25 Oct 2026 22:48:13
Tom, no doubt Carrick is toast but I don't think it will happen until the international break. I agree with you about the double pivot, I don't like it. It seems that Alonso doesn't fancy Barco or Lavia in that position. I
worry about Penders especially as his next game is at Anfield. Let's hope he steps up and shows us that yesterday was just a bad day at the office.
I'm not sure but I think Palmer's suspension is for the next Premier League match. That said, I would like a shake up in the forward line with Estavou to start on Wednesday.
I still have faith in Alonso putting him in the same category as Carrick is ludicrous.
JT
Fair enough none of us know what happened regarding Maresca but even if he was blocked from making signings it doesn't excuse his sneaking around to get the City job. No doubt, be touting himself for a new job in the not to distant future.
G8
A very nice idea for a meet up with the usual suspects.

1.) 26 Oct 2026
26 Oct 2026 06:54:06
Palmers suspension is against Liverpool,

Was surprised Lavia didn't come on at ht on Saturday.

Replacing Pedro will be important hopefully the lad we got from Strasbourg is fit soon.

2.) 26 Oct 2026
26 Oct 2026 07:12:21
Seymns, thanks for the Palmer clarification. Maybe Palmer not playing will mean a change of shape.

I was also surprised that Lavia didn't get any mins against the spuds. I assume he will play against Liverpool.

3.) 26 Oct 2026
26 Oct 2026 12:27:39
Thats goid, we lose 3pts to Spurs at home but he might get picked for the a cup competition that is 4th in line with domestic honours, great planning by the manager.

4.) 26 Oct 2026
26 Oct 2026 15:49:00
I'm hoping Lavia plays against Liverpool and has a blinder and then retains his starting position against Utd.

I also hope the replacement for Palmer makes it difficult for the manager.

5.) 27 Oct 2026
27 Oct 2026 11:32:30
And what of Estevao? Rumous strengthening now that he may be off to PSG in January though whether in a sale or on loan I am not sure. Would seem to me to be a huge mistake to sell him. Hope he gets game time - perhaps as Palmer replacement with Lavia coming in for Hendo or rested Caicedo - tomorrow night. So far Estevao has not had a single start for us and brought on - if at all - as a very late substitute. A formation problem for us? But we know he has so much talent and to my mind - but will be shot down for this - may be better than Rogers and Palmer in some games or at least should come on for one or other of them - and earlier than his recent short cameos - if they are not firing as Rogers wasn't v Spurs.

For me winning the United game on saturday more important though woud be wonderful of course to win bith games and really fell our season back on track again.

But we seem to be back where we've been for some time in terms of GK and striker quuetions. Mainly because Penders so young and relatively untested at top level (and ow just made that huge blunder v Spurs) and Pedro by far and away our best but perhaps only real EPL can p;ay for 90 mins quality striker. Rogers and Palmer looked lost with him as a pivot upfront v Spurs.

Plus there is also the formation question and our pretty continual lack of control in midfield though we did look better in thsi respect v Everton. and Bournemouth. But did we have as much as 40% possession at home v Spurs? Not first half I reckon.

6.) 28 Oct 2026
28 Oct 2026 07:25:53
JBS, very enjoyable post and you ask some very relevant questions.
If we play wingbacks then what's the point of Estavao? As I see it we are usually playing with a man short in midfield. The manager has to find solutions. Hopefully that starts tonight.