The whistle went and the Stoke players stopped. They were both one of those sort of occasions when a player gets flagged when running through but carries on anyway and ends up putting the ball into a virtually unguarded net because everyone else has stopped. I agree the second half in general yesterday gave cause for encouragement, possibly the best we've played under JDT. I certainly don't blame him for our woes, he was left a pile of shite to contend with by Waggott and Mowbray, and, needing considerable support from Waggott and Broughton has had practically none.

Just checked his stats on Wikipedia, it would appear his record at Championship level is 0 goals in 31 appearances in 2020/21 for Rotherham! Think we're having the proverbial extracted out of us if he's brought in.

I think we can summarise this long winded debate as follows: We probably deserved a point on the strength of our second half performance but didn't deserve three points as you can't play one half like we did yesterday and hope to get away with it. And maybe deserving a point isn't good enough at home. As a side note it's nonsense to say we had goals ruled out yesterday. The referee blew long before the ball ended up in the net on each occasion.

None? Christ, one player like Gallagher on the books is one too many without adding another.

Two defeats, six unanswered goals and a crap transfer window?

Just don't get the Hedges love in, he buzzes about and adds energy, but when the ball goes to him everything usually breaks down. Average at best, and I think that's being fairly kind.

We haven't replaced Armstrong yet. You trust Waggott/ Broughton to replace BBD in 5 days?

Ouch. You've had enough stick about Buckley. I think you're entitled to give a bit back.

Not sure where you're coming from with that comment but a fairly pointless jibe. Thought he was quite good second half. First League start for about 520 days according to the radio on the way down. Different class to Szmodics anyhow.

No we didn't, we scored nil, we'd still have scored nil if he'd been on the pitch, and probably wouldn't have looked as fluid with some of our build up play as we did second half.

Great post. Spot on.

People do forget this I think when saying things like we'd be OK with a CB and 2 more.

Big Sam tactics aren't really "winning ones" though are they, it's win one, lose one, draw one - Liverpool/ManU away today - take the day off - win one lose one draw one - well done you've made it to 50 points - take the rest of the season off !

Did he not start for Southampton today?

Having seen the improvement in Phillips today I'm beginning to change my mind on needing a second CB. I really wouldn't like to see us wasting money on Caulker, we'd be better looking at LB and cover for RB. If we can wrap Adam Wharton in cotton wool we might be able to cope in midfield as well. Need some width on the right and extra firepower however.

Better than anyone else. Need Brereton plus someone else decent.

Who's going to score any goals if Brerrton goes?

What went wrong today then?

Yeah what happened with Kaminsky for the goal? I wasn't behind the posts but it looked like he flopped down on the floor like a dying fish!

Absolutely dreadful first half, completely unacceptable. Slow and ponderous on the ball, sideways/backwards, milk turns quicker. If we've ever lined up with 2 worse full backs than JRC and Pickering, I can't recall it. Buckley non existent (again) 2nd half much better, JDT made the right subs at HT. On another day might have scraped a point but cant start like that.The bright spots for me were Phillips who I thought looked a lot more confident and the pick of the defenders and Adam Wharton who looked head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch when he came on - what a player he looks- another like Phillips who needs a bumper contract for his age. Overall whilst we might be greatful for those first 3 wins it's a great start wasted and Waggott and Broughton have let everyone down in massive fashion. No goals in 270 mins - more firepower badly needed and that's with BBD who understandably looked a bit distracted today. Hopefully we can get the window shut with him still here and He'll have to refocus.

Err.... pretty sure not - edit unless I'm thinking of him having to go off at half time. Either way, that's two games we've only played five!

Everyone used to make out that Nyambe was injury prone but Brittain has been unavailable more often than he's been available thus far. Weak looking starting X1, the saving graces Dack back in and BBD obviously not close to a move.

If we could only sign one more apart from Hyam I'd say a striker would have to be the priority. Two if BBD goes.

I thought he'd already signed.

No offence intended chaddy, you should know by now I greatly admire your optimism and dedication to the cause even if I don't always agree. So to clarify, and prevent any future misunderstandings you'd be happy if we finished the window with Brittain Hyam Szmodics Morton and 2 further signings? What positions would you like the other 2 signings in? For the avoidance of doubt if Hyam signs then I would say that is two of the three out of contract amigos potentially adequately replaced. However I would still like to see on top of that an equivalent standard JPVH replacement, a Rothwell replacement, a Khadra replacement, a decent striker (two if BBD leaves) and some cover from the loan market. In an ideal world we also need to get rid of Edun, Pickering and Gallagher and replace them with a decent LB and striker but that's probably expecting far too much from one window.