(h) v Middlesbrough League (Carabao) Cup 3rd Round - Tue 26 September 2023 7.45pm

Ironically, Lewis should have saved both goals last night, and that's not down to spirit.

That said, he made a world class save from a header. Swings and roundabouts.

 

I Expect Parkinson would have thought he could win that game last night and I get the feeling from the manager Hughes we had little chance of that, different mind set Bronco.

 

And let’s face it he deserves it Park?

 

The one in the first half?

Latte really should have buried that. Absolutely on a plate, just missing direction is he made the save "easier" than what it should have been.

 

Yep, determination and luck and probably the mind set of the manager with the help of the thousands of City fans who were there that night.

The wigan hot meat pies are the best.

 

Give over , whilst Parky brought us some great times, his leadership across many clubs didn’t bring the success you think. He’d be a Prem or upper CC boss by now, if he was such a messiah.

 

You give over, when Hughes gets us a promotion I'll probably change my mind but until then I will stick with Parky has our best manager in the last 20odd years.

 

Yeah. On replay it's an insanely good stop - better than I remember!

 

Those needing a fillip. Salford got beat 4-0 by Burnley’s kids.
16 shots to 2 in the kids favour. Such is life.

 

I've only seen it once at the game and maybe I'm not giving Lewis the credit he deserves

 

What is the purpose of cup games? If lower league teams can never overcome higher opposition, then why are we bothering? Plus you need all the teams to be on the same page. Mindset in my view is key to playing higher opposition. All the teams have differing priorities that they wish to achieve, I doubt many in our league will be prioritising cup competitions, so Hughes is being at least honest. Funds are very limited it at our level, and therefore resources need to be guarded. Yes you get money for taking part, but that in no way compensates if you lose a key player which stops you from getting promoted.

We all noticed when the PL started to ditch the FA cup for exactly these reasons. The money and resources you gain in the PL far outweighs the monies received from taking part in the various cups.

There is nothing like under the lights at VP, and we have all witnessed thrilling nights playing and beating higher teams. It just felt like last night we sort of gave up.

 

I would have thought that pretty evident to most. As Basil said…”Subject….The bleedin obvious” .

 

Well he was great for our club and that's all I'm bothered about.

 

Perfect analysis Dennis. We absolutely lack proper leaders in this squad whereas Parkinson even had the luxury of leaders sat amongst the bench.

 

He was as he has been at most clubs

 

I’m hoping if we can keep McDonald fit he will provide that. From listening to fans of other clubs where he has been it seems he does just that

 

We need far more than one leader, especially one that can't play two games a week.

The point is that PP filled his team with fighters, at the moment we've got a very soft underbelly and don't seemingly have enough players similar who can drag us up by our coat tails when the going gets tough.

 

Poppadom wrists comes to mind for the first goal. He did make a very good save just before that but overall I’ve been disappointed with Lewis this season. His decision making and shot stopping are miles off what they were last year.
He was one of the leagues better keepers last season but his levels have dropped for what ever reason.

 

McLaughlin
Darby,McArdle,Davies,Jones,Doyle.
Hanson


Stubbs.Cook

 

If there is no purpose or priority to the league cup and FA Cup then why do have a 3rd completely pointless cup?
If Hughes can’t put any importance on a 3rd round cup game in front of 16000 fans then im sure as hell not gonna bother with the EFL Trophy.