fonz

I know it's the Bham Mail but worth reading if you can find the article among all the adverts. Chester put his long term health on the line for us this year and looks like it will affect him for the rest of his life. His contribution should not be forgotten and him lifting the trophy with Jack was right. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-chester-makes-heartbreaking-revelation-16339525

Watching the Sky interviews with Wes, Sawiris and Purslow i've never felt more confident that we finally have the right set up and backing to compete at the top level again (not just on the pitch). It seems simple but the last few weeks have shown we actually plan .....plan for opponents, plan for penalties, plan for if we go up and if we don't. The 'one year ahead of schedule' comment from Purslow said everything.

Happened to be in Sheffield for their promotion parade. The term 'damp squib' comes to mind - didn't help that it was pissing it down.

Crouch in his book talks about how he was put up in the executive suite at the Belfry the night before he signed for us. When he went back to the hotel the next day after signing he'd been moved to a room in which you couldn't swing a cat. Made me chuckle

I feel bad for all those journos who made **** up and now don't get their nice deal (for now) to talk about all week. Simon Stone (BBC Sport) still clinging on.... (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46793145) "It is understood Wolves remain interested in the England forward and may yet try to resurrect the deal."

Woops, missed out Hutton! Not quite man of the match for me but helped to put pressure on down the right with Albert and of course showed the great passion we want from him. And that goal.....not much else to say, just a special moment. Everyone around me was beaming for ages after

Looking back at the footage of their second goal (as couldnt see too clearly from where i was sat) it seems Hourihane didnt track a runner rather than this being on Axel

Hi John My thoughts.... Nyland 6 - seemed to gain more confidence in final 15 and made some crucial (routine!) catches Axel 7 - looked much more reassured than chester who had a bit of a 'mare Chester 5 - gave the ball away several times in dangerous positions and i think was at fault for what became the corner that blues scored from (might be wrong) Taylor 6 - got turned quite a few times too easily. better in final third of the game Hourihane 5 - poor for me. having whelan back in didnt help, often both were sitting deep alongside the back four. didnt track a runner for their third. hopefully can get back to the quarterback role very soon Whelan 6 (maybe a 7) - felt like he was trying to get the team going a bit after they scored, making runs that he wouldn't normally. clearly not as dynamic as mcginniesta but did a decent job yesterday. Adomah 8 (MoM) - created loads of problems down the right which helped us to build some attacking confidence, and of course assists for the goals. gave the team some directness when they needed it Grealish 7 - didnt actually think he played that well Kodjia 7 - hes so terrifying to play against when he's direct, and nice to see a bit more link play. some positive signs, just needs to keep up that directness and hopefully after that goal will have his shooting boots on. Tammy 7/8 - thought he did a great job of holding the ball up and being a nuisance. won a fair few headers which helped to keep the pressure on them in second half, especially in latter third before our 4th when you still felt we might mess it up at the back! Subs Bolasie - good contribution, nice and direct, stretches them and he worked really hard Lansbury - excellent contribution getting out of the way of hutton! Elmo - thought he did a great job, even if only on for 15 mins....played a bit higher up, showed for passes, made some good runs and dont remember him giving the ball away. Just what was needed

Bedeau bedeau da daaa d d d, bedeau bedeau da da da dah - to the tune of the bn bn advert. Will annoy the other team so much they'll lose concentration

Baggies mate (STH) says on the few occasions Pulis has played him centre back Chester has looked assured and played well. Pulis insisted on trying to turn Chester into a RB which has clearly failed, but doesn't trust his lack of height to play him at CB. Think he'd do a job and an improvement on the shambles that is Okore and Lescott.

Gueye gone

General, First post for me, been following your thread for a while and think it's great that you interact with us in this way. Personally, despite the lows of the wembley games, i've been so proud seeing Martin and the team play at our national stadium for the first time in ten years and give both Utd and Chelsea a good game. Could i ask that you pass on our congratulations to James Milner on his shortlisting for PFA Young Player of the Year. He's been immense this season and fully deserves it. Looking forward to watching him play for England at the World Cup and doing us proud. Let's hope he'll become a legend for us over the next 10 years!