Barnsley are also third in the form table.

True, but this game when taking a look at our remaining fixtures is probably must-win if we want to be in with a chance of getting into the playoffs.

Did you count the 'e's' or just guessed?

just wow - we might as well just all stop debating it then lol. No matter what we all suggest - it will be wrong.

Think some are underestimating just how quick Downing can be. One of my earliest memories of him this season that really stood out was him beating the likes of Nyambe and a few others when sprinting back towards goal. Forgot which match it was though. Downing has a football brain which is why he can easily adapt to so many positions. For me it is a no-brainer that he goes to LB on previous showings considering our depth in midfield to replace him and the lack of the same in that position. Bennett already gets targetted when playing on his favoured side and on his weaker side he will get rinsed. A young player making his debut will also struggle in a game we need to win against one of their best players who are fighting to stay up. Downing all day, every day for me.

They would have to turn into regular 10-15 goal strikers to even hope of breaking even on them.

A better suggestion than EB in my opinion and a valid one. For this game though, would still have Downing there. Has always impressed when called on to play there and has played that position plenty of times for Liverpool in the past. We have plenty of CM's that can cover his slot in midfield. Johnson, Davenport, Rothwell, Holtby etc.

Especially since he spends "a lot of time with the head of recruitment as you live or die by recruitment". Quite clear we need a goalie or two, so he would definitely have been discussed and been on the 'freebie' list. Might be wrong but it is easier to say 'never heard of him' than admit that another long term target did not get over the line.

I would have expected nothing less - all other clubs do exactly the same thing. Not sure why you are acting like you called this as if it is something unheard of? We would all expect that they have drawn up lists - heck during lockdown, as a manager, I would have been using a lot of my time enquiring, researching and the like about possible targets.

Welcome to the boards been established that Bell and WIlliams are out and possible that JRC is too.

Definitely Downing at LB for me if BEll, Williams and JRC cannot play. Get Holtby in midfield with Evans and Travis. Side note - never been Evans biggest fan but kudos for the way he played after such a serious injury.

In about 6 posts lol

Sickening really. neither even made the bench when we could have 44 players on it. Hart I can perhaps understand as he is young, cheap and might well be needed as cover at LB. Smallwood will be on a decent wedge and has not featured all season while he sees out his contract. He is now given an extension when he is highly unlikely to feature. That is a punch in the face when ST holders have their heartstrings pulled by the club.

Very odd isnt it? He didnt even make the bench when we could have 44 substitutes on it. Even if just to get to the end of this season - it makes little sense. Smells of the same 'out of loyalty' contract given to Ben Gladwin.

So hang on Chaddy. We were obviously in for this keeper - are you saying that we should have waited before we know what league we were in before getting him? Just saying because if we signed him you would be hailing the signing.

Because just getting to the playoff positions and staying there until the end of the season is not enough for promotion. You then have to beat the other teams in the playoffs (all good teams to have finished in those positions in the first place). So, yes, promotion is unlikely - hardly a sure thing is it?

Yup, Leeds were nothing until Beisla was appointed. Having a good manager is massive at this level. If we had appointed one in the first few years of being down here - I am convinced that we would have gone up. Kean should have gone sooner (should never have been appointed in the first place), then you had the numerous dross that we brought in before Bowyer was the steady Eddie but nowhere near good enough to take us to the next step.

Exactly, and let's face it - what are the odds of us realistically going up? it is far more likely that we will be in the Championship again next season, so should be planning for that primarily. We not only have to get into the playoffs but stand a 25% chance of winning them if we do. As you say, free signings are not going to make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things if we do get promoted. McLaughlin who would have probably been number one in the Championship would then have to settle for being a number two in the PL - he can like it or lump it. A lot of clubs are offloading players due to finances - meaning there should be some decent/good freebies coming available.

At a stretch, you could put Harrison Reed in there. Had him on loan and then threw in what was deemed quite a derogatory offer at the end of the window - to be easily beaten by Fulham.

Would we though? That is a huge chunk of money back to the Venky's. Who knows what they would do.

So they should do - but without having the okay to spend any money, you can have all the lists in the world.

Certainly has a Bauer feel to it. Was he not guaranteed to be starter? Told he would have to battle with the Canadian and 2 kids for the number 1 spot? Either way these 'long term' targets never seem to get over the line. Are they messed about with? What exactly happens in the negotiations? Were they told it would have to be ok'd by the Venkies who are renowned for being a little on the slow side? Now, Rangers coming in might have been a preferred option for the lad. They are back in his homeland, have huge support and will compete for trophies each year. Point is, this should have been sorted long before they even came in. We lost out on McGinn in the same way - dallied until a better option in Villa decided to take a punt and the rest is history.

Rao's - Please learn Skype. TM having to meet with them each season always puts us behind as it is. Now with the pandemic, he wont be able to go cap in hand like they enjoy. Get budgets drawn up for this division and the unlikely event that we win the playoffs. We can start putting the feelers out if we know what we have to spend.

According to the Sunderland forums they left it untill last week to offer a new contract. Many on there believe that this is just so their board can say they tried to keep him. The fans think he is solid enough and wanted him to stay but if fhe club did, surely they would have sorted this out months ago.

Then he should be our number 2. Let the Canadian go.