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16 Oct 2026 10:41:29
I feel for Reece James, more surgery and another lengthy lay off but surely the time has come to move him on?
He is not up to the standard we require in midfield, he hasn't the legs anymore to perform as a wingback and will block Josh's progress if played as a right sided centre back.
I wish him a speedy recovery.
1.) 16 Oct 2026 12:28:16
I agree with everything you have said G8.
What is would say is that Reece needs to retire from international duty.
G8.'s banter posts with other poster's replies to G8.'s banter posts
19 Sep 2026 10:48:43
Was at the game last night and there was a nervous feeling all around us before the game with 4 starters all missing, that's a big chunk for any side to cope with but it really highlighted the lack of depth in the squad. At half time that nervous feeling had gone as we just about shaded it and some of the build up play and quick one touch football was pleasent to watch. Hopes were high and
I thought that Chavarria had an excellent half and we could see what could be achieved defensively with Henderson using his experience to drop back into a CB role when either Colwill, Fofana or Lacroix ventured further forward. All positive.
In the second half I thought that Henderson tired and as a consequence slowed our play down too much playing as the fulcrum for everything we did. First game back so that's understandable. His drop off led to us losing shape and then that ever present lack of mental strength cost us again and Brentford tore us to pieces.
The back 3 are just not good enough and until we sign a proper leader back there we will be in trouble and the gaffer doesn't seem to trust Josh just yet which is a shame.
Caicedo next to Henderson will work until the January window and Palestra at RWB with the excellent Chavarria at LWB looks the way forward.
Selling Jackson was a mistake in my opinion as Welbeck is a 15 minute player now and a strange signing.
Overall very disappointed but given time I think Alonso will get us playing the way he wants.
1.) 19 Sep 2026 12:58:00
Your post made for good and persuasive reading G8 and thanks for it.
Sorry you got to see us lose 0-3 but like you - and for similar reasons - I remain hopeful at this stage of better times ahead.
2.) 19 Sep 2026 16:33:02
whilst i agree re welbeck- emegha whenever he manages to get fit needs to be given a chance i guess - hopefully can offer something.
3.) 19 Sep 2026 16:45:49
Let's hope Emegha can deliver Kaz because Welbeck looks past his sell buy date over 90 minutes.
4.) 20 Sep 2026 23:46:38
I'm going to be out of order hear but fofana is a complete liability he is so reactionary and not in control ever it's like he can't read the game just goes gung ho into whatever is happening in the present
I understand reece hasn't the legs for wingback but I would 100090% have him over fofana in the right side of a back 3 with palesta or gusto outside him
I think
Palestra james lacroix colwill chavarria would do us good in defence
Hendo dm moises box to box
And
C J M up front.
5.) 21 Sep 2026 10:14:04
I think most fans would prefer Josh on the right side of a three. In my opinion he has been our best defender so far this season.
I think James will eventually play in the centre of a midfield three.
6.) 21 Sep 2026 12:50:44
There are predictable rumours that Alonso is using the three week break to rethink our formation - presumably to include a three man midfield you'd think. Hopefully also to reflect on (via in part re-watching recordings of games played?!) how the changing cast of defenders and defensive midfield pivots have performed thus far.
Then to base his selections accordingly and with a view to having a far more settled first choice/starting eleven. Reece might well then be part of a three man midfield together with Caicedo and Lavia/Barco.
Would best back 4 be (from right to left) Palestra, Lacroix, Josh (or LC/Fofana?!), Pep C? I am still not sure about what our best two - as a combo - CBs are though and Alonso probably still hopes he can get LC back to best?
7.) 21 Sep 2026 14:43:01
I think he will stick to a back 3 and he has been talking up Henderson so I think he will start alongside 1 other, hopefully Caicedo v Bournemouth. For me, Josh needs to play as the RCB, LaCroix as the CCB and Hato as the LCB.
8.) 21 Sep 2026 17:16:07
tbf think fofans has been one of better defenders so far this year- my real disappointments have been colwill and hato. and the obvious gaping hole in our midfield.
10 Sep 2026 20:34:43
Very early days under the new gaffer but for me the starting 11 is starting to take shape with both Pedro Neto and Josh being the beneficiaries of this system. Both are 2 of the first names on the teamsheet along with Martinez, Moises (when fit), Palestra (when fit) and on the left and that front 3 of Palmer, the brilliant Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.
That leaves 3 positions to fill and I would go with Barco in midfield over both Lavia and James.
I would also go with Hato at LCB over Levi and play Fofana over Lacroix at CCB.
All of this is on current form and sets a standard for those missing out to step up to.
1.) 10 Sep 2026 21:29:37
G8, on current form I can't see how Josh gets dropped.
2.) 11 Sep 2026 11:15:24
Largely agree with you, G8.
I have yet, though, to see Palestra in a competitive game, and he may need to be eased in a bit, first off the bench before starting. I am not sure.
I think Barco does provide a good option as starter with Lavia or James. If Caicedo is back, I would still think Xavi would start him with Lavia if both are fully fit, though Barco is making a strong claim for a starting role as well, and the case for him may be made stronger by the amount of turf he covers. But James made a big difference when on versus Leeds, and was not bad v Arsenal, except that glaring moment when he lost concentration before Overgaard's goal!
But RJ lent much-needed leadership and urgency to our counter-offensive v Leeds on Wednesday night. So I think Alonso might be right to start him v Hull, and, given Barco played the full 90 mins v Leeds, Barco could then come on for either Lavia or James at some stage. Caicedo may be given more time to get fully fit?
At the moment, I think our best three centre backs are Lacroix, Fofana and Josh, though the problem, I agree, is who plays LCB given the fact that all of these are predominantly right-footed.
So there is a case for Hato at LCB, though I am not sure that he and, eg, Chiavarra are a very good combo there defensively, and sides are targeting our left flank as the weaker one. Perhaps, when Palestra is fully fit, he will be used on that side by Xavi, and then Hato may be better aided/protected there?
Until then, and against Hull tomorrow, it may be safest that Fofana will play LCB again, as he did when taking over from LC on Wednesday night, with Lacroix in centre again and Josh on the right.
The front three pick themselves, though Danny W is proving to be v useful back up/assistant to JP up front.
I would have Neto as RWB and Chiavarra at LWB, assuming Palestra is not fit.
Then start with James and Lavia as D/CMs, with Barco to come on at some stage and Caicedo too perhaps, though Xavi may rightly want to ensure he doesn't aggravate injury yet again and wait until the Brentford game before using him.
08 Sep 2026 20:39:10
I think we need to find a way to get Estevao into this side and also shore up the defence so a slight change in formation can sort that. 4-2-3-1 gives a nice solid back 4 and what a front 4 that would be as well. Moises and Lavia or James until January, when hopefully a new partner for Moises arrives. Any thoughts chatters?
1.) 08 Sep 2026 22:37:31
I have never been a fan of three at the back.
My preference is 433 or 4312. The problem at the moment is us getting outnumbered in midfield, and the front three not dropping to fill any midfield gaps. I think the manager will have to put on his big boy pants, and the decision he makes will not make fans happy. Mind you, making all us fans happy is impossible in my opinion.
2.) 09 Sep 2026 08:14:07
G8 I had also wondered whether Alonso might need to think again about formation to play at the back. Would also love Estevao to get more game time, though it may be that the club are being cautious about this after his serious hamstring injury last season.
Only concern, one I've raised before, about playing both Palmer and Rogers is that we would be wonderful in attack but possibly fragile defensively in midfield without a really strong double pivot. Though we would, of course, have more defensive lb and rb.
3.) 09 Sep 2026 17:04:59
It’ll happen in some games, starting as a 4-2-3-1 and switching to a 3-2-5 in possession. One fb pushing on and another tucking in to make up the back 3.
Been a lot of noise about Estavao’s minutes, but he’s come back a lot quicker from a bad hamstring injury than most thought possible.
Really important Alonso manages his mins, make sure there’s no repeat injury.
Defensively, we still need to get used to the system, which wasn’t put into effect until the tail end of pre-season, and we need our key cm back in the side.
4.) 09 Sep 2026 22:30:35
On current form, Neto is a far more complete footballer than Estavao anyway.
5.) 10 Sep 2026 20:05:37
Estavou has been disappointing, but he hasn't had a lot of minutes. Comparing an 18 year old with Neto as "complete players" is pointless. As for Neto, compared to his peers with similar experience, he is far from being a complete player.
6.) 11 Sep 2026 07:13:07
Jimbo, of course it's not a pointless comparison. Other players in the so-called Neto peer group do not play for our club, so that comparison is pointless, as the comparison mentioned on this thread was clearly about players playing for CFC.
At the "moment", Neto is a far more complete player than Estavao. Of course that may change over time.
07 Sep 2026 17:20:11
Hi ED01, do you think Gabriels kick to Martinezs head was deliberate and brutal and if so, should he have seen red?
{Ed001's Note - on first glance I thought he was just going for the ball, but on watching again it felt like even if it was just going for the ball, I think it has to be at least dangerous play as he could see Martinez's head there. It was, at the least, reckless, I thought and there was far too much force for it to be considered as a yellow. So I would have thought it should have at least been something they sent the ref to have a second look at on the monitors.}
1.) 07 Sep 2026 19:24:36
I agree the incident should have been referred and reviewed. My personal view is it was not a red card, but I have seen softer incidents given a red card. If that makes sense.
2.) 07 Sep 2026 21:21:31
Thanks ED01, also, what was your take on the foul on Morgan Rogers in the build up to Arsenals second goal? To me, it appears VAR and the refs are supporting those winkers yet again which will ruin the competitive nature of the league just as it did last season.
{Ed001's Note - I would need to look at that one again, as I can't remember now. I was splitting my time between editing and watching the game. I will watch it properly for the match round up, probably tomorrow as I am still getting through Saturday's games at the moment. I went to the footie here Saturday night, so wasn't able to watch any of them live so a bit behind this week.}
3.) 07 Sep 2026 21:45:19
Thanks, Trish. You still in Dubai?
{Ed001's Note - yes mate. How are things with you?}
4.) 08 Sep 2026 09:42:05
All good, thanks, Trish.
{Ed001's Note - that's great mate, good to see you back as well.}
5.) 08 Sep 2026 20:35:25
Thanks, Trish, great to be back.
{Ed001's Note - you're welcome.
05 Sep 2026 08:40:01
So what we all expecting the line up to be tomorrow? That front 3 picks itself but a couple of questions elsewhere. Anyone going?
1.) 05 Sep 2026 11:34:56
I assume the midfield/double pivot will be James and Lavia. The wing-backs, I guess, are Hato and Gusto.
Sadly not going. Given the arrogance/confidence my Gooner mates are showing, I am not sure why we are turning up.
2.) 06 Sep 2026 10:17:32
Tom, we have fulfilled the Premier League fixtures. ?
14 Oct 2026 13:52:29
Thanks for clarifying the ownership ED01. I shall research the ownership in more detail next time before posting but my main point was the fact that the so called elite clubs want to stop new money coming in which makes a mockery of competitive football and is why the same few clubs keep winning the big competitions like the Premier League and the Champions League.
{Ed001's Note - I always enjoy when a new name appears and starts competing at the top level, personally. I don't understand why they want to stop it, it lowers interest if it is the same old teams every season.}
14 Oct 2026 10:47:53
Tom, The real reasons behind Financial Fair Play (FFP) were to protect the economic motivations of Europe's traditional football elite which included the so called red cartel in the UK.
While officially introduced to prevent clubs from going bankrupt and to curb hyper-inflation, critics, analysts, and football figures note that its practical and structural function was to act as a protective barrier for established, historic clubs against "new money" takeovers.
They accepted Jack Walker at Blackburn Rovers was a one-off but when Roman came along alarm bells sounded and when the saudi's came in at City and PSG the established elite went to work.
Look at clubs like Newcastle who are now restricted from spending the billions Roman invested early on. I think all genuine football people, myself included would like to see all clubs protected from financial ruin, look at what Ridsdale nearly did at Leeds, he nearly wiped that club out, but on the other hand what is wrong with another Jack Walker coming along and funding a club to achieve the impossible? a balance has to be found but I fear the established elite, and we are now in that group, will always get there way.
ED01, I know we have spoken about this in depth previously and you have strong opinions on what happened at Leeds.
{Ed001's Note - the Saudis have been nowhere near either Citeh nor PSG. You do realise that Arabs are different in the same way Europeans are right? Emiratis, Qataris and Saudis are not the same, they don't even particularly get on and are busy fighting proxy wars against each other all the time. So to talk about them like that is very offensive.
It is a difficult path, but they have clearly set about, first and foremost, ensuring no new money can break the monopoly. There should be a middle ground which protects clubs against reckless spending. Tom suggested an excellent method of a bond.}
30 Sep 2026 09:17:38
This is probably a watershed moment for all aspects of so called financial fairplay. If City were to avoid serious sanctions then surely that spells the end of it.
ED01, what is your take on the whole thing?
{Ed001's Note - it is not just that, it is also the fact they refused to cooperate with the investigation (unlike Chelsea, Everton and Forest) plus the fact they have also committed crimes in legal terms, not just breaches of footballing rules. They have to be absolutely smashed or there will be no reason not to do it again and again and again.}
23 Sep 2026 21:52:38
I too would like to see a back 4 Tom but I think the gaffer will stick with his beloved 3-4-2-1,
it will make or break him.
The midfield 2 has to be Caicedo and Henderson unless Lavia can finally step up.
The front 3 picks itself. Wingbacks have to be Pep and Palestra who were hand picked by the gaffer.
The back 3 will decide our season, Lacroix must start as must Josh for me. Hato wins over Colwill who has been really poor and in fairness Fofana has done ok. James, our skipper, looks like a bench player as it is so obvious that he can't play in midfield and has no legs as a wing back.
21 Sep 2026 14:43:01
I think he will stick to a back 3 and he has been talking up Henderson so I think he will start alongside 1 other, hopefully Caicedo v Bournemouth. For me, Josh needs to play as the RCB, LaCroix as the CCB and Hato as the LCB.