The lads 18 years old. He’ll be able to play 3 games a week if needed. As you said, start him, get the game won and then bring off if he needs “looking after”. We don’t create chances if he doesn’t start.

How do you not have A Wharton in there? Szmodics along side Travis in the centre will not work. Szmodics plays a lot better off Wharton & Morton.

There is no excuse to bench A Wharton. The lad runs our midfield with a Morton close behind. I would personally drop Travis and bring in Brittain but the captain unfortunately won’t be dropped…. I can see the below being an option Kaminski Carter Hyam Wharton Pickering Travis Morton A Wharton Szmodics Gallagher. -Diaz

Although I agree for Travis to be dropped…There’s no way JDT will drop him.

O I agree, abit of a lazy post so apologies. What I mean is sharpness & pace of closing down. He just seems like he’s got concrete boots on… But I agree, his ability is best show in the box.

Watching Dack yesterday and you can kind of understand why he’s not starting.

Hull were terrible. However…Jack Vale…outstanding. Biggest impact he’s had for us. I never thought he’s be much good after getting bullied by QPRs CBS on the first game. He will certainly play a part for injury’s occur. Good to see Dack pressing aswell.

The weak link in this team is Travis. In all honesty he’s been probably the weak link even when he’s played in the middle. He need stripping of his captaincy because that’s the only thing starting him in this 11.

Seems the best 11 IMO. Wharton has to be ahead of Szmodics. Sammy seems a better impact off the bench, Along with Dolan. Get an early goal here and I think we will win. Key thing is to get at them early. Repeat of Boro first half and we can beat anyone in the league.

I think the difference on the day will be the midfield. If we can compete with them, then i have every confidence in Diaz & Gally executing their chances.

They seem to of picked up a few decent results however are still managerless. They’re obviously very beatable however it depends which Rovers turns up. I’d take a draw here & also probably a draw against Coventry if it meant a home win against Huddersfield. Hopefully a decent following considering our form & ticket prices. A Win and we could really be onto something here.

Ok simple…but as a whole, he’s still got the worst distribution across the back. He’s not been the same player since his injury. Defiantly lacking in confidence.

I watched Wharton closely and your correct. Really low on confidence and out of the back 3, he’s got the worst distribution…Defended okay but when he’s closed down he’s one of the culprits for loosing or passing into a bad area….Suppose this falls on the midfield a little also.

Great 3 points but really sloppy again. Serious signs of Daja vu p*ssing around with the ball the the back. However how many time have we said, “against a better opposition they’d take their chances”? Birmingham are a decent team with some powerful player and we still held on. Lots to improve on but sat in 2nd a great feeling.

Telling you now, if Sunderland had a decent manager they’d be up there. They have some quality players with a lot of pace. Anyhow, a good performance, not seen us this solid at the back for a while. Diaz just gets better & better. A win on Saturday would be perfect.

With 2 youngsters guaranteed to start, I’d say Buckley will get the nod on the last spot, purely on experience. On the other hand I wouldn’t be disappointed if it was Garrett! I just hope JDT doesn’t revert back to starting Szmodics.

100%. Certain players performances rely on who they play with, Rothwell leaving left a massive hole on the attacking front in midfield. A Wharton defiantly fills that so does Morton to a certain extent. Buckley & Travis duo doesn’t work…For me, it’s a blessing in disguise that Travis misses Tuesday. Gives us a chance to see a different linkup… Buckley I feel will blossom with the likes of Wharton & Morton. It may come that maybe we miss Travis defensiveness on Tuesday, as in the end it’s all about Balance. However, if Buckley wants a future under JDT, he HAS to perform on Tuesday….I personally think he will.

A big following to be expected from Sunderland so should be a good Atmosphere. Same team but with Buckley or Garrett to replace Travis. 1-1

As someone said earlier. A Wharton is just as good defensively & is 5x the player moving forward. Can see Buckley coming in. Feel Buckley will suit better along side A Wharton & Morton. To be clear to others, I think Travis is half decent. But watching him these past few games is changing my mind a little.

Hopefully…. I can’t believe how bad he’s been, & the fact he’s captain he seems to get brushed under the carpet.

Sorry to repeat myself but Lewis Travis was the worst player on the pitch AGAIN for us today. Hoping we carry on a link of Wharton & Morton to support, otherwise he’s lost. Hes slow, looses the ball Way to often and a liability. Captaincy should go to the kaminksi or Hyam.

The midfield was non existent in that second half. Have to sort that out!

Get in. Certainly didn’t expect that after the pressure Boro put on us. Travis again (imo) a weak link in this team. Wharton a different class on his cameo. I get why JDT plays Szmodics as he did really well defensively. I literally cannot believe we’re 5th lol

Playing really well however that conceding in the very last minute is simply not good enough. Sets the second half to be a very nervy one. Can see Boro getting back into this. Postiives…A Wharton is making a huge difference.

Happy with that lineup in all honesty. Looking forward to a Morton & Wharton Combo.