Brigadeiro Mk II

Usual knee jerk miserable nonsense from the usual miserable knee jerk nonsenses on here unfortunately. We lost to the best team in the league, with a new team and a new manager while missing our best (only?) midfielder, we were one amazing save away from a draw, hit the woodwork, had other chances and were on the receiving end of some incredibly poor decisions yet some on here feel the need to go massively over the top in their negativity... its so tedious.

I think Alonso has to take some of the blame for this loss because of the subs. Attacking changes only came with only 10 mins left, bringing on Gusto in midfield instead of Barco who can create changes, Gusto offers nothing there.

Enzo played often in the half space off the left. I’d argue Rogers will play in that space this season and get goals. We’ve had the sum of f**k all from our more traditional left wingers recently.
Enzo didn’t work in the pivot and left Caicedo exposed. That’s a fairly universal opinion. Where would you play him under Alonso?
I believe we are in a better place as a club with him gone regardless of us not getting another midfielder in.

Fans losing their sh*t over not signing a player they hadnt heard of 2 days ago is pretty standard stuff nowadays unfortuantely.

I don't deny we'd be probably be better off getting Camara or someone else to partner Caicedo as we can't trust Reece/Lavia playing all the time, but people keep dismissing Barco as if Enzo was such a force of nature playing at the pivot. Put Barco in there and we'll pretty much have the same Enzo we signed back in 2023 and who hasn't improved one bit for us besides his goal record playing for a deluded Maresca. Barco even has more experience in Europe than Enzo did back then, already played a bit in the PL and all that.
Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, we've replaced Enzo's goals with Morgan Rogers, a far far better player for that role. We've now replaced Enzo's passing at the pivot (which isn't anything special really) with Barco, who's only 8cm shorter but puts up much more fight, has a better passing range and probably the same weaknesses, so I can't see how we've downgraded really.

I don't deny we'd be probably be better off getting Camara or someone else to partner Caicedo as we can't trust Reece/Lavia playing all the time, but people keep dismissing Barco as if Enzo was such a force of nature playing at the pivot. Put Barco in there and we'll pretty much have the same Enzo we signed back in 2023 and who hasn't improved one bit for us besides his goal record playing for a deluded Maresca. Barco even has more experience in Europe than Enzo did back then, already played a bit in the PL and all that.
Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, we've replaced Enzo's goals with Morgan Rogers, a far far better player for that role. We've now replaced Enzo's passing at the pivot (which isn't anything special really) with Barco, who's only 8cm shorter but puts up much more fight, has a better passing range and probably the same weaknesses, so I can't see how we've downgraded really.

I don't deny we'd be probably be better off getting Camara or someone else to partner Caicedo as we can't trust Reece/Lavia playing all the time, but people keep dismissing Barco as if Enzo was such a force of nature playing at the pivot. Put Barco in there and we'll pretty much have the same Enzo we signed back in 2023 and who hasn't improved one bit for us besides his goal record playing for a deluded Maresca. Barco even has more experience in Europe than Enzo did back then, already played a bit in the PL and all that.
Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, we've replaced Enzo's goals with Morgan Rogers, a far far better player for that role. We've now replaced Enzo's passing at the pivot (which isn't anything special really) with Barco, who's only 8cm shorter but puts up much more fight, has a better passing range and probably the same weaknesses, so I can't see how we've downgraded really.

They are banking on James at center mid. Frankly he is twice the player Kone and Camara are. And even better than Enzo Fernandez in that role. Problem is, can he stay fit for more than five matches in a row? That is a big risk. Assuming the jammy hamstrings are past him, Caicedo - James is a great midfield duo.
I really think they tried for Wharton and even more for Scott. But what can anyone do when those clubs just do not want to sell?!
Camara was an option, but I feel Monaco felt we are getting desperate and thought about rinsing us big time.
Manu Kone? Bang average. Thrilled it did not happen. Disasi in midfield and just another one we would have looked to move as soon as next summer.
My bet is we are going back for Scott or Wharton in the winter.

I don't deny we'd be probably be better off getting Camara or someone else to partner Caicedo as we can't trust Reece/Lavia playing all the time, but people keep dismissing Barco as if Enzo was such a force of nature playing at the pivot. Put Barco in there and we'll pretty much have the same Enzo we signed back in 2023 and who hasn't improved one bit for us besides his goal record playing for a deluded Maresca. Barco even has more experience in Europe than Enzo did back then, already played a bit in the PL and all that.
Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, we've replaced Enzo's goals with Morgan Rogers, a far far better player for that role. We've now replaced Enzo's passing at the pivot (which isn't anything special really) with Barco, who's only 8cm shorter but puts up much more fight, has a better passing range and probably the same weaknesses, so I can't see how we've downgraded really.

I don't deny we'd be probably be better off getting Camara or someone else to partner Caicedo as we can't trust Reece/Lavia playing all the time, but people keep dismissing Barco as if Enzo was such a force of nature playing at the pivot. Put Barco in there and we'll pretty much have the same Enzo we signed back in 2023 and who hasn't improved one bit for us besides his goal record playing for a deluded Maresca. Barco even has more experience in Europe than Enzo did back then, already played a bit in the PL and all that.
Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, we've replaced Enzo's goals with Morgan Rogers, a far far better player for that role. We've now replaced Enzo's passing at the pivot (which isn't anything special really) with Barco, who's only 8cm shorter but puts up much more fight, has a better passing range and probably the same weaknesses, so I can't see how we've downgraded really.

It’s okay, we’ve derailed their season by giving them Fernandez

Thank f**k the guy who would have scored the equalizer last year was sitting on our bench lol

I'll just say - f**k you Maresca and your safe zones.

Well I have been craving some football for the last 4 years and at last I have watched three entertaining games in a row.
The ploy for Martinez to go long from the hands is a clear ploy for us to concede possession and play on the counter. On transition we have the tools to be devastating.
The other side of Alonso's gameplay, certainly at Dortmund was gegenpressing and being solid defensively. Clearly we still have some work to do and it shouldn't be lost that two of the conceded goals came from forward players not being defensively aware and the third was a slow response to a quick turnover.
Acheampong already looks so much better under Alonso and I have also been pleasantly surprised by Neto's contribution. We have to get rid of this useless weak Gusto and get some more presence in the pivot as well. Alonso and his team will sort this defence out once they are all fully fit and functioning. I am sure of it
Room for improvement but my God a world way from the sterile sh*t we have been fed for the last few seasons.

I'm in the camp that thinks he needs no replacement if we can't get Wharton or Scott for whatever price the board intends to spend. What we really needed instead of Enzos was a proper manager and it's early days and all that but seems we finally have one.
We'll ride having Barco, Henderson and a few games of Lavia being a better partner to Caicedo than Enzo ever was. We got Rogers to replace his goals so what else did he bring that's not in the squad already?

I'm in the camp that thinks he needs no replacement if we can't get Wharton or Scott for whatever price the board intends to spend. What we really needed instead of Enzos was a proper manager and it's early days and all that but seems we finally have one.
We'll ride having Barco, Henderson and a few games of Lavia being a better partner to Caicedo than Enzo ever was. We got Rogers to replace his goals so what else did he bring that's not in the squad already?

I'm in the camp that thinks he needs no replacement if we can't get Wharton or Scott for whatever price the board intends to spend. What we really needed instead of Enzos was a proper manager and it's early days and all that but seems we finally have one.
We'll ride having Barco, Henderson and a few games of Lavia being a better partner to Caicedo than Enzo ever was. We got Rogers to replace his goals so what else did he bring that's not in the squad already?

Some fans seem to be getting angered.
He’s so overrated it’s unbelievable and we will be better off without him…. Even if we don’t get a replacement.
I agree city are c**ts the way they have acted with the 2 Enzo’s but I’d argue they are just stupid c**ts if we wind up getting £17m and £120m.
Good riddance to the pair, and fully expecting them to be 2 key figures in city’s demise.

Ive been following Aston Villa for well over 50 years - Martinez is by some distance the best keeper Ive ever seen. Youve signed an absolute baller - Honestly you are going to love him. He has an eye for spectacular saves - sure. But equally on crosses he is so incredibly assured - you just wont even be worried - He nearly always gets his angles right - and organizes the defense for corners & high pressure situations .
Mentally strong (and a bit mental) - If he does have a poor game - He tends to bounce back to his superhuman best in the next game.
Im gutted hes gone - But think Chelsea is the ideal move for him - I think he will get you an extra 6-10 points next season - he is that good.
Enjoy.

Well now that he's asked to not be in the squad he can kiss my balls, can't wait for Caicedo to slice through the Argie prick

I think its that Sanchez is in the 16th percentile for short passes (ie 84% of peers are better than him) and in the 8th percentile for long passes (ie 92% of peers are better than him). In essence he's absolutely terrible at passing when compared to other Prem keepers.

Not sure about 76% direct to opponents, I'm guessing maybe 20% directly to opponents and the rest directly split equally between rows West Stand Lower WL 3-5) and East Stand Lower (ELS 4-ELN 6) lol

Really poor debut performance by Alonso. Players passing forwards, substituting tired players on a yellow card, defenders passing with purpose around the back and getting the ball to the attackers quickly. Disgraceful, it's 2026 not 1996.

Couple of things that really got me excited, outside of the obvious attacking threat:
When Hato broke through and was stopped, Fulham countered and Joao sprinted back in, but also screamed at the defence to shuffle across and cover.
When Neto wasn’t found by Steve down the right, he didn’t track back. Rhys gave him the biggest bollocking I think I’ve ever seen him give anyone.
Hoping they are signs of some of the leadership and on field game management issues being resolved.

Napoli triggering a 27m option? We should all be praying he somehow manages to be Napoli's top scorer this season or we'll be riding the Badi train yet again next summer!