Walton would be a decent signing for me. Not brillant but best keeper we've had in a while. Where we've messed up is £12m for Brereton and Gallagher and no defenders or wide players. Reckon it isn't going to change though. Tony seems absolutely wedded to the idea of playing strikers on the wing despite it clearly not working. It's as if to move away from it is to admit personal defeat. I fully expect us to sign two more strikers with no scoring record and no defenders in the summer.

Only real positive is Lenihan coming back should instantly hugely improve us.

It actually has looked like this at times.

I'm all for a bit of creative formations and swapping players around. But today is mad. Right back at centre back, right mid at right back, left mid at centre mid, striker at right wing, striker at left wing. I mean thats crackers isn't it? And shows fundamental mis management.

It's embarrassing how poor he is in the air.

I think it's 433 similar to how we ended against Hull.

Oh dear. Can see things being tricky.

We should have easily won that on balance of play. Got into a lot of good positions, but our crossing was poor and we couldn't find any space through the middle. We get the majority of goals from Armstrong finding space, but he had none today. And the rest of the attacking players offer very very little goal threat. A full back with a good cross could have made a big difference today. I suppose we could have dropped Downing in there. We do seem to end up drawing a lot of games where on balance we should win

A great chairman is at least as important as a great manager.

I've been thinking about this more, and in reality why don't we do it? Take out the entire Riverside for a bank of boxes. We really don't need the seats.... I think it could be pretty cool.

Love this!

Agreed, forgot about Walton. He's looking really really good now.

I would say the only signings significantly questioned by some fans this year were Downing and Gallagher. Downing has been sensational but it's equally fair to say Gaagher has been poor. On top of that I would say both Holtby and Johnson have made less of an impact than hoped. The majority of criticism directed at Mowbray in the summer and January was aimed at the non signing of central defenders. However we've been really lucky with injuries/suspensions in that area so far so seem to have got away with it. Plus Tosin has been a great signing when not much was really expected of him.

Good post this. Only quibble Ive got is isn't Armstrong the definition of a player who can create something from nothing? Does it virtually every game.

He's been good last six games. As for what to do if Lenihan is out Williams seems the best choice. But I think it would see us majorly weakened. Same questions on why we haven't strengthened the defence will be asked. Williams has had a few good games for us but is positionally and aerially suspect. I think Bell would get exposed and we will start conceding regularly again down the left. Mulgrew is even worse. Anyone from the academy we can throw in?Or maybe back three?

The big difference between this run and previous good runs is the quality of our defending. Even when outplayed and deservedly beaten by Fulham we were very tight defensively and limited Fulham to a few chances. I would say our chances of making playoffs rest on the back five staying fit above all else. Swap Leut, Williams or Bennett in there and it falls apart. Also Travis, Downing and Armstrong's availability crucial. For all eight of those players to stay fit and play 13 games (plus the playoffs if we make it) is a major ask. But it has happened.

Only contribution of note was one cracking defensive tackle. Apart from that totally anonymous. Hard to see what future he has with us.

To back this up I just watched back the highlights from yesterday (I was at the game) and Charlton's two best chances came from Tosin totally losing his man. Also highlights didn't show at least a couple of bizarre flicks he did which just served the ball to the opposition. He's got all the attributes, but he won't be playing prem football until he cuts that out.

I would say he's at least a year off Premiership footie. Lenihan is still the better defender in my opinion. I think we will have a decent chance to sign him come May. He's been good, but not outstanding, and he has a few errors in him. I would say far too casual for most premier managers.

Buckley was decent I thought. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a physically slight player. Does look like a 14 year old kid playing with the men's team. Also runs in a very ungainly sort of way. But when he had the ball he used it very well. Scored a goal, played some very good through balls. Done enough to start the next game. If he can bulk up a bit he will be some player - got potential to be a Tom Cairney sort I think. He's 20 already though - maybe he is destined to be very physically small?

Come on chadders its totally valid to compare.

After today move me into the sold category. First two buys of the summer should be Walton and Tosin imo.

Brereton made me laugh today. Playing as the sole striker up front, Nyambe and Bennett wide right getting ready to put the cross in, and he goes out to the wing! We had zero players in the box. Crackers. Did have a couple of good runs with the ball though, and a decent shot.

Agree with this. Little sticks to Gallagher. Nearly everything stuck to Samuel today. Good performance. Mowbray's shown himself to continually pick on merit, so I expect Samuel to keep his place when Gally gets fit.

Agree with Bell and Walton improving. Rising on 85% brilliant but 5% idiot. Made two huge errors, but got away with them. I guess training with John Stones has rubbed off on him. Incidentally it feels like our points per game ratio could actually have improved since Dack got injured? Who saw that coming?