28 Jul 2026 23:19:29
Don’t know how many were able to catch the first pre season game. I missed the first half but managed to see the second. Obviously it’s only preseason so not much can be taken from it. However, two things we knew from last year were painfully obvious.
Delap isn’t good enough. He actually seemed completely disinterested for 60 minutes and when Joao came on for him and put in a little bit of effort, chances came.
Sanchez cannot be anywhere near this team if we plan to play out from the back. His decision making under pressure and his distribution are woeful. I think we have a good chance to make a run in the league, but have no chance to compete at the top with him in goal.
29 Jul 2026 07:20:14
Melbourne, I think Sanchez will "start" as our No1 keeper. Of course, I may well be wrong. I would love us to sign Costa, but I haven't seen us linked to any keeper during this window. So, if I am correct, I guess we ain’t winning the league this season.
29 Jul 2026 08:34:06
Melbourne, you won't be surprised that I agree with you about Sanchez. He is totally unsuitable for Alonso's style of play. Alonso is decisive and knows how he wants his teams to play.
I find it hard to believe that he would settle for a weakness in such a pivotal position. I don't expect Sanchez to be No 1 next season. It will be Penders or someone else.
29 Jul 2026 08:38:32
I also agree that we will have no chance with Sanchez in goal, he will be targeted and will always let us down in big games.
Goalkeeper is such an important position nowadays. You only have to look at Arsenal & Man City.
They had Ramsdale & Trafford, both good keepers, but both teams still upgraded with Raya & Donnaruma.
I posted before, but we should meet the release clause for Diogo Costa.
29 Jul 2026 12:35:20
Agreed, swcfc and Jimbo.
As Sanchez is a liability with his feet, and a liability for Alonso's style of play, he cannot be No 1, not even No 2.
Why we are not going for Costa, God only knows. Maybe I was right, and we are going for Peter Shilton.
29 Jul 2026 14:51:29
Maybe trust our new manager to make the correct call?
29 Jul 2026 15:17:57
EbW
As Sanchez is not very good on possession, I don't see how he suits Alonso's way of playing. Therefore, I just can't see why it would be his choice to keep him.
29 Jul 2026 15:25:51
My gut feeling is we will buy another keeper in this window.
29 Jul 2026 15:41:35
I repeat.
Maybe trust our new manager to make the correct call?
{Ed001's Note - so why come on here and give an opinion at all? If all you are going to do is say this? It is extremely tedious and makes the whole point of a discussion forum moot. Give it a rest and let people discuss their opinions, if you disagree you could try explaining why.}
29 Jul 2026 17:00:34
I don't know what it is with Delap - at times last year it's almost like he was trying too hard, hence the stupid fouls, and then now he seems like he's almost accepted his future is away from the club.
As for Sanchez...
agreed, not good enough with his feet, and really surprised we haven't replaced him - I know the club like Penders, but I would've cleared Sanchez and Jorgensen out and signed a relatively experienced keeper to replace.
29 Jul 2026 21:01:17
There were rumours of us going back for Maignan again after missing out last year. I wasn't too impressed by him in the WC, but a bad/good World Cup ain't something to base an opinion on.