Your last paragraph suggests that you are going into this conversation with a confirmation bias over the unfair idea that I want to "rubbish our young lads" which means I am fighting an uphill battle to start. I have been as critical as anyone lately at the exclusion of Adam Wharton, I try and judge the players as individuals, we all have our opinions and I have not been overly impressed by Garrett from an admittedly very small sample size, not to say that he won't make the step up in time. But the main thing is that I want tomorrow nights team to be as close to our first team as possible. Garrett is 5th choice and assuming we play 2, there are 4 players who I would prefer to see in there, thus playing him would IMO weaken us. As much as Pears or Edun, perhaps not. I still think we need a more experienced head in midfield so rather than giving Garrett an occasional cameo, I would prefer him to get 20 games in League 1 if possible. Markanday is a strange one, he himself has rarely played but when he has, I have enjoyed watching him and think he has a spark. That being said, I would prefer us to start Hedges and Brereton with Dack and Dolan tomorrow, Gallagher limped off at the weekend so I would go with those 4 who IMO would be the strongest set of forwards we could play.

Terrible wording. My point was that if a poll was put up asking whether people would retain or sack Tomasson, it would be very close to 100% towards the former.

The fact that he has specifically come through our academy and is our player wouldn't come into the decision making for tomorrow night. I haven't been impressed in the few games he has played, to me he got man of the match v Sunderland because it was his debut, he was really limited on the ball and we struggled to keep it in general, he then came on v Birmingham and struggled to get to the pace of the game, then at Coventry and stupidly dived into a challenge, then he found it tough like to be fair they all did at Burnley. Plenty of time of course before I am accused of writing him off or anything like that, I think the best course of action would be to bring in a much needed more experienced midfielder and to loan Garrett out to League 1 and re-assess in the summer. With central midfield, Adam Wharton and Travis could both come in without weakening the side, if we chose not to stick with those who played at the weekend. Edun is really bad though and it would significantly weaken us, any rotation ideally would be done without making us less competitive. As it is, sadly it does seem like Tomasson will be making wholesale changes. It saddens me in general about the attitude that both managers and supporters alike seem to have towards cup competitions is one of disregard. We have been bumbling along for a decade and yet we seemingly turn our nose up at the potential of a cup quarter final in a competition that holds great memories

Hope he doesn't get silly with the changes, I want a proper go at getting into the quarter finals. Make a few changes, maybe bring some of the likes of Adam Wharton, Travis, Hedges Szmodics and Markanday in, but not token appearances for Edun, Garrett, Pears, Hirst etc.

Haha, not at all. My mistake.

Its a midweek pre Christmas cup game though so in no way a fair representation or justification for the horrendous pricing. We always say this but a quarter final place is at stake and it helps to build momentum. Plus we are just off a months break.

Kaminski Rankin Costello Hyam Wharton Pickering Buckley Wharton Hedges Dack Brereton Dolan Subs: Pears, Mola, Phillips, Travis, Morton, Szmodics, Markanday, Hirst, Gallagher There is a quarter final at stake and a chance to build momentum. Lets bloody go for it.

The key is always quality rather than ownership. I have been critical of Morton but he looks much better than Garrett at the moment, and Harlock is seemingly even behind him, therefore he should be above him. Adam Wharton IMO is the one of them all who looks ready NOW but he should be playing not because we have lost players and are expecting graduates to fill their spots, but because he as an individual is good enough. Wharton is a real asset even in the here and now, Vale and Garrett not so much.

Nobody said that teams at the top of the league shouldn't be shown. Just not every single bloody game to the point whereby there isn't a 3 o clock kick off for a couple of months.

It is strange how being battered by local rivals in consecutive games by using totally counterproductive tactics causes supporters to be upset.

I have never suggested that games shouldnt be on TV. I merely proposed a potential capping of them broadcasting more than a certain number of games for one specific team within any time period to minimise disruption to any individual fanbase. Sky dont care about inconveniencing supporters though, and seemingly because it doesnt affect you personally, neither do you.

Yes we are filling lots of gaps at the same time. Wharton, Phillips, Vale, Garrett and then potentially Batty would be 5 at once. Wharton is a first team ready player now, the others not so much.

Even on here, I bet if you did a poll, only the odd exception at most would not want Tomasson out. Lots of posts on social media biting back at those calling for the managers head as if it was a widespread thing, when it wasnt even after 2 batterings to local rivals.

I think he could get a move to the Premier League or at worst a club with parachute money.

I don't get how Gyokeres would be a realistic signing. Even if Venkys allowed reinvestment of any Brereton sale proceeds which is unlikely, Gyokeres surely would have doubts about coming here.

Because I don't know. Doesn't in any way reduce the validity of my opinion that Smith and in particular Appleton would be very lucky to merit continuing with their jobs.

I don't think we should just expect them to fill so many gaps all at the same time. If Batty as an individual (when fit) is deemed to be capable of performing well at Championship level now, then fine, otherwise we need to look to sign another left back. It shouldn't just be a case of, we are a player short in x position, expect a kid to fill in.

Yep, typical response. No empathy for anyone with potential inconveniences that he doesn't. Also the fact that games in general have been moved for TV historically doesn't mean that is fair or even unfixable to be arrange with the current lack of thought towards match going fans.

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Obviously like anyone would Argentina do have a reliance on Messi and I do think there are perhaps on paper better squads than theirs but they do have some good other players. Alvarez is a real talent up front and a quality signing by Man City, Enzo Fernandez deservedly won young player of the tournament, Di Maria is still someone that is playing at a high level, Romero and a surprisingly often unused Lisandro Martinez are 2 of the best centre backs in the Premier League, Mac Allister has always caught the eye for Brighton, Emiliano Martinez is a very good keeper and Rodrigo De Paul is another good player playing at a high level.

I wouldnt play an attacking player there but I dont necessarily think that the answer for the here and now is in the academy. Edun is hopeless and as poor a defensive full back as I can remember. Not convinced that Mola is much better either.

Not a clue. I can judge whether I think a manager should be sacked without a list of potential replacements. I dont get why Richardson would walk into another Championship job.

@roverandout I thought you wasnt watching?

Batty has a bad injury but even if he didnt, it can be dangerous to be too expectant on the academy by filling numerous spaces with untested kids.

Phillips isnt a direct replacement for a player 15 years or so his senior. He also has struggled when he has played, maybe he should be loaned out for the second half of the season.