02 Apr 2026 16:53:07
Where does this team finish in the league next season? Assumptions made that no injuries (yes, we know that won't happen but it is only a simple, fun question) and all want to be playing for us (yes, we know the rumours but see above), and that the coach plays them in their right positions.
Penders
James
Achempong
Colwill
Cucurella
Lavia
Caicedo
Estevao
Palmer
Geovany Quenda
Joao Pedro.
02 Apr 2026 18:11:47
Many variables, Greenaway.
James and Labia will have injuries, there is no doubt about that. Colwell, we dont know if he is going to hold up. Penders is untested in the PL and Quenda has had a bad injury.
Add to that, we dont know how teams are going to strengthen.
{Ed025's Note - an injury to Labia sounds very painful Bill.. :)
02 Apr 2026 18:23:35
Bill, Labia are you calling him a... Lol.
02 Apr 2026 20:59:02
Bill, you have Labia on your mind, lucky Mrs Bill ?, but my question was, where does this team finish? In other words, where does it need improving?
02 Apr 2026 21:18:59
Greenaway, even if all the players are still with us; that 11 is too young, unproven and lacks mentality. At best, a top coach might get top four; otherwise, top 10.
02 Apr 2026 21:34:58
Relegated would be my guess!!
Have a nice Easter weekend, lads.
03 Apr 2026 06:30:20
I'd worry about that group finishing in the top 4 tbh. Hopefully Levi's return sorts out a lot of the anxiety in defence, but I think he needs an established partner. That does limit Josh's chances, and without chances he can't progress how we all hope he does. With an experienced player he could learn a lot though (Silva would have been great). So pros and cons. I can't see the club risking giving Josh the chance without signing an established cb in case it doesn't work out, and I can't see a player coming to play back up.
I think having Lavia/Barco/Santos fighting to play alongside Moises would be decent in midfield, but the front 4 would offer absolutely no help in transition.
Quenda and Estevao both prefer playing on the right, but I assume with Palmer they could interchange well once they understand each other's game. There's no saying whether Quenda makes an instant impact, and it's very unlikely the club will let two teenagers play consistently every week.
If we could add Yildiz on the left, and let Estevao and Quenda compete for the right, I think the team would be much better balanced and have a greater chance of competing. Tbh I think if Citeh, Arsenal or Liverpool sign Yildiz, they walk the league next year, he's that good.
03 Apr 2026 07:51:21
Thanks, Jimbo and Melbourne, for your constructive replies. So, if we add Yildiz, Barco and an experienced cb, can we challenge, or do we still need a bit more? My dilemma is with Josh.
He is going to be a top talent, and if we don't give him a chance he will go the way of Guehi, Hall and Livramento, and we will potentially regret it down the line.
03 Apr 2026 08:23:48
Greenaway, still need a bit more and a top coach. Josh needs to start more often, but I fear he will be off.
03 Apr 2026 08:54:17
Labia, I really should start reading my comments before posting lol.
Greenaway, I agree with you that unless we start playing Josh, we will lose him.
I just think there are too many variables. Other clubs will buy experienced players, and I think Newcastle might be an issue for us next season.
If Spurs stay up, and I think they will, they will start buying big, meanwhile we will continue to raid nurseries, sack coaches and bring new ones in from Strasbourg.
Easy joy this SD malarkey.
03 Apr 2026 09:05:37
Good thread developing, and maybe we should replace the sporting directors. We seem to all agree that Josh needs a chance, and a top level coach needs to come in, along with some experience, with Yildiz being our marquee signing. I would play Josh at CB in every game until the end of the season, and see how he does.
03 Apr 2026 11:31:21
I think this season's managers should have played Josh in a run of games, but I can't see it happening now. He will probably start against Port Vale.
03 Apr 2026 11:40:16
Sadly, I have to agree with you, Tom, it's s*** or bust for LR trying to get a CL spot.
03 Apr 2026 12:18:20
Can't see the team you posted getting us any further up the league than the one we have now, though. The question of fitness of, eg, James and Lavia, is key to having a chance for Champions League qualification, which we may miss out on this season unless LR can get us going against both the Manchester teams coming to the Bridge soon.
It's surely also who is in the squad as a whole that really matters, as there will always be injuries, loss of form, and need for rotation/resting, and our squad depth in terms of cover in all positions is not strong enough yet.
Mind you, if Bill's find that world class mystery player Labia is on the pitch - rather than Lavia - this could really and usefully distract many of our opponents and lead us to getting plenty of goals?!
Happy Easter all!
03 Apr 2026 13:54:29
I still don't think we challenge, as only Yildiz is a real shout for world class ability. Barco adds depth and not sure which CB could take us straight to the top, even with Levi hopefully returning injury free next season.
Liam as a coach is also no chance for a league title.
I can't see a player we really need to sign while he is the boss, without the club changing the salary structure massively, which they also won't do.
TBH, I feel we are likely to regress next year if he is still in charge, which would be worrying.
03 Apr 2026 13:55:52
J, that is why we are discussing what is needed to strengthen us next season.