Surprised by that, did well in the physical battle but got caught out of position a lot imo.

Dolan looks like he really suits the Armstrong role... Can see him getting more minutes there. One of those games where it's hard to know exactly anything about the team because the opposition were so so poor. They put a makeshift defence under no real pressure. We were okay in first half, poor in the second, but came away with the win and deserved it as Brum were so bad. Positives - Davenport was good in all regards, Travis was fitter than expected, Armstrong scored a goal on his own really, Douglas looked much better at RB than LB, all the subs looked decent. Dack getting a goal was great. Negatives - our final third play was pretty bad. Let maybe a dozen promising breakaways fall apart through sloppy passing. Defensively we did not convince at all. A better team than Birmingham would have scored against us. I reckon the opposition next game will do their homework and go after our full backs.

Amazing how bad both teams are at the basics. Both in poor form but it looks like the pitch is playing a big part too. When I saw the lineup I feared the worst but Travis has looked fit enough, Douglas has played a lot better at RB than he ever has at LB for us, and Johnson had not positionally played CB very well but has got away with it. Birmingham in first half we're unspeakably bad. Better on second though.

Pike is a RB. On bench. Really confused why he isn't playing. The more I look at the team maybe we are changing system? Can't figure out what it is mind. But playing 433 with those players is insane.

Playing 433 with our incredibly thin defence and on top of that Travis just back from injury and Eliott in midfield is suicidal. Really feels reminiscent of Souness and Inces mad last days in charge.

Yes. The new year message from Waggott was a bit weird. Felt like it was written to speak to Venkys, plead for more time. Mowbray has looked under pressure recently also.

I guess the frustration is player for player we probably have the best squad since we have been in the Championship. The issue is more tactical imo, we go out every game with the same plan and just hope it works out. A new manager now would have a decent squad to work with, and with a few tweaks could get us humming again.

I think we can safely say there is nothing from this season. Promotion is all about having a good system and a squad that fits well with it which you can trust to get a steady stream of points as the season progresses. Where we have found ourselves is that teams like Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday, Forest etc have figured out how to stop our plan A with a deep sitting game with three at the back, and then alarmingly today Huddersfield just beat us completely and utterly at our own game. On top of that we don't have a plan B. I think we are officially out of ideas. And when you are out of ideas you need a new manager.

I'd say he will probably need to lose two more on the trot to go.

Great goal from Huddersfield.

It's the hope that kills you.

Lol

I think I can safely say we won't make play offs this season. Tony's moving into At Risk territory now I think.

I can sort of can see the sense in it when we are totally on top of a game like against Stoke. But in a really even game like this it seems daft.

Fucking Ayala!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arrrgh.

We've played a lot of teams this season and dominated them and drawn or lost. But today Huddersfield have played our way and beaten us at it. So far any way.

What a mad set of subs....! I have not thought looking at this game what it needs is Gallagher and Buckley down the right wing?? Good to see Dack on though..

I guess with Dack it's where to play him. There's not an obvious sub off for him. Could go ultra offensive, bring off Johnson for Dack, play Holtby in the holding role and Rothwell and Dack as the more advanced midfielders... would be a very bold move though. Don't know if Dack is up to the intense pressing we need to get on top in midfield...? But then I suppose Holtby and Rotwell are not looking convincing either in that regard. Also - while I think Holtby has been excellent this season but last few games he has looked very far off the pace. Don't think he's coming off though after only just coming on.

Yes I agree with this. I think we stopped doing it when everyone started parking the bus against us as it didn't really achieve much. But Hudds are ripe for the pressing game. The team that wins this will be the one that presses better. But they look much fitter than us in midfield at the moment which kind of undermines a pressing game. So we need to do something about that. Really think it's one for Davenport to have a go at.

Totally even match. Better finishing from either team and they would be ahead. I would say we need to change something to get on top. Need more legs in midfield for me. Johnson is way off the pace and seems injured. Bring Davenport on for me, or maybe Downing. It's not really a strength game, its about covering the yards and picking passes.

Shit but second top scorer in the Championship in a mid-table side.... I mean this abuse is ridiculous.

Bell looks superb compared to Douglas. Last we've seen of Barry?

Incredibly open game this. As predicted perfect for the way we play, loads of space. This is the sort of game we HAVE to win if we hope to go up. What's worrying is after the first ten minutes we are getting beaten at our own game.... Reckon we need more legs in midfield. Getting out worked.

Reckon first week back post vaccination will be huge attendences across sport.

Don't fancy Elliot in midfield and I would be surprised if either Brereton or Dack start. On the plus side Huddersfield play 433 and like possession football so I think we have a chance of battering them as they are pretty much ideally setup for our system, a bit like Preston were. I would expect Holtby to shine as he will get the room he hasn't had against all the defensive sides we've played. Douglas and Gallagher have been unbelievably awful for a few in a row now. We need to drop them. - - - - - - - -Kaminski Nyambe Lenihan Ayala Bell - - - -Holtby Trybull Rothwell - - - Elliot Armstrong Dolan Subs : Pears, Douglas, Johnson, Davenport, Dack, Buckley, Brereton, Gallagher, Butterworth