Even if we play it short from Kaminski, one pass wide to the left/right centre back or the wing backs, then float a ball over the heads of the opposition full backs. Do that with Gallagher and Diaz knowing that's the tactic and running full pelt it puts pressure on the opposition. They don't have many options. Back to the keeper who in turn can be quickly closed down or put it out for a throw in. That's not rocket science. But it gets us up the pitch quickly and will get us in behind. I was looking at Championship stats the other day and we've actually played more long balls than any other team in the division. But they're mainly floated down the middle which is easily dealt with or hoofed under panic. Simply because we play so many passes across the back and invite pressure. Most of the time though, that's more appealing than the alternative which is suicidal passes into the central midfielders who are being hounded and lose the ball in horrible situations. We tend not to play well because of things we are doing, but play well when we face a team that don't press.

1. Mola for Scott Wharton - many expressed their concern before the game and turned out to be right. Those saying they thought Mola played well first half I'm sure are basing it on the one crunching tackle he made. Positionally he was all at sea. 2. Garrett and Travis - They don't have a pass between them. We were always going to struggle to retain possession so you need someone who can pick a killer ball through ball in an instant and hit them on the counter. 3. Playing out from the back - similar to the second point. Without A. Wharton we aren't keeping the ball. We have 2 big strikers. If you only have battlers in midfield go long and rush to get the second ball. 3.1 Players have different skill sets - if you want to play out from the back you have to play the players capable. If you want to change the personell you have to change the philosophy/style. 4. Outside the obvious players who didn't fit the philosophy: - Morton who I think is a good player has been off the boil for a while now - Ayala for someone who is supposedly old school was bullied by Barnes - Brereton-Diaz. As good as he is coming in off the left he's begun to play wider and wider this season. If we've got 2 up top I'm certain getting him slightly more central and closer to Gallagher would benefit the team. All the above seems pretty obvious to me. And is pretty damning on JDT. No calling for his head etc on my part. We're third which is brilliant. But I do think it's based on a lot of luck at the moment. So many games have been such fine margins when we've won, but abject when we've lost. To his credit he can set up a team defensively, but if he's going to succeed there needs to be a big turnover of players. Ones who are comfortable on the ball. They aren't cheap which means recruitment wise we'll need some real unpolished diamonds.

Plan B didn't have to be a switch in formation but a simple single for Gally and Diaz to start playing on the shoulder of the last defender and going long. That should have happened halfway through the first half. All we did was switch formation and have one less player to tap it around at the back making us more likely to lose it. Change the pattern of play, not just where players are standing on the pitch!

Says it all

Offered absolutely nothing until they scored. Then proceeded to piss about with it at the back and gift them the rest of the game. That was an atrocious performance. Clinton Mola was terrible. If we were going all out defensively why start him above Wharton. All out defense then tapping it around the back line doesn't work.

Mola has been absolutely woeful.

John Buckley on for Garrett for me at half time. Buckley is the type of player we need in this situation. Need to put trust in him that he'll help retain the ball better.

I'm well nervous

Huge responsibility being put on both Mola and Garrett. Shows that JDT truly trusts the youngsters. Wharton brothers will be gutted! Biggest concern is only having one ball player in the middle of the park. We've seen time and again when we can't make it stick in the middle, we struggle to link the defence and the attack. Think Hedges is crucial. The only time we've seen inverted wing backs work is when he was on the pitch as he was able to offer something going forwards. Against Coventry Brittain at left back resulted in 100% of our play going down the left. Hedges has to offer an outlet on the right. Hopefully with Burnley looking to dominate possession Garrett and Trav can disrupt and we hit them on the counter. Time for players to make themselves legends today. Diaz to make himself an immortal.

Is it plausible to sell Brereton for £12 million and sign Gyokeres for £8 million?

I think Grealish is a quality player but absolutely does not fit in at City. His game is holding the ball and aggressively pushing forward at every opportunity. With City constantly rotating the ball with fluid attacking players make him a really confusing signing. He's by no means the world's best in his position but the way he plays is so different, especially if there are no other players on the pitch, taking responsibility. I'm happy he is in the squad. Maddison is very similar in that he takes responsibility but in a different way. If we're chasing a game there's certainly creativity there. I'm fairly happy with the squad. Centre back is slightly weak and the back up to Kane is a big drop off. Southgate is the weakest link though. International success does tend to favour more defensively minded managers so I don't have a problem with that philosophy. The big issue is time and again he's shown himself to be slow or incapable of reacting during a game.

Brilliantly sat on the fence there Chaddy. Saying you're a fan but that he just misses out. If he wasn't selected, you are right. Now he has been you've said you're a massive fan. No doubt had he not been selected you'd have been saying he's just not quite shown enough to justify selection.

What are your thoughts on James Maddison being picked. England's most in form attacking player.

When you look at that list of midfielders it's ridiculous he's not included Hedges. Even moreso when you consider his versatility. Again its pretty good news from a Rovers perspective, but I'd have loved to see us have representation at the world Cup. Looks like our whole squad is going to get a good rest. Frustrating that Brereton has friendlies with Chile though. He's the player who could do with a rest more than any other.

I don't think Dacky will be leaving in January - though maybe that is more wishful thinking. My reasoning is he's not shown the attitude JDT wants to begin with. But that to regain his place JDT wants more from him than he does anyone else. Like it or not Dack is a talisman for Rovers and holds a level of influence in the Rovers squad. Given his status, if he is made to work harder than anybody else, every other player knows that effort trumps talent in JDT's eyes. Force Dack to elevate his effort above even what is required for our average player. Then everyone else in the squad knows regardless of their natural ability that first and foremost, they have to run and work. If/when Dack becomes a starter again, it's down to graft not talent. And this sets a clear example. Win/win long term. We get a better Dack. And we get a squad that know actions not talent is what will bring minutes. You don't have to be a natural athlete, but you do have to make that a part of your game and be a team player, no matter who you are.

I remember being at that game. Aged about 12, the family having just moved to the South, going from having season tickets to only catching the odd game here and there. Gally was in superb form. Pace, finishing and becoming a real icon of mine. I hated Berkovic because of it. And had real issues getting behind his signing a couple of years later even though he was key to our promotion. Thankfully we signed Tuguy instead. Twice the player of Berkovic and meant that I never really had to settle my grudge against him.

I can't say I'm not jealous!

One thing worth noting. Brereton can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January. The club which have been most consistently linked with, Sevilla are having an abysmal season. They were actually sitting in the relegation zone until a 90th minute equaliser yesterday. Not an appealing option right now and certainly one where if there was interest from Brereton, he'd be wise to wait and see rather than sign early.

On Dack, when we have seen him, he's missed a few half chances in most games he's come on and had one wrongfully disallowed. On the evidence I've seen he's not lost his instinct in and around the box. If he had more minutes he would be scoring goals.

We know! You've said. About 80,000 blooming times!

Sunderland may well be in midtable. But much of that is thanks to Alex Neil. Mowbray got a couple of results early doors but their form has dropped off a cliff since. They'd be far worse off if you extrapolated their form under Mowbray over the course of the season. They're dropping like a stone. I imagine he'll string together a few results at some point. I don't expect them to drop but certainly flirt with it if he lasts the season.

I don't think Vale was poor when he came on. He showed some good link up play. That's his strength. The glaring weakness he has is he gets bullied and if he's under pressure with his back to goal the ball doesn't stick. When you're not blessed with blistering pace, he needs that strength to play as a striker. That's what needs work but I can why he's been offered a deal. Given his age however, and that he's trying to break into first team football, I'd really like to see more work rate from him.

I'm no Musk fanboy. I think he's a narcissistic person who realised green solutions such as Tesla was the best way to get people to idolise him. His money is self made though. He moved to Canada from South Africa when he was 17. Working odd jobs. Created his own companies from nothing, sold and reinvested that money in other start ups.

Feel like Huddersfield dictated the way we had to play in that half by sticking everyone behind the ball. After a bright first 10 we lacked creativity. Great ball from Pickering. You can see on the reply he had his head up and it wasn't that he simply lofted it forwards. Calm finish from Diaz. Without the goal I'd be a little concerned as we'd stopped looking like creating. Sets up a good second half.

He'd demand success no matter what. If you weren't a driven winner you'd be out. He'd learn every detail and squeeze every last bit out of every individual within the club. A lot of people throw shade at Elon Musk. He certainly brings a large element onto himself but you don't become the richest person in the world by chance.