7 hours ago, 19seventyone said:

It’s why I tend to stay away from the in game threads on this forum.

5 minutes into a match and if we aren’t ahead there are more than a few tearing the performance apart.

although - to be fair, 5 minutes in we have usually already seen 43 backwards passes, 7 miskicks from Sanchez, and Jackson headbutting the ref. So the critique is often justified.

13 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

although - to be fair, 5 minutes in we have usually already seen 43 backwards passes, 7 miskicks from Sanchez, and Jackson headbutting the ref. So the critique is often justified.

Fair point.

Take your balanced argument somewhere else please.

Only moon howlers allowed.

On 29/06/2025 at 10:45, dkw said:

Nope, Reece into midfield, Gusto rb.

Well what a surprise, right again....maresca is a moron

I'm going to make a prediction on Maresca's media comments if asked:

"i really like Andrey, he has many errrr good qualities. It is such a shame he plays the errrrr same position as Fernandez."

He'll then go on to play one of the best RB's in the sport play at CM and start a RB who has struggled to play the position in a year.

8 minutes ago, dkw said:

Well what a surprise, right again....maresca is a moron

That pure profit for Santos must have the directors stiff as a board though

Biggest compliment I can pay is that we didn’t really miss Caicedo last night, thought he really took his opportunity well hopefully Maresca will trust him now

He is so good. Him, Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo is such a massive advantage.

Baller

1 hour ago, Deino said:

He is so good. Him, Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo is such a massive advantage.

What a decent selection in the middle of the field.

Caicedo with the occasional suspension.

Enzo likewise, plus the odd dip in form.

Lavia sadly only available for half of the games.

and Santos.

We should be good for at least two of these all season, nice😎

9 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

That pure profit for Santos must have the directors stiff as a board though

Not exactly pure profit when we paid about £15m for him.

Last night was the time I've watched him for pretty much a whole game, and I think the highest compliment I can pay is if he's more of an Enzo type of midfielder but fit in seamlessly in the Caicedo position it shows what a well rounded talent we've got on our hands.

Really impressive last night IMO.

I thought I'd be ruing missing Caicedo every 5 mins but he done really well and Caicedo has had a bit of a rest, so win win.

Would be interested to know what game time he would have got if RJ hadn’t got injured

12 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Would be interested to know what game time he would have got if RJ hadn’t got injured

Rhetorical ?

16 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Would be interested to know what game time he would have got if RJ hadn’t got injured

None.. is the answer.

Have to agree that he was even better with Caicedo sitting a bit deeper. They complement each other really well.

I hope he gets a shot in the squad for the season and stays put. Especially considering how hard it has been to get Lavia fit and ready to play.

Edited July 8, 20251 yr by acaeus

Caicedo and Andrey deep and we'll have to push Enzo into the 10.

Palmer has to go wide right this season.

42 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Caicedo and Andrey deep and we'll have to push Enzo into the 10.

Palmer has to go wide right this season.

With pedro coming in maybe a 4-4-2 diamond? Palmer 10 drifting right pedro starting up front with delap drifting left would be interesting to see

4 minutes ago, carefree franco said:

With pedro coming in maybe a 4-4-2 diamond? Palmer 10 drifting right pedro starting up front with delap drifting left would be interesting to see

Maresca to change his shape? Are you insane?! The man would have an aneurism.

We have 4 brilliant options in CM which is a good problem to have but good luck to Maresca trying to keep them happy. I think in the tougher way games if be happy for us to play 3 of them, but generally I think Pedro should be playing as the second striker/number 10.

33 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

We have 4 brilliant options in CM which is a good problem to have but good luck to Maresca trying to keep them happy. I think in the tougher way games if be happy for us to play 3 of them, but generally I think Pedro should be playing as the second striker/number 10.

I think we’ll be fine.

Santos reminds me of MacAllister in the sense he’s technical and intelligent enough to play anywhere in the midfield. Can fill in for any one of Lavia, Caicedo or Enzo.

Essugo was always bought to be the player to bring on to close out matches, with the odd rotation here & there. With experience he’ll see more time.

Too many points dropped away from home so you make a great point about utilising a midfield 3.

3 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Maresca to change his shape? Are you insane?! The man would have an aneurism.

I know, silly me! But with the squad we have it would be interesting to see if there’s different shapes and tactics that could be used

It’s ridiculous how much better Palmer is when he has the ball on right side of pitch. It’s almost like he becomes alive.

Surely Maresca can see that too.

Well played Santos. Many wish you’d have played more, but when called upon, you rose to every occasion. First time, the switch from being on the bench to starting in a matter of minutes showed great versatility and maturity. Really composed in the final also.

Can’t wait to see more of him. Seems to take the complexity out of football - a gift for any player.