Butterworth has made more of a positive difference this season than Gally will do. I've not heard a single criticism of Butterworth, whereas since Gally has taken Butterworth's sub spot, his shortcomings have been constantly highlighted by us all. The attributes he brings (he's a tall athlete) are far outweighed by his inability to control his movements, or the ball. I was critical of Butterworth until this season, but he stepped up, just to stay in the game, and I don't think Gally will (tho I accept that I thought the same about BBD until September...)

I think replacing Butterworth will be a big mistake. He has stepped up this season, and his sub appearances have shown he can immediately replicate the level and quality of whoever he has replaced. His 20 min against Birmingham(?) was, for me, the perfect sub performance. I've asked a few times why he hasn't been getting match or bench time. I think he's ready to start championship games, never mind L1.

Prob for a different thread, but I really worry that Dack will be unable to do the unseen, vital hard yards which have made us impossible to beat for 10 games. We may need a Johnson in to cover for this, and which 2 players are we going to drop for this to happen? I know injuries will help make these decisions, but TM has hit on a winning formula and his only hope of promotion is to stick to this. Having said this, the formula only works if BBD is firing, as we have seen in the flattening out of our performances, as we have become gritty and hard to beat, rather than dominant and overwhelming. Ben has looked less likely to score since the 2nd half of the Barnsley game, so I'm looking for this to change at the KC and the sunshine stadium.

This is a pleasant surprise. Partly based on the knowledge that all the people I knew (admittedly only 6 or 7) who were going are now unable to attend, I really thought (and tbh, still think) that we would have around 1600 there, tops. I thought that we would need to offer free transport to get near 2,500. Where has that info come from, was it announced? I agree that any more than 1500 would be an excellent following. If it's 2500+, I would be a lot more confident of 3 points....

That's appreciated.

I think it's worth discussing the continuing wealth of talent coming thro from our academy. I think it's definitely easier to look positively on this resource when the 1st team is doing well, but we do seem to be continuing to coach and recruit the kids consistently well....

I didn't think Harwood-Bellis was in the league of Aderabaiyo, which is where we need to be to go up. Having said that, I didn't think Lenihan, Wharton & what the Hecke would be consistently performing at Tosin's level. Hoping we allow the dream to develop....

I really hope you are right. My nerves can't stand another 3 weeks of these rumours. If we keep this squad together and sign a couple more, I'll be on cloud nine.

Really helpful. Thanks for the info.

I hope you're right. Currently gives too many fouls away in dangerous positions, and I'm nervous when he plays, esp in defence. I know he'll probably play in the next few games, and how he plays will probably define our season. I'll be watching nervously....

Maybe if Pickering saw half as much of the ball as Nyambe, we'd be making the same (OTT) criticisms? Nyambe is available every time a centre back or keeper has the ball. I don't see this from Pickering. Nyambe is a good, strong, consistent right-sided defender with bags of potential to improve. He is not replaceable for £3m. Again, this will only become apparent when, without him, we finish seventh or eighth. If we keep this squad together, and find a regular sub place for Butterworth, and don't need to rely on starting Edun, we'll have a fighting chance of promotion. Yes, lots of ifs.... 😀

As many of us have always said, it is no surprise that Nyambe is performing so well with a decent run of games under his belt. TM has made it clear that he isn't his biggest fan, and my view is that this is at least part of the reason he hasn't signed a new contract. Are we even sure he has been offered an improved contract? I will be personally devastated if he leaves. I really don't think he warrants any of the criticism aimed at him. He is more instrumental in our recent run than many of us realise. This will only become clear when he leaves. £3m in our current stable situation would be a joke (yes, I know it is currently an unfounded rumour).

V v v happy....

Burke looks like another Gallacher to me. He hasn't been able to realise his potential at ANY of his many clubs, either as a permanent signing or loan. Played mainly as a wide man, Sheff U thought his best position was number 9, but as we saw last season, he missed most of his goal opportunities. Would be incredible if we bought Burke with the money we get for BBD. I think we've been tracking him for 2 years, since when he's struggled to get into a lower Championship team.

I really don't want to go back to the era of ITK discussions, but has anyone else heard continuing rumours of the swap deal with BHA for BBD and the 2 loanees? I'm hearing it's a done deal but have assumed this can't be true as there's been no other comment about the rumour for the last couple of weeks. I would really like this story to be quashed asap.

The consensus is that a number of players had an off day today, for a number of understandable reasons. I just don't understand the overt personal criticism of Nyambe, though. No-one else since the Fulham game has been called 'abysmal' (see dictionary definition...), or been accused of having 'no clue...' I just don't agree that he is sooo far behind the other 13 regulars. Seems to be a personal vendetta. He's not perfect, but neither is BBD. Nyambe is streets ahead of Pickering at getting forward and being available in the opposing half, as well as 'always' being able to get back into defensive position. He creates just as many chances and goals as Pickering. They are both having a really good season. Nyambe's energy levels are second to none. I think the personal abuse is over the top, unless also aimed at Rothwell and others.

Butterworth has been our best sub during our good run. What does he have to do to get on the pitch.... I would put him on before Gally or Dolan. We really need creativity and shots on target. Clean sheet or 3 points? Or both????

I think most of our transfer budget must go on keeping what we've got, mainly BBD. If we can do that, and add a decent striker, plus cover for Nyambe, we must be nailed on for top 6. It gets so much more difficult to recruit now that our expectations are so much higher than 2 months ago. It is sooo difficult to seamlessly fit into this line-up now. Who would have thought it?! Huddersfield is a massive game....

I actually think BBD has improved his all-round game this season, not just his finishing. More often than not he has good control of the ball, and more often than not he has the beating of most defenders. Last season was the opposite, and I think still is for Gally. I agree Gally is having a reasonable season, but I still don't trust him to be able to retain possession of the ball, especially if there is an opposing player within 3 metres of him. Often he isn't tackled, but still contrives to lose the ball. We can't afford that from any player, if we expect to stay in the top 4. He is improving this season, but if we have to start him regularly, I predict we will end up eighth. As always, I hope I'm wrong and he does a BBD.

Wasn't that the one where he flew high in the air, giving the ref the chance to claim a dive?

Yep, was it Brittain? We really couldn't live with him, he beat a man at will. For a-wing-back, his forward play was exceptional, although I'm sure if we replayed the game, he may have been culpable defensively. I would sign him, in a knee-jerk reaction, but he was quality.

I love Jordan Rhodes...

This is reason. It's been clear that their main focus has been selling half-season tickets, and I agree with that. The 3 people I know who have bought them, have all said it is to avoid paying £30+ per game. It has worked. In January we can revert to every 4th game being reduced prices, so the whole of the town can go. Then there will be a last 4 game ticket, which may take us to 25,000 (If our crazy run has continued.... 😜 ). Still dreaming, despite the Diaz move rumours. I'm away for the Huddersfield game. So so envious.

I think we need to accept that Arma was good for us, just as Ben is good for us. Although I'm more worried about losing BB.....

I thought at half time that if we played half as well as in the 1st half, we would still win. We played half as well, and we won. Hopefully Brighton will see Ben's blazing miss, and have second thoughts.... 🙂