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I don't think another senior striker was feasible if we couldn't get rid of Wilson, but if we broaden your point out to a creative RW, I agree. I don't hate tonight's performance. We had just about everything except genuine goalscoring threat. Hopefully people can see now that just because we scored a lot of goals last season, it doesn't mean we were actually good going forwards, just rampaging, which is different.

I assume they meant he spent his boyhood there?

Yeah, don't disagree on that. The Eales situation is interesting as it's the first time that Yasir/Solis/PIF have kind of been forced to take a lead. At least publicly, the minority shareholders always did a lot of the legwork on the executive direction of the club. Then, obviously, Eales the CEO would've been expected to head up things. But now he's having to leave, the next step up is inevitably Yasir and his retinue.

Really important that we win this. There aren't any excuses, we should be doing the business if we have any ambitions. Hoping it's a bit of a coming of age game for Gordon. It's true that he's been under par against them in the past - seemed too focused on keeping calm and enjoying the game. Need more piss and vinegar this weekend.

A small sign, but a good sign

Really appalled if Eddie has tied up Mitchell in a cupboard to prevent him putting his stamp on yet another transfer window.

Would have been a much uglier month without him.

I trust that's a message of support rather than him actually starting...

Would take a lot of the anxiety and pressure out of the process for clubs. Weird restraint of trade.

Think that just means both yellows get deleted i.e. he's still on three after the red card ban. It only really works in your favour if you're on the verge of the 'reset button' when an extra five potential yellows get added on before a ban, like with Bruno last season.

Thought he came across quite well here. Pretty funny hearing him talk about Shearer the way I would Jackie Milburn.

It's amazing isn't it.

I mean, it's fair enough if we don't think he'll make the grade, but if the coaching team reckon he can't manage a game against a 4th division team, it does tell a story...

See my post above about using our total second string team? Ignore it when it comes to Pope and Dubravka

He can play there in a pinch, though I was thinking more Kelly at LB with him coming in the middle. He's getting to an age where he should be able to stand up for himself in his favoured position, if we're keeping him in the squad. To be honest my view is if we can't beat Wimbledon at home with a total second string, we shouldn't be deluding ourselves into thinking we can seriously campaign in both the cups and league. This is the gimme draw we've always moaned about not getting. Lack of fatigue is going to be our superpower this season, so we shouldn't be squandering it.

A game for Alex Murphy? If he's not suitable for a home tie against AFC Wimbledon, he should be on loan... Give Hall the night off.

15 years ago was 2009 - the majority of forwards definitely would've gone down. Need to go back 25-30 years to have any confidence in them staying on their feet or being seriously condemned if they didn't. Ironically, people with no foresight were using incidents like this as evidence of why we needed VAR to ensure they got ruled out. Instead it just helped formalize the process. In the post match interview, Gordon was claiming he was more likely to have shot if VAR didn't exist (not sure I believe him, mind).

As I said before, I wouldn't mind if that kind of penalty was ruled out as a dive, but that would mean we'd have a LOT less penalties in general nowadays. Standard stuff. Left foot gets caught and Gordon tries to make it extra clear as he hops over with his right. The lack of Man City complaints tells it's own story.

Had the same thought. Think it's plausible Gordon ended up being more suited to today's game.

100% agree. If - in an alternative universe - things went south with Gordon, well it wouldn't be easy to claim we offered anything other than support and loyalty. Potential signings would look at that. And obviously, that goes for the bigger picture too. If your reputation is for unity and backing through difficult situations, then it'll be taken a lot more seriously if anything else ever becomes needed.

All makes sense. But in a way Gordon's been emblematic of our season so far, in terms of high hopes and questions being asked - feels like where he goes our team will go - so I reckon they'll all get the message. Wor Flags have bucket loads of good will in the bank.

Win at Everton and it's officially a good start to the season for me. We're currently +1 point on our like for like fixtures from last season, fyi. Really pleased we've managed to keep the show on the road considering all the goings on we've had.

Yeah, looks like another great bit of work - not just in terms of theatrics but in terms of mission accomplished. Handy we'd had another #10 in a similar situation a couple of years back

I'm not an Xg lover, but what do we reckon that chance would've scored on the index? I'd guess it wouldn't be more than about 0.3. Big opportunity, but not one you can't believe didn't go in.

In today's world it was a clear pen. In halcyon days it might've been rejected, but we're a long way from Kansas now. But I'd probably halve the foul count if it was left to me.