Pears needs to be dropped for 2 reasons: Kaminski is a better keeper His performances have dropped off after his initial very impressive form.

I also don't see how the management don't see this either

We certainly need to freshen things up. Whartons cameo highlighting what pretty much everyone already knew that he should be playing ahead of the gutless and regressing morton. I'd drop Gally and play Brereton through the middle, but they don't seem to see that as an option. You could drop both as both have been poor for a while. Kaminski back in for Pears. He's a better keeper end of. You'd drop Hedges for thomas but he can't play vs Huddersfield. That and morton were the poor selection choices from JDT.

Nah not for me. Not in the system we are playing. We just a centre mid who can pass and control the game and at the same time not be such a pushover in the middle.

Dack 10 and Szmodics up front would be better than the other way around.

The problem we've got is that the 2 players that need to be dropped don't have replacements. Gally needs dropping but we don't have another striker fit and JDT doesn't want to try Brereton there. Gally was completely anonymous today, didn't show the willingness he has done last few games. Morton also needs dropping. But we need a technical midfielder who can take the ball of the centre backs, it's the vital role in that midfield. Travis can't play that role, Garrett isn't good enough on the ball to do that. Buckley is out injured and hopefully could get back if we made the playoff ls but I think I'm being overly optimistic. Adam Wharton is the obvious suggestion but doesn't seem to have been in favour since his injury.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that. I think we have to factor in Kaminskis form was being hampered by his injury. Pre world cup and the last 2 seasons he's been brilliant for us. In fact pre world cup he'd be my player of the season. He's a better keeper than Pears. Pears is doing very well atm and most think he should keep the shirt for Birmingham, that's fine but I wouldn't equate that to him being a better keeper. Personally think Pears has got an absolute howler in him, see reading at home during the lock down season, Wigan away last season, Stoke away this season. I also think he's benefited from the increased pragmatism that JDT has shown with our playing out from the back, he's letting the keeper put his foot through it more which I think kaminski was not being allowed to do so much earlier in the season (that's conjecture on my part). I also disagree with the poster who said that he can't think of many kaminski would've saved that we have conceded with pears. I'd have to go back through but I do think he's a better shot stopper. But pears hasn't conceded many at all. Pears has done everything asked of him, kaminski is a better keeper. What's better for the team now? What message would dropping pears show, the other players? would it be seen as ruthless or unfair? Allowing the inform player to retain the shirt or bringing back the established no 1 who has been a very good player for the club. Only one can play. That's why it's the most interesting selection decision we've had in years.

I find it interesting that Edun, Brittain, Garrett, Scott Wharton and Dolan have all started this afternoon for the under 21s but not a.wharton

But the ref looks like he's about to book him then changes his mind. Presumably he's bottled it

Don't think this has been emphasised enough but how did Robinson evade a 2nd yellow for his tackle on Hedges?

I've had a bit of time to process what was a cracking cup tie and watch the highlights. I personally would defend JDTs tactical switch. I felt something was coming and we were already starting to fall back too deep. We had in my eyes run ourselves out a bit. My only gripe was perhaps dolan could've come on for either Diaz or gally after 70 mins. They had another striker on, I felt we could benefit from a more orthodox right back/wing back and the extra cb made sense to me at the time. Brittain and Wharton did however look rusty when they came on Obviously their 2nd is what's done us really and tbh I felt it was more due to individual error than anything else. I counted 5 players who should've done better for it. Brittain on the initial ball in, Carter shouldn't get turned, Travis mightve nicked it once he's turned him. Hyam could block it and Pears could save it. No horrendous error but each one could've done a little better on it. Just my opinion but I can see why some are disappointed with the goal coming so close to the changes. Watching the highlights, the penalty is really obvious and im not sure how he's escaped further punishment. Gally really messed up for their 1st. Terrible header and the deflection felt avoidable. I just hope we take positives from it because there's no reason why we still can't make it to Wembley. Aim now is cement 4th or 5th place I'd prefer to avoid boro and sheff utd over 2 legs but I think we could take either on the day in a final.

In this theoretical It's tough. If you guaranteed we'd finish 4th or 5th and not have to face boro and Stoke I'd take playoffs because then I think we'd have a great chance against whoever else. I think Wembley for a playoff final would trump a nice day out at Wembley to get beat by city or united. Saying that there's obviously no reason we can't do both.

For at least one of those goals Pickering is about 1 yard away from Hyam. He isn't marking anyone, there was no need for him to be that far across. He leaves a huge space for their fullback to attack into. I'm not sure their fullback would've made the run if that space didn't exist. On Dolan for one he loses concentration and the fullback puts the burners on and he can't get back at him and the second he tracks him but not very well, gets the wrong side and allows the fullback to loose him.

I still think we need to try Brereton up front. I thought Gally was exceptionally poor last night. He at least scored late on (but he shouldered it). JRC and Dolan were very poor last night also but have been brilliant the last few games. So calls to drop them feel premature. What doesn't help JRC is he has Brittain breathing down his neck who I really rate and is a more orthodox full back. Could JRC be the cm who takes the ball off the back 4? I'd also leave dolan in and bring Brereton in up front.

I don't think Brittain did a lot wrong for that goal. They'd beaten the press and we were massively stretched. I felt Carter needed to come across sooner and help block him coming inside.

I don't think he was in place for the summer transfer window.

I still think BBD in for gally up top if it happens could kick us up to another level. Gally stays for stoke as he's earned it with his last 3 performances. Really led the line in the last 2 which we'd been crying out for him to do and poached some goals at qpr which he doesn't do often enough.

Don't sit back here. Keep doing what we've been doing because we've been excellent.

I think with the fixture pile up and the abundance of hamstring injuries going around I think it might be wise to rotate a little bit here. Will be interesting to see if the likes of garrett, Vale and Phillips are given a chance. Think it might be a good time to use the 5 at the back.

Teesside Taffarel JRC. Carter. Hyam. Brittain Travis. Buckley Thomas. Szmodics. Dolan Hedges Subs: Hilton, Phillips, Edun, Morton, A Wharton, Gallagher, Leonard Diaz up front if fit.

The squads pretty stretched right now. Not sure who else could've played. I can think of: Hilton Edun Adam Wharton Phillips Garrett Harlock Vale Maybe Hedges? Maybe Morton?

Another clean sheet for the teesside taffarel.

Up front this is what I'd try in this order: 1) Brereton up front 2) Hedges 3) Leonard (probably off the bench initially) 4) Dolan 5) Szmodics 6) Vale again 7) Ayala 8 ) literally anyone else 9) Gallagher

Think you've got a typo in there. Looks like you've typed Gallagher into that first 11 when it should say literally anything else.

We are 7th. Level on points with 5th. 1 point off 4th. And I don't think this squad is much better than that. I think with what he's got to work with JDT is doing a good job. He's been shafted in January as this side really lacks quality up top. We may be an incredibly boring watch at times but we are at least solid.