McPie

We saw last night in the fans forum why the owners see giving Martin a new contract is good business. The good form of Lucas Ness was raised by a fan in the audience and highlighted how the dynamic with Martin and the recruitment teams works. With their data they bring the raw talent, the rough diamonds so to speak and Martin works with them so as to improve and to make them better players. We have signed a few this summer, so the future looks bright!

Finneran for me as well. When the team is not playing well it's the players with real class that stand out. As has been said before, only 4 starters in the team that beat Salford at Wembley. The team needs time to gel. I like the look of Mustapha, Kanu and Longelo. Generally, we need to show a bit mor composure on the ball rather than just panic first time punts up front to no one in particular. That's why Finneran gets my vote his composure to keep the ball and make the right pass is amazing for such a young player.

We only seem to interview a player after a game we have won. I can’t remember the last time we interviewed one when we lost. Other clubs do. Is it because they might reveal what was said in the dressing after the game？

Having drawn 4 of our first 5 games in league 1, have we learned the lesson from last year? Respect the point! It seems we have a team that knows if we can't win the game, make sure we don't lose it. That has to be basis for a successful season.

This is the benefit of the loan system. We have improved a lot of young players for premier league clubs when they come to us. Now it's our turn to benefit. Lets hope when Kanu goes back to Charlton, we have a ready made replacement!

I think Patto is trying to combine aggression with a good footballing style. We can see he wants the team to to press high and win the ball in the opponents half of the pitch, but its not all about physicality. He often comments on the need to pass forward through the lines and not side to side. This is not hopeful long balls but passes through the centre of the pitch to feet. This is clearly a work in progress and I believe we have the squad capable of pulling if off.

Ness has been outstanding all season. We defended well as a team, but Ness does stand out as MOM.

I think the transfer window has been very good. As good as any I can remember in recent times. Of course only time will tell. Bearing in mind that most of our supporters would be happy with a mid-table finish for our first year back in league one, I think we have a squad that can comfortably achieve that aim.

Burnley 1 v 2 Bristol City Millwall 2 v 1 Bolton Wanderers Barnsley 2 v 0 Stevenage Burton Albion 1 v 1 Cambridge United Accrington Stanley 0 v 2 Crawley Town Bristol Rovers 3 v 1 Rotherham United (joker) Fylde 2 v 1 Worthing Wealdstone 2 v 2 Kidderminster Harriers

It’s Ollie Cooper for me. Not just for the goal which was real class. He looks the complete midfielder. Can play in the 10 or the 6 role. He can tackle, turn and glide past defenders and of course he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net and on top of all that, his work rate is phenomenal. What a player.

Jodi has been one of the few genuinely class players we have had in recent times. We will always remember his goal against Boreham Wood in the semi final, the season of record assists and his masterclass against Salford at Wembley. He will go down as a true legend of the club. Jodi's message to the club and fans seems to me to suggest he is not bitter and probably understands the position of the club. I think the fact that he has ended up at Bromley on transfer deadline day may also suggest there were no other offers for him. Other clubs while recognising his talent, not willing to take the risk with his injury record. The question for him now is without a proper pre-season, when will he be match fit to play for Bromley. Lets hope they don't rush him back and cause a career ending injury. I'm sure he will receive a warm reception when he plays again at Meadow Lane.

Straight swap for Jodi?

The last piece of the jigsaw! Patto’s got the tools, let’s see what he can do with them. COYP!

Birmingham City 1 v 2 Southampton Swansea City 2 v 0 Watford Bromley 1 v 0 Leyton Orient Huddersfield Town 1 v 1 Oxford United Wycombe Wanderers 0 v 2 Sheffield Wednesday Chesterfield 2 v 1 Gillingham Exeter City 1 v 3 Barnet (Joker) Northampton Town 1 v 1 Crawley Town

Certainly without Smyth we don't win that match. Great headed goal and well executed penalty. However, he only played one half and the rest of his all-round play is a work in progress. I think the best is yet to come. So with that in mind, I've gone for Finneran. What a player he is going to be! Only 18 trained with us once and put in a performance like that. Clearly his quality is above league 1, not just his technical ability on the ball, but his speed of thought in making a wide range of passes.

Another good team performance, difficult to single one player out. My vote goes to Ollie Cooper, not just for his work in the final third and a really good goal, but also for his defensive work. A good all-round effort from him.

I have gone for comfortable mid table finish. If we can add a goal scorer upfront, we might do even better.

Derby County 1 v 1 Cardiff City Southampton 2 v 1 Stoke City Bromley 1 v 0 Cambridge United - Joker Peterborough United 2 v 2 Mansfield Town Stevenage 1 v 2 Oxford United Crewe Alexandra 2 v 0 Northampton Town Rotherham United 2 v 1 York City Swindon Town 1 v 1 Cheltenham Town

What a contrast to the striker situation. There is more about who starts in the first place.

It’s a difficult one @theAnticlough to single anyone out. I can see why Patto is reluctant to do it especially when everyone played their part. The sponsors have to choose someone and to be fair everyone who has chosen a different player have good reason to do so. Long may that continue, it means we are playing as a team and not relying on individuals.

When Martin Paterson took over last season he said judge me after 10 games. In fact it's an often used rule of thumb in football at the beginning of a new season. Based on that criteria we have a lot to look forward to after an excellent performance against Leicester. Despite all the new signings (only four of the starters played against Salford at Wembley) the team is already starting to gel. We have several players to come back from injury (Max Sanders will be like a new signing when he's fit) Players not yet in the first eleven like Baker, Mustapha and Samuels-Smith ready to make an impact, not to mention the potential to sign a new striker before the window closes. In that context, yesterday was most definitely a good start, a very good start. COYP

I thought everyone was outstanding yesterday. There were a lot of candidates for MOM. Ness was brilliant in defence, Lipsiuc was great at wing back and the whole of the midfield were excellent. But I suppose Tsaroulla not only for his general wingback play, but the goal line clearance and cross that lead to the goal gives him the edge for me.

I think with Jodi there is no doubting his quality as a player. The question seems to be his fitness. We don't actually have all the facts to be certain of what is going on. If he is looking to move to another club, the question is why is it taking so long? Ability not in question. Is it his fitness that is being questioned by other clubs? Is that the reason the brothers have not extended his contract? To be honest we don't really know. He may end up seeing out his contract with us. We will just have to wait and see.

Look a good signing https://youtu.be/EFIAeYxjxuc?si=7st5MFT6KJteG1B4

Something doesn't feel right, but I remember saying the same thing last pre-season. I think although we are in league 1 and don't seem anywhere near ready, the aims this year are different. Last year anything but promotion was seen as failure. This year is all about avoiding relegation. The lack of readiness at this point may not be so critical.