[valpayne]

Well that burst our bubble didn’t it. Hopefully it’s temporary and at least it wasn’t Rodriguez that did the damage as that would have been too bitter a pill. CC post match analysis is gracious in defeat an I like that he is saying there’s lessons to learn and they will study the game to see how they can keep improving. I think the most glaring thing was that we sat back in the second half and opted to try and defend the 1-0 but ultimately were found out by a relentless and good attacking team. Once they equalised I kinda knew they would go on to win it.

[Slick_Footwork]

Beat by the better side on the night.

Overall, we just had too many non performers to get a result away at the league leaders...

With the exception of Yokuslu and O'Shea, I didn't think anyone was at the top of their game.

Wallace was completely anonymous in the role as 2nd striker. Diangana was a non entity, which has sadly become the norm. Mulumby, for all his work rate, lacks any sort of composure to put his foot on the ball when you need to relieve the pressure. Rogic is too slow to play that deep and needs to be utilised as a number 10 when he enters frantic games. Dike doesn't look fit enough to play a full 90 yet.

I think we should make the playoffs but I wouldn't necessarily fancy us against the likes of Norwich with our current squad. I think we're 3 or 4 players short of being a top side in this division. We need better quality coming from the wings as Diangana just isn't up to it anymore, Grant is useless and Phillips isn't the answer. Need a back up striker. A quality central midfielder to play next to Yokuslu and better quality at full back.

With the end of January rapidly approaching I can't see much happening though. The players who would need to move on to free up space in the squad - Grant, Livermore, Reach, Zohore - are all probably earning a lot more than they would at potential suitors. So I doubt we will have much room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.