how you learn! So much more to come from this team/squad, so much more!

I certainly agree with the general thrust of what you are saying here....BUT, "massively over-rated Hooper"....by whom? I think the majority of City fans will be expecting him to make an impact when he gets his turn in the side, he has history at this level and it will be a major surprise if he fails.