31 Dec 2025 10:30:48
Reece James alongside Moises Caicedo in midfield works with Enzo Fernandez pushed forward. Simple. Moises Caicedo alongside Enzo Fernandez doesn't work. Simple. We played with a 1 man midfield yesterday and when that 1 man got booked after 4 minutes the bite was gone! Santos might not be the answer but surely he is a better fit in midfield than Gusto? Our midfield is costing us points.
Rant over.
On the plus side how good did Estevao look on that left side? I thought he was brilliant and would play him there with Palmer on the right and Fernandez in the 10. James and Caicedo behind them and bin off Gittens, Garnacho and the hapless Delap. Easy, this management thing. Happy New Year to ED01 and all you lot on here who both agree with me and in the most disagree with me.
{Ed001's Note - HNY mate and to everyone here.}
31 Dec 2025 12:23:54
Happy new year. Not a fan of Enzo further forward. He seems to ruin a lot of counter attacks (but what a finish from him last nighht)
31 Dec 2025 12:32:00
I enjoyed your rant. HNY.
31 Dec 2025 15:03:04
Yeah, it’s not a midfield partnership that works. Enzo has to play either as a ten or in a three man midfield, he can’t play in a two as his lack of mobility puts too much pressure on the second midfielder. Lavia would be ideal, but just can’t be relied upon as a regular squad member.
Likewise, I don’t think any of our centre backs suit playing as a two in a back four, they all need the added security of a back three. Within which, I don’t think any could play the central centre back role.
Striker remains a problem. Delap made sense at the price, but he’s unexpectedly been poor, all be it in an injury and suspension impacted season. Joao Pedro is decent, but not a 15-20 goal striker, more of a link up striker.
At least, according to reports, we’re looking at new CB’s and CM’s for the summer. In my opinion, Guehi and Wharton would be perfect signings. We’ve also got Emegha coming in, who’s an upgrade on current striking options.
31 Dec 2025 19:14:30
That fella from sporting quanda to he looks the part.
31 Dec 2025 20:59:50
Very good player, would be a top three winger in our current squad, can also be an impact I’ve wing-back, if the need arises. Another example of our squad recruitment being pretty good, although key additions are still required. I do not think the squad is being used well, weaknesses are being highlighted and strengths barely utilised. We saw the potential in the system we used against PSG in the CWC final, but this feels like a false dawn, we haven’t seen fullbacks pushing on and wingers inverting (like Gusto and Palmer respectively did to great effect in that game) since.
I genuinely feel we’re really close to competing, and we should be doing much better than we are with the players available.
01 Jan 2026 00:18:11
Massively disagree on us having a good squad j. But I hope you have a happy new year.
01 Jan 2026 00:56:18
J, I agree with your last paragraph.
01 Jan 2026 09:07:59
I also agree with the last statement. Yes I have been negative recently. But its only that I think merasca is stifling our attack.
Although improved I think sanchez still isn't good enough.
Once colwill is back I would nearly be happy with what my defence would be. Game in game out for that matter.
If we can get lavia fit the midfield is good close to world class.
Wingers should be a mix palmer neto Stevo. The rest aren't good enough. I am still hoping mudyrk comes back. Don't know why but I liked him alot
Striker we need a goal scorer a 30 goal a year strike. Is the guy from Strasburg the guy I don't know.
Any way happy new years guys.