Bringing Tosin and Cunningham in did strengthen us at the back. If that makes me a fanboy so be it.

What?

We could switch Samuel and Rothwell about, swapping wings etc. So difficult to play against for defenders. Let's see how we get on.

Yeah full backs we could cope with but hell fire he's walking a tightrope in the middle! I would imagine Johnson would have to step in.

That's how Sharpe calls it which is probably my preferred lineup given who's playing.

Jesus wept so we're 4 points of being in the mix according to you. Not 40, 4 points ?

How many clubs can lose their best player for the season, one of their best defenders for the season, a midfield regular for the season and the newish fella with pedigree and promise for the season and STILL be 'in the mix'? I'd argue not many. The apathy on here at times is literally unbelievable.

He is, but only if he can be arsed! Either brilliant or anonymous. The defence is one obvious issue today but I really think Gallagher needs some time out of the limelight too. He always looks better off the bench to me, almost as though he watches the game beforehand and realises how he can do bits. Against Brentford he played ok, not amazing by any stretch but when we were under the cosh he worried them a bit and looked lively.

If Mulgrew played we'd throw a 2 nil lead away in the last 5 minutes, back to them days. No ta.

I'd start Carter as well, admittedly never ever seen him play but if he's a genuine centre half that's better than pissing about dragging Nyambe in from right back. Don't think Mulgrew will be anywhere near. He probably knows Tosin already I imagine from his City days?

If/when the inevitable happens and Gally starts tomorrow, what better way to react to this nonsense by playing out of his skin? Potential masterstroke by Shape.

People paying Swansea far too much credit, rather odd when people were playing Stoke down as an easy one. I do wonder if people follow football sometimes. They haven't even registered a goal in 3 of their last 5 away games. They have 9 points from the last 8 games combined. Like us they most certainly need a win so at least they won't sit back. Should make for a much better game than Wednesday I feel. 2-0 Rovers.

I don't see much wrong at all with what Sharpe wrote. Likewise I don't see much of an issue with what Graham has wrote in response either.

On a more positive note..... Of the remaining home fixtures not one of those teams will come and do a park the bus job on on us because they're all going for promotion, apart from Reading but I imagine our fate may be decided by then anyway. It's not really acceptable that we STILL can't cope with teams setting up like that mind.

Disappointing but pretty much how I feared it would pan out this morning when comparing it to Wigan. Let's hope Swansea doesn't replicate Birmingham now.... Draws really are no use at all at this point. May as well go all out attack last 20 and risk being caught out. Not quite sure what Nyambe did to warrant MOTM although it was exceptionally slim pickings tonight! I do think Preston will drop out, their fans I speak to are saying they're bobbins lately. Brentford are on a mini wobble with only 1 win in 5 games now. Bristol I can't see making it now either. 2 play off places to play for still IMO. Looking at our remaining fixtures though we've probably used out last lifeline up tonight and simply no more slip ups allowed. It could be argued 'tougher' fixtures in the run in may work in our favour mind, our record against the bottom teams is pretty awful. Quite how we are going to get on now without Lenihan for 2 games though remains to be seen, huge blow.

Really tough game this, I think some people are underestimating Stoke a bit. Whilst we're considered to be in form, they've only collected 2 points less than us in the last 8 games. That includes wins against West Brom, Cardiff and Swansea too. I don't wish to sound negative but its similar to the Wigan/Brum games when people were talking about the Brum game as if we'd already turned Wigan over (like some are with Swansea now). I'd like to think we've learnt from but I think we're in for a nervy old night.

Yep bburn end or the bburn end enclosure we used to frequent. Yet somehow ended up with a garage full of old wood seats from the Nuttall street till my mum kicked off and they ended up going the tip ?

It's quite ridiculous that safe standing isn't commonplace now in the UK. The riverside would be perfect for it and I dare say the novelty factor would add some numbers on the crowds too. My dad would be pissed off like as he's had the same seat for years in there but he can go in the JW the old crow.

He was good at Wigan so not sure where you get the pulling up trees comment from, they kept more clean sheets than us anyway!

It's so wide open. Yeah I get the thing about closing games out completely, against a team as good as Brentford though it's not AS bad. They're a cracking team. For this team to be in the mix still though given out injuries etc is remarkable. Dack is our best player, no questions. How many others can lose their main man and still be up there?

Excellent piece by Rich Sharpe again in the Telegraph which sums up my thoughts exactly. It was disappointing to lose a 2 goal lead but it felt 'different' this time and we can still dare to dream.

His price must be going up and up by the week, this guy is the real deal.

Doesn't mean they get it right every time though does it? For years they've messed up with Real Sociedad vs Barcelona. Anyone who follows Spanish football will know about their H2H record yet they will always price Barca at 1/5. Most mug punters piss their money away backing all the favourites in silly accumulators lining their pockets.

Bookies don't fancy us at all we're 5/1 for the win. That's crazy odds to say they're only 5 points above us, we've already beat them this season and we're the form team around...

I'd like to refer to it as a must not lose but really nice to win game ? Either way I can't see me getting much sleep tonight!