Fae out, Harding in

Emerse Fae's loan to Nice was made permanent to nobody's surprise. Strange one really, we chased him for a whole season and then it seemed we didn't know what to when we finally got him.

Perhaps more surprising is the news that Dan Harding has arrived on loan from Ipswich, looks to be cover for Chris Armstrong at left back as we go into a vital stage of the season. He's played under-21 level for England, so certainly looks like he can do a job if required.

Harper the striker

This from today's BBC football gossip column: 'Middlesbrough are closing in on Reading striker James Harper. (Daily Express)'

OK, where to begin? If Jim Harper is the answer to Boro's multitude of problems, then seriously, I want to know the question.

..and 'striker'? Poor research by the BBC (I'm going to ignore tha fact that it came from the Diana Express) at the very least. Harper going forward? He makes Ray Wilkins look like Steven Gerrard.

Royals show attitude to overcome leaders

Well it wasn't a thriller, and their were moments when it restored my faith in staying at home and watching the telly, but the Royals achieved a significant result courtesy of a determined performance and a howler of an own goal. Reading lined up with two fringe players in the back four in Julian Kelly (deputising for the suspended L.Rosenior Junior) and Alex Pearce (in for Ivar Ingimarsson, injured?), and although Pearce has had some league minutes this season the defence had a makeshift look about it. Something approaching a good atmosphere was evident for the first time in a while for a game under the lights with 22,000 tickets sold. It didn't take long for the majority of the fans to have something to cheer about when Neil Collins' looping header beat his own keeper and the Royals were in front on 61 seconds. What then ensued for the remaining 88 minutes was a scrappy affair between two very similar teams. Kelly looked uncomfortable at times but grew in confidence towards the end; Pearce had a fairly solid match, first partnering Michael Duberry and then Kalifa Cisse (Duberry took a knock on the head and was unable to continue) with confidence. Aside from a long-range free kick from Noel Hunt that was tipped over it's hard to recall any saves of note from either keeper. It really was that kind of game. Though one could complain about the lack of quality on display, it would be harsh indeed to question the commitment shown by the players. Even Jimmy Kebe got stuck in and had one of his more effective games. Leroy Lita got 10 minutes at the end and caused a few problems, Shane Long joined him and erm, didn't.

So the 'Results Juggernaut' rolls on (with the occasional puncture!). Pretty we ain't right now, but most effective we certainly are. Credit to SC for knowing how to get the most from the players at his disposal - and of course to those players themselves. I'll stand by my pre-match prediction and state for the record I believe we'll go on to win the title now. May be a little premature (OK, it's definitely premature!) but I'm beginning to think about what happens next season, because it's difficult to imagine this current collection of players doing anything other than struggle in the top flight.

The Company of Wolves

Tonight's game is arguably the biggest of the season. Actually, there's no argument about it is there? This is the big one. Our impressive 3-0 win back in in September at Molineux was significant for a number of reasons: suddenly we could win away from home, Wolves were now within reach after opening up a big gap at the top, and perhaps most significantly we sent a message to everyone that we were the team to beat this season. Since then it's been very much a three horse race between us, Bongo and Wolves. This is the third encounter of four with our closest rivals, and so far our record is 100%, we tonked the Bongo 3-1 in December to replace them in second place. Since the trip to St. Andrews in December we've just lost the one league game and although not played at the top of our game, in the main we've managed to get results. This game is significant for the current table positions of course, if we win they are within touching distance, if they win a decent gap opens up again, but also because I reckon the winners of this will go on to win the title. I also think that we'll both go up automatically, so make of that what you will.

So it's bound to end up in a draw ain't it?

You want team news? Likely to be Julian 'JK' Kelly in for L. Rosenior Junior with Murts out on loan at doomed Charlton. Then probably as you were if I know SC. Not enough detail? Go here then.

We're back!

Wow, things have changed! The US has a new president (name escapes me), some guy called Jonathan Ross is on the telly on Friday nights and Oirish Firebrand Stephen 'Sr.' Hunt is 'wanted' by a couple of average Premier League clubs! OK not everything has changed. But 106 Points is back! Apologies for the enforced hiatus due to, well, lack of interest I suppose. I promise it won't happen again and this time I shall be tackling the issues that really matter with a renewed energy and vigour. For starters I want you to ponder the following for me:

• Will Jimmy Kebe finish a game without falling over himself and/or the ball?
• Has Michael Duberry decided to emulate the early days of Andre BK and become a random hoofer?
• Would we miss Shunt if he went and did one?
• Is Jay Tabb any good?
• What sort of name is Jay Tabb?
• Are we going to get that bloke from Barnsley with the double-barreled name?
• How cold was that Watford game!?
• Will Marek cut the mustard and show us how good we know he really is?
• Does Leroy have a future with us?
• How come we have been playing pretty averagely and are still 2nd?!

Actually that last one has been a favourite topic of mine for some time. I can't recall the last time we played really well at home. The Watford game was possibly the strangest; for large portions we looked average and there was little to distinguish the two teams. We have become very effective at what we do, something Alex Mcleish said when we tonked Bongo at their place. I'm not complaining ('makes a change' - All my mates) but that certain flair isn't really there is it? Replaced by pragmatism, probably what you need to escape this division. Ah what the heck, we've scored a hatful of goals and are second in the league, so let's be honest it's better than being a Luton Town fan (they are now on 1pt. after overhauling their 30pt. penalty) ain't it?

So come on, give me some opinion, abuse (within reason, this is a brave new world after all), banter, whatever.