we better hurry up and add quality times running out we aint gonna make the playoffs or even be in the top 10 with our current form

I suspect the termination of Taylors contract has freed up the wage bill to some extent. Hopefully we will see Mclean RM, Parr RB and Chambers replacing Smith at CB.
GerkensBeard, I don't know what game you have been watching because the Parr Mings link up play down the left seems to be our only decent attacking outlet. Every time I have seen Parr play he has been candidate for our man of the match.

Does this not explain his stance and why he wouldnt wear a poppy? He saw it as disrespectful to the innocent civilian who were murdered by British soldiers on bloody Sunday. Can understand his viewpoint and I respect him for it.

Dear Mr Whelan

I wanted to write to you before talking about this face to face and explain my reasons for not wearing a poppy on my shirt for the game at Bolton.

I have complete respect for those who fought and died in both World Wars - many I know were Irish-born. I have been told that your own Grandfather Paddy Whelan, from Tipperary, was one of those.

I mourn their deaths like every other decent person and if the Poppy was a symbol only for the lost souls of World War I and II I would wear one.

I want to make that 100% clear .You must understand this. But the Poppy is used to remember victims of other conflicts since 1945 and this is where the problem starts for me.

For people from the North of Ireland such as myself, and specifically those in Derry, scene of the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, the poppy has come to mean something very different. Please understand, Mr Whelan, that when you come from Creggan like myself or the Bogside, Brandywell or the majority of places in Derry, every person still lives in the shadow of one of the darkest days in Ireland's history — even if like me you were born nearly 20 years after the event. It is just a part of who we are, ingrained into us from birth.

Mr Whelan, for me to wear a poppy would be as much a gesture of disrespect for the innocent people who lost their lives in the Troubles — and Bloody Sunday especially - as I have in the past been accused of disrespecting the victims of WWI and WWII.

It would be seen as an act of disrespect to those people; to my people.

I am not a war monger, or anti-British, or a terrorist or any of the accusations levelled at me in the past. I am a peaceful guy, I believe everyone should live side by side, whatever their religious or political beliefs which I respect and ask for people to respect mine in return. Since last year, I am a father and I want my daughter to grow up in a peaceful world, like any parent.

I am very proud of where I come from and I just cannot do something that I believe is wrong. In life, if you're a man you should stand up for what you believe in.

I know you may not agree with my feelings but I hope very much that you understand my reasons.

As the owner of the club I am proud to play for, I believe I owe both you and the club's supporters this explanation.

Yours sincerely,

James McClean

(civilians)

Any player who refuses to wear poppy not welcome

Yes there link up play is good but so was Tabb and mings earlier in the season. And when they link up its mings who creates the chances and you know that. Parr really hasn't got a lot of quality about him. Yes he works hard but you need more from a left midfielder.

Is this really true.!! We have Wingers at the club,why don't they get a try.!

good player but failed to many times to live up to his potential.

Yes we need more attacking midfield's but its a bigger priority to play our best players in their best positions. Drop Smith move Chambers inside. Parr RB.

Ironically this is made even more unlikely now as Mick can cite Parr put in a Man of the Match performance in midfield.

Hasketonblue - why? He explained his reasons and they are reasonable and valid. Does everyone have to think similarly to you? What about a player who refused to accept an MBE, OBE, knighthood etc? (Not much chance of playing for Town or getting a gong but I wouldn't accept one, the whole new years honours is in my view a patronising national embarassment, as is having an unelected head of state and her family sponging 300million a year off the tax payer.) How does this affect their right to play for the club, that they have a different view on a particular issue to you? I can totally understand someone not wanting a convicted rapist at the club but people are free to think differently, arent they!?

GerkensBeard were you at the match yesterday? Parr put a ball in from the left that Murphy skied from 3 yards.

Toxtethblue it's only my opinion,but without those who fought and died for free speech. We would not being having this conversation now,wearing a poppy for one week is a way to say thanks to them.

Were you at the game yesterday GerkensBeard? Parr put a great ball in from the left corner for Murphy to sky from 3 yards. Parr has pace and control, never stops running and is consistently dependable.

No end product.

No end product.

Yes I was and if you remember that came from him dispossessing the right back which I have said is where his best moments come from. And it was a simple ball across goal with no pressure on him so I would be worried if he didn't make that

Not is much wrong ,after 36 games we are 1 point behind play offs ,our destiny along with the rest of the top 9 clubs will be decided in the next 10 matches. I suspect many twists and turns . I suspect for sure Bournmouth ,Watford ,Derby , Middlesborough will achieve the top 4 slots in some sort of order. Then its Norwich ,Brentford Wolves Forrest and us for the 5th and 6th slots. If we win 6 from ten we will have minimum 79 points , The best chance wins are Blackpool , Bolton , Forrest. I really fancy us winning away at borough and Watford ,drawing with Bournmouth , hold on , im nervous again..

Exactly Hasketblue, my point entirely! And that was only his opinion. Have you bothered to read his letter to Whelan?

We need to sign two new attack minded midfield players ASAP. Our midfielders work hard, but the likes of Tabb and Skuse are unlikely to chip in with a goal. Hard workng midfielders get you so fair, but we need creativity for that final push. We could of course had done with such attack minded signings in January.

McClean is a good player and would very much suit MM style of play. He is fast, aggressive and has a good cross on him.He is also defensively sound., plus he would know a few of the lads from the international scene.

If its a loan deal for a few months than great, we save on Taylers wage so lets make good use of it!

So micks going to drop Tabb at last? Erm....... not going to happen!!

Toxtehblue, just about the only sensible comment. I am Suffolk born & bred but have very close friends in Cork. What the British did in Ireland & elsewhere is not far different to the most terrible war crimes ever. If this guy doesn't want to wear a poppy it is his choice & I respect him for it, I too will not wear a poppy.

Hegansheroes - absolutely. It is easy for the British public to see just one side of the story, the media portrayal of the troubles was very one sided. Of course the bombing of innocent civilians can never be justified. Innocent civilians were killed by the British though, bloody sunday being just one example of many. For a more balanced idea of what went on I recommend people watch the film 'The wind that shakes the Barley.'

Tabb seems to have taken over from Leadbitter as public enemy number one and just look at what he is doing at Middlesborough! It is time the knockers got off his back and appreciated what a solid job he does before, like Leadbitter, he takes his considerable talent elsewhere.

Toxethblue I have taken time to read he's letter to Dave Whelan. But having two great grandfathers who died in world war one and both grandfathers serve in world war two. Also my father did seven tours of duty in Ulster,being blown up on one when I was only three years old. I would like you to respect my view as I respect yours. I wear my poppy with pride

£20.000 for a good player to sit on the bench with the rest of our wingers.What on gods earth has Henstall or Stewart done to be overlooked in your flair less team.If this rumor is true promise everyone that this lad will start and what you are planning to do is let those others out on loan.I seriously dont think you know what your doing with the squad you have as every week certain players are like yo yos but others are set in stone or you change like for like no plan B as ever..