2 horrendous decisions in the Huddersfield V Stoke game. It seems inevitable that VAR needs to come in.

I don't really understand why people can't comprehend why Rothwell may want to go to Bournemouth. First things first, they will offer much more money than Venkys are willing to, its a short career, can understand that. Yes, there may be potential for better offers in the summer, its risk and reward, but a long contract on a decent wage to the level he wants would be very tempting. There is also a potential for family reasons, maybe he wants to live down South with his family, or his girlfriend is pushing, we just dont know. He would still get a signing on fee now and he may feel that Bournemouth have a better chance of promotion than us, the league table suggests that both are in practically identical positions. Let's hope the rumour stems from a source as reliable as the one that stated that he was leaving the night of the Leeds friendly match in the summer to be replaced by Adam Reach! Where is this from?

https://griffinpark.org/index.php?threads/mads-bidstrup.136772/ Some Brentford fans views on Bidstrup, interesting if there is any truth in that one. Extremely highly rated although based on minimal first team involvement so needed to be taken with a pinch of salt. We do need a central midfielder and it is difficult to get one on loan when he may well struggle to play regularly.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19882509.blackburn-rovers-pushing-ahead-move-ryan-hedges-now/ Makes more sense now than in the summer.

Wouldnt mind moving away from such a successful formation whilst moving Buckley out of position, all to shoehorn in a new player again our of position?

I am not talking about that Hull game, he was dreadful but as you say, its hard to come to conclusions after such a long time out. My opinions are based on his whole senior career. When did he show plenty? Do you have examples? I dont remember loads of crosses being put in or attacking prowess shown. I am unsure from where this perception has come from that he is this dangerous, attack minded player.

I do think that Ayala has had a good season and has credit in the bank whilst waiting for a chance, so maybe Van Hecke could play on the right side.

One of those keepers was a kid from a European backwater who clearly isnt nearly ready for our first team. We did need another keeper, clearly familiarity (as it does regularly in football) helped Pears and he has undoubtedly been crap but he had played 20 odd games at Championship level so its not for example a Myles Anderson situation.

Even if we discard the doubts about the fitness of Rankin Costello, I think the jury is still out as to whether he is up to it at this level any time soon. A loan spell would be ideal but I am not sure that we are in a position to be losing bodies. He cant defend one on one so full back/wing back doesnt really suit him, but he lacks the pace and individuality I would suggest to play in attack.

I am just asking when you have seen evidence that Rankin Costello is a good attacking wing back. You question Nyambe's assist numbers, fair enough, but where is the evidence that Rankin Costello is a good attacking wing back, aside from a decent cross v Reading last season? I get that its your opinion, but are there examples that you can think of regarding his supposed attacking prowess. Thats putting to one side the fact that you are solely obsessing about the attacking side of being a wing back, never acknowledging the importance of being able to defend still, which Nyambe is very good at, proving as much in our good run of form, being out of the team with Rankin Costello covering in the only loss in that time.

I agree that it would be illogical (and potentially divisive) to only give a bonus to players who will be here next season. Its a reward for this season, not a bribe. But "genius?" Surely its just normal to have bonuses, every player in the Championship would benefit financially from a promotion im sure. When has Rankin Costello proved this? How many goals has he assisted? When did all of these deliveries take place?

You did once say that Venkys never refuse to sign a cheque as if it was gospel, a statement you couldnt possibly be qualified to make. No way is Rankin Costello better than Nyambe. Nyambe has limitations but for some reason the defensive side of being a wing back seems to have been forgotten, even acknowledging that is more attacking than being a full back. But where and how did Rankin Costello get a reputation as a good attacking wing back/full back? It seems to be assumed bur ive never really known why.

What is this budget belief based on? Why would he not wish to spend it?

So if we dont spend much, youll be assumjng that the budget was there and it was just Mowbray and Waggott being incompetent?

As good as Ayala is, we are assuming that Van Hecke avoids suspension at the same time. Plus if it was Ayala for Lenihan, it would require a switch as Ayala would need to be in the middle.

That would surely cause unnecessary divide within the squad. Bonuses are obviously commonplace im sure in every players contract so I dont get why ours are a story but the players should get rewarded for what they achieve relating to that season, not as a bribe. What about the loanees and players that contribute that have a contract for this season yet we choose not to retain them.

I wouldnt give him a 4 year deal because that would be crazy but that doesnt mean needing to question his morals and his motivation.

I think there is, either 37 or 39 games, I think 37.

Totaly unfair to imply that the underlying issue is Mowbray's motivation stemming from his contractual situation. There is an obsession with his touchline demeanour, he is restrained in general and obviously he is going to appear more snappy and downbeat when results arent going as well. This idea that a long deal leads him to just look after his mates etc rather than prioritising results is nonsensical.

It still makes no sense because the concession that any points in any game are merely a bonus leads to potentially loosening or indeed overturning any gap we may have over 3rd at that time, if indeed we are 2nd which is a huge if. We are 2nd in the league, therefore shouldn't go into any game feeling less than confident that we have a good chance of 3 points.

I certainly wouldn't "take a draw" at this stage, we should be going with the aim of 3 points. Every time we drop points, rivals will make ground. Every time we win, we will make ground on others. I really hope not, and I suspect that Mowbray wouldn't change a winning formula. We shouldn't try and shoehorn in Zeefuik in that way.

Burnley in advanced talks with not only Orsic but also Wout Weghorst who has an excellent goal record in the Bundesliga. It seems that Burnley are willing to go abroad following the success of the Cornet deal, and if they got those 2 they seemingly have very good calibre, Orsic really impressed me when I saw him v Spurs. Them 2, Cornet and McNeil could cause defences problems. As much as I of course want Burnley to go down, therefore I hope if they do sign that they are failures, there would be a bit of pleasure if they came in and outperformed Wood at Newcastle.

Teams going for automatic promotion do not have free hits. Every game is winnable and no drop points can or should be assumed in particular games, its not a mindset that I am comfortable with.

If he was to play as a central striker though, that would require us changing a very successful system for the benefit of an average player. I actually think that his current position somewhat suits him. He obviously isn't an out and out winger but as a central striker, his main weaknesses are highlighted; his poor hold up, his inability to bring others into play, his poor touch, his lack of strength considering his size etc. It is a compromise that works as much as having Gallagher in the team could.