Remember when the window closed and TM said something like, “The phone was ringing with clubs offering big number 9s, but we did listen because we don’t play that style…so why bring one in?” With 61 F’n crosses sure would have been nice for our promotion chances to have an ugly monster like that to put up top. not to have the foresight that in the last 17 games that sort of tactic might have been needed is mental

This is the exact situation where having Dack back, if only for the last 20 min would be massive.

We have very little creativity when it’s not a break in a counter. No one even attempted to beat a player in a duel out wide. Settled for crosses into a back 6.

What’s clear is we lack much if any creativity in the final 3rd. All season we’ve created in the counter with space and numbers. Today up a man against a side parking the bus we didn’t even try to break them down. Never took a wife player on, never played to a forwards feet, nothing through. Everything went wide with long deep crosses. Made it easy in them. Khadra, Diaz and Buckley are not the 3 to be playing long crosses into. To a man the performances were poor. Buckley had an awful game. Sitter aside he got caught with the ball under his feet too many times. Then when received the ball in space never drove at the defense.

Brought jrc on instead.

Not sure BBD has gotten but 4 touches. Good thing we saved him.

Our attack in the run of play when we’re not on the counter is very simple and predictable

Haven’t sniffed the goal since going up a man

Up a man and playing backwards and sideways. Going down a man was the best thing that could have happened for the swans

Or Naymbe off and Zeefuik to rwb

Bring on BBD for Zeefuik. Giles to wing back.

Just don’t think he’s great at finishing. Certainly a part of his game that needs improvement. It’ll come, just not this season.

Likely due to the fact we don’t have another option. Giles could play there but then who plays left? Clearly Diaz and Khadra are deemed not fit for 90 min. JRC was worse, Ayala and Johnson can’t do it…

Was thinking everyone looks a bit off the pace

Really miss Dolan on this one. BBD, Dolan and Buckley press much better than Giles and Hedges. Last time Dolan absolutely dominated with his pace and effort. firmly believe we have a few in us today.

Buckley must do better with his chances. Two wasted already

You never know how players will step up given the opportunity. Look no further than BBD. How many Truely believed when AA left he’d bag 20 by New Years? I agree it’s a weakness, and also don’t fully trust Gallagher can do it…but then again I would have said the same about Diaz 1 year ago

The other way to look at is plan B went for a price above where we valued. Not everyone is for sale and certainly not at the price we’re interested in buying. Don’t want to buy a team full of Gallaghers.

The more options TM has the more tinkering he does. It’s a balance between depth and keeping the blinders on TM

LT now reporting we rejected the bid for Rothwell at £3.5. So what is it, did we reject or did Bournemouth pull out. Seems that would make a big difference in Rothwells commitment if he’s still here.

There’s something to be said about the sum of the parts being better than their individual talents. You can buy whoever you like, but if they can’t play together they’re shite. Look at Reading and their wages/squad. Can’t underestimate a group pulling together. Hopefully Rothwell has taken his medicine and comes back in fully committed.

Rothwell was too, supposedly. So who knows what actually gets over the line.

Why spend the cash when you can accomplish the same just by consider it.

Can you imagine the screen in the locker room tomorrow. Joe comes back in, tail between his legs. Apologies to the lads, the room is silent. Only sound is Travis grinding his teeth. Tension about. The door swings open and in walks Diaz. Big smile in his face buzzing from his international performance. “Hey lads! Anything new?”

It’s all agreed just waiting on replacement(s) before being official