 | Forum
Reply | Stephan
at 14:21 25 Feb 2026
Northern - I've obviously read you say this quite a few times. And there is a lot of sense in it.
But I'd also only agree to an extent.
You can get a special manager who builds a team that is stronger than it's parts, even if the clubs hierarchy are not the best.
Warnock was an obvious example but I really felt Warburton had us well on the right track.
Can we do better than Cifuentes and now Stephan? I suspect so. |
| Forum
Reply | Walsh
at 08:02 25 Feb 2026
I hate to be Donald Trumpy about it but i categorically refute that he is 6 foot 4
I’d need to see it on a tape measure with my own eyes. |
| Forum
Reply | Walsh
at 08:00 25 Feb 2026
No probs Brian! May well deserve a downvote anyway.
I did think signing Saito was a good idea. But the player who got the byline and was devastating in one on ones has disappeared.
So that has proven to a totally bad call.
Could be calling Walsh wrong too but I’ve seen enough Jurgen Sommers in my time to know and dud GK when I see one. |
| Forum
Reply | Walsh
at 06:46 25 Feb 2026
I knew a few of his away performances would be thrown out there in his defence. But you’re missing the point.
A game where you throw yourself in with starfish saves in one on ones and the ball hits you, does not make a good keeper.
Good goalkeepers have command of their area and do the basics well. Number one on that is command of aerial balls. Walsh is beyond abysmal at that.
But you also need to not make mistakes and make the simple over and over again shot stopping diving saves that means a finish has to be a really good one to beat you.
Walsh, as he showed last night, fails at that too.
And it’s not experience. He’s just not a good goalkeeper. |
| Forum
Thread | Walsh
at 21:12 24 Feb 2026
I cannot believe anybody rates this guy.
He's a total embarrassment under crosses, he's too small and I'm not sure he can even jump.
He is CLEARLY not a viable goalkeeper.
It's a shame, as him aside, we were looking quite good. But you can't win games consistently with a bad goalkeeper - and Walsh is a bad keeper.
Sadly none of our three keepers are good enough and it should have been addressed in the window. [Post edited 24 Feb 21:21]
|
| Forum
Reply | Club Accounts
at 15:48 18 Feb 2026
All fair points.
Although I'm pretty sure Bennie was playing RW, so not sure he was a partnering Kone like Burrell. Think Daniel Bennie will make a good pro btw but not at this level. He's League Two or at a push League One.
As for Kolli. He should play up top as the hold up striker. It's his best position. And Kone has been overplayed and running on fumes of ages. Kolli for Kone is my call, even just every one game in three.
And yeah he's crucfying Morgan for the losses away at Cov and home to Norwich. But Morgan takes the ball and takes responsibility. That will come with mistakes. |
| Forum
Reply | Club Accounts
at 14:58 18 Feb 2026
Tbh I'd forigve Julien Stephan many things but the way he has slammed our youth prospects careers into reverse is pretty unforgivable.
There are have been plenty of opportunities to give Kolli and Morgan, who have both proved they can play at this level, a significant number of starts.
Now, even deep in an injury crisis, he's failing to do it.
Cifuentes blooded Morgan and he blooded Kolli. For a club operating our model that makes him far more valuable a manager than a boss who ignores the youngsters.
Perversely, he is playing Bennie - who clearly doesn't have a single standout skill that allow him to make it at this level. |
| Forum
Reply | Blackburn Reflection
at 13:29 16 Feb 2026
I would never have sacked Warburton. It looked a mistake at the time and has proven to be over and over again ever since. |
| Forum
Reply | Next season’s squad
at 13:25 16 Feb 2026
When Les left, getting Stephen Gallen as our DoF seemed a very obvious and extremely good call.
Links to the club, fantastic track record etc etc.
But no. Of course. He didn't get it.
Anyone who says you can't achieve on our budget - look at Millwall. |
| Forum
Reply | Where is Poku?
at 07:54 13 Feb 2026
He wasn't injury prone before we signed him. |
| Forum
Reply | Where is Poku?
at 16:11 10 Feb 2026
Lots of teams wanted to sign him so that's not the case.
However, he may well now be a permanent crock. Looks and feels a lot like Willock and JCS at the moment. |
| Forum
Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 14:14 10 Feb 2026
I think Dunne proved while playing at RB that he is a much better footballer than anyone thought, me very much included. When Marti first played him there I thought it's be a disaster. Then he started rampaging around swinging crosses from the byline.
His gait is deceptive, he's much better in possession than he looks. Same applies for Cook. |
| Forum
Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 12:12 10 Feb 2026
I agree Northern. I agree.
And it's been so long since we've ever even attempted to have that magic mix combined in midfield. It's why I always feel 442 can only ever go so far, even at this level.
Scowen / Luongo / Freeman was a budget attempt, and at times, came close. In the hands of better tactical and possession based manager than Ollie it might have really clicked, even if Scowen was limited.
But now I'd really like to see Hayden / Morgan / Madsen all play together. I think that's got a nice mix of bite, legs and quality. |
| Forum
Reply | Sait-oh?
at 18:20 7 Feb 2026
He was extremely hardworking, good at all the defensive stuff - and absolutely thrilling in one on ones. His fast footwork to go past people in the box and byline was exceptional. Oh and he could shoot.
All of that has gone. He’s was a total passenger yesterday.
He’s been poor poor poor ever since his first Japan cap.
As in, he is an effectively a waste of position atm. I cannot understand it and I cannot understand why the management seem to totally oblivious.
That said it really doesn’t help that Stephen is bizarrely determined to neuter both Saito and Smyth by playing them on their wrong wings. It’s just f—king stupid. Boils my piss. |
| Forum
Reply | Frey
at 11:09 5 Feb 2026
It's AI. Most likely ElevenLabs. |
| Forum
Reply | Frey
at 18:31 4 Feb 2026
Good for him. I always liked him. I also thought he was a lot better player than he looked. One of our better free transfers that's for sure. |
| Forum
Reply | Madsen
at 12:25 1 Feb 2026
You’re missing the main point.
442 doesn’t favour him.
In a 4231 all the issues you’re talking about are pretty much negated. |
| Forum
Reply | Harvey Vale
at 08:01 1 Feb 2026
My main takeaway is that overall I just prefer us in the 4231 formation than with two up top. It just links our play and makes midfield so much more complete.
I also think we’ve got a few good potential 10s in the squad.
Vale may be beat. Certainly his technique and accurate use of the ball in possession makes a big difference, especially for other technicians like Madsen. |
| Forum
Reply | Madsen
at 18:48 31 Jan 2026
Usually ok with people repeating my post from weeks ago almost verbatim like it’s their idea.
But Wilkins and Stainrod, you are the exception. |
| | WestbourneR
|
Site Scores| Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 0 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.