chownie20

I would add to that list Adams and Aribo (now Stuey is out) to be honest

Stick this on, have a beer. Since Cardiff we've had one eye on the playoffs and getting people enough mins but not being dead on their feet. Yes we don't want to erode confidence but also if we lose Adams, Downes or Aribo we are screwed with Stuey out already. Worry about next year when we know what's what, but we still have millions of assets out on loan and can easily assemble a very strong squad to go again in this league. In the Prem it's another challenge and we have strengths and clout there too. But that's for another day. We have to believe we will turn up with our strongest team and fired up. The criticism and negativity is a real shame, although understandable. Any other season we are up automatically (EDIT - before taking our foot off the gas the last few matches) despite the rebuild and churn RM had to inherit, we're still in with a massive shot this year, so let's go and get behind the players and the manager! We've beaten WBA, Leeds and Norwich are not playing great. Let's be positive and stick with it!

Very do'able!

They're playing for auto promotion, not dead rubbers ahead of playoffs.

Brooks midfield?! That's what I wanted to see tried!

Aribo is an asset at this level. He bossed the Ipswich away match and generally holds the ball and makes things happen. I think him, Downes and Brooks would be strong, with Smallbone and Charles alongside Downes if we need to sure up. Russ won't play Brookes midfield tho.

I am very worried about our midfield for the playoffs. Currently we could field Downes/Smallbone/Aribo. Rothwell looks like a hamstring, and we know Stuey is out. Aside from Charles, that leaves us very short of options and game changing energy I think. Could Arma or Brooks play there? An injury to Aribo in the final two games and we are screwed.

Was hoping to see Brooks tried in Steuys role...ahead of a playoff trio of Downes Aribo Brooks, then Arma and Fraser on the wings. Quite attacking though but could bring Charles and Smallbone for Aribo and Brooks if needed solidity.

Looks like the Hull and Coventry vs Ipswich matches might be dead rubbers...that might help Ipswich and mean maybe Leeds are more likely to be in the playoffs. I'd much prefer an Ipswich Norwich semi final, but guess there are no easy wins and you have to be able to beat whoever you come up against.... plus we beat Leeds already!

Ermmm so.... Let's hope for an East Anglian Derby in the playoff semi final I think.... ....

Never fear. We will win the next three. Leeds lose to Boro away and Ipswich lose their two tough away games having not won since Noreich pasted them. We finish second and all is well that ends well.

Assuming we dont go up....I think it's clear we will be without Mccarthy, KWP, THB, Downes, Stuey, Sulemana, Che. Probably also Bednarek. Obviously as well as Downes, Fraser, Brooks and Rothwell are loans. KWP will clearly be a miss but I do feel he has faded as the season has gone on, and Bree is no mug as part of a sllid back 4. Fraser maybe we can get on a free. Jury out on if Rothwell is really a Stuey replacement. Would love to keep Downes but can see him in a promoted Ipswich side! I can't see Perraud, Tall Paul, ABK or Alcaraz wanting to play, so there is potentially some income there. I wouldn't mind seeing Caleta Car back tho. I think we need to buy a Keeper (baz replacement), Center Back or two (THB replacement), Right Back?, Holding Midfield, Box to Box midfield and probably a striker to support Stewart. There seem to be plenty of capable ball playing center backs in this league we could look at. Not sure on Holding Midfield - Bielik? Sunjic? Box to Box Maybe O Hare? Ilias Chair? The Rotheham keeper would be a good shout! Ball winning Holding midfielder will probably be the hardest one to find, would love Downes but can't see it. Feel we need to sign proven players in this league now, and not City's kids. Probably Holding and Box to Box midfield is the biggest area. Anyway, could be all academic as we have a good chance of going up still!!! New GK Manning / Larios / Meghoma Stephens / Bednarek / 2 New CBs Bree / New RB Charles / New Holding Midfield Aribo / Smallbone / New CM / Rothwell? Armstrong / Fraser / SAA / Edozie / Dibling Stewart / Mara / New striker

But they've drawn and lost to Norwich

Well said.

Ipswich have two very tough away games coming up and are not exactly in top form. Albeit they will have had a 2 week break....

After all the "if we win all our games we will go up" narrative, I hadnt quite twigged that that isnt the case, is it? If we win all our matches, and Ipswich/Leicester dont drop any points (Except Leicester losing to us) we are still a point shy? Or have I got that wrong?

Wondered if it may be wise to give Downes a rest for this one, bur equally if you have to win a match you play your key players.

No, but a very tricky fixture navigated succesfully tho! Should have been 3-0 at half time yet again

It's Russ bringing on his "finishers" a la Mckenna

Stu was concussed not JB?

Exactly this. We have so many options on the wings to refresh and scare defences. Get a solid spine THB / Jan / Flynn / Che clicking and we can do some damage.

Scary video! I'd rather make Mccarthy earn his money!

My team, most of whom are Ipswich fans, reckoned he was head and shoulders our best player. He is looking good isn't he.

The only big save I remember is the WBA one the other week. I think net-net he has probably cost more points than he has saved us hasn't he, unfortunately. But, I think whatever we do, we need to stick with it from now until the end of the season. A settled back 5 would be so valuable I think. And that has to be GK / Bree / Bednarek / TBH / Peters. Play them, get them gelling, and hope we are more solid for the playoffs. I think that would be my one ask of Russell Martin right now - settled back 5. McCarthy is obviously totally out of the picture but I am sure he stops at least 2 of the Ipswich goals the other day. Be good to get him off the wage bill in the Summer.

True. Back four of Stephens, THB, Bednarek and KWP. Might actually make Martin reinstate our best CB pairing which I think is a big missing piece of consistency.