The Fish

1 win in 13, which came at home to Rotherham

Might see that change for the rest of the season?

At least there's drama in their season, the ones I feel sorry for are the Ipswich fans. Year after year they remain midtable, never really in threat of relegation and never really challenging for anything either.

Aye, it helps to be reminded that staying in the Premier League isn't the be all and end all. Making up numbers in that league shouldn't be considered the zenith of a club's existence. Not just talking about Sunderland, but for so many clubs they simply chase the money that comes from the Premier League's bumper tv deals.

They way they play, it's tough on the legs and they may struggle to maintain their form when key players are knackered/injured. If we play as we have been away from home; patient, stretching the play, exploiting gaps that appear when teams at chasing the ball, tight at the back etc. I'd fancy us to keep them out, not sure we'd score like, but with the big mad Serb, who knows?

Hit him where it hurts lad; the state of their municipal buildings. Bet their libraries are a shit show and all!

Thought we looked much better when Mitrovic replaced the obviously not match fit Gayle. Good hold up play, caused their CB's no end of problems and was able to bring Diame more into the game. Because Gayle's game is all about movement and he wasn't moving, Jedinak could focus on Mo and as such Diame wasn't able to find the space. When Mitrovic came on and players began running off him Jedinak's influence Wayned and Diame began to use the ball more effectively. For all they looked dangerous in the early stages they never really tested Darlow until the second half when we were very much in charge. Yedlin was class, and with Gayle looking likely to miss another few games his threat from the wing could be vital for Mitrovic. Villa were full of beans and application, right up to the point Gouffran smashed the ball home, after that, the vast majority of them looked whipped. Not being dramatic, but if they don't sort their shit out soon they might ​get dragged into the relegation. They're currently 6pts clear of the drop but they've got Huddersfield, Derby and Shef Wed in the next 5 games, plus Bristol City (Tammy Abraham). They might even give up points to Rotherham.. Which will be hilarious.

Just chancing my arm.

OI!

Lads on forums and twitter now claiming we should get over it and we're the only ones bringing it up. Fundamentally isn't true as the Birmingham Mail ran stories before and after our visit about the enmity. Of course if that's mentioned, you're told that the Birmingham Mail isn't representative.

He's not great in the centre alongside Shelvey, but it keeps Yedlin at rightback and ousts Colback from Centre mid. I'd prefer Mitrovic at Centre Mid over Jack fucking Colback.

Anita or Mbemba might honestly be a better shout.

Likely, aye. (Is that a reference to yellow fever?)

Hayden out for 4 weeks

Fuck me. Are we top of the league or not? Way too much pessimism about the place at the minute, it's mental. We're 3rd in the 6 game form table, and where in that table are our next opponents? 23rd. They have 5 losses from 6 away games, against such titans as Cardiff, Wolves, Brentford and Forest. They've managed 8 goals away from Villa Park all season. Their last point came at home to Preston. Next up is a game against Bristol, who've 9 points on the road, who've conceded 28 goals in 16 away games. They've conceded 11 goals in their last 6 games, winning one (Rotherham) and drawing two (Shef Wed & Derby). Keep Abraham quiet and they don't have a real goal threat. Then we travel to Brighton. We've beaten them once this season, we're the best away side in the country but this will be the biggest game of the run. Huddersfield are in good form, but Howay is right, they're a very streaky side and the way Wagner has them playing puts loads of strain on the squad's fitness and focus. Their high pressing, energetic style could undo us, but just as likely, our controlled efficient style could undo them. I'd expect 7-9 points from those four games, especially with Gayle back.

I think you need to switch back from big boy pants, you big bairn.

But it flies in the face of reality. It's like the Trump supporters who still think he's doing a good job.

We entertain Aston Villa on Monday, which might baffle them because, as a fanbase they look like they've never been entertained in their lifetime. I hope the inclusion of a weakness gives @Dr Gloom the warm fuzzy feelings. Hopefully Gayle will be back and raring to go, but more importantly I hope Colback is put back in the cupboard under the stairs and Hayden returns to be an actual real life midfielder. I wouldn't drop Darlow or Lascelles despite their clangers. Maybe give Atsu a start ahead of the ineffectual Gouffran? NUFC To Score 0 - 1 - wykikitoon, Kevin Carr's Gloves 2 - Rayvin, Anorthernsoul, Ant, strawb, acrossthepond, Dr Gloom, StoneColdStephenIreland, @yourservice, LooneyToony 3 - ewerk, Andrew, The Fish, David Kelly, Howay, rogerbarton, tooner, Happy Face, MiddleAgeCool, OTF, Dougle, barnabox, aimaad22 4+ - Tom, scoobos, ohhh_yeah, zico martin, Kitman, TheGingerQuiff NUFC To Concede 0 - ewerk, Andrew, Kevin Carr's Gloves, Tom, The Fish, David Kelly, Howay, rogerbarton, Anorthernsoul, Happy Face, MiddleAgeCool, scoobos, ohhh_yeah, strawb, Dr Gloom, Dougle, Kitman, barnabox, aimaad22, TheGingerQuiff, LooneyToony 1 - Rayvin, wykikitoon, tooner, Ant, OTF, zico martin, acrossthepond, StoneColdStephenIreland, @yourservice 2 - 3 - 4+ -

I honestly don't understand this negativity. Top of the league, most wins in the country, disgusting GD, efficient away from home, top goal scorer, arguably best midfielder in the league, good defence for this division, top class manager.

Brighton dropped points at home to Ipswich, we grabbed a point away to Norwich. We remain top of the pile and while the Play-off chasing sides picked up a little ground, they're still far enough behind that 1 weekend's results can't see either Brighton or ourselves usurped in the automatic spots. Last night was a freak result to be honest as our general play seemed to deserve all 3pts, but we lost 2 goals to aberrant errors. Darlow's slice was bizarre and if there's one thing I'm sure of, he won't try that again. Lascelle's slip could be a foul, might not be, but he was dominant against Wolves and for the most part (according to a Norwich supporting mate at the game) had a decent game. Take out those two unusual instances and we scored twice away from home, hit the woodwork twice, drew a few good saves from their 'keeper and created plenty. 16 attempts from open play, 62% possession, forced 6 saves. I don't have anywhere near the same levels of concern I've seen on here (and on twitter). The next group of games is tough, no doubt, but we're the best away side in the country, we've our top goal scorer coming back, key players are returning from injury or absence (Hayden, Atsu, Diame) and the teams around us have difficult fixtures too; 2nd Brighton 65pts - WWLDWD Barnsley 9th (a) Reading 4th (h) Newcastle 1st (h) Forest 17th (a) 3rd Huddersfield 61pts- LWWWWW Man City FACup (h) Reading 4th (h) Barnsley 9th (a) Wolves 18th (a) Newcastle 1st (h) 4th Reading 60pts- WWWDDW Huddersfield 3rd (a) Brighton 2nd (a) Wolves 18th (h) Newcastle 1st (h) 5th Leeds 57pts- LWWLLW Ipswich 13th (a) Shef Wed 6th (h) Birmingham 14th (a) Fulham 8th (a) We've won 35 points on the road. We have more overall league wins (21) & more away league wins (11) than any other club in the top 4 English divisions this season. Before last night we’d conceded an almost inconsequential 8 league goals and been behind for a grand total of 65 minutes away from home. Last season away from home, we were only ahead for 92 minutes in total. This season, in the league, we’ve been behind for 281 minutes, from c2,790 minutes possible. That’s only 10%. We’ve only had to endure chasing a game for 10% of the season. Quit your whining.

He's savvy enough to swerve those questions regardless of any long term ideas he may or may not have. No manager declares he's not committed for fear of shutting a door that could be open to him, and he's not going to declare he's not fully committed for fear of burning his bridges. Doors and bridges. Bridges and doors.

Nothing natural about it

"I wus at a ry-ut posh hoetel afore me custody heeerin' an this smelly mag wus theyuh. Ah sees him nerrtus us cos I'm a massif lads fan an that. So a wears me Johnson 6-in-a-rowuh top al weekend, but ee bottled it an sez nowt. Iffin ee'd say owt ah wud of battered him. HAHAHA LOL FTM"

Canny preview here, going to ask him for his review. So, y'know, mentally prepare yourself for that.