Who starts up front if Gallagher is injured?

Absolutely appalling performance and it says a lot that we repeatedly lose midweek away from home, probably when most character is needed. Tomasson got every decision wrong, the starting 11 was bizarre and imbalanced, this Brittain inverted wing back shit needs to stop, he doesnt look comfortable. Special mention to 2 strikers as bad as any we have had to witness in these terrible Venkys years. Vale is absolutely appalling, he cant perform in non league never mind at Championship level, who came up with the idea of giving him a long contract? And Hirst, if he was genuinely the first choice striker target then I would to see the others on the list, no redeeming features and he controlled the ball with his hand twice which says a lot. No more matchday appearances and send him back to Leicester. If Gallagher is injured at the weekend, Brereton should play central. There are some gems in our fantastic academy but due to our shit owners we have an over reliance on it at times. We needed another experienced midfielder. Garrett every time he has featured has got people excited because he wildly lunges into every tackle but red card or not, it was totally needless. On the ball in his first 2 games he was sorely lacking.

Leave Vale on?

As long as chaddy is ok.

I thought similar at Wigan.

Weird team and dreadful performance. How did the Vale contract get suchba positive reaction, hes appalling and struggled in non league. Has nothing in his game including effort. Get Pickering on for Morton, put Travis in midfield, Dack for Szmodics and Dolan for Vale.

I dont get Brittain on the left, Travis on the right and Pickering on the bench, nor do I get Vale starting to be honest.

Hirst's shirt is on the pictures after all, surely not in the squad ahead of Dack. Markanday and Buckley arent involved.

12 o clock on New Years Day, an absolute disgrace.

I wonder if he will ever successfully transition into a sitting midfielder, was never totally convinced that he would go back as smoothly as people expect. You look at Wharton who always takes the ball deep, well balanced and doesn't dally, Buckley maybe doesn't see things as quickly.

In line with what you expect Tomasson to do. Why is Hirst not in your squad?

We would definitely need a considerable chunk reinvesting, although there would be no excuse not to have targets lined up ready to press the button on upon any sale.

If we got offered £15m in January, which is extremely doubtful, but we would really have to strongly consider it. Of course, the majority would need reinvesting, but that could create a really strong team for more than 6 months, and still help us short term too.

Why has Dack suddenly crept back into your squad?

As exciting as Adam Wharton is, seems a bit premature to suggest that he could go to World Cups at this stage! It certainly isnt in our best interests for Kaminski to go to the World Cup with the stupid timing. Might peak a bit of interest but not worth potentially having Pears in net at any point. He is 4th or 5th choice I think so hopefully he will miss out.

Tough selection, Brittain has to come back in as a natural right back but Travis, A Wharton, Morton and Szmodics into 3 positions doesnt go. Ayala is also pushing for a start. Dolan was our worst player at the weekend so he drops out. I think Adam Wharton will drop out as he is very cautious about playing him too often. Maybe it makes sense to have him as a sub tomorrow and potentially back in at the weekend, 50/50 between him and Travis. There is a hint in the LT of consideration for Brereton to be rested and he has looked shattered lately. Hopefully he can play in these 2 games and be left at home when we play West Ham. Kaminski Hyam Ayala Wharton Brittain Travis Morton Pickering Szmodics Gallagher Brereton Subs: Pears, Carter, A.Wharton, Dack, Markanday, Dolan, Mola

Pickering is quite intelligent and he also links up with Brereton well too down the left. Unsure if it has been mentioned but Brereton played an outstanding ball in the second half, Gallagher messed up a very presentable one on one following it but the pass was excellent.

Something like that cant be ranked at all I don't think, all subjective.

@longsiders1882 what is wrong with Cullen and Cork?

Saka has limped off injured, presumably a major doubt for the World Cup.

I think that the main issue has been the assumption that moving him from attacking midfield to a more holding role would be a seamless transition. It's a totally different position and he really seemed to struggle to assert his authority on the ball, plus his ability to win the ball back high up the pitch is not utilised. I also wonder what his attitude is like, with Dack it was just assumed that he spit his dummy out, Buckley did go down the tunnel last Saturday I think (may have been temporarily) as soon as we brought on our last subs, maybe he has not taken being dropped well.

Seven seasons syndrome. Not a bad problem considering the success of the first 6.

How do you know?

On Szmodics, guessing you didn't watch today but thought that he was our best attacker and plenty of praise in my post match post. He does miss chances and missed 2 good ones before his goal which was a quality finish. I also think technically there are big question marks, as shown by a poor touch in the second half when he had the ball in the box although he did nearly fashion a chance out after that. He was a pain in the arse of the Hull defenders. I am undecided on him, definitely has his uses but merely running around is not enough. 3 goals is a reasonable return though, he is inconsistent and sometimes anonymous so I am still to be convinced that he was worth the fee. He deserves to start at Coventry, would he be ahead of Dack in general? No.

It could be down to a number of things, it might be his commitment or his fitness, they could have had a fall out, he could be under pressure to jettison him as a high earner, it might be a power play to stamp his authority, it might be purely that he doesn't rate him compared to the others.