Well, until the last couple of games I would have said our wide players were a good asset but with Sigurdsson going off the boil and Brittain struggling against Swansea I can see the sense in changing to a diamond with 2 up top With the ball I can see it working by having two strikers to trouble the centrebacks. The issue is more without the ball as having no wide mids will mean it is very easy to overload the full backs. If we were to go 2 up top we would need imo to be more of a 442 but not sure we have the right players to make that work.

Despite the recent misses Im getting more positive about Leonard. Hes making good runs and showing good strength and ability against quality centre backs.

We've had the bedding in period now. We're roughly a quarter of the way through the season... One of Ennis or Telalovic needs to show they are a decent 10+ goal a season striker. If one of them performs and one of them doesn't I think we will take that. But if neither can make a solid impression then Broughton's credibility is going to take a real hammering, which will be a shame as his signings away from CF have broadly looked pretty good.

On paper we should get absolutely smashed but thought that about West Ham last year...but we won. So theres always a chance.

Wow you are right! https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2023/10/soccer-on-espn-platforms-elclasico-carabao-cup-bundesliga-and-more/#:~:text=ESPN%2B will stream all eight,and Wednesday%2C Nov. 1.

I dont think its on anywhere globally unless something's changed. Apart from the two games on Sky everything else is locked down.

I agree with the one exception of Leonard who I think did very well. Could start soon I think.

All that winning games, goals scored and motm performances by those players while drastically reducing goals conceded is a real nightmare, I know!

I mean in terms of the current playing staff and the manager. Obviously the ownership situation is not desirable.

Yeah also agree, we're scoring a lot of goals, have exciting young talent coming through from our academy, playing some good football, putting together cup runs.. I mean it's about the best we've been since a few years before we got relegated from the premier league. If we can't get behind this team I wonder what it will take. I get that Venkys and the CEO need to go, but putting them to one side this is what we have. I know that the posters who are saying we are terrible cloggers etc are the ones who always say we are terrible cloggers every season irrespective of manager, players, league or situation but still, thought it was worth saying on the whole I think JDT et al have put an entertaining team together. Outside of the premier league fans up and down the country would love to be in our position.

Yeah, agreed, we have signed him to be in the first team so we shouldn't be loaning him out. If we do that is a big failure. I have a vague hope that he is putting in the fitness, pressing, one touch work etc in the background and will be improved character in the next few weeks. Saw a big improvement in Tronstad, Szmodics etc so we can live in hope. One of him or Ennis needs to look the part.

It's weird if we got promoted I think I'd miss the Championship a lot. It's a really incredible thing to start every season knowing you could get promoted or relegated. Where teams like Luton can win a playoff final. You just don't get that in the Prem, though to be fair with Brighton and Villa things are maybe getting a bit more unpredictable.

I know its an option I would really hesitate to move Hill from RB - his influence in stabilising the defence has been absolutely huge. Take him away and I think it could be really damaging. And Brittain and JRC have been brilliant in their roles last couple of games, so I wouldn't touch them either.

Also would have thought Ennis would have staked more of a claim by now... Hes running out of time till Gallaghers back.

Usually I'm a big proponent of never change a winning team but injury to Hyam, Sigurdsson looking shattered means some changes. Reckon with Moran taking a knock also means a switch to 433 is on the cards, moving Szmodics wide left. Prefer Szmodics at 10 but an obvious move with the injuries etc. Leo Hill. Carter. S Wharton. Pickering JRC. Tronstad. A Wharton Brittain. Dolan. Szmodics

Only players I would be super concerned about losing are the keeper or any centrebacks as that's where we are really thin on the ground. Though I was quite pleased with how Scott Wharton did when he came on. Full back, midfield and forwards we have been playing with all sorts of players in different roles and combinations and kept quite good performance levels and not been that reliant on particular individuals. So I am not that sure we do have that thin a squad in those areas. Still got Ennis to get fully fit, Leonard and Gallagher back. Travis, Moran and Adam Wharton are all sitting on the bench atm. Plenty of Championship squads in worse positions I think.

Lol.. yes of course. Think that's the wrongest stat I've ever seen... Think it's probably midweek matches like others have said.

Um didnt we win away at Millwall last game of the seaon (so May 2023?)

Well thats football to be honest... You can play great football but if youre weak at the back you will lose more than you win. If you are average going forward but defensively sound you'll do well. The gung-ho way we started the season was fun but unless you are streets ahead of your opposition in terms of quality it is asking for trouble. That said would like us to go a bit more adventurous but keep Hill and Tronstad in the side, think maybe there is a happy medium.

Brittains such a likeable legend. Fantastic pass from Hill too... Not bad for a big centre back playing right back finding himself at left back.

Hes made one error, it happens. Think overall hes looked pretty good.

Yeah, think Id take Sigurdsson off for Moran definitely. Agree Wharton on is a good idea but then cant really justify taking off Tronstad, Brittain or JRC. Hmm. I guess just whichever of those tires quickest. Ennis for Dolan will defo happen at some point, though Dolan has done reasonably again IMO.

Feels to me like this is the ideal game to get Moran running with the ball from deep midfield. Dont think Millwall will be able to handle it.

That's just embarrassing!

Yeah, I think Wharton can play as all of deep Tugay style play maker, a left sided box to box centre mid, or a number 10 behind the striker. At the moment I'd be tempted to play Wharton in a midfield three with Wharton left, Tronstad deep centre, JRC right. But.... issue is that if we do that where does Szmodics go as the 10 role disappears in a 433? Means we either need to play him as a CF, or play him right wing instead of Brittain? But Szmodics is the sort of player who really excels in the 10 role but just doesn't offer as much really in other areas. Tricky really. So I think we are probably limited to a 4231 setup to retain Szmodics at 10 which means there is only one CM role alongside Tronstad. Option are drop JRC for Wharton, or put Wharton in and move JRC right and drop Brittain. In the end we've won and kept a clean sheet two games in a row so can't see much changing until results go south again. When that inevitably happens think Wharton has a great chance to come in to replace injured / out of form players.