But we are in that position now, and they're still not committing.

If you think the most we are paying is 10k, I'm highly confident you're very wrong. Talk in the past has been of more like double that being the ceiling. I'd be astonished if Dack is on less than 15k.

Those would cost 3 times as much as a keeper most likely, or more. We aren't approaching the end of the season, it's January.

Pears was barely challenged in those games. Our goalkeeper has already had an injury, hence Pears playing, and was down not long ago looking like he might have another. Yes, if he never gets injured it won't matter who the backup is, but if he does, we are SCREWED. It's a big risk to take when the position is so cheap to recruit.

We weren't digressing. This is a transfer thread and we discussed squad strength and where we need to strengthen. You think our squad is fine as is, which is lovely (we will revisit that when an inevitable injury crisis dicks our best chance at promotion since we came down), but if you don't think we need any more players I'm not sure what you're doing in the transfer thread other than maybe trying to antagonise people who do think we need signings.

Our backup strikers aren't as below par as our backup keeper. It's not even close.

Not remotely, I've been super clear about that. Surely you see that if Kaminski is injured we are absolutely boned?

So you're admitting they're not remotely good enough to be stand-by for a promotion chasing side then, if you don't think someone in League One or Two would take them on loan.

Yes, he tried and failed once. Same as he did with the main keeper situation. Walton, then Kaminski. Pears, then hopefully someone better. The goalkeeper is the cheapest position on the pitch, as it's the most underrated. And it's the only position in which we are utterly fucked if we get one serious injury in it. I can't see a clearer priority for our budget than this, personally. Pears and the others can also potentially be loaned out to help offset the cost a bit. Pears might surprise us once he has been an established number one again somewhere for a bit. Looks nervous as hell right now though.

No, I'm advocating that we acquire a second choice keeper that won't throw the ball into the back of the net under minimal pressure.

The process of ensuring your squad is good enough absolutely involves asking where an injury will put you in hot water.

How happy will you be with it if Kaminski gets an injury?

He took a few games to get going with us tbf, something fans very quickly forgot once he was on it. Was only a half season loan for us too.

That's good, a start like that should ensure he gets chances in their team, at least for a while. Bit mad to see Oldham and Scunthorpe both bottom of League Two. Particularly Oldham, a former Premiership club. Has a team who has been in the Prem ever been relegated out of the pro leagues?

I think Butterworth seriously needs to be loaned out. We won't find out from him making infrequent sub appearances whether he is worth extending his deal. Loan him out, use Chapman and Vale as the emergency cover. And of course, sign another attacker.

There is a post two above yours, which you have liked, which says exactly that.

Utter madness.

After Markanday's injury (I'm gutted about that) and despite needing to recruit to fill there again, it's good to think we have Dack returning, then the likes of Vale, Chapman and McBride as emergency cover. Today we didn't even have Diaz or Rothwell available, which we will again shortly, but we beat a team in top form. How is James Brown doing?

Interestingly the lineup on google shows Adam Wharton as having played in central defence, whereas he is normally a midfielder. Is that correct, and if so did he look like he inherited any of the same ability as his brother playing there? I know he is generally better known as a good technical player.

And just like that, I foresaw a future where Gally follows the Brereton-Diaz path and renames to Sam Fucking Gallagher. Instantly he becomes the next goalscoring sensation at Rovers, single-handedly fistfucking teams, and begins a trend of players switching names to devastating effect, forever changing the game.

Boro not been any better than Hull tonight and have probably played into our hands more. Great win. Just 31% possession.

Whether it's fitness or attitude, it suddenly makes sense why he hasn't had more minutes.

Gally lucky that was offside! Buckley off for Zeefuik, not sure where he will play...

I was gonna make a similar comment. May have a small injury problem at the moment or just lately, might be really unfit due to not playing enough, or might just have a poor attitude.

I've said for a while he has a good shot on him. Works hard too, but poor decision making. Today has summed him up I guess. Great instinctive strike.