... for the Lads. Depending on us beating Fulham and Leeds we could have eight home games and four away in February and March. That's a lot of money coming into the club, not to mention 3 or 4 televised games. But two noon kick offs, away to Coventry and Norwich, won't be the best away days for our long travelling fans. And there are two away night games at QPR and Rotherham. So we don't have a 3pm Saturday kick off until April Fools day at Burnley. Including that game all of our remaining away days are 3pm kick offs ... ... unless, of course, we're doing well and Sky jump in to change it all. With Sky, the train strikes and everything else it becomes more and more difficult to plan everything ... ... although I have booked our Wembley hotel for the play off final
Love your optimism Smug Big couple of months coming up, I'd feel more confident if we had the LND available
Of course, he's one of our best players but he's not available ... ... as if we'd sold him. That's how I'm looking at the situation now tbh.
Yeah absolutely, we have to make the best of things. We have balls in the team, Saturday showed that. Do we have enough to score goals when it matters? Next 2 home games show will that
I've just booked my trains for the Reading match and looking forward to it ... ... meeting up with some Scottish lads afterwards in Edinburgh, they're up for the Scotland - Wales Six Nations game. My train passes through Edinburgh, on the way back, so I'm having a drink with them
Yes mate, Upper Largo near St Andrews. The Earl of Galloway was great but Mrs Smug couldn't abide the Countess , hysterical American heiress who was on the vodka at breakfast ... ... that's the Countess BTW, not Mrs Smug This job is a bit low key and easy going for my liking but perfect for her.
If only Championship clubs were well funded for their Sky appearances! But better than nowt, and being on as much has other benefits.
One of the interesting points I am watching out for is how we change tactics without a big lad up front. Saturday was not that useful, although we had lots of possession, Gelhardt had very few passes (bit like Haarland?) We did not play our usual game. The keeper kicking the ball to Alese who went upfield did not really work either. My guess is try both to be more counter attacking, draw them on and then hit them on the break with our pace. We play the ball out from the keeper, probably try and crowd midfield etc. Its going to be fascinating tactics wise and how Gelhardt steps up.
Think this coming Saturday will be a better barometer - Millwall had a gameplan and that was to stop a game of football breaking out. At home to Reading, we should be able to control the tempo more and actually play some football. I don't know what sort of striker Gelhardt is yet, but am hoping he can be a presence in the box that encourages our 79 attacking midfielders to play the final ball
I felt the first 5 - 10 minutes the lads played their own game, then the dirty bastards got their fouling game up and running and playiing football was stopped! Amad disappeared, not sure if that's just not having the chance to do his thing has he got kicked as soon as he tried or if the kicking made him shrink away same with Clarke. Roberts kept going and kept beating them all afternoon, tough character that lad imo. Hopefully in next few games we will see a bit more from the way we are going to play with no Stewart and it will be successful enough to relax us.
It's all extra money and, as you say, the more we're on the more exposure we get to potential signings. I noticed the new lads were talking well about our support against Boro, Fulham, etc, and of course they're going to watch the footie on telly. The Fulham replay is basically money for nothing and the chance for the home crowd to see some of the new players. I'm currently having ex-colleagues, even employers, messaging about our games which hasn't happened in the past. But they're really enjoying watching us play and can chat about how Hume's improving etc
I know mate, I passed by on the way to the Agenda sports bar to watch our stream and the rugby. We'll be in our cottage at Upper Largo at the end of February, it's just being renovated. I'll give you a shout when we're settled in. I've just booked the train from Markinch to the SOL for the Reading match and looking at the Bristol City match. Be good to meet up.
A couple of my favourite golf courses, not so famous are Ellie, they have a periscope on the first so you can check whether it is safe to tee off. A much newer course I like is Charlton. Ps I often pick up something from Crail Pottery to placate senior management.
Absolutely mate, it’d be great to meet up. For various reasons (mainly my work) I’ve not been to games for years, but I’m as fanatical as ever. I retire in April, so plan going to games now and again. Let me know when you’re all settled in to arrange a meet up. Bart
Have you played at Crail (I’m a member). 2 great courses. So many other great courses nearby too. Lundin Links, Aberdour, Burntisland, Pittferran (Crossford), Scotscraig to name a few. Bart
H Fulham f a cup replay Wed BBC H Reading Sat 11th Feb A QPR Tues 14th Feb H B city Sat 18th Feb A Roth tues 21st Feb A Cov Sat 25th Feb H Leeds tue 28th F A cup 5th round ? BBC H Stoke Sat 4th March A Norwich Sun 12th Mar 12.00 noon SKY H Sheff u Wed 15th Mar H Luton Sat 18th Mar
