Pre season 2025

[olaftab]

But Torres is Unai's key player - so he won't be going anywhere.

Yes, too right he is. He is indispensable alongside Emi.

[brontebilly]

But Torres is Unai's key player - so he won't be going anywhere.

Yes, too right he is. He is indispensable alongside Emi.

He was...but has been average/poor in the PL for quite some time now. Think PL teams have found him out a bit. He could have VVD next to him and he would still struggle. Average physical forwards just target him (e.g. Raul Jimenez), Emery has even said it. He has to be better in duels. He lost some confidence in playing out too, gets pressed more often and makes mistakes. Needs to improve.

Konsa's attitude for a lot of last season stunk. Strangely enough he sharpened up big time when Mings got back in (maybe with Disasi on bench as some bit of competition helped). But he stunk once again at Wembley particularly and Old Trafford too.

Cash gets unfair grief on here as a defender compared to those two, his limitations on the ball notwithstanding. Pressure on Garcia to step up, compete and displace him but it won't be easy

Maatsen, Old Trafford horror show aside, his form had picked up a bit towards the end of last season. But needs to improve a hell of a lot to displace Digne first and justify the investment in him secondly.

[ChicagoLion]

Your analysis Brontë suggests we have quite a few problems with our defence.
I tend to agree with you on that point but not your player assessment.

[LeeB]

Dramatic stuff like 'attitude stinks' is frankly a load of bollocks and undermines any point made.

[VillaTim]

Konsa would have been on my "up for sale" list. Moving him on works on a few levels - as long as he is replaced by a strong, physical right-footer, to play alongside Unai's key player, Torres.

I would have it the other way around.
The weakness in defence starts with Torres and is exacerbated by Cash and Maatsen when he plays.

Can't disagree with this, Torres and Maatsen particularly are weak defenders

[London Villan]

That may be the case. But Torres is the lynchpin to Emery's style/set-up.

[VILLA MOLE]

I don’t have the animosity that some have for them that maybe i should.  I think they have annoyed me about 3 times really 😃. I hate Man U far more than anyone , but then i am from the Shires

[brontebilly]

Dramatic stuff like 'attitude stinks' is frankly a load of bollocks and undermines any point made.

Pointing the finger at everybody but himself suggests an attitude problem

[martin o`who??]

I'm showing my age here but I always think Pau T would have made a good 1970s/80s style sweeper.

[charleeco7]

Has anyone managed to get Villarreal away tickets? The Club aren’t selling them so apparently need to go direct via Villarreal website to buy away end tickets but it won’t let you purchase them.

[VillaTim]

That may be the case. But Torres is the lynchpin to Emery's style/set-up.

If that is the case, then that may be the underlying issue .

[Tayls_7]

In case it helps anyone with a ..., the game is being shown on Italian TV on Nove.
://nove.tv

[Brazilian Villain]

In case it helps anyone with a ..., the game is being shown on Italian TV on Nove.
://nove.tv

Good news for Monty.

[olaftab]

AS Roma match kick off delayed to 7.45

[Brazilian Villain]

In case it helps anyone with a ..., the game is being shown on Italian TV on Nove.
://nove.tv

Is it being shown live? Local listings have it down for 9.30pm.