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.

The players available weren’t even huge money. Swift at Reading only has months left on his contract and on paper he’s the best attacking midfielder in the league.

Mowbray said he had three lists. Top level, mid level and bottom of the barrel lower league signings. He must have lost his notebook.

Any elderly strikers available? Just anyone with legs basically so if Brereton is out Mowbray can’t play Ayala?

But we were in touching distance of having a very good squad. I’m not sure why we haven’t brought in a goalscorer. I know Butterworth was as much use as a cone in his last couple of appearances but we are now left with two strikers when we’re in second place.

Can Brereton or even Diaz really score 15 more? I hope someone manages to chip in. On the plus side Giles looks a great bit of business. People think he’s cover for Pickering, I think it’ll be the other way round.

Yep kids.

I think most of it is wishful thinking. If we manage to stay in the automatics with Brereton’s goals being the main thing keeping us there then Mowbray and Brereton both deserve a move to Barcelona. It’s some ask. We’re now hoping for someone like Hedges, who has scored about 30 odd goals throughout his career to step up.

We’re fucked then.

I can’t remember a time when we’ve had so few options for goalscorers. He must have someone lined up, we’ve got Brereton and Gallagher and we’ve already rode our luck relying on those two. Do we expect Brereton to score 35-40 goals this season?

Who covers the scoring goals?

Piss poor when we’ve so many absentees and we need a goalscorer. I thought Mowbray had 3 lists?

We must have money if we tried to get Dembele.

Why else would we send Butterworth on loan? Chapman has also gone. Both mainly bench warmers granted but as someone else said, that's half of our bench at Luton.