I was thinking, has Carter's recent dodgy form been linked at all to the fact he was one yellow away from a 2 game ban, which given our serious lack of options in defence might have been playing on his mind as not wanting to let the team down? Just a thought. I'm not expecting much if anything from this game but the optimist in me really hopes having a few bodies back who can come off the bench might spark the whole team into life and we get back to playing like Oct/Nov time with the positive result to accompany the performance.

I think the issue with Moran, as it is most of the team, is fatigue. Not being able to rotate has seriously affected our results. I'm sure if we'd been able to take him out for a couple of weeks he'd be more consistent. Its his first season of playing regular first team football and the championship is a relentless league

I quite enjoy the Wrexham series and can't blame the owners for pumping the cash in, something we can only dream of currently. I watched their game against Cov last season when they did them. Their fans were well up for it and no doubt will also be for this, as others say we'll have to be on our game. They've got some big lads with Palmer up top and we've shown how bad we are at handling that recently. The extra exposure is very welcome provided we can see them off

Another youngster

MLS?

I thought JDT's press conference was at midday but no quotes from it yet. Anyone know if you can watch live? Could be interesting viewing

It makes no sense. I know we're getting this new kid in from Crewe who can apparently do a job at RB but with Hill going back, whilst Trav wasn't the best there I'd rather him than throw a newbie in from the league below. Plus as others have said he gives our midfield bite and it has been a surprise we've not seen him the last couple of games with the team flagging. He may also get stick for his ability but he's been involved in a couple of our goals this season with lovely through balls and overlaps. I'd much rather have him than lose him, especially on a loan!

Moran and Brittain both looked pretty spent Tuesday. I think Moran probably needs a game out to recover as this is likely the most competitive football he's played consistently and it's taking a toll. He looked a little off the pace against Leeds as well so maybe a game off and then back for Watford, so Hill at RB and Brittain in front of him. Tronstad is an absolute colossus for us in the centre, was loving some of his recovery tackles Tuesday. If, and it's fair to say it's a big if, Ennis can stay fit he looks like he could be the focual point we're after. Seems able to use his body well, hold the ball up, link play and run in behind.

I thought we looked tired Saturday as other people said in that thread. Still not sure why he didn't chuck Garret on after his stellar cameo previously. Hopefully with no mid-week game we'll be a bit more like our enthusiastic selves. Still think this will be a tough game though. Thought Moran looked particularly off it in the Sheffield game so could potentially bench Brittain but then sub him on for Moran at half time if he's looking leggy again. I thought Leonard looked good and used his body well last time out which gives us something different up top but do feel Dolan's pressing is better and really helps us get on the front foot so that's a loss.

I think Leonard's going to be a star for us. He already holds the ball up and occupies defenders better than Gally, always seems to be getting in the right places and isn't afraid to shoot. Yes he's a bit raw still but at 19 you can't expect the completed package. Tronstadt has been quietly immense the past few games and really lets Adam Wharton dictate play and launch attacks. I hope with a run of games Siggy can start to show his early season form again as he was a bit sloppy in possession last night but maybe its just a lack of game time. Moran is proving vital and the link up play for the goals last night was glorious.

Whilst he could and should have done better with his chance last night, Leonard is only just coming back from injury so probably needs a game or 2 more to get back up to full speed, not even some of the best players can come straight back in after injury and start banging them in, especially when leading the line on your own against some fairly hefty defenders. He chased and harried well and I do think he will become reasonably consistent in terms of scoring. He gets into the positions you'd want and that's half the battle. Deffo penalty last night, but I think our tactics were spot on. My mates a big Chelsea fan and he said they've struggled against teams who sit in a deep block, much like we do, so it actually was spot on. We just needed to be more clinical with our final passing. If that Moran chance had gone in it would easily have been goal of the round, great team move! I think JRC will move back to right back Sunday meaning that we could get Wharton in there, with Hill CB with Wharton snr.

Sammie was captain in the second half Tuesday until Trav came on. I'd put Moran in for Siggy and Wharton for Hyam

Looking at the highlights, it appears that the ball is touching the keeper's hands but I wouldn't say its in his hands if that makes sense. Not sure if we'd had VAR whether it would have been given. Gutted that Hill's shot didn't go in, would have been a great way to open his account, and I would have liked to see a replay of when Markandy went down in the box in the first half as looked like a pen but I was quite high up

Gutted about the result as everyone else is, with it being 0-0 going into the last 10 minutes I just had a feeling we were going to get done. A great away display from Cov ironically! I thought Leo looked good, calm on the ball and willing to claim balls or punch them out. Tronstad looked pretty good when he came on, won the ball, looked forwards, had some good runs and great passes. A midfield of him and Wharton dovetailing could be exactly what we need. As others have said, it was just so frustrating we don't have a natural no. 9 as the amount of times a ball was crossed or whipped across the six yard box but there's no-one attacking it or one of the wide players gets to the byline but then has to go backwards because no-ones gambling. I think if a Leonard or Ennis, maybe even a Gallagher, had been on last night they'd have had a goal or 2. Bit of a 6 pointer on Saturday now

Leonard was after the international break I think, not sure on Ennis. Wasn't he playing with injections last year at Plymouth which has compounded his injury issues with us? This will be my first live game of the season and as 1864 says it can't be any worse than the performance here last year which was abysmal. Hoping for a couple of changes in personal and result.

Some lovely goals and pressing in there. Still think Buckley's body language could be better, don't be trying to pretend you're too cool for school. Show JDT you want your place back

Shame zacs not on the bench but not sure who you'd replace him for

I'd go: Pears Brittain Carter Hyam Pickering Tronstad Wharton Travis JRC Ennis Szmodics

Didn't someone, a united player maybe, get injured from an exploding egg after trying to microwave it? On Markandy, maybe he's got really smelly feet

we're playing very well but you're right about the ref. Hemp playing an absolute stormer

I'm also very excited. Going to be a great game and as you say, always good to beat the aussies. Them starting Kerr is a risk

Before the QF match didn't someone on this forum make the prediction that we'd lose to Sheffield in the QF's, the inbreds would win the title at Ewood and Sunderland would get promoted? Wish I'd put some money on that trio of events, the only way to make the last couple of months slightly less bitter. And also if they could advise of the lottery numbers for the weekend that would be great.

I'm sorry but no ones saving that shot. It's sickening that one turnover for them results in their goal but otherwise we dealt with them pretty well and played some great stuff up to the box. If we get a striker in the summer and jdt keeps working on this team next season should be a lot better. I hate Barnes the balding Andy Carroll. Do think we're now out of the playoff race and it'd be good to have Leonard starting up top the next two games. Lack of striker and LOB has absolutely shafted us as has the shocking reffing in this league

Travis was lucky not to be sent off for a second yellow so kind of evened out. What's Brereton doing when the cross comes in at the end?! Such a painful end to teh game after being in control for so long

I'm exactly the same. Going to cancel it right now. I don't understand why rothwell was so deep, or why he didn't start gally through the middle with khedra and dolan either side, especially as soon as they went down to 10 men as they could hassle and harry them as they were rattled. Some filthy tactics from Sheffield, should have been down to 9. Also why not chuck vale on?