It's both. Our CB's are definitely slow and slow on the turn, but you make a really good point that I missed in my previous post(s). We're crying out for some pace out wide.

Doing a lot of tracking back and pressing, and our team is so far back when he receives the ball that there aren't many options going forward. But of course he has had a lot of misplaced passes, poor finishing and decision-making as well. It's fine margins. Burnley created one chance that they scored from, whereas we had none up until that point. Only a lot of wasted corner kicks.

I was hoping we would rise to the occasion and try and dictate the game more at our own turf. All our players work their socks off to keep the team-shape and it was obvious that that's where Gueye struggles - hence why Cantwell did the pressing down the middle and decided when we started it. We just can't stand a high line at the moment with no pace but hope Carter is back soon at least. Ideally would like another CB as quick, or quicker, than him for next season. Under JDT we had players roaming around the whole pitch, leaving us in big trouble at the back. But it was also free-flowing and difficult to defend against, and a joy to watch at times. I think we need longer stints in matches where we try and score goals rather than avoid conceding at all cost.

Why did he drag Gueye off when he knew there would be crosses into the box? He wasn't on a card either.

I hope we sell Bucko this window. Him and JRC can go.

I think Gueye is limited but have also been growing increasingly frustrated with Cantwell lately. Think he passes it backwards a lot of the time when he should take control of the ball and move forward. Also a lot of fancy high-risk passes that don't come off. And hardly any goals or assists but we are so slow it's really difficult when we never dictate matches.

We don't have the quality so that's the best way to approach the games. It's mighty frustrating when we lose but we deserved a point here tbf. Tronstad motm. Gueye has to stop giving away cheap fouls close to our own box. No need for it. Must be frustrating being Eustace knowing what he can do with a little more backing in the transfer market.

One PL appearance as a sub and rarely makes the matchday squad.. Think they'll be more than willing to loan him out.

Some good points philipl but if a player such as Godo is our first choice now (would make sense as we just missed out on him on DLD in the summer), then he should've been announced already. What kind of characters do we want/need to gel with the squad? More grafters similar or better than the ones we have or others who perhaps are more raw but offer something different offensively? Some big calls that has to be made... I'm worried that Gestede will control who comes in and they won't be ready for action, and that's also why JE has emphasised that he wants proven Championship experience.

Good but it means they will be after a striker too this window. Maybe Stoke can sell them Ennis so we can offload one of our to to the hatters again.

Batth and Hyam have looked a great partnership but we can't play with a high line at the moment, and that's costing us going forward. We have a solid team with a fantastic work-ethic, but we miss Carter's ability to carry the ball and his pace in the recovery phase as well. I think we'll revisit the Marcial Godo deal, unless we have someone else lined up to fill the same spot. If we loan out Leonard then I'm guessing there will be a PL loan coming in. A left back and a CM would be good too, Buckley has looked off the pace whenever he's come on unfortunately.

The way we set up it would've been too much for anyone in our current squad tbf. I think he's got more goals in him than our other two strikers, but has to take his chances. Gueye is more of a menace and impact and Ohashi runs his socks off so are better fit for our current system.

Normally would think Gueye would replace Ohashi in the first as he's second in the pecking order, but by the looks of things it seemed like Eustace had a clear gameplan similar to ones he's had prior this season. Defend for 70 minutes and throw on a few impact players and see if we can snatch all three points. Not normal to pull a player off again like he did today with Leonard but it was the right thing to do.

Fuck off Boro

Closest we've come was when Mowbray was in charge and Venky's refused to sell Rothwell to Bournemouth. Did we receive an offer for Breo then as well (£7m?)?

5 goals in 13 matches is half decent but he has to show more over a prolonged period of time. 2. Bundesliga is a level below the Championship I'd say too. Our best chance of securing a good striker this window is via a PL loan.

Didn't like that starting lineup with Gueye leading the line. Think we're a bit too predictable and Hull pressed us high and were fairly solid throughout the contest, but we should've scored a couple. A draw was fair though, but we had no response when they scored first, and it's not the first time that's happened. We need some more bodies in. Puerta showed us something different in this contest and much of what we're missing. Great prospect. Cantwell has been poor the last we games too.

Poor game but The Den is a tough place to go to. We didn't take care of the ball at all, and let them chip away at our armour for the entire game until it finally broke. A shame that Trav had to limp off and we went down to ten men. Looked quite solid defending still but in the end we deserved to lose. We've had lady luck on our side on the run that just ended, so today was more about back to normal than anything.

Cornet seems unlikely. Would welcome Jones with open arms, very good player.

So much chat about a mediocre Championship level fullback though...tedious. Owen Beck runs laps around him, stick Owen on the right wing and he'll perform there as well 😉

A lot of chat about the mis-use of Giles, but he's really not that great - is he? He keeps it simple, if he has time on the ball he whips in a cross, and his set-pieces are sublime. Other than that? Not anything special. 23 assists in 149 matches, 21 in total for the 21/22 and 22/23 seasons. We neutralised him quite easily ourselves on Saturday.

Trav and Tron are both playing as balancing acts now, whereas prior Trav would be more advanced and Tronstad protect the back four more. Now they're both tackling, nibbling and if one isn't involved then the other one will be right in the mix of it.

That's why he's not playing in the top leagues. New coach at Soton too now, so who knows what will happen there next.

Him and Sonny are the heartbeat of this team and it's only fair that they're captain and vice captain now. Travis keeps his shithousery just where it needs to be, whereas sometimes prior it was his main focus it seemed.