The Ins vs The Outs (2025/2026)

looks pretty decent written down
The proof will be on the grass and at a higher level
All the new boys are pretty experienced.

 

The players we’ve brought in are better than the ones who have departed but it’s a pointless comparison considering we’ve moved up a division.

 

The midfield is the glaring weakness when you see it written down. Smallwood still needs to be replaced. Let's see how that goes over the coming weeks as it could be make or break.

 

The longer it goes on the more it looks like GA has Power pencilled in for that role.

His lack of games is still a worry and I think it may be a mistake but I don’t pick the team.
GA obviously gets paid to make the decisions and will be judged on them.

It’s such an important role we have to get it right.
Time will tell.

 

From the recent Power interview he said he and the manager had the same ideas on the game and how it should be played, so if he is penciled in for the DM role, they are both in agreement.

I have no idea if Power is suitable for that role, but any good DM needs to get around the park easily (pace is an advantage but not the be all and end all) but it is so important that they can read the game and be in the right place at the right time. Then give it simple to more forward players. As Didie Deschamps described himself as the "water carrier". And that describes the perfect DM player in A`ngolo Kante. Both not too pacey, but great readers of the game and simple passers.

Not even mentioning Power in that bracket but if Power has lost the legs a wee bit, but has a great footballing brain, he may be perfect for the role at this level?

 

And from what I have heard from Power, he seems like a force on and off the park, is very vocal, seems to be a winner, has a huge determination and looks like he will always give 100%.

Just hope his fitness is back or it will be a long season without another proper DM

 

Your last sentence is quite telling.

If his fitness is back.

We probably took RS’s fitness for granted because he just never missed games.

Hoping his replacement (who’s had injury issues in the past) stays fit is a worry.

 

I hope the 2 loanees coming in are DM’s
We look short there 1 injury to Power and we’re looking for a makeshift defensive midfielder

 

yeah midfield is my only real area of concern think otherwise we look marginally better off. Even assuming Power has a great injury free season, expecting him to replace 2 decent players is a stretch. We definitely need some proper back up in that area and not in the vein of 'Oduor could do a job there' as he looked poor at league never mind the step above!

 

What are we debating here!
With our new back 3 and new wing backs, we don`t need no water carrier

 

They are a rare breed but essential to a great side

In the Prem
MacAllister, Thiago Liverpool two stand outs .

 

Can’t agree on the latter on paper until I see Tilt play in OUR formation .

 

This lad . Did all the dirty jobs!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiago_Alc%C3%A2ntara

 

Agreed. We needed better than Crich (as he was in his last stint with us). Whether Tilt will be that player is yet to seen.

 

I have to say he started off really well first couple of games back , seemed like he’s never been away then opponents sussed him as the weaker link ( Maybe Wright was possibly playing LWB which made it even worse?) . He was then dropped. Tilt I hope will be a real step up in that position ?