Terrier on the Terraces: Lack of options up front

With James Vaughan missing for the rest of the campaign, Nahki Wells must lead the line on his own.

Fellow strikers Jon Stead, Martin Paterson and Cristian Lopez have found themselves out of favour and out on loan, while Daniel Carr - the summer signing from non-league Dulwich Hamlet - has been injured.

That leaves Harry Bunn from the development squad as the only other fit striker, and he’s not yet ready to play in the Championship. The lack of options is frightening, given Town’s recent problems in finding the net.

Mark Robins is culpable for this lack of options, especially in allowing Martin Paterson to leave the club.

The move to Bristol City looks likely to become permanent in the summer after a brief Town career in which he had one golden run of form just prior to Wells’ arrival from Bradford.

The Northern Ireland international would offer an option and an alternative to Wells which could have proven vital in the run-in, especially given his Championship experience.

On the other hand, players elsewhere have failed to perform.

Despite positive displays against Middlesbrough and Reading, players such as Oliver Norwood haven’t shown their best form in several months. It has now reached the stage where certain players have started to hide, leaving those in possession short of options.

Having more physical options higher up the pitch would be a bonus for Town at a time of the year where another win should guarantee a third season in the division.

But without them it’s essential that those in midfield have the courage to show for the ball and to make things happen, particularly going into the final challenging run of fixtures.