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Reply | Smyth
at 17:44 31 Dec 2025
Makes it stranger why he hasn't been involved recently. We really could have done with his enthusiasm and directness the other night. I assumed it was contract/potential appearance fee related but seems not. But anyway, very happy with this. An underrated player, and a great personality. |
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Reply | Madsen
at 16:05 31 Dec 2025
In cricket terms, Madsen and Varane are being bowled into the ground. Madsen recently said on a pod that the three game weeks are tough – body feels fine but you're just not 100% there and he’s still adjusting to it all. He’s played a ridiculous amount (pretty sure it’s the most minutes), and of course that’s going to bite. Again, highlights how poor recruitment’s been… how do we not have a CM on the bench who can put a foot on it and pass? That’s basic stuff.
I do think certain players get picked out over others though. People have favourites and they gloss over their limitations. Compare him with Field. I thought Sam was so poor at West Brom, he hid from wanting the ball and didn't do anything productive with it all night. Whereas I felt Madsen who wasn't great, was at least actually weighting passes properly — decent balls into feet or into space that buy teammates time. If we were going to open them up and get into dangerous situations, you felt he needed to be in the build up. Moving it quickly is viewed by some as him being “scared” of the ball/hiding, but sometimes that’s exactly how you beat the press and transition before they set.
Saito, Field, Varane, Esquerdinha, were much worse than Madsen in my view, but doesn't feel they generate the same criticism, which with Esquerdinha apart, the others are all replaceable in the squad.
Player of the season so far: Burrell for me. Madsen and Mbengue close behind which I think shows how well he's done, considering we're sitting just outside the play-offs he should be pleased with his work so it's disappointing a couple of poor team performances have put the Madsen debate back on the table. |
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Reply | Chaotic team selection, chaotic outcome as R's slip at West Brom - Report
at 12:58 31 Dec 2025
Good read as always, and I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a lot more going on here than the write-up makes out. Paul Smyth’s lack of minutes is the biggest head-scratcher for me too, but honestly, who knows what’s happening behind the scenes? Could be contract stuff, appearance clauses, or him not wanting to talk about a new deal – all that could play a part.
Fact is, results in 3 game weeks have been awful for ages. Julien was brought in to fix that, and as you said, he’s tried different things, but nothing’s clicking. He stuck with the same XI for a couple of games and got hammered for it, then switched things up and got hammered again. Can’t win. One thing I thought was a bit harsh was the criticism over the fullbacks. Morgan himself said he’s competing with Mbangue for RB, so it’s not like Julien randomly threw a CM there as you suggest. Whether you think that’s his best spot is another debate, but the manager clearly sees him as RB cover. Personally, I think Morgan’s been unlucky – I see promise in him, good football brain, uses the ball well. I’d actually like to see him start with a fresh XI instead of being written off because he’s linked to defeats.
Biggest issue for me is the squad. RND needs his minutes managed, and we’ve got zero depth. Only one proper LB, and yeah, he’s probably not good enough, but what choice does the Manager have? Funny enough, I think Larkeche would’ve been perfect for that role – backup but still getting decent minutes, probably more than Esquerdinha.
On Madsen – despite what’s been said, against West Brom he was the only one who looked like he could use the ball properly. Felt like if anything good was going to happen, he’d be involved. Field, on the other hand, was poor – didn’t want the ball, barely played forward passes. Now you’ve not come out defending Field or anything but feels like he gets an easy ride on here, even though he gets stick on socials. For me, Field offered nothing going forward, Madsen did.
Bottom line: Julien’s trying to fix a long-standing problem. Home form’s improved, credit for that. Away form and the short turnaround of matches is next on the list. Lack of depth and trying to blood youngsters is hurting him, plus some players are way off it (Saito!). But I don’t think his decisions deserve the level of bafflement and stick he’s getting |
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Reply | Chair
at 15:59 22 Dec 2025
Lets revisit this when we've struggled at Pompey.
Personally, think we need to look at ways of accommodating Chair/Saito and Dembele/Poku into the same side, with either Kone or Burrell up front as 4-4-2 won't always work, and we'll need different variations. Good problem to have. |
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Reply | Ashes thread
at 11:46 17 Dec 2025
Struggling to understand this. From what I can tell the snicko used in this series was selected by the TV broadcaster. not the ICC? So the ICC basically has no responsibility in choosing the system which plays a critical part in decision making during a game? Is that not like FIFA outsourcing goal line tech to the BBC? I'm thinking surely that's not right, how can Australia use a different system to what we have, surely, international sport, the same system should be used by all teams, which judging by the success of this series, shouldn't be the Aussie system! |
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Reply | Ashes thread
at 09:55 17 Dec 2025
Very true regarding muddled thinking. Of all the grounds and pitches we'd be playing on, this was always going to be the most appropriate for our attacking game. But I agree with you, I worry we're going to retreat into a more defensive mindset and not apply pressure to their bowlers and come up short.
Vital not to let Lyon hold down an end, with one of the other 4 quicks just rotating. We need to milk him and keep the scoreboard ticking. Cummins only just back and Stark, as well as he's bowled, has looked to be breathing a bit heavy once into a longer spell. 40+ heat tomorrow, make sure you apply pressure and don't let Lyon hold down an end. We have a good chance of winning if we do that. |
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Reply | Saito slide
at 20:32 13 Dec 2025
What’s happened to this guy? His first game back he looked the part. I reckon my 7 year old would come out on top with a shoulder barge against him at the mo. On current form Smyth on the left and Dembele or Poko on the right |
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Reply | Ashes thread
at 09:00 6 Dec 2025
Not over yet. Wicket is as flat as I remember in Brisbane. It is comical Australia thought it made sense to leave Lyon out. We bat well, there’s a big score out there. But that’s the challenge, can we adapt and be more game smart - see out Stark and not play reckless - I still have my doubts but hope I can be proved wrong. |
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Reply | Ashes thread
at 12:43 4 Dec 2025
Turned out alright in the end. As said, impressive to get to the score we did with so many not troubling the scoreboard but when Stokes and Root were batting, trouble free, it feels we missed a trick.
Would love for Archer and Root to hang around for 30/40 mins tomorrow. Wouldn't actually get them to throw the bat at it, just soak up time, maybe do a bit of the Smith timewasting antics. With a 10 min changeover between innings, wasting 30 mins plus in the morning if we can, would mean we'd get even longer under the lights to bowl at them. Plus late order hitting annoys all batsmen. |
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Reply | Robin Smith gone
at 15:04 2 Dec 2025
Was just reading about him the other day, and sounded like he was getting help and was in a much better place from what he was a year or two earlier when he was so close to death. Makes it all the more sadder. Excellent player of quick bowling and a decent bloke by all accounts. |
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Reply | Eastward Ho ! Match Fred
at 15:55 29 Nov 2025
Really poor. Centre midfield has been abysmal today, but a lot of others struggling. Feels very open so not sure the Manager has planned this very well. Still a lot to play for and score next and you can see Norwich getting very nervy. |
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Reply | Begrudging respect to Second Tier podcast
at 13:06 28 Nov 2025
I suppose the recruitment point still stands, as the 2018/19 team included Furlong (think he left end of season although could be wrong) and included Dieng, Manning, Bright, Chair, Eze, we even had Wzolek and Luongo that went on to do impressive things. Throw in Nahki Wells arriving on loan during the season, that team, with some good transfer business should have either kicked on and achieved a lot more than it did, or we should have been able to polish some talent and make a lot of money in the market. It's criminal that we did neither - with only Eze generating anything to write home about. |
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Reply | Begrudging respect to Second Tier podcast
at 09:14 28 Nov 2025
I always thought he was class, but watching that back I didn't realise how class. It will be a long time till we have someone with that ability, at that age. People mention Kolli but he's not anywhere close to that level.
It does make you look back and think with Wells up front, Eze behind, Bright on one wing, Chair on the other, Manning at left back, Darnell coming through...that could have been such an exciting side had we got recruitment right. It should have been good enough for the play-offs. How did we not achieve more. |
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Reply | Sam Field
at 11:34 27 Nov 2025
I've not been impressed to be honest.
Impressed with his approach, his willingness to muck in and help the team - which is typical Field, top pro etc. - but if he was a new signing, bought to play left back, based on what I've seen of him there, I wouldn't be singing his praises too much. But I don't hold anything against him as he's playing out of position, and tbh has deserved more opportunities to play in his natural position and show what he can do than he's been given so far this season. |
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Reply | Loveliest Town in England Match Thread
at 21:56 26 Nov 2025
Disagree on Varane. First half I though he was very good. I thought Field was generally poor with the ball throughout but sympathy from me for doing a job at left back. Smyth excellent performance and made the difference. |
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Reply | Southampton… How do we think we will line up?
at 17:32 5 Nov 2025
You know we're in a bit of a mess when there's not really 1 player that you'd say is a guaranteed starter. While I definitely think there have been some good performers this season (Burrell/Madsen and to an extent Saito and Smyth), for all of them, tactical reasons/opposition, you could make a case for them not to play. I think the Manager is right, he's going to have to make some tough calls and upset people.
Personally, other than Field for Varane, I'd agree with that team. I'm not against looking at Morgan again at right back given Dunne does seem to be struggling a bit. I don't think Morgan performed as poorly there as some do, and it would add a bit of creativity going forward and with Smyth in front, a bit of protection for him but I understand why you wouldn't do that. Jimmy D is our captain and performed exceptionally last season, rightfully earning a new contract. But we do need to start playing some of our younger players, especially those with ability, and based on form, you could make a case, although perhaps not tonight. |
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Reply | Chair for No.10
at 22:01 23 Oct 2025
Another advantage of picking Chair is that it gives you the option to pair Varane with Field or Hayden in the middle of the park. Playing a basic 4-4-2 with a Kone and Burrell attack means you have to get Madsen in the team, as without him there’s just zero flow and attacking intent and a 2 from Field/Varane/Hayden just doesn’t work. But chair in the 10 means we can be more combative in the middle of the park but still have a 3 behind the striker giving us some decent options. Now I’m not saying drop Madsen as he’s been playing well, but gives options to rest him and can help see out games if we want some workers in the middle of the park.
And as others have said, Chair means we can do away with the Kone/Frey partnership. |
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Reply | Celar / Madsen - Sliding Doors
at 10:30 23 Oct 2025
Interesting, having this debate on the Madsen thread as a fair challenge whether we should have shown same faith in Celar. Key differences for me is we got more suitable strikers in over the summer, so less need to show patience with him and despite being mainly rubbish I did see some positive signs with Madsen, who has a skill set others don’t have (i.e. can pass). I didn’t see much with Celar to say he would have been suitable for our style.
The above said, now we’ve moved to more 4-4-2, it does make you wonder whether he’d looked more dangerous playing alongside Kone. |
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Reply | Madsen
at 10:20 23 Oct 2025
Ultimately, you’ve got to take account of the cost of the player, what he could add to the team (potentially) and whether there’s any positive signs to work with that suggest the player can be improved. As poor as he was, I thought there were signs with Madsen last season he could be improved - scored 3 and got a few assists as well. I didn’t see as much with Celar and Santos to suggest they’d reach much higher but also importantly, a midfielder that can pass was something we’ve been crying out for. An immobile striker relying on service, playing in a position we got reinforcements for in the summer and a right back that didn’t show much and was peanuts to purchase isn’t so demanding of patience and developing. We can afford to move them on.
Personality is also important, you only had to hear the blokes interview to understand he’s a thinking footballer with a lot of self doubt so you need to work on that too. Madsen is someone that we needed to trust the management with to get right and think they’ve handled him very well. |
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Reply | Madsen
at 09:55 23 Oct 2025
Yep, he was poor, in a very poor team, clearly struggling and was dropped by the Manager. Came back near the end of the season in a more stable environment and played better. With 30 games under his belt, some decent coaching and support from the management he’s come back strongly this year. Not unheard of for players to be lot better as they get up to speed and adapt to their new environment.
I personally didn’t see a player last season where I felt we should have just put our hands up and said we’ve signed a dud let’s sell him at a big loss and start again. I thought he deserved a bit more time and patience. If he’d been similarly poor at the start of this season with 2s and 3s I’d have reluctantly agreed, time to part ways. But I think harsh to have formed that view after 20 games last season. |
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