I don’t think we play with a number 9 mate. Neither Gally or BBD have played as 9’s really either….more to the point the two you mentioned basically havent performed. Who would you take from my bench for Hirst?

He makes a good point Chaddy…who would you drop off my bench for Hirst or Vale? Are either of them more or less likely to get you a goal than Dolan, Dack or Szmodics?

I wanted to get Hedges back in as I think he’s been arguably our best player this season. I think he’s played well at Wb this season and he’s naturally left footed plus Pickering has played a lot of games recently so…. I take your point in respect of Hirst and Vale but I don’t think either are playing well and there’s questions as to whether they’re good enough full stop. I also think Dack, Dolan and Szmodics could play off either Gally or BBD.

Kaminski Carter Hyam Wharton Brittain Morton Hedges Buckley Wharton Gally BBD SUBS Pears, Phillips, Pickering, Garrett, Dack, Dolan, Szmodics

I thought he was brilliant in preseason - very similar to Travis in style. Not a silky as Wharton…but who knows? fwiw I’d play Buckley. He’s a top player who has a tough time of late and might benefit from a confidence boost.Him, Wharton and Trav are the future CM stronghold of our club imo.

Two very different cases and no one is ‘rotting in the reserves’. The manager has proven with the likes of SS that if you train well, listen to him and play well in the 21’s you’ll get a chance… Dack obv isn’t wanted, something he’s putting out there or not doing me thinks? Markanday is a young player who I’ve no doubt will get a chance when he’s ready and Dolans assists and goal contributions are probably the highest in the squad. I would say, other than Dack, who the manager isn’t having, the rest (Carter, Markanday, Buckley, Edun and Vale. Maybe even Leonard) will get ample opportunities to shine this season. Don’t forget…he also watches them train everyday too.

I wonder whether he’ll bring Buckley in from the cold, a three of Morton, Buckley and Adam Wharton is talented and exciting if not a little lightweight. Alternatively, he could bring in Garrett whose hard, combative style might end up impressing the manager and doing to Travis what Travis did to Smallwood! Oust him! No doubt, Trav has been poor this season, so…let’s see. Tuesday will be interesting. My gut tells me he’ll start Szmodics tbf.

Fantastic result…need to back it up with two home wins now and we’ll prob be top of the league!! Worth mentioning that Hyam and Brittain for combined around £2m to replace Lenihan and Nyambe feel like the deals of the century. They are light years ahead of the two who left. Every credit.

The two scenarios aren’t mutually exclusive. I think the focus is on the individuals and the improved options we have on the bench. So, Wharton and Phillips get 90 mins of football vs none or a 20 minute cameo and the first team gains Brittain and Szmodics, two experienced first team players who will be glad of a 20 minute cameo… win - win 👍🏼

💯 agree - from what I heard from the coaching team JDT Is VERY specific with what he wants. He doesn’t accept any deviation but is really likeable and fair.

I’m not sure mate. Historically and other than last season, Buckley has always played as an ‘8’ (like this season). Mowbray was protecting him a little playing him further forward. I just think he’s hit his first proper blip following a great season where he won Young Player Of The Year. He’s been poor and needed dropping but ultimately he’s a bloody brilliant player and I’m sure will return to form. Him and Wharton in full flow together will be something to look forwards to.

Young player of the year - 2021-22 🙈🤣 Awkward.

Ok, so firstly….the professionals can’t make anyone do anything. It usually comes down to money and Lenihan, Rothwell, Nyambe and Brereton have all been offered new deals. Them refusing to sign is nothing to do with the opinions of the professionals. Plus none of them (bar BBD) had a single club willing to pay anything for them and had to wait until they no longer commanded a fee. Nyambe completely bombed. Buckley was regarded by many to have been our best player along with BBD up until Jan. No one covered themselves in glory after that point. Of course football is all about opinions but honestly, if you don’t rate Buckley as a footballer I’m shocked. He’s got unbelievable ability. Him, Phillips and Wharton are the only players in our squad that I believe have the x-factor and the potential for long, PL careers. Including BBD and Dack.

Good summary, agree with the 5 points…Though, I’d change: - Morton into Successful - he’s a cracking player and has replaced one of Rothwell or Johnson as a first choice pick. (He’s a better footballer than both - which is saying something when A.Wharton is even better than him!! 👊🏼) - The title, ‘Unsuccessful’ to ‘Undecided’. Szmodics hasn’t been great but also hasn’t played nearly enough to be written off and Mola literally hasn’t kicked a ball for us. - Finally Id add Dack to additional options as he’d been unavailable for so long. Between the recruitment, emergence of top young talent and re-emergence of the likes of Hedges, Dack, Markanday and Carter I believe they’ve just about nailed it. Time will tell 👍🏼

Assuming Brittain, Ayala, Gally still out and Wharton not fully fit to start. I’m going the same again with Hirst for Dolan. Kaminski Trav Carter Hyam. Pickering Morton A.Wharton Hedges Dack Brereton-Diaz Hirst Subs - Pears, Wharton, Edun, Buckley, Szmodics, Dolan, Markanday Interestingly, Travis played a lot of his younger years pre first team as a RB and RWB for Rovers. Could be a good option. Also, in spite of their tender years, both Morton and A.Wharton don’t mind a tackle!! They break up play really well.

We’re definitely in a better place than we were when GB and JDT came into the club. On first glance the signings look decent and more importantly aligned with the vision and what the manager wants. Time will tell us if they are any good. The real positivity for me is the environment that they have created for the players. The emergence of Phillips, Wharton, Garrett and Vale along with the re-emergence of the likes of Dack, Markanday, Hedges and Carter (from injuries and loans etc) are no surprise when you have positive, vibrant people at the top. The club (Venkys) have backed our new management team with cash and oddly enough, I have a suspicion that the last two (Hirst & Mole) may end up as the real winners of the window. The option to buy could be a master stroke. Im looking forwards to getting behind the team and the management on Saturday and for the coming months. RTID

I don’t think we miss Lenihan, Nyambe or Rothwell tbh. So, whilst I want us to fix this long term, I’d be REALLY scared of losing BBD tonight. Even IF we sign Dembele AND Maja or Hugill etc

I’m not sure Josh. But my point still stands…a fully fit BBD is the best option we (as fans) can have. Selling him on the last day, even if we sign two CLASS players will weaken us (at least in the short term until those players settle in.

I don’t understand those fans who are today upset that we’ve not sold BBD. Sure, if the offer comes in May and the lad isn’t signing a new deal then I’d be all for a sale with time to reinvest and replace….BUT in what world does selling him today benefit us (the fans) or even the manager? The chances of us replacing his goals at this stage are close to zero. The ONLY people who stand to benefit from a sale today are our owners and they obviously don’t care about the money. So I will be DELIGHTED if we keep him and if you offered me Dembele (who I rate highly) I’d still prefer BBD who I’m confident will get another 15 goals at least this season.

I think the emergence of Wharton has poured cold water over any desire we had for Styles. Similarly, I think the emergence of Phillips has removed our need for another CB? The weirdest thing about today is that I have no idea which players or even positions we’ll fill!? My guess - Foreign RB and a winger 🤷🏽‍♂️

Bearing in mind our DoF has openly said Hirst was our first choice striker target this summer (So we’ve been trailing him for months) plus the fact that he doesn’t play off the left and the manager has also said we have separate plans made in the case that BBD leaves….I think it’s pretty obvious that Hirst isn’t his replacement.

Adam Wharton. The end. 🙌🏽

Yeah, and both scenarios show us that it’s a lottery as to whether they’ll come good or not. Which just strengthens the notion, especially in this case that the best thing to do is give the boy a chance. I’ll bet 99% of the people passing judgement have literally never seen him play. It’s crazy to be writing him off.

Bearing in mind most of us wrote off BBD as a bad un before he became fuckin excellent, I’m equally astounded mate. Never learn!

Bowler and Birmancevic….👀🤞🏽