KOA Fans Social: McKenna links, Taylor new deal, Burns future and Boro trip

28:18If he could get recalled in January, there's an option there. But yeah, I think the good thing with Wes is that I think he may potentially plan the under-21s, which is obviously now an improvement on where we were. We've obviously gone Category 1 now. We've already seen Harry Clarke, Cameron Humphreys play in that development league. So at least hopefully Wes can play in that. And then, yeah, we'll look to see what happens in January. But yeah, anything else to add, Simon, as we sort of move on? You mentioned the PL2 there. It just sort of struck me. I do think about Tudor Mendel who's obviously doing very well there.

28:53So it might be another player sort of looking to force his way onto that kind of right-wing position. He's done very well at that level. But, yeah, I think if Wes does go, when Wes does go, he'll go with the blessing of every town fan who will remember him as fondly as any player. I mean, I was right behind that goal. I remember that goal at Coventry. I was on Coventry for that one and that was a special goal. It was a special season all round. and yeah, I mean, Barnsley under the lights. Just so many moments you can list off with Wes. And as I say, I think it was£100 ,000. I mean, best£100 ,000 the club's ever spent probably.

29:33Yeah, very much so. So yeah, we'll see. But it is good that he's getting closer to his recovery and hopefully we'll see him in a town shirt again at some point. But let's, before we get to the strike, to break up the show and look ahead to... Can you say Birmingham? We've played Birmingham. Middlesbrough. Borough. But yes, boys, it's fine, it's fine. Your player of the season so far, I wanted just to get your thoughts on the players who have obviously been playing on the pitch because we've been speaking about Jack Taylor, Wes Burns, Kieran McKenna. But yeah, Liam, who's been your player of the season so far?

30:06Who's the sort of standout? You can name drop some other players if you fancy as well. I think it's a difficult one because obviously Town haven't stood out at the start of the season. It has been a bit stop-start. especially in that first month going into September. But I would say that the most consistent player and the one that has stood out the most at the moment is Matasiwa. I think in midfield, he has been immense and has just got better and better and better. He obviously had a bit of a tough start at Birmingham, But we all knew that was going to be a bit of a baptism of fire. I mean, they were coming on to a promotion season after what we did two years ago.

31:02And first home game against a relegated Premier League club. Obviously, it was always going to be the atmosphere red hot, always going to be a tough one. and obviously getting acclimatised to English football first game, everyone had a bit of a struggle, I think, and we obviously just about got away with a point in that game. But since then, he has just grown and grown and grown. And I think I can really see shades of N 'Golo Kante in him. He really does look like that scrappy little midfielder that just basically gets in everyone's faces and gets the ball back and gets Taron going. And I think he so far has probably been the best in terms of consistency signing that Taron have made during this last summer.

32:02Yeah, very much so. Yeah, he's been incredible. He also did pre-match press today and he's just, he's smile. He's just, yeah, just beaming a smile. Yeah, lovely lad. And yeah, we've got a few comments here. This is from David Evening from Dublin. Evening, David, hope you're enjoying yourself. Harvey Bell, Azor Masasiwa for me, stepped into that Morsi role wonderfully, very much so indeed. Yeah, Simon, no. Any other names to drop or you saying Azor as well? I think I would go with Azor as well. and the comment just mentioned Morsi, I think the biggest praise you could give Azor is people aren't talking about the fact that Sammy's not there, given what an influential leader, captain player he was for a number of years, the fact that he's gone and he's ultimately seamlessly just taken that role and we haven't forgotten Sammy, obviously, but we're not there going forward.

32:57We're really missing that player and he's really taken that role to his own, As you say, after a slightly difficult start in that Birmingham game, but the squad wasn't quite ready. There was a lot of other factors in that. New league, new country. So I think he's just improved week on week since then. In terms of some other names, I think the player has kind of a little bit gone under the radar since his signing is Darnell Furlong. I think he's been a really important signing in terms of how McKenna likes to play because Ben Johnson has never filled me with massive confidence, particularly as a defensive full-back maybe slightly better going forward but in terms of missing players you think to Anzebe that kind of rock-solid right-back that he was Darnell is very much that player and I think he's been really key to unlocking a lot of other things on the pitch that maybe doesn't look as exciting but I think from a squad perspective it's been a really important signing and Jadon this last month I mean, yes, he didn't maybe start the season as we would have liked but the form, particularly at home, the hat trick against Sheffield United, the goal in the derby.

34:05I mean, he's having a goal of the season competition by himself. If he can repeat those levels through the rest of the season, I mean, the 20 million looks like a bargain at that point, doesn't it? So I think we just hope that he keeps on that level. And Sindra's getting there, so hopefully we'll start to see the best of him. feels like he could do with the moment probably just to get himself going. But game by game, again, I think with all those players, and you see it across McKenna's signings, game by game, they get better as individuals and as a collective. So hopefully that continues throughout the course of the season.

34:42Yeah, definitely. And you mentioned, Liam, off record, that, yeah, he just needs to score away from home, Jadon Filagini. Scoring at Portland Road, but he needs to score away from home just to get that off his back. He's like Nathan Broadhead. He's like Nathan Broadhead. Everyone loved Nathan Broadhead, but a lot of his best work came at Portman Road and there were plenty of games away from home where I just didn't even notice he was on the pitch. He would disappear. and I think for Philogene, I mean look, he's got real quality, he is having his own goal-to-season competition but it's just consistency and it's not even about scoring goals away from home, it's just about being the player that town needing to be in the right situation and we'll come on to it obviously in a little bit against Middlesbrough But it's a big game.

35:44Middlesbrough are one of the best teams. And if Philogene even creates a goal and is part of a reason why Town end up winning that game, then that, for me, is still something to celebrate, even if he hasn't smacked another one into the top bins. But for me, at the moment, he hasn't been consistent home man away at the moment. but we know his quality and hopefully as the games go on, he will, and the confidence he's gaining, he will start to show that home man away. Yeah, definitely. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Go, you go, you go. I think the other improvement that we've seen in Jadon recently, or certainly I've seen in the games I've watched him in, is the off-the-ball work.

36:31I think when he came in, he was kind of flashy, doing a lot of tricks, but the game was getting a bit hard, games are getting away from us and you kind of didn't see that fight. I think now he's got the confidence in his attacking game. You're starting to see him do more of the hard yards. And you talk about, in a way, games, it's not necessarily about being the flashiest player all the time. You're not always going to have those moments. And for him, I think that's been an important step in his development as well. It's certainly a Hutchison kind of parallel, isn't it? that McKenna worked very hard with Hutchison to say, look, we know what you can do on the ball, but we think that you can be this good off the ball.

37:11And he did become really, really good off the ball, a good pressing player. And Philogene looks like they're trying to do something similar. So obviously the more that McKenna can work with him, the better player he's going to become. But there was a comment that I did see about Matasiwa, which was quite interesting about the fact that it's a single point of failure. We're talking about Jack Taylor and about his role in the squad and so on. And he's obviously at the moment in the midfield positions and he's got Matasiwa, he's got Jens, he's got Nunes ahead of him. The fact of the matter is, though, if we lose Matasiwa for any time, and obviously he looks like the reincarnation of Sam Morsey because he likes to get a booking nearly every two seconds.

38:07He's going to be missing probably through suspension at some point. We haven't got anyone else in that squad that will do exactly what he does and that could be a concern. Yeah, I'm just quickly having a look at his yellow cards because I think he's got at least four already, I think. I don't know what the deadline is for potentially a one-game man if he gets to fifth. It must be coming up soon. But yeah, it's going to be interesting. In the future, if McKenna will look at that and go, OK, I need a natural replacement. I think obviously Hayden Hackney, who Town will play against, was potentially that player.

38:46But yeah, a quick little name drop here for JB. He said Leaf has been going under the radar too. I think people have come to expect Leafs to deliver the goods. He's been playing well. Yeah, he's not got the record assists just yet, but I feel like he's been pretty solid. And yeah, sometimes it takes players a few months to get really, really back up to speed. And last year, I think, knocked a lot of his confidence out in the Premier League, Leif. He even mentioned that in interviews. So he's now getting back up to speed and playing really well, which is really good indeed. And AD Croucher as well, when I agree Leif is a key player in the team this season.

39:23And he's been playing a different role as well. so yeah it's interesting indeed and Michael Clark went uh Jaden throwing his best form in the blue shirt works really hard for the team now much like Amari did last year as you boys mentioned um so yeah we're gonna have a nice little break though boys to do the strike um just to get ready to chat all thing Sparrow I was about to say Birmingham again I don't know why I got Birmingham in my head we shouldn't be thinking about Birmingham um especially the game at St Andrews was not a great game for town. But yes, time for Simon and Liam to go head-to-head.

40:01Let's see who will be crowned the strike champion this tonight. So yes, get involved in the comments. Share your answers. So Liam and Simon, don't look in the comments. Do not cheat. Don't need to do that. I've switched it. I've switched it. Well done, well done, well done. But yeah, we've got five questions plus tiebreaker as standard. and of course it's linked to birthdays this week. And we've got the first question is on Kevin Lisby. Kevin Lisby, who's now got sons, twin sons, playing football. I think one's at Colchester and I think the other one is somebody else, somewhere else. I know he's at Peterborough.

40:41He's been out on loan somewhere. But yes, anyway, Kevin Lisby obviously had a spell at town and he celebrates his 47th birthday on Friday. so um yeah happy birthday to kevin for then uh but yeah how many goals did he score for town in 45 games and i think simon gets the advantage here because liam you technically weren't really watching town then because uh you're in scotland and yeah this before liam from crew was invented and before you came to soffoc but um you never know it's a shot in the dark 45 games you are signed, I think, from Jimma Jilton. And then Roy Keane didn't like him and he left.

41:21So, but yeah, 45 games. How many goals did he score? I think he only had one season at town. And then I think he got loaned out because I think he was here for at least three seasons, but he only had one season here because he, yeah, Roy Keane didn't fancy him. So let's see what you guys think. So if you get a bang on, you get double points. If you get closest to the correct answer, you get the point. So what do you reckon, boys? Show us your answers. Shout them out. so Liam is gone I've gone nine I've also gone nine oh nine well that's fine I don't mind that no one's got a bang on well you would have both got a bang on if you got it right but it's seven so do you both get a point yeah I'll give you a point it's my show my quiz I should know that I'm going to give you both a point because it doesn't really matter Either way, David in the comments went eight.

42:16So he was technically the closest. So he gets the point as well. But question two is on maybe a controversial player in recent months because he had an incident against Isthtown for Derby County, and that is Lewis Travers. He celebrates his 28th birthday on Thursday, tomorrow, or if you listen to this, on Thursday. But yes, he, of course, had a loan spell at town during that promotion winning season of the championship. But what squad number did he wear during that spell? Was it 22, 28 or 34? Lewis Travis, of course, as I said, he's probably not a fan from town fans anymore because of that tackle on Jens Kuste.

43:01But, you know, it is what it is. But yeah, Lewis Travis now at Derby County. But yeah, squad number wise, 22, 28 or 34, boys. What do you think? And Colin said, good evening, Roscoe. Good evening, my friend. Hope you're doing well. He's also put the answer in the comments. His option of the answer could be wrong, but we shall see. What do you reckon, boys? 22, 28, or 34, his squad number? I went 28. 28 is correct. It is 28, so it's 2-2. Desmond's going into question three. question three is on a bit of a record breaker at town he was the first New Zealand New Zealander to play in the Premier League and also I think for it's rich and that is Lee Norfolk who I think he played before my time definitely played before your time Liam I knew as well Simon but Lee Norfolk he is currently the head coach of which Suffolk non-league club is it Leyston, Lewistock Town or Woodbridge Town.

44:08Lee Norfolk. He celebrates his 50th birthday on Friday. Is that a big 5-0 for Lee Norfolk? Yeah, he was the first New Zealander to play in the Premier League. Of course, we've got Chris Wood these days scoring for fun for Nighting Forest. Or is he? I don't know if he's scored that many goals this year for Forest because they've obviously struggled. Definitely under Ange at the moment. Not good. But yeah, I think in the 90s, Lee Norfolk, of course, played for town. But yes, what do you reckon, boys? is Layston, Lowest Off Town or Woodbridge Town, who is either head coach of? Take it away. I'd say Woodbridge.

44:44I said Layston. I have no idea. That's good though. Now you're both separated. But are you both wrong? That would be hilarious. But no, one of you is right and I hate to say that Liam, it is Simon because it's Layston. It is Layston. That's a complete guess. That's good. No, that's fine. I think that's embarrassing. Why is that? I went to see Layston versus Needham earlier in the season. Well, you know, you probably didn't know who Lee Norfolk was. I didn't. But no, he's at Layston. But yeah, Woodbridge Town once upon a time had Luke Hyme as their manager. That was last season. But yeah, Lee Norfolk at Layston.

45:25So it's 3-2 going into question four. And that is on David Unsworth. Remember him? had a loan spell at town. His 52nd birthday is on Thursday. But yes, he had a loan spell at town in 2005 from which club? Was it Aston Villa, Everton or Portsmouth? So there we go. He actually scored on his debut for Echbridge Town. Fun fact, I guess Sheffield United. Another one of these clubs, if you didn't know that. But there we go. Signed Panta. Panta? Panta? Panta? even Team KOA it's a panter I'd say panter why am I thinking too much into this why am I thinking too much into this but yeah love that but yeah what do you reckon boys also don't worry Liam David went Woodbridge as well and Colin went Woodbridge they all went everyone went Woodbridge instead of Simon so Simon mate there we go Shot of Dark went well but yes David Unsworth loan spell from which club in 2005 Aston Villa Everton Portsmouth what have you gone for boys?

46:33I said Everton I know he I know he had a long spell at Everton but I think he may have gone to Portsmouth at some stage at the end of his end of his Everton career and that might be the time he went on loan so I've gone Pompey ooh I love that and there's a few people in the comments going well everyone's gone Pompey and it is Pompey sorry to say Simon so it's 3-3 going into the final question. But yeah, obviously had a long spell at Everton. Had two spells at Everton. Had a brief spell at Villa. Didn't like that. Went back and then went to Portsmouth and yeah, had a long spell at town and all that jazz.

47:10So question five is on Chris Swales. I think that's how you say it, or Swales. He played in the town in the 90s, Swales. And he is the oldest ever goal scorer in a Wembley final at the age of 45. But who did he score for in the FA Vars win was at Morphous Town, South Shields or Whitley Bay 45 years of age and scoring in a Wembley final that must be amazing but yeah a journeyman Chris was famously scored a known goal on his Itcherich Town debut in the Premier League against Aston Villa, bless him but yeah Chris 45 years of age scoring, becoming the oldest ever goal scorer in a Wembley final Morphous Town, South Shield or Whitley Bay?

47:59What do you reckon then, boys? And if you get it, well, if you both get it right, then we've got a tiebreaker, but if one of you gets it right, you're going to be winning the strike this week. What do you reckon? I've gone Morphous. Morphous, whatever. That's what I did when I was looking at the things. I was like, okay, they need to be that sort of area. And one of you is correct. And that man is Liam from Crewe. It is morpheus town so liam wins four two what do you know or three four three sorry sorry i took a point uh liam as standard you have won it overall but there is a tiebreaker are you going to gamble my friend i mean does anyone actually say no there's one week there's one week someone did and they got booed they got some booze um but i i will gamble because i'm a good sport that's good that's good and a few people in the comments um got it all wrong as well liam so you are once again on the on the money dave went whitley ady went south shields and colin went south as well but no it was morphist town he scored as they won the fa bars trophy um was it just that no it's just fa last but it is a trophy because i've been lifting a trophy yeah i'm thinking too much into it i'm thinking too much into it but tiebreaker time then now you've got time and You've got to get this bang on to win.

49:20And it's on the Borough game as we head there this Friday. How many league games have Town 1 at Borough in 35 games? Now, this includes the Riverside and also the other ground they played at. Because they played a different ground, didn't they? Am I getting mixed up with Sunderland? Am I getting mixed up with Sunderland? Sunderland obviously moved grounds, didn't they? They might have had their own ground before the Riverside. Not sure. I know Sunderland was there to depart before the Stadium of Light, but I don't know. I swear they moved grounds. Yeah, they did. They did because they moved there in the 2000s.

49:58They had another ground. I've got what it's called now. Let me quickly get it up. Let me get it up. Where is it? Yeah, it was Ayrsham Park they played in. Ayrsham Park. Then they moved to the Riverside in 1995. So there we go. So, yeah. But anyway, so two grounds. They played 34 times in the league against Borough. How many games have town won? Hopefully this weekend or this Friday they will. But, yeah, a few people in the comments. Thanks, Colin. Thanks, David. Love that indeed. Tell me Ayrsham Park, which is great. That's why, really, I should just look at the comments when I don't know a fact.

50:42Just ask one of the guys in the comments, which is good. so there we go Sean Lewis went I was there watching the mighty Halifax town on a double header, tickets cost a 10 memory, there we go, little fact there nice nice cheap tickets back in the day alright then boys Liam, you can play but you have overly won but Simon you've got to get this bang on my friend 34 games, how many times have town won at Borough in the league kind of undernailed and settled on 10. We've not had a great record there because I'm thinking back to 81. We lost that game 2-0, didn't we? Which kind of cost us a league title that season.

51:24It's never been a good place for us to visit, but I don't think. No, it's not. It's not been. I've been there a few times and luckily, last time we went there, we won 2-0. So that's at least one win. But I've been there. I went there on a Sunday when we were on Sky. It was like a midday kick-off and we lost 4-0. That was a lovely trip. trip home after getting up at 5, 4am to go up there. But yeah, 34 games. Literally no clue. So I went 11. I was closer to Simon than I thought. Yeah, very much so. I'm not really a good bluffer, so when Simon mentioned 10, you may see my face. But yeah, it's 15 defeats, 9 draws, 10 wins.

52:17So there we go. Liam from Crewe, I'm sorry to say, Simon has stolen it with a late winner to be crowned the strike champion. Simon, thoughts? Like Kieran McKenna's side, we love a late winner pulling out the fire. Last second of the game, hopefully the team can deliver a similar result on Friday night. Definitely. And I feel so sorry for you, Liam, because I thought you'd finally win the strike, especially when you've got disadvantage. And then, yeah, you gambled. And Simon, out of nowhere, just went, you know what, 10. That's a safe option. It's the roll of the dice. It's the roll of the dice.

52:57I do all right at the strike, to be fair. I always think I'm going to get absolutely nowhere. But most of it is just pure guesses. So just out of interest, if I put 10 as well, what would have happened? I don't know. Yeah, I'll have to question out of nowhere. In a way, future reference for me, I'll have to make a question. Second tiebreaker. If not... Yeah, I'll have to just find something in my room just to say, okay, this water bottle. So apparently over something million people lack access to clean and safe water. So you've got to tell me how much million. But no, we don't have to worry about that because Simon got a bang on and you went 11.

53:47But good effort, boys. And have a good strike in the books. Thanks, everyone, for getting in the comments. And is this your sister, Simon? It is my sister, yeah. Go on, Simon. There we go, Sarah. A proud sister, I'm sure. Seeing her brother win the strike this week. And yeah, Colin mentioned that game in 1981. 2-1, we lost at Ayrsham Park. I was there. Cost us a top-flight title. Sad, sad times. But yeah, I wasn't born. Sorry. Well, I think that was a sign. But Colin, do not worry. I know you were there. And fair play. Mariner scored in that game as well. Good old Paul Mariner. But yes, there we go.

54:29Anyway, let's get into Borough then, boys. We're going to be very quick with this because I know Traitors is about to start and I know, Liam, you're a watcher and I'm sure the people watching this as well is going to tune into that. But yes, your thoughts on this, boys. I'm going to bring up the last 11 against Norwich. How many changes do you reckon then, Simon, that Kieran McKenna may make? We sort of know about some of his spot because a bit of an injury concerned. Even Sindrae Waliageli could be a doubt. We've had, obviously, O'Shea on international duty as well. George Hurst was an unused sub for Scotland, so he's probably a bit annoyed actually.

55:08He's not played any minutes. He's been with Scotland's squad. But yeah, do you think Kieran McKellan will make any changes despite this unbeaten run we've gone on? I think Akpan Fosmodic feels the most likely going into this one looking at kind of, I think Kieran alluded to in his conference that Samy only just come back. I think it was either yesterday or the day before into training. so we've seen a few times we've kind of thrown him in a bit quickly and this ankle problem seems to just keep niggling away at him and I think we're better off easing him back and getting him right and for Tuba it's a great game for him it's against his old club it's a club he knows really well I'm sure he'll be really really desperate to get out there and perform so I think that

56:04Oh dear. I think we lost Simon. I think we lost him. But yeah, segue on to that, Liam, because we've got a three-game week. You know, we've got Cholten on Tuesday and then who have we got Saturdays? West Brom. Is it West Brom? Who's West Brom, isn't it? Yes, it is. It's the half-twelve kick-off, isn't it? Yes, it is, yeah. But obviously, all focus on Borough. so what do you reckon I'm sure McKenna will look at that as well look at players he thinks suited to play against Borough then suited to play against Cholton yeah Akpom of course returning to Borough great spell there golden boot and all that jazz I think he's got to go the strongest if you're going to make changes then he's got to make them in the next game after that I don't see the point in making changes straight off the back of an international break, unless, of course, the players have come back from injury.

57:04So, for instance, O'Shea has to start. He's the captain. So unless he's injured, I know he's played for Ireland. I think it was yesterday, but it was in Dublin. So he hasn't had a massive amount of travel in that. So he's definitely got to start. I wouldn't change it massively from what was against Norwich. Obviously Smoddix is unlikely to start, although we say this and then he might just suddenly appear. But I'm not sure. I think Smoddix is better out on the left than he is in the 10. I just don't think Town have quite got Smoddik's working right for that number 10. I think, if anything, when Chaplin was still here, there was a bit more fluidity when Chaplin came on for a few games before obviously he was let go.

58:11So I would give Akpom a go against his old club. I don't see there being any other real changes unless, of course, Igeli, who I'm assuming played for Norway's under-21s. He hasn't. No, he hasn't. Oh, no, he pulled out, didn't he? So, I mean, look, if he has got an injury, then obviously Jack Clark's a perfect replacement to come in at the moment. He's been doing a good job, although he might turn into one of these players who's better as an impact player than a starter. But it's a strong side. But for me, this game, this is the first major challenge that Town are coming up against. The Derby win was great and it's a real monkey off the club's back.

59:08But at the same time, this is the biggest game so far this season because Middlesbrough have been one of the best sides. So for me, you have to go as strong as you possibly can go. Yeah. And do you think the Shark, Simon, do you think he could get another start? You know, he kicked the post, isn't he, against Norwich. Borough, they're a very good defensive team. They're very compact. When I was chatting to a Borough reporter and obviously lost against Portsmouth before the international break, the first league defeat of the season. So they're a bit wounded. But he said there were signs of them sort of potentially going to be losing at some point.

59:46So this could be a good time to play them because they're sort of rebuilding after that defeat. They've obviously had a lot of players on international duty. They've had a few injuries. Sadly, the French, George Edmerson won't be involved. He's done his hammy, so he's out injured. But yeah, could a shark come in for this one? I've had a zone, by the way. Yeah. I'd be really surprised if he came in from the start. I really would. I like Azan. I think he's a perfect bench player for us, really. Because I know George gets a lot of flack in terms of he doesn't score enough, he doesn't do a lot of things.

1:00:22But for 60 minutes, he really gets into the battle and he softens the defence. He does a lot of hard yards, hard running, hard work. and that may not be pretty, but it does open up the pitch later in the game. And that's why as I'm from the bench, possibly he's having those moments. I watched him all at Bristol City and he did start that game. He wasn't as effective from the start as we've seen him in those cameos from the bench. And I think he'll probably start midweek against Charlton in that home game. We've also got three game week. That's possibly another thing to consider in terms of what may or may not change.

1:00:59I think he'd go strong early probably rest and rotate against Charlton on Tuesday night and then go stronger again against West Brom I think the only other player, I don't know if you discussed him, was Greaves and Kipre just kind of look at that front line, I don't know we've just seen McKenna likes to throw particular defenders in for game scenarios and I do wonder, I look at kind of Tommy Conway and his kind of throw he's quite quick out and out centre forward I do wonder if he maybe looks at Greaves just a that wouldn't be what I would do but we've seen as I say McKenna does just throw defenders out in from the cold based on particular game plans and I wonder if this might be one of those scenarios True yeah but Kit Bray he's all been amazing It's a good point McKenna does like to go game to game and can throw up some surprises potentially I mean, you talk about the fridge, obviously.

1:02:03He got a few games here and there out of nowhere when the situation called upon his type of defending. So, I mean, it wouldn't surprise me if Greaves starts, if that's going to be... If Tommy Conway is a pacey striker, then maybe he will go there. But for me, it would be so harsh on Kipre after such a great performance in the derby to then drop him straight away. And I still think Kipre could be a key player in this game. He's physically domineering at the back. And for me, I just think he brings a bit more calm. I know O'Shea didn't really show that in the first 20 minutes of the derby, giving the ball away about 50 million times.

1:03:00But I think it's a little bit more settled. I think Greaves, there is a rick in him. I mean, there's a rick in everyone, but there's more often, there's a likelihood of a rick in him. And I just think that creates a little bit of tension at the back line. So for me, I'd be starting Kipere, but if he goes Greaves, then clearly, obviously, it's a game plan for what Middlesbrough push towards us. George Hurst, he'll start for me. It's a tough one with Azan. I think Hurst's touch has been pretty poor for the last few weeks, but he does work his socks off and he does pretty much do that battering ram job of just keeping the defenders occupied and then Azzon has got some tired defenders when he can come on and look a lot more, make more of an impact basically in that period.

1:04:05So it's a 50-50, I think, with them at the moment. But I think McKenna will go Hurst from the start for this one. And as I say, he'll be in the strongest line-up for the time being. Yeah, but McKenna's got plenty of options. We've got a pretty fit squad for the most part. So, yeah, we'll find out on Friday night. But, boys, to end the pod, as we're just over the hour mark now, predictions. Can Town continue on an unbeaten run at Borough, Simon? What do you reckon? Can they make it 11 wins at Borough in the league? Gut feel is score draw at the minute if you ask me how I'm feeling going to it. But that's not a bad result.

1:04:49We know it's a tough place to go. It's a ground we don't have a great record at. We've discussed that already. Just to keep that momentum going from the Derby into two home games Tuesday, Saturday. We know the formula, win at home, draw away, two points a game, that tends to get you there or thereabouts. It may not be pretty, but I think look, can Town beat Borough? Absolutely. Pound for pound, we've got a squad that can do it. It's just going to be a really, really difficult game and I think we may come up just not quite get the win, but I think it will be a good game between two good Championship sides.

1:05:24Okay then. Liam, what do you reckon then? Can Town win? Or do you think a draw? Or can they lose? That'll be oh no, disaster. Well, after all we've been saying in the entire podcast, I'm going to say that Philogene will make an impact away from home. I can see it being similar to when we played Southampton at St Mary's in the Championship promotion season in that early game there where we scored early on, we won 1-0. I think it's going to be tight either way. and that's why I think a lot of people are plumbing for a draw. But I will say 1-0 and I think Philogene will score the goal. And if we do make it 11, does that mean I automatically get reinstated as a striped champion?

1:06:16Oh, Simon, if you could have a say on this. Yeah, I don't know. I'll have to think about it. Well, I've got to win, first of all. But yeah, maybe that's something we have to look at. Let us know in the comments, ladies and gentlemen. But yeah, very interesting take. Quickly look at other predictions. Colin's gone 2-1, Town at Borough. David's gone for a Desmond. Aidy's also gone 2-1, Town. Luke Wake, Hurst is a key part of our attack. If he gets a run of form going, he'll fly, which is great to see. Peter Graham went 2-1, Town would get the two points. Luke went 1-1, I reckon. Charlie Setterfield went, need a win to put a stamp on the lead to show that we are serious, which is Rory true indeed.

1:06:57and Trevor's gone. A win would be great, but it's a difficult place. 1-1. And you know what, Liam? I want to go just like you. I want to go 1-0. Solid win. Get a goal early. Defend and do well. I think Borough at the moment, they're struggling to sort of create things. Tommy Conway is a very good striker, but their other strikers and attackers are new signings this summer and I think they've struggled. So, yeah, if we can get a goal, sort of settle the nerves, it should be a good crowd. Obviously, we're bringing out a very good, following, which is great to see on a Friday night. So salute to all you town fans going.

1:07:32If you are going, safe journeys. I know you're in the away end, Liam, so a safe journey to you. If you're not going, though, of course, follow our coverage. We'll be there. And of course, the game's on Sky, so I'm sure you'll be watching. Supporting the Blues from home. But yes, boys, final business as we end another fan social. Simon, anything else from you? That's the final word on the Borough game. That midfield battle is going to be interesting with Hayden Hackney against Jens and Azor. So it's potentially what we've got versus what could have been had things gone differently over the summer.

1:08:05So that'll be an interesting battle and that'll probably go a long way to winning that game. But yeah, I'm looking forward to the game coming thick and fast because there's a lot of games coming between now and Christmas. So looking forward to the town going on a bit of a run and that squad depth coming in clutch now, which I think this is a period where it really tells. Definitely, my friend. Let's see if that does happen. John S, I think this could be Paul's burner account. Stick to watching crew, mate. He's gone 1-1. Maybe it is. Well, you'll have to let me know. But yeah, Liam, any other business from you?

1:08:39No other business. I just think the game on Friday is going to be quite pivotal in the season. I know it's quite early, but Town have had a slow start and Middlesbrough have been one of the most consistent performers so far. And at the moment, we are six points behind them. If we win, then clearly with a lot of teams at the moment drawing games, it seems to happen when we're playing on a Sunday or a Friday night. A lot of the teams on the Saturday seem to be drawing. we could jump a load of teams right up into the playoffs pretty much and be only three points behind Borough. If we lose, it's nine and you just start to think it's very early days, but you just think that's a lot of work to start having to drag back later on the season, but it's still early days.

1:09:37It's still a big game, though, and could be where the season properly catches fire for town. yeah definitely and of course we've got that game in hand and that game of course at Blackburn has been rearranged for the 2nd of December on a Tuesday night if you didn't know that already ladies gentlemen so yeah trip to Blackburn again for the second time in December on a Tuesday night but there we go but no thanks Liam, Simon for joining me, thanks everyone for watching, if you're listening after the show wherever you are right now we are live every Wednesday when we can I'm trying my best to do this as much as I can live on a Wednesday night, but other commitments sometimes can change that.

1:10:18But yes, thanks everyone for joining me. Final message I'm going to bring up. A town win on a Friday. Go third with a game in hand. Get in. Yes, AD. Love that. Also, plug our sponsors. I'd say Manscaped. They were gone ages ago. No, Stardust Spirits though. They're the ones to check out. Use the code K-A-W-A to get 20 % off on some great stuff that Gary and the team does at Stardust Spirits. And yeah, check out the code KOA. And also Molekula. I think I've said it right now. Molekula. That's the one. Yeah, that's the one. But yeah, KOA10 at checkout. They do some great stuff for your car, cleaning business and all that jazz.

1:11:00So check them out. Leighton-based, two local companies. So check them out and follow us on all the Kings of Anglia and all the socials. and we'll see you in Muldersbrough for Town's next game. Thanks again for watching the Fan Social and see you next time. Bye for now.

1:11:47Thank you.

1:12:18Thank you.

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