Mainz v Clarets

[RVclaret]

Team news

[Newcastleclaret93]

Got to think that’s close to our starting eleven vs city

[Conroysleftfoot]

Rather concerned no sign at all of Cullen or Benson.

[matttheclaret]

No Townsend. Also Benson and Cullen still out

[wilks_bfc]

No Trialist today

[RVclaret]

No Cullen which is a concern. Weghorst and Townsend the other 2 main omissions.

Excited to see some more of Koleosho.

[Pickles]

I've thought Redmond would play a little deeper and centrally and not as a winger. Looks like that could happen today next to Brownhill and Gudmundsson.

[Rileybobs]

Would be a surprise to see Koleosho start on Friday but who knows.

[jrgbfc]

Centre mid looks a big problem without Cullen.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Centre mid looks a big problem without Cullen.

I agree

It looks very weak for a premier league side.

[spt_claret]

No Cullen which is a concern. Weghorst and Townsend the other 2 main omissions.

Excited to see some more of Koleosho.

Costelloe over Weghorst tells me Weghorst's 100% being sold or loaned out. Still think that's a shame as I think in this system under Kompany he'd be very good for us- he's better than Barnes at everything Barnes did in that role, as much as Ash is by far the bigger club hero.

Not sure what to make of Townsend's absence but I suspect we're probably not going to sign him either, especially with Daramy coming.

[dermotdermot]

I’m worried that we’ve seen the last of Benson.

[Pickles]

Centre mid looks a big problem without Cullen.

Absolutely. I think it looks a problem even with Cullen to be honest.

[CFS]

I’m worried that we’ve seen the last of Benson.

From what I've heard (could be gash) but arsenal want him but that's a loan with a view to buy.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Imagine us loaning out one of our game changing players .

[jrgbfc]

I know they always hammer us anyway but you have to worry what City will do to us on Friday if we line up with a midfield like that.

[RVclaret]

Benson has been injured. Players get injuries.

As for central midfield, let’s hope the Lokonga deal is a close as made out.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Cullen and Benson clearly not fit . Lokonga on the verge of singing and the likelyhood of us playing someone in the midfield at times who isn’t a natural central midfielder as JBG has and is doing and how it seems before kick off that redmond may well do as well. Think that’s how we will roll this season especially if Ramsey joins as well.

[willsclarets]

That midfield would give me the shivers against man city. Vranxs would've been superb as well as lakonga, shame.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Benson has been injured. Players get injuries.

As for central midfield, let’s hope the Lokonga deal is a close as made out.

Lokonga and Ramsey.

Looking at that team, I am certain Ramsey is being brought in to play Centre mid. If Gudmundsson is playing there then likely Ramsey woll play that slot

[Pickles]

Lokonga and Ramsey.

Looking at that team, I am certain Ramsey is being brought in to play Centre mid. If Gudmundsson is playing there then likely Ramsey woll play that slot

And Redmond too, got a hunch he'll play there but could be wrong.

[Hedontplayforyou]

JBG has actually been solid in there but the pace of the prem is the difference here. Plus his injury record isn’t great as we know. Squad game

[Newcastleclaret93]

And Redmond too, got a hunch he'll play there but could be wrong.

I honestly wouldn’t be surprised

[dermotdermot]

Cullen and Benson clearly not fit . Lokonga on the verge of singing and the likelyhood of us playing someone in the midfield at times who isn’t a natural central midfielder as JBG has and is doing and how it seems before kick off that redmond may well do as well. Think that’s how we will roll this season especially if Ramsey joins as well.

So Lokonga is a vocalist as well. Does he break out into song during the games or before and after?

[Boss Hogg]

When dies the stream start on Clarets + and where do you log in ? Already subscribed. Thanks

[ClaretTony]

Costelloe over Weghorst tells me Weghorst's 100% being sold or loaned out. Still think that's a shame as I think in this system under Kompany he'd be very good for us- he's better than Barnes at everything Barnes did in that role, as much as Ash is by far the bigger club hero.

Doesn’t appear that Kompany agreed with you

[spt_claret]

I think JBG showed great promise in that CDM role last season. I'm not sure you can play him and Brownhill in it in the Prem. I'm not even sure you can play either and Cullen in it in the Prem- JBG has better technique and general ball playing than Brownhill, but Josh has much more energy and athleticiscm these days, but neither really have enough of either IMO for that role in the Prem alongside Cullen, even if they have enough for it in the Championship.

Pinning all our hopes & expectations on Lokonga makes me uneasy. Very highly rated 2 years ago, an Arsenal mate of mine raved about him saying we should look to loan him- this in 2021. But another Arsenal supporter I know is not a huge fan of him, and a Palace mate basically summed his short loan up as being indifferent and not really mentioned much- neither especially good, or bad. His potential from a few years back does have me hopeful and his profile fits but it's putting an awful lot of weight on his shoulders to be our midfield saviour.

[ClaretTony]

When dies the stream start on Clarets + and where do you log in ? Already subscribed. Thanks

You will need to be logged in and when it starts you’ll see a Live button at the top.

[Hedontplayforyou]

So Lokonga is a vocalist as well. Does he break out into song during the games or before and after?

Aye let’s all do Lokonga , let’s all do Lokonga na na na na

[123EasyasBFC]

Benson on loan to arsenal has to be complete rubbish

[boatshed bill]

Doesn’t appear that Kompany agreed with you

The goalscoring side of the game counts

[Chadderton_Dan]

I'm wondering if this could be a 3 at the back formation with Redmond filling on the lwb position

[CFS]

I'm wondering if this could be a 3 at the back formation with Redmond filling on the lwb position

O'Shea has been brought in to play the John stones role.

[CFS]

Benson on loan to arsenal has to be complete rubbish

Might be.

[spt_claret]

The goalscoring side of the game counts

Because Jay and Barnes set the Prem alight with their goal contributions the last 2 years in the Prem.
I know I know different system, but also, Jay is 2 years older with more injuries and looked a spent force in the runin last season.
I can't possibly see how anyone can be comfortable with him as our backup over Weghorst beyond one's a local lad and the other ticked off half the fans.
Got to trust in Kompany but can't understand it from the outside.

[spt_claret]

I'm wondering if this could be a 3 at the back formation with Redmond filling on the lwb position

I think there's a strong chance we go 3 at the back at least a few games this season when you look at how we have 4 quality CB options. In which case I think the winger signings we're making could well be about converting players to ultra-aggressive wingbacks for either flank. Look at Trent Alexander Arnold, he's a wingback who barely defends at all.

[Hedontplayforyou]

I’m going for Al Dakhil left back hybrid

[boatshed bill]

Because Jay and Barnes set the Prem alight with their goal contributions the last 2 years in the Prem.
I know I know different system, but also, Jay is 2 years older with more injuries and looked a spent force in the runin last season.
I can't possibly see how anyone can be comfortable with him as our backup over Weghorst beyond one's a local lad and the other ticked off half the fans.
Got to trust in Kompany but can't understand it from the outside.

I agree to some extent, and that is why Barnes is no longer at Burnley.
I'm sure that JR can lead the line as well as Weggie, and perhaps score a few as well.

[RVclaret]

I’m going for Al Dakhil left back hybrid

Yep this will be it

[123EasyasBFC]

Might be.

Loaning one of our main players just doesn’t make sense, if you’re getting a big fee now you could maybe understand it.
Benson given number 10 shift this season I think he’s purely recovering

[spt_claret]

I'm sure that JR can lead the line as well as Weggie, and perhaps score a few as well.

I'm not on either account unfortunately. Great servant in the past, 'one of our own' etc., but if it were up to me he'd be priority #1 to replace, with Cork #2.
Really hope I'm wrong - I was about Barnes last season - but can't see Jay doing anything this season.

[No Ney Never]

So Lokonga is a vocalist as well. Does he break out into song during the games or before and after?

Do do do, c'mon and do Lokonga...

[boatshed bill]

I'm not on either account unfortunately. Great servant in the past, 'one of our own' etc., but if it were up to me he'd be priority #1 to replace, with Cork #2.
Really hope I'm wrong - I was about Barnes last season - but can't see Jay doing anything this season.

I hope you are wrong too.

[ClaretTony]

Still find it strange that we have injured players yet nothing is said - Cullen & Benson at the moment

[northeastclaret]

It’s very disappointing that for several reasons we will be starting next season with a weaker team than we finished last season.

[ervi34]

Wait, there's people seriously thinking Arsenal who have players like Jesus, Martinelli, Saka, Trossard, Nketiah and even Havertz want to sign Benson on loan and that we would actually agree to do that?

I just don't realise why every topic needs conspiracy theories about players leaving. Benson is still injured, has been carrying it since the end of last season. Cullen got a knock against Genk and is still not ready.

[northeastclaret]

It’s very disappointing that for several reasons that it looks like we will be starting next season with a weaker team than we finished last season.

[Vegas Claret]

Still find it strange that we have injured players yet nothing is said - Cullen & Benson at the moment

it's beyond bizarre

[Big Vinny K]

It’s very disappointing that for several reasons we will be starting next season with a weaker team than we finished last season.

I’m sure most people thought that at the start of last season.
Why are you ‘very disappointed” given how things turned out last year ?

[agreenwood]

it's beyond bizarre

This is where the much maligned local journalists were key. There’s nobody between us and the club.