Coventry Saint

Not frequently enough.

My fears exactly.

This gives the authorities a neat 'out' re allowing two clubs to benefit from the fixture forfeits: it was looking dicey if Ross County ended up losing out to another club by just two points. Now there's no chance they'll be that close to anyone.

What gets me with shite like that is how easy it would've been to check. And it's not like it's a fact that they've slipped in towards the bottom of the piece somewhere; they've literally made it their angle. Just take 20 seconds to confirm it.

He's the slowest-talking Scouser I've ever heard. I know the Hibs boys love him for the cup win, but he is honestly atrocious. He set us back a very long way in a few short months and it was a miracle that we stayed up that season. Re the squad... It was probably needing a bit of an overhaul anyway, so the whole 'he ripped up a great squad' narrative isn't the full picture. I'd say only Gavin Reilly should have stayed. He also didn't sign Liam Smith, but we already had Paul McGinn by that point. I'm not defending Stubbs at all, but Jack Ross clearly wasn't hanging about and had hugely neglected to forward plan for us (McGinn signing being the exception). The issue, as @NorthBank says, really was the dross Stubbs brought in. Managers have shown before and since, and also at other clubs, that you can assemble a competitive squad with our budget range, but it takes care and talent. That said, I do think it'd be an excellent idea for County to give him the shot at management he deserves.

What I found most surprising was the Fakes lad who went in on Cammy with both feet towards the end, too. We've had players sent off for less this season.

As I said at the time, he was also astonishingly late, and he also stopped Durmus from attacking. You can perm a red card any number of ways from that selection.

I'm inclined to agree. When you look back at that squad, it was easily a top six team in terms of quality, but somehow conspired not to. Alright defence, incredible midfield, and the best striker most of us will see playing for Saints (until his legs went). That was clearly what did for Danny Lennon in the end. Well-trodden ground, but the mistake wasn't letting him go: it was failing to replace him with a football manager.

I thought it was his best game for us. He did some decent work, especially in the first half. The Covid thing is interesting and adds to the theory that we really were quite ravaged by it.

Alan Stubbs not even on the poll. I'm starting to wonder if the poor guy will ever get a job in management again.

Some amount of egg on @djchapsticks' face when his ironic, self-aware thread title actually turns out to be true. Man, he's going to feel silly.

Affects him quite a lot, it's safe to say. His running looks freer than it did when he first came back, when you could tell by his movement how much he was struggling. I think for now, cameo roles might suit him best. We've seen today (and previously) that he can be a game-changer on his day. Now we're not totally relying on him, it's probably best for all concerned. I personally love watching him with the ball at his feet, and he gives us another dimension. I'm comfortable with that being from the bench for now.

Teams timewasting like f**k when they're winning only to go behind and suddenly wish they had more time is magnificent entertainment every single time.

Lovely stuff.

It was high - yellow card; he wasn't in control - yellow card; he was incredibly late - yellow card; it was denying a player who was heading in to make a cross - yellow card. Red seems fair, tbh.

Dirty fuckers.

Lee Erwin. f**k me dead. Still, Connolly and Durmus either side of him...

You probably should. The 3-0 forfeits are a pain in the arse.

I reckon JDH will score today.

If you hang about near the ground, Jake Doyle-Hayes might sign a copy of the letter you wrote about him.

I namedropped him in my post about the Rangers game; I genuinely had to wrack my brains to remember what he was called. You're right, though: we were all getting very frustrated at the tombola tactics but now the picture is clearer (and Jim's been very honest in that interview), we can see what's gone on and what was driving the decisions, as mental as they looked from the outside. This was our starting XI last time. Four or five of those won't be starting tomorrow, depending whether Durmus plays.

I guess we'll see.

Do you play a legit back five with no attacking expectations on your fullbacks? Genuine question; I'm intrigued. Also: that must be dogshit to watch.

Thanks for the feedback. I was mainly going for an 'awkward semi' joke tbh.

Ok, the 5-2-3 that you mentioned. Call it what you like, the implications are the same.