As is Ayala, all 3 when fit and on form are more than adequate at this level. Was just pointing out that I felt that the stat was somewhat misleading in that it wasn't just that Wharton was missing, but that for much of those games we were very short of alternatives, hence an over reliance on a 17 year old. If the alternative was a Hyam and Ayala partnership I suspect we would have done much better.

Let's hope Venkys get their collective wallet out unlike last January when 700k was spent.

There is further justification of the line "lies, damned lies and statistics" in my opinion. The win rate with and without Wharton doesn't really tell the full story, he missed 6 games after the first 2 wins, and we lost 3 in a row prior to signing Hyam because we had to keep flogging Phillips who isn't ready for this standard yet, especially playing successive games when he isn't used to the intensity, we had a patched up defence including one game where Pickering played as a third centre back with Edun at left wing back. It's not comparative to the question of if we go for 2 of Ayala, Hyam and Wharton, all of whom are good Championship centre backs on their day. It is the same with Gallagher, he has recently performed well above his usual level and he certainly does have his uses, but part of that stat is not showing how great Gallagher is but must consider that the alternatives are Vale who can't score goals in the Conference and the inept Hirst. Don't get me wrong, on form I do really like Scott Wharton and I think he should be high up on the contract renewal agenda, but he has been out of form basically all season, both defensively and on the ball.

He repeatedly has given it away playing out from the back, yesterday he did numerous times whereas the other 2 have given it away far less.

Kaminski Brittain Hyam Ayala Pickering Travis Wharton Hedges Dack Brereton Gallagher Subs: Pears, S Wharton, Morton, Dolan, Markanday, Buckley, Mola Scott Wharton has been poor this season so of the 3, I would drop him first. If Hedges and Gallagher miss out, Markanday in and Dolan in with Brereton pushed central. Bring Carter and Leonard into the squad if necessary. No Hirst and no Vale,.

I still wouldn't let Dack go, he unlike most of our attacking options has something about him, he should be used more. We definitely need to send Hirst back and loan out Vale now we have stupidly signed him long term, we need a couple of strikers and an experienced midfielder.

Had Mowbray shrugged his shoulders and said, well we will be inconsistent, he would have been lynched. Ultimately there are so many things that he did wrong last night. Weird, imbalanced tactics, poor and late use of subs, incorrect first 11. We have had a very good start to the season and there are loads of positives but there are still big question marks. Getting back into games, managing 3 game weeks, regular games where we are uncompetitive, strange and imbalanced tactics at times, a total lack of competent forward options under a manager famed for his striking ability.

Ha! You have been very consistent in thinking that Hirst and Vale are of the quality required. Is this belief at all in any way reducing? Vale has never shown anything, he is slow, he is weak, he doesn't ever look like scoring, and worst of all, he doesn't even work hard, there was once in particular last night when Brereton pressed and was trying to usher Vale to press with him and he didn't. He couldn't score regularly in non league, do you think a loan spell would be good or he should stay in the first team squad? And Hirst, wow. He is so weak, the ball goes up to him and never sticks. His control is embarrassing, the ball span up twice from his touch yesterday hitting his hand! Any thoughts of sending him back in January and getting someone else? On a wider scale, do you have any concerns that away from home midweek, we are so poor? Whether it is a case of Tomasson messing too much when we have 3 games in a week or a question of character whereby midweek away from home, we struggle? And also, do you have any concerns that when we concede, we don't comeback? Tomasson has an exemplary record when we go ahead which he deserves plenty of credit for, but equally, can he change things when we go behind? He often makes poor subs and makes them too late, again the case last night. The jury firmly remains out on spending the money spent on Szmodics, and Dack is far better, but no way are them 2 players alongside each other. Szmodics has some use, Hirst doesn't. It makes no difference either way, not helpful at all I agree but equally not harming anyone. Just rather sad of whoever made it to spend their time making the account.

He commented post match that it is just inconsistency and to expect it for a while. It wasnt, there were numerous incorrect decisions made by him today.

I dont think he was having a go at you for not attending more away games...

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?