weeyin

It wasn't about improving backups. It was about actually having backups - so no more Zak Jules thrown in as a panic move or playing guys carrying injuries in key games.

Same as last week. Not much between the teams, conceded a soft goal, don't have anyone with sufficient creativty up to top to make chances.

Aldred easily outjumped for a good chance a few minutes ago. Hartley miles off his man for the goal. (Not to keep banging on about it, but this is why I wanted to replace Kipre with someone with pace, rather than with Aldred. Still not convinced Aldred/Hartley works as a combo).

I'm guessing the point is to try and win today's game first. (Plus Sammon probably is slightly more of a goal threat than Bowman). I'm just glad he dropped Main, as he has been struggling recently.

Yes to both. Although I know a couple of UK based people using VPNs that watch it, so I'm guessing they aren't too strict about the details. Maybe one of those guys can let us know if they had to do anything special other than VPN.

Some of them did - but you could equally argue they did well because they were put in at the right time in the right games. When you put youngsters in at the wrong time in the wrong games you end up with Zak Jules moments. I'm still in favour of giving them more time, but I think loaning them out so they can start every week is probably better for them. When you are a guy on the fringes, like Turnbull, the lack of competitive game time isn't a good thing.

Doesn't Donnelly also play defensive mid for the N.Irish 21s? I'd love to see us play a winger as a winger, but agree that seems unlikely under Robinson - which is slightly ironic for a gaffer whose favourite stat seems to be crosses into the box.

We'll need to be sharper in the final third this week. If we are, we could grab a point.

It's not that Aldred isn't any good. I just felt that if you have money to spend on one player and you already have Tait, Taylor-Sinclair, Dunne, McHugh, Hartley, Donnelly (Mbulu) and Maguire already signed up and defensively capable - and Maguire already has first team experience from last season - why not use that Aldred cash on a position where we lacked depth of quality (creative mid or winger)? That might have given us more options with the added bonus of blooding a youngster. But that is water under the bridge.

A number of our better young players are out on loan. That should be more productive in the long term than 10 minutes in the first team every 2 or 3 weeks. Personally, I would never have brought Aldred back. I'd have played Maguire and used the Aldred money elsewhere, like a winger. I'm a minorty there though as 90% of this site was begging for him to return when Cedric moved on. We did it with Hall and Heneghan, and from what I have seen, Maguire is no worse than them.

We signed Marvin Johnson from Kidderminster Harriers. Dutch 2nd division would be a step up.

I agree with DELLWELL. At the time, it looked like nothing more than a big forward instinctively reacting to a unexpected loose ball. The forensic analysis afterwards show it was a foul, but I don't think there was any intent in this one.

Is that what passes for banter in the Main Stand these days?

There was certainly a lack of creativity from both sides on Saturday. Bigi wasn't at his best, and right now, we don't have anyone that can step up into that role when he's off the boil. I thought Johnson was off the pace too - although his game depends on chances being created. We didn't stretch them enough at the back and had nobody capable of that killer pass to open them up.

Aye, he's been guilty of what used to frustrate me about Stephen McManus. Would be extremely solid for 95% of the game then switch off for a minute and cost us a goal.

I thought we handled the big strikers (Ikpeazu in particular) very well.

You're not paying attention. I'm drinking Guinness in the sunshine. The fact you're beelin' is just a bonus.

I'm guessing that sounded funnier in your head The international break has left your trolling a bit rusty.

We can take heart that if that shower are unbeaten at the top of the league we aren't far off the pace. Also - our new backup keeper is better than our last 3 or 4 backups. Best of all, though, is that it's only half past two here and I'm enjoying a Guinness outside in the sunshine. Perspective and all that.

If it hadn't been for his hospital pass to Carson, McHugh would have had my vote.

Hey! My BB team didn't have everyone chasing the ball. That's just insulting!

Well that was disappointing. There were points there to be taken, but we lacked the edge up top to take them. The comedy goal we gave away didn't help. Once again, a 1 goal margin of victory in this fixture.

Looks good on my big telly. Not as high quality as the ESPN stream I get for the English games, but decent enough. The sounds quality is a bit tinny, as I think they are just streaming the Mixlr feed.

Main stream has been working fine for me (except when we had a 10 second pwer cut). Are we winning on the backup stream?

Today it is. For away games they use the away teams' commentary team and for games like the Rangers one we had the BBC commentary.