Creeping Northwards. At home to Crawley Town, Sat 8th FEB 3-0'clock.

[Worthy4England]

Was that the most ‘Riochball’ like performance you will see in the modern game? Width. Crosses. Numbers forward. Midfield emptied to commit forwards. Two slightly shaky centre halves exposed by pace…

It feels pretty much like the modern Bruce equivalent. Especially the late subs to just go all out attack in a game we could still quite easily have lost as much as won.

You mighta gone a bit early mate, but lets see how it pans out. I quite like losing a bit of mathematical structure and the bullshit over-analysis (that's over analysis, rather than any form of analysis), in favour of something that actually entertains along with the win.

Our L2 promotion season was way less structured and very imperfect, but for me, the most entertaining of the previous 4.5 years.

[truewhite15]

I can confirm that after a quick treatment from yours truly, Lofty was fine to play out the 2nd half.

Are you the chap the North Stand lot are so upset with at the minute?

I dunno, am I? There were incidents today that I was peripherally involved with. What's reached your ears?

[BWFC_Insane]

Was that the most ‘Riochball’ like performance you will see in the modern game? Width. Crosses. Numbers forward. Midfield emptied to commit forwards. Two slightly shaky centre halves exposed by pace…

It feels pretty much like the modern Bruce equivalent. Especially the late subs to just go all out attack in a game we could still quite easily have lost as much as won.

You mighta gone a bit early mate, but lets see how it pans out. I quite like losing a bit of mathematical structure and the bullshit over-analysis (that's over analysis, rather than any form of analysis), in favour of something that actually entertains along with the win.

Our L2 promotion season was way less structured and very imperfect, but for me, the most entertaining of the previous 4.5 years.

Only the one game. I mean we cannot play like that every week and expect to get anywhere but just that we had a game that felt more like Rioch 90’s ball than anything else. Great in that it was exciting but yeah,,,not saying that’s necessarily a good thing in 2025 either, better than the dull stuff we have had. But we need to sort out our defending, for sure.

[GhostoftheBok]

I dunno, am I? There were incidents today that I was peripherally involved with. What's reached your ears?

Some on social media are ranting about a "grass" in some kind of incident and I've had to have a word with one lad in a Whatsapp group.

"Flag waving" and "Speed top" were the only descriptions I've had to work with.

Some silly young lads talking about "We won't forget it" and stuff like that.

Sounds like someone threw something at the Crawley keeper and got booted for it? Can't say I'm entirely sure of the details.

[Worthy4England]

Was that the most ‘Riochball’ like performance you will see in the modern game? Width. Crosses. Numbers forward. Midfield emptied to commit forwards. Two slightly shaky centre halves exposed by pace…

It feels pretty much like the modern Bruce equivalent. Especially the late subs to just go all out attack in a game we could still quite easily have lost as much as won.

You mighta gone a bit early mate, but lets see how it pans out. I quite like losing a bit of mathematical structure and the bullshit over-analysis (that's over analysis, rather than any form of analysis), in favour of something that actually entertains along with the win.

Our L2 promotion season was way less structured and very imperfect, but for me, the most entertaining of the previous 4.5 years.

Only the one game. I mean we cannot play like that every week and expect to get anywhere but just that we had a game that felt more like Rioch 90’s ball than anything else. Great in that it was exciting but yeah,,,not saying that’s necessarily a good thing in 2025 either, better than the dull stuff we have had. But we need to sort out our defending, for sure.

Agree with that. Sort defence and stop being so religously rigid and formulaic. We need a "this is the way we play" thing directionally rather than mantraically. Just don't let consultants design it!

[GhostoftheBok]

+12 minutes injury time in the Brum vs Toon game too. Must be the phase of the moon.

[truewhite15]

I dunno, am I? There were incidents today that I was peripherally involved with. What's reached your ears?

Some on social media are ranting about a "grass" in some kind of incident and I've had to have a word with one lad in a Whatsapp group.

"Flag waving" and "Speed top" were the only descriptions I've had to work with.

Some silly young lads talking about "We won't forget it" and stuff like that.

Sounds like someone threw something at the Crawley keeper and got booted for it? Can't say I'm entirely sure of the details.

Well, yes, I am, then. Some not-right lobbed a half-eaten pie at the keeper. Stewards happened to be walking past, I'd clocked who threw it and did what I've been told to do as a club rep, and reported it.

Then received some very personal insults and threats for my troubles. Which I also reported.

Maybe if folk didn't do stupid shit by lobbing stuff at players, which everyone knows shouldn't be done, then there'd be no need to grass. But c'est la vie.

[TANGODANCER]

I know this don't belong on the football thread, but England very unfancied to beat France, nicked the lead with about 10s left...the ticker is working overtime, extra time and a few other bits too. Adrenaline. You don't get it from a spreadsheet...

I was on a total high when the BOLTON game ended and I switched over right away. Great win to beat France anytime as they are a quality side. Day's complete now.
M.O.T.M. J.D.B for a great day's watching.
C'est la vie...

[GhostoftheBok]

Well, yes, I am, then. Some not-right lobbed a half-eaten pie at the keeper. Stewards happened to be walking past, I'd clocked who threw it and did what I've been told to do as a club rep, and reported it.

Then received some very personal insults and threats for my troubles. Which I also reported.

Maybe if folk didn't do stupid shit by lobbing stuff at players, which everyone knows shouldn't be done, then there'd be no need to grass. But c'est la vie.

If you throw something at a player you should expect to deal with the police. Pretty simple.

Hopefully you don't need to buy a tin hat for the next home game.

[TonyDomingos]

I dunno, am I? There were incidents today that I was peripherally involved with. What's reached your ears?

Some on social media are ranting about a "grass" in some kind of incident and I've had to have a word with one lad in a Whatsapp group.

"Flag waving" and "Speed top" were the only descriptions I've had to work with.

Some silly young lads talking about "We won't forget it" and stuff like that.

Sounds like someone threw something at the Crawley keeper and got booted for it? Can't say I'm entirely sure of the details.

Well, yes, I am, then. Some not-right lobbed a half-eaten pie at the keeper. Stewards happened to be walking past, I'd clocked who threw it and did what I've been told to do as a club rep, and reported it.

Then received some very personal insults and threats for my troubles. Which I also reported.

Maybe if folk didn't do stupid shit by lobbing stuff at players, which everyone knows shouldn't be done, then there'd be no need to grass. But c'est la vie.

Good for you, mate. As you say, people know what they can / can't do in a football ground (though you'd hope they'd have worked it for themselves in life more generally).

[truewhite15]

Seemed like a waste of a good pie, to me. Bit daft all around.

[nicholaldo]

Yeah, fair play to you, truewhite15.

Anyone giving you grief is a prize bellend.

[The_Gun]

The first game I haven’t watched in ages… ha.

Not ideal to concede three at home to Crawley, but blimey, that’s what it’s all about in the end.

Up the fecking Whites!

[GhostoftheBok]

Schumacher saying he expects Kion to be out for a bit, but will wait for a scan. Collins hopefully not serious as his hip knock has settled down today, but again not sure.

[BWFC_Insane]

Schumacher saying he expects Kion to be out for a bit, but will wait for a scan. Collins hopefully not serious as his hip knock has settled down today, but again not sure.

Heard the interview - can’t see Collins playing Tuesday but with luck will be fine for Saturday.

[GhostoftheBok]

Heard the interview - can’t see Collins playing Tuesday but with luck will be fine for Saturday.

Not worth the risk on Tuesday.

Makes life difficult, though.

Etete's out, Collins has a knock and Tutu just played over 100 minutes. I wonder where Carlos is up to. We could use him.

[BWFC_Insane]

Heard the interview - can’t see Collins playing Tuesday but with luck will be fine for Saturday.

Not worth the risk on Tuesday.

Makes life difficult, though.

Etete's out, Collins has a knock and Tutu just played over 100 minutes. I wonder where Carlos is up to. We could use him.

Tuesday is a put the kids in night. It really is. Certainly take no risks night at least. Can’t risk Tutu for me, needs protecting.

[GhostoftheBok]

Tuesday is a put the kids in night. It really is. Certainly take no risks night at least. Can’t risk Tutu for me, needs protecting.

In some cases, perhaps.

Lolos needs the minutes. So does Matete. Thommo should play, because he's banned for Shrews. Would probably give Murphy another outing. Jones needs minutes.

Lots of first team players actively need to play in that one.

Tutu, as you say, I'd want to see protected.

[jimbo]

Tuesday is a put the kids in night. It really is. Certainly take no risks night at least. Can’t risk Tutu for me, needs protecting.

In some cases, perhaps.

Lolos needs the minutes. So does Matete. Thommo should play, because he's banned for Shrews. Would probably give Murphy another outing. Jones needs minutes.

Lots of first team players actively need to play in that one.

Tutu, as you say, I'd want to see protected.

It’s a really important game to have at the moment I think. Gives the new manager a chance to have a look at what the fringe players can do in a testing game that doesn’t really matter.

[BWFC_Insane]

Tuesday is a put the kids in night. It really is. Certainly take no risks night at least. Can’t risk Tutu for me, needs protecting.

In some cases, perhaps.

Lolos needs the minutes. So does Matete. Thommo should play, because he's banned for Shrews. Would probably give Murphy another outing. Jones needs minutes.

Lots of first team players actively need to play in that one.

Tutu, as you say, I'd want to see protected.

Yes to all those. Vic probably starts. Schon maybe to lb.