MATCHWATCH : Birmingham City (h)

[Zip]

To give Holmes some credit he did pretty well in the second half but since Dann’s injury we have been very vulnerable from crosses. Hopefully Dann is back for the Blackpool game although I suspect that’s optimistic. Important TMac got minutes yesterday as he is likely to start on Tuesday night. He needs to stay fit.

We will soon find out what the injury issues are with Ejaria. High time the club clarified what’s going on there.

I still don't know what's up with Ejaria, but do we miss him? Very much slows down play and has been poor. Certainly when trying to break down defences as we saw at Bristol would have been useful with close tight play, but Hoilett has been decent...and gives us width and pace. I'm happier with him.

Since Ejaria joined the club, we’ve consistently got more points and had better margins when he has been in the side. This season he is associated with the best “points average” of any player in the squad, joint with Meite.

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

Interesting point about Ejaria. He does more good defensive work than perhaps many of us appreciate.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Ejaria is an underrated player in what he does off the ball in fairness, I've criticised him previously because it looks like he's slow in what he is doing but he progresses the ball well and can keep hold of it well whilst also drawing fouls, it can take a hell of a lot of pressure off the defence as well at times, so he can be useful when our backs are against the wall.

Hoilett is a decent player as well, give us good quality out wide. We've got plenty of options in that area of the pitch really now and they are all pretty decent players with something to prove so hopefully we shouldn't be lacking quality in that area of the pitch.

[Snowflake Royal]

I still don't know what's up with Ejaria, but do we miss him? Very much slows down play and has been poor. Certainly when trying to break down defences as we saw at Bristol would have been useful with close tight play, but Hoilett has been decent...and gives us width and pace. I'm happier with him.

Since Ejaria joined the club, we’ve consistently got more points and had better margins when he has been in the side. This season he is associated with the best “points average” of any player in the squad, joint with Meite.

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

Interesting point about Ejaria. He does more good defensive work than perhaps many of us appreciate.

What a shit stat to wheel out.

[SCIAG]

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. .

yes its a little strange. Obvs not everyone's cup of tea but he is a quality player. Would like to see him back asap now Pauno gone and with Joao and Meite back fit.

Yeah apparently we’re so much worse than last season because of the manager, even though we have the same manager, and not because most of the players who got us there have been out of the side…

[Royals and Racers]

Reading buses fully running i have been told- surprisingly as they ran the full service for the Coventry match(Saturday- full house) they expected everyone to realise that they were back to normal !!!!!(Midweek with a man and his dog there)

[Snowflake Royal]

I think he is getting a sort of reverse Popa effect while he is out of the team. People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. .

yes its a little strange. Obvs not everyone's cup of tea but he is a quality player. Would like to see him back asap now Pauno gone and with Joao and Meite back fit.

Yeah apparently we’re so much worse than last season because of the manager, even though we have the same manager, and not because most of the players who got us there have been out of the side…

[andrew1957]

With Derby not playing until Wednesday it is very important that we get a win. That would put us 8 points ahead of Derby and put a lot of pressure on them v Millwall. Lose v Brum and we will encourage Derby as a win would then out them just a couple of points behind.

[tidus_mi2]

oxf*rd me Prutton is predicting us to win 1-0.

I'm not saying we won't win but a clean sheet?

[URZZZZ]

To give Holmes some credit he did pretty well in the second half but since Dann’s injury we have been very vulnerable from crosses. Hopefully Dann is back for the Blackpool game although I suspect that’s optimistic. Important TMac got minutes yesterday as he is likely to start on Tuesday night. He needs to stay fit.

We will soon find out what the injury issues are with Ejaria. High time the club clarified what’s going on there.

I still don't know what's up with Ejaria, but do we miss him? Very much slows down play and has been poor. Certainly when trying to break down defences as we saw at Bristol would have been useful with close tight play, but Hoilett has been decent...and gives us width and pace. I'm happier with him.

People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

In your opinion

Would say on a good spell and good run, Ejaria may be the better option but over 46 games, in terms of consistency and what they offer, would go with Hoilett every time

But then they’re vastly different so it’s hard to compare regardless

[SouthDownsRoyal]

oxf*rd me Prutton is predicting us to win 1-0.

I'm not saying we won't win but a clean sheet?

Bad news if prutton thinks we will win

[Snowflake Royal]

I still don't know what's up with Ejaria, but do we miss him? Very much slows down play and has been poor. Certainly when trying to break down defences as we saw at Bristol would have been useful with close tight play, but Hoilett has been decent...and gives us width and pace. I'm happier with him.

People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

In your opinion

Would say on a good spell and good run, Ejaria may be the better option but over 46 games, in terms of consistency and what they offer, would go with Hoilett every time

But then they’re vastly different so it’s hard to compare regardless

Hoilett p10(5), G3, A1
Ejaria P14(1), G2, A0

Hoilett, runs at players. Ejaria, walks at players. Hoilett, attacks space. Ejaria, avoids space.

I know which I prefer.

[NathStPaul]

I'm there tonight for the first time since October. 30 of us there together cheering on our new King Paul and his soldiers to victory! 3-0 win.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

People are forgetting how much better he is than the likes of TDB and Hoilett. I rate them both, but Ejaria is better.

In your opinion

Would say on a good spell and good run, Ejaria may be the better option but over 46 games, in terms of consistency and what they offer, would go with Hoilett every time

But then they’re vastly different so it’s hard to compare regardless

Hoilett p10(5), G3, A1
Ejaria P14(1), G2, A0

Hoilett, runs at players. Ejaria, walks at players. Hoilett, attacks space. Ejaria, avoids space.

I know which I prefer.

I don't know why you've given this data when it's been said that they are different type of wingers entirely.

[Orion1871]

Whether you are Pro-Ejaria or Anti-Ejaria I think we can all agree that we're sick of the obsessive agenda Ian Royal has against the lad.

[NathStPaul]

Not really. It is quite funny.

[Snowflake Royal]

In your opinion

Would say on a good spell and good run, Ejaria may be the better option but over 46 games, in terms of consistency and what they offer, would go with Hoilett every time

But then they’re vastly different so it’s hard to compare regardless

Hoilett p10(5), G3, A1
Ejaria P14(1), G2, A0

Hoilett, runs at players. Ejaria, walks at players. Hoilett, attacks space. Ejaria, avoids space.

I know which I prefer.

I don't know why you've given this data when it's been said that they are different type of wingers entirely.

LOL you can’t compare output, because they play a different way?

I assume you can't compare Puscas's scoring record to Joao's then.

That's desperately weak

[Hendo]

Hoilett p10(5), G3, A1
Ejaria P14(1), G2, A0

Hoilett, runs at players. Ejaria, walks at players. Hoilett, attacks space. Ejaria, avoids space.

I know which I prefer.

I don't know why you've given this data when it's been said that they are different type of wingers entirely.

LOL you can’t compare output, because they play a different way?

I assume you can't compare Puscas's scoring record to Joao's then.

That's desperately weak

Although for example, I wouldn't compare Sidwell's output to Harper's output because while they played in the same position, they played in a much different way.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Hoilett p10(5), G3, A1
Ejaria P14(1), G2, A0

Hoilett, runs at players. Ejaria, walks at players. Hoilett, attacks space. Ejaria, avoids space.

I know which I prefer.

I don't know why you've given this data when it's been said that they are different type of wingers entirely.

LOL you can’t compare output, because they play a different way?

I assume you can't compare Puscas's scoring record to Joao's then.

That's desperately weak

You can't compare the output that is the strength of one player but not someone else, no, how is that fair?

You wouldn't compare Firmino's goalscoring record for Liverpool with Vardy's at Leicester for example and then automatically assume Vardy is the better striker would you?

As has been said, their playing styles contrast massively, be it a good thing or a bad thing. I get as frustrated as anyone else with Ejaria at times and I agree that his numbers "should" be better for the position he plays, but I also accept that he isn't a winger that will get 20+ goals and assists combined in a season either. I take his talents for what they are.

[Loafer]

Whether you are Pro-Ejaria or Anti-Ejaria I think we can all agree that we're sick of the obsessive agenda Ian Royal has against the lad.

It is absolutely pathetic

[Loafer]

Hoilett p10(5), G3, A1
Ejaria P14(1), G2, A0

Hoilett, runs at players. Ejaria, walks at players. Hoilett, attacks space. Ejaria, avoids space.

I know which I prefer.

I don't know why you've given this data when it's been said that they are different type of wingers entirely.

LOL you can’t compare output, because they play a different way?

I assume you can't compare Puscas's scoring record to Joao's then.

That's desperately weak

you and your agenda are pathetic

grow up