As I mentioned in the comments of Gary’s article on Sunday, the mind-game season is now in full swing. It would surprise no one if, between now and Saturday’s game with Bristol City, both camps bemoan injuries, suspensions, and a raft of other reasons as to why the result might not go their way.

Did Ryan Lowe believe the stuff coming out of the club before Saturday’s game, like the fact Josh Sargent was touch-and-go for the game" I very much doubt it. His planning would have been for every eventuality but are these types of comments more for the benefit of the media and supporters"

Many articles were written, and follow-up comments posted, on the possibility of Sargent being unavailable for PNE after being substituted at 65 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday, at which point City lost their shape and the extra two points.
Lots of questions were also asked, at the time, around David Wagner’s thinking and why he opted to send on Liam Gibbs when he had Sydney van Hooijdonk and Ken Adoh on the bench, both of whom could fulfil a similar role and who had, in theory, more chance of nicking a winner.

After 65 minutes against Preston, Sargent again looked like he’d blown a gasket. His energy had been low most of the game for me, but by then he looked as if he was floundering. You do wonder, if Wagner’s go-to man, Gibbs, had been available, would there have been a switch"

Wagner has regularly said that those returning ...