(21-01-2026, 05:50 PM)Chicago Wrote: Errr. Cunha looks very promising. Luiz when fit is a terrific player. Savona has been good. Jesus - excellent. The only fails so far have been Zinchenko because he isn't a defender. Kali because he obviously had a problem because no-one wanted to play him ahead of Taiwo and McAtwee because he needs to bulk up a bit and hasn't so far.

Bakwa just came back from an injury. N"Doye has been disappointing but cannot help think that is to do with confidence and Gunn is an emergency GK. Cuiabano hasn't even played for us. Victor was fine until he suddenly turned into Matt Turner at Villa and then injured or pretended to injure himself which is very bruce grobbelaar. MIxed bag I would say.

It takes time. Of course being football we don't really have any but it takes a brave manager to slowly work these people in.

I will say none of these players are particularly robust. That is an issue... Get em in the gym Dychey.


Chicago: Ready made for action.

(21-01-2026, 05:05 PM)Paplane Wrote: Hutchinson - OK
Ndoye - Fail
Bakwa - Fail
Kali - Fail
McAtee - Fail
Jesus - Good
Savona - OK
Cunha - Fail
Victor - Fail
Cuiabano - Fail
Luiz - Fail
Gunn - Fail
Zinchenko - Fail

How the hell is Edu still in a job? This list is an absolute disaster.

(21-01-2026, 05:55 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote: The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

(21-01-2026, 07:10 PM)wassy04 Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 05:55 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote: The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

(21-01-2026, 07:29 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 07:10 PM)wassy04 Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 05:55 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote: The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

Priorities were
1. a proper CF to compete and eventually replace Wood. We took a punt on a Brazilian from our “trading partners” and Kali who we clearly didn’t do homework on.
2. We needed 2 wide players and possibly someone who could play across the line. We spent a lot but I expected better. Im not writing any off yet but did we really need all 3? Im going to accept manager changes and poor tactics haven’t helped any of them.
3. Someone to replace MGW long term, McAtee on paper fitted that bill but did anyone actually watch him?
4. Left back. we got another random from our trading partners and a terrible deadline day loan that we’ve had to cancel
5. Right back. We got Savona, I like him but Im still sure he isn’t a right back
6. Centre Mid. Someone to control the game. DL is perfect but we have clearly decided his injuries mean we don’t want to activate the buy clause with the result we can’t start him in PL games. Did anyone look at this beforehand? Why not because nothing has changed?. Its a sackable offence by itself.
7. Centre Back. We knew Morato wasn’t good enough but if Jair Cunha wasn’t seen as ready yet we needed another as Boly is shot. Jair himself one for the future and a big tick.
8. Goalkeeper. We needed 2. We got one who has openly said he isnt happy to be 3rd pick and Carlos Miguels identical twin with half a brain.

Edu was appointed to lead global football strategy not just recruitment. Yet again my point is where is the strategy in all of this? How much research was done and how much was decided over an expenses paid lunch with our agent mates?

(21-01-2026, 08:08 PM)Trailer Park Tom Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 07:29 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 07:10 PM)wassy04 Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 05:55 PM)Salvatore Matrecano Wrote: The idea is to improve the team. None have improved the team, Jesus wouldn’t have got in last seasons team if Wood was fit. We have improved the squad depth (back ups is a terrible phrase), have one or two for the future that’s about it.

Which positions do you think we needed to improve out of the first 11?

Personally felt like a CM (Luiz) and a CF were priorities in the summer, plus replacing Elanga obviously. Should we have gone harder at a more established winger? Or more established CF? Luiz seemed like a decent signing that didn't work out after the injury. 

The wingers could easily still be hits, all young and have shown flashes.

Priorities were
1. a proper CF to compete and eventually replace Wood. We took a punt on a Brazilian from our “trading partners” and Kali who we clearly didn’t do homework on.
2. We needed 2 wide players and possibly someone who could play across the line. We spent a lot but I expected better. Im not writing any off yet but did we really need all 3? Im going to accept manager changes and poor tactics haven’t helped any of them.
3. Someone to replace MGW long term, McAtee on paper fitted that bill but did anyone actually watch him?
4. Left back. we got another random from our trading partners and a terrible deadline day loan that we’ve had to cancel
5. Right back. We got Savona, I like him but Im still sure he isn’t a right back
6. Centre Mid. Someone to control the game. DL is perfect but we have clearly decided his injuries mean we don’t want to activate the buy clause with the result we can’t start him in PL games. Did anyone look at this beforehand? Why not because nothing has changed?. Its a sackable offence by itself.
7. Centre Back. We knew Morato wasn’t good enough but if Jair Cunha wasn’t seen as ready yet we needed another as Boly is shot. Jair himself one for the future and a big tick.
8. Goalkeeper. We needed 2. We got one who has openly said he isnt happy to be 3rd pick and Carlos Miguels identical twin with half a brain.

Edu was appointed to lead global football strategy not just recruitment. Yet again my point is where is the strategy in all of this? How much research was done and how much was decided over an expenses paid lunch with our agent mates?

Solid analysis.

As much as I don't approve of  Edu's  influence, it's unlikely he had much choice with doing Botafogo business.

(21-01-2026, 08:59 PM)Sniffer Dog (Admin) Wrote: We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

(21-01-2026, 08:59 PM)Sniffer Dog (Admin) Wrote: We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

(22-01-2026, 08:06 AM)McDurban Wrote:

(21-01-2026, 08:59 PM)Sniffer Dog (Admin) Wrote: We are PL and Europa League.

With a squad valuation of half a billion plus.

Reading some if these posts you would think that we were in League 1 with a fiver in the bank.

It is a fine line and we are never far away.