Squad 25/26

[Percy McCarthy]

As it stands:

Martinez
Bizot

Cash
Garcia
Konsa
Mings
Torres
Digne
Maatsen
Bogarde

Onana
McGinn
Tielemans
Kamara
Barkley

Buendia
Rogers
Watkins
Malen
Guessand

We don’t really know yet how Unai sees Iling-Junior, Hemmings, Aloba etc. so I haven’t included them. I’m also assuming that Dobbin will go somewhere else on loan.

Personally I think we need to add a couple at the Asesnsio/Jackson level to let the media know we’re still moving forward. Plenty seem to think we’ve been put back in our box. I mean, fuck the media thinking that but it could become a narrative that affects people we really don’t want it to, like the players, fans, management, even prospective commercial partners. We need them all to be galvanised and continue to move onwards and upwards. Don’t forget we’re hoping to be selling 9,000 more tickets per game relatively soon.

Thoughts?

[ChicagoLion]

Too many of our best players have peaked.
Our best x1 and bench is solid but not exciting.
It looks like a Top 10 outfit, a long way off top 4 and that gap looks like it could get bigger, whilst ManU Spurs Newcastle Forest get stronger.

[Percy McCarthy]

^^ I see what you mean CL. I suppose we need the likes of Maatsen, Malen, Guessand, Rogers and Onana to step up. Maybe one or two of Hemmings/Bogarde/Aloba could have a breakout season to get the optimism flowing again. Then perhaps we could gamble on easing a few of the ‘peak’ players aside.

I’m not worried about the vintage of Konsa, Torres, Mings and Martinez - experience is a plus in those positions. But playing where McGinn, Watkins and Digne do, age is more of a concern.

We’ve still got some real top drawer players at a good age though when you think about it.

[ChicagoLion]

The defence is the first concern, it looks like we have 3 decent CBs ( not enough)
Then the RB position remains a problem,  it goes by the name of Marty Cash.
I think Digne will continue to put in 7/10 performances but can not play every game and the back up Maatsen remains a problem defensively.

[Somniloquism]

The defence is the first concern, it looks like we have 3 decent CBs ( not enough)
Then the RB position remains a problem,  it goes by the name of Marty Cash.
I think Digne will continue to put in 7/10 performances but can not play every game and the back up Maatsen remains a problem defensively.

Does it?

[eamonn]

When is the squad photocall at VP, flanked by Mita Copier photocopying machines, a fridge of Müller yoghurts and a couple of Austin Montegos for the craic?

[stevo_st]

Guess after the transfer window ‘slams shut’

[ChicagoLion]

Guess after the transfer window ‘slams shut’

Then it will be Everest double glazing.

[algy]

Unai in the middle wearing his Ciro Citterio clobber

[andyh]

The quality of the bench last week was very noticeable.
I think we have an excellent team (on its day), but not such a great squad.

[Clampy]

The quality of the bench last week was very noticeable.
I think we have an excellent team (on its day), but not such a great squad.

It didn't help with Bailey and Ramsey both being left out and having injuries to Barkely and Garcia.  Bizot would have been the sub keeper had he not been playing.

[Olneythelonely]

The quality of the bench last week was very noticeable.
I think we have an excellent team (on its day), but not such a great squad.

It didn't help with Bailey and Ramsey both being left out and having injuries to Barkely and Garcia.  Bizot would have been the sub keeper had he not been playing.

Bailey and Ramsey aren’t going to help with that going forward either.

[PaulWinch again]

No, however you look at it we are pretty light. As you say Percy we also need a bit of boost - whether it’s perception or reality it feels like we’ve hit a wall and/or are going backwards so we need something to shift that.

[brontebilly]

Too many of our best players have peaked.
Our best x1 and bench is solid but not exciting.
It looks like a Top 10 outfit, a long way off top 4 and that gap looks like it could get bigger, whilst ManU Spurs Newcastle Forest get stronger.

My thoughts too. We should be a dangerous cup team as the first X1 is still strong but there's only real competition for places on the left side of our defence. Squad depth is very weak but I'd expect we get 2-3 bodies in before the end of the window to fill some gaps. We need that first win on Saturday just to settle things a bit.

The vibes around the club are worrying. The restrictions that we have to sell before buying are ridiculous really, it should apply to the end of the transfer window instead. Resigning likes of Luiz and Grealish, aswell as being good footballers, would have helped with narrative shifting too. Now we, and other clubs, are going to have to pick up a couple of loans very late in the window instead.

The big freeze at Old Trafford is casting a long shadow I'm afraid.

[Hookeysmith]

There is a very good podcast on Claret & Blue the other day where the hosts had a general conversation about the big money 6, the favouritism by media, sky etc to maintain their "rightful position" at the top of the Premiership. And how teams like us and Newcastle are being held back.

- take a look

The saddest part is that if we actually won the premier league this season - we would probably still end up selling one of maybe 2 of our key players.
How can anyone operate under a system that is so corrupted by  so few - and it is the same few (6 of them) that basically attempted to screw everyone else over not so long ago with their breakaway plans.

Is it this that put the fear into the Premier league so they now are under orders to maintain the status quo?