Being second is wonderful, promotion would be dreamland but after the 11 years of absolute shit, it’s a disappointment that we couldn’t have given more of a final push. I just can’t see us getting back to this point again if we fluff it and with the inevitable player outgoings come summer. Above all else the most important thing is getting the club back on a decent financial footing. Promotion would solve so many issues even if we came straight back down.

We may ride our luck with Travis but Kaminski would be a huge loss.

I ignored it because I didn’t mention those players. Anyway, you reply to this so you can have the final word, get it all off your chest then we’ll call it a day.

I don’t think we’ll be okay if Brereton disappears from the team and I think it’s a sad state of affairs that we haven’t strengthened at a time I believe is a one off great chance at gaining promotion automatically. You disagree with that? Fair enough. And yes I think we would be fucked to lose a 20 goal player when we’re already the underdogs personally and we’ve got Gallagher as backup. No ones crying at you going a bit bonkers on a message board pal. Go and have a lie down.

I think you’re a bit mad, please go away.

Fair enough, I can’t see it myself. I don’t think Mowbray has the belief in him to play him centrally. But the point remains, it’s a poor do when we are in the position we are.

I’m disappointed we didn’t bring a goalscorer in, which you pulled me up about. Then you said you would have liked them to bring a goalscorer in. Do you argue with yourself at home?

Key word was “think” can you read?

I’m not the person saying it, just echoing it.

So what are you arguing about then? Of course we can win games without Brereton, we just won’t win as many and I don’t believe we’ll manage auto promotion. The point was, a team in second not strengthening in that area is a poor do.

It’s a good idea not to bolster our firepower in January. I get it.

Because we didn’t move our arses to use it? But hey everything’s just dandy if Brereton gets injured.

Easily, shoulda coulda. Won't happen. We're riding our luck yet again.

Swift? But this "we could have afforded" is a moot point. Of course we could have afforded it as that's been confirmed. They missed out on one target and then obviously didn't have another one, or were too slow to act. This is madness when we're sitting in second place. And now if Brereton is out for any period of time we're going to struggle. The original argument was, if they'd have just pushed the boat out a little to buy us a midfielder and a player that could bag a goal or two, there's every chance we could get automatic promotion. Now they've set themselves a bigger mountain to climb for not a lot of investment. I blame myself for believing Rovers and Venkys would seize the opportunity.

If Gallagher reaches double figures it'll be a first under Mowbray. Rothwell has scored 3. Buckley has scored 1. And if Brereton gets injured?

I'm sure we will win matches but will we win enough to gain automatic promotion? What has a central striker got to do with it? A goalscorer in any position would do the job. If Mowbray is set on playing that way fine, but buy at least one other person who knows where the net is on a regular basis. Gallagher will score the odd goal now and again. Mowbray plays him out of position and he's not very good. That's all I need to know.

Same argument, did we against Luton? No one is has said we need a 20 goal a season striker but expecting Brereton to deliver another hatful of goals, and to be present in all our remaining games is asking a bit much. It's great we've sorted the defence out but goals win matches.

Gallagher wouldn't be on 12+ goals, he's clearly not comfortable playing wide right. I think he's done well to get 6 but let's not kid ourselves that we'll be fine if Brereton is out for any period of time. We may get a bit of luck if Dack returns and starts banging them in.

For those that think we'll be okay if Brereton is absent for a period of time, turn away from your tv screens now.

No defenders, then no wingers and now no strikers.

By advanced forwards, do you mean players who don't score many goals?

I think Hedges and Giles will be on the bench and Zeefuick at left back.

That’s not really the point though, he has been used as a backup goalscorer. We all know he hasn’t scored a single goal but that’s what he’s on the pitch for. If he goes you should be bringing in a replacement. If we were mid table i probably wouldn’t care but it’s daft to rely on Brereton in the position we are in. Clearly there was a lack of care about the auto promotion spot when new players were being considered. We’ve got an excellent player in Giles with his ability at set pieces and assists, let’s hope Brereton can stay fit and score another 10-15 goals 🥺

He’s played as an attacking midfielder before. He’s got more assists than Rothwell this season. He beats Buckley too:

We've got 17 games left. Two of those won't play this season. Two of those have scored barely any goals but can assist them. One of those has scored 30 goals over his ten year career. Bit of a gamble to rely on Brereton being as consistent and prolific as the first half of the season. Also a gamble to not get midfield cover with Edun being out.