What a weird night we had — I still can’t quite work out what it means. We put a reserves-heavy side out, got battered in possession, defended like our lives depended on it and somehow came away with a clean sheet and a quarter-final place. I’ll take that every day of the week. Decori lasted an hour and impressed me more than I expected, Hughes did his usual job, Gusani was alright and Richard was my man of the match. Dean in goal steadied things when needed. When our proper first-choice players came on we looked like we could get a second, but the two games were so different that I don’t think any momentum will carry into Saturday against Tottenham. I’ve even got a tenner mentality about it — I put a hundred quid on them to go all the way — but I’m honest: what works in a cup tie with second-string lads won’t necessarily save us at Spurs. Tactically it was a throwback to backs-to-the-wall football and, call me old-fashioned, I don’t mind if it’s effective. If the players can execute that park-the-bus, counter and nick a goal approach, I’ll back it. But the glaring worry is defence. We’ve been leaking, and it’s not just bad luck — it’s systems, selection and, frankly, management. Win or lose, the takeaway is simple: we defended well enough tonight to win, and that’s worth celebrating, but don’t expect the same display to be a template for beating the better teams coming up.

Takeaways:

• We beat Fulham with a rotated side and I’ll take the win, clean sheet and quarterfinal spot even if it won’t give us momentum for Spurs.
• I don’t mind ugly, backs-to-the-wall football if it works — 99% possession for Fulham and we score, I’ll happily take that.
• I’m realistic: Sarge looks out of his depth to me and I genuinely worry he hasn’t got the Premier League chops.
• We are a selling club and I accept that staying in the Premier League for 13 seasons is progress, not unrealistic top-six fantasies.
• I’d rather see a pragmatic manager — Hodgson, Dyche or even Allardyce — who can organise our defence and get points on the board.
• I trust Parish’s long-term judgement more than online petitions; start winning games and a lot of the noise will simply disappear.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Fulham F.C.
• Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
• Sunderland A.F.C.
• Crystal Palace F.C.
• Manchester City F.C.
• Chelsea F.C.
• Premier League
• FA Cup
• FA Community Shield
• UEFA Europa Conference League

I don’t want Sage to be the manager anymore — he hasn’t got the leadership, charisma or fire to inspire this team. That 5-0 at Brighton was a proper kick in the balls and showed everything that’s wrong: players celebrating after a hiding, taking their readies and no real fight on the pitch. Our football can look pretty in places but there’s no substance, we’re too open at the back and we’re not getting anything from the captaincy or certain individuals when the heat’s on. If Thomas Frank, Sean Dyche or Eddie Howe were available I’d take any of them over Sage right now — we need someone who can make us a proper Premier League team and protect the bread and butter. I’m worried about dropping out of the Premier League, but I’m also honest about what I see on the pitch and what the board needs to decide. On a brighter note, we’ve got some cracking interviews coming up with Phil Holder, David Lewis and Neil Everett, and I’m trying to line up someone really special for Christmas Day — so keep tuning in, like and subscribe. Come on you Palace.

Takeaways:

• I was gutted after Brighton's 5-0; that dreadful performance felt like a real kick in the balls and showed we have big problems to fix.
• I don't want Sarge as manager anymore — I get no leadership, no charisma, no fire, and no answers from him.
• We need substance and defensive solidity, not just flattering, pretty football that keeps letting simple goals through at the back.
• Wharton's not a captain in my view; he folds under pressure, frustrates the team, and shouldn't be leading us.
• Players still cash their pay even after poor displays, which underlines a worrying lack of accountability within the squad.
• I'm excited about upcoming interviews with Phil Alder, David Lewis, and Neil Everett before Christmas — keep tuning in and subscribing.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Team of the 80s
• Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
• Beşiktaş J.K.
• Crystal Palace F.C.
• Premier League

We need a more defensively minded manager — Sarge has got to go, and frankly, let's not fall to Brighton! I felt we were very lucky to get three points at Nottingham Forest; they battered us in the first half and our defending is still dreadful. With no January signings likely, I keep saying we have to play a system that suits the players we've got, tighten up at the back and start trying to find a clean sheet. Wharton’s touch is off, Walton’s been a worry, and unless we stop conceding three or four goals every game we’ll be having to score five just to scrape results. On a brighter note, I’ve got some great interviews lined up — Phil Holder, Neil Everett and Dave Lewis — who’ll be sharing mad stories and photos from the team of the 80s, so stick around, like and subscribe, and let’s hope we survive Brighton without being embarrassed. We were lucky to come away with three points at Nottingham Forest — I said it straight after the game and I’ll say it again. Forest battered us for long spells, our defending was dreadful and we only survived because we somehow found the goals. I don’t know how we keep doing it, but we keep scoring; the rub is that every match now feels like we need five or six goals just to get over the line. That’s not a tactic, that’s a crisis. I’m frustrated we haven’t sorted the back line since Sarge arrived. He’s had time and yet nothing’s changed: Walton still starts, Wharton’s touch is off, and we’ll probably get no reinforcements in January. Management has to play to the squad’s strengths — right now that means tightening up defensively, not pretending a free-scoring plan will paper over the cracks. I’m blunt about what I think needs to happen: Sarge’s got to go. We need someone who understands how to secure clean sheets first, then build forward play. The Europa League dream was lovely but, as I’ve warned, it’s a big ask for a squad not set up for that level; let’s be realistic and fix the fundamentals. And for God’s sake, let’s not fall to Brighton — that would be a proper embarrassment. We need grit, organisation and proper leadership before we chase anything pretty in attack.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• talkSPORT
• YouTube
• Premier League
• UEFA Europa League
• UEFA Europa Conference League
• Manchester City F.C.
• Arsenal F.C.
• Crystal Palace F.C.
• Liverpool F.C.
• Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
• Team of the 80s