Exiled_Rover

Thomas for Hedges I don't understand. Brereton-Diaz for Dolan I can - even when he's drifted out of games he can still bag you a goal. Morton I'll never understand, but my hope is this tough love saga will make A. Wharton a much better player (hopefully for us!).

I mean even today in a 'poor' performance - JRC missed an absolute sitter, Gallagher couldn't bundle it over the line from 1 yard out (and missed a free header 6 yards out) and Norwich cleared one off their line. We simply cannot score enough goals with this forward line.

Look at where that team with the biggest budget / best squad finished this season after he left.

Gallagher is sent through 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper. Your life depends on him scoring. Are you reaching for the bubbly or the phone book to call the undertaker?

I hate to be a spoilsport, but we're going to lose that game in hand as it's against Burnley.

I think JDT is a fantastic manager - my big gripe is about his substitutions. They're often far too late. More than that I HATE seeing the subs bench dicking about passing the ball around in a circle at half time. Absolutely nobody looks anywhere near ready to come on. I miss the days where Hughes had the subs going through warm ups and drills at half time.

Potentially - although I don't see how a RW, LW and CM would have stopped two counter attack goals that totally exposed our lack of pace at FB? Norwich had better players all across the pitch - and indeed on the bench.

Abject silence. I don't think we were dreadful today, we're just about 3 quality players short.

Or that's just his level. A bit like Pukki's level is the Championship.

Hedges is such a 'nearly man' - it's always just on his wrong foot, or just out of reach (both the pass and the ball). He'd be a wonderful sub, but he's not a starter on a good team. I thought Szmodics was wonderful again today - not sure how that's being overlooked.

So this is the thing - IF JDT is here next season (and it's a big if, because I reckon he wants to leave - getting bloody boo'd by the Blackburn End at both half and full time, for example) I reckon we'll have a massive clear out of players.

As evidenced by Vale's performances, he absolutely can.

We played better with Dolan out there. For me, JDT has got to be brave now and bench Morton for A. Wharton and bench Brereton-Diaz for Dolan.

The detractors are going to hate to hear this, but the downturn in form coincided with Morton coming back into the team to replace the injured Buckley. For all his faults, Buckley is able to play on the half turn - I don't think I've ever seen Morton turn his marker. A. Wharton came on for the last 20 minutes and caused them all sorts of problems 'cos he's willing to pass, move and turn on the ball. JDT and Reijnierse have already determined that Travis can't play on the half turn - that's why whenever we're playing it out from the back now they have Travis either alongside Szmodics (running into space), or switch him with JRC. Sadly you can't hide both of your non-ball playing CMs.

You'd be in profit if you had £1 for every time Messi gave the ball away too.

Well that's the playoffs gone I'm afraid. As I said when the January transfer window closed, our inability to sign a striker would be the death of us. Once again a good Championship striker scores a couple today at least - I can't fault Gallagher's effort, but his instincts, first touch and finishing are diabolical at this level. As for their goals, they're just the symptom of playing two slow FBs - done for pace on the counter and clinically finished. Hopefully Brittain retains his place at RB now and they try JRC elsewhere. Sadly there's no replacement for Pickering on the bench.

Interesting - that would never fly under a Wenger or Bielsa.

I just don't think we have enough firepower. Losing against Birmingham was the kicker for me - that was our chance to put a big gap between us and the chasing pack. I can only see a disappointing loss today against a fired up (and more talented) Norwich.

I've just rewatched his highlights from the Hull, Stoke and Blackpool games. He really must be sandbagging it in training because he's light years better than everyone else!

Notts Forest are properly in the mire. I'd love it if they went down.

I mean there's no conspiracy theory - JDT is an ambitious manager, he's not freezing out A. Wharton because he thinks he's a prick. Dack, JRC, Carter etc etc have all earned playing time after starting on the fringes of the squad - there's clearly some truth to the rumours that he simply doesn't apply himself in training.

LOL you literally couldn't make a video that long for Morton's entire season.

Give over, it's not a physical game anymore. If he's good enough those 'animals' wouldn't be able to get near him - which they couldn't at Blackpool.

It doesn't work that way. Much like Conte he has a style of play and a system - you know that before you hire him. You can't just throw players at him and expect him to make it work.

Morton has been an ok loan - I'd have no complaints if he was sat on the bench bolstering the squad behind Travis, Buckley, Garrett and A. Wharton. Unfortunately he seemed to be undroppable for much of the season. Thomas has been a very good loan - he provides pace, physicality, excellent delivery and width to the team. I've no idea how many official assists he has, he's been a big contributor in his short time here.