Bournemouth next week

[CoolClaret]

Who’s playing right back?

Think I’d be tempted with O’Shea there you know.

Can’t be as bad as he’s been at centre half and I’d like a bit of extra height in the team.

Not sure on where we stand with the fitness of Beyer and Ekdal though which is a problem.

Think Delcroix is better than given credit for like; would like to see Al Dakhil out of the side for a while and brought back in slowly.

Time for Brunn Larsen, Zaroury/Redmond as well and yeah Cork back in a dedicated sitting two man midfield with Cullen.

Brownhill back in the ‘number 10’ / Hendrick ish role that he played last season and press from the front.

[Holtyclaret]

And vithinio nearly too if I remember right.

[Wo Didi]

With all the new signings put straight in, I think VK has ****** off a fair section of the squad.

My thoughts exactly.

[Nori1958]

My thoughts exactly.

Which ones?

The vast majority who might have played have either been injured or suspended. Only Muric has constantly been available and it's clear he's not number one anymore, so he might be p1ssed off.....the others not so much

[CoolClaret]

Which ones?

The vast majority who might have played have either been injured or suspended. Only Muric has constantly been available and it's clear he's not number one anymore, so he might be p1ssed off.....the others not so much

Not true though is it?

Muric, Zaroury, Benson, Brownhill all fit to start the season.

Should all have been starting against City

[RVclaret]

Not true though is it?

Muric, Zaroury, Benson, Brownhill all fit to start the season.

Should all have been starting against City

Benson had no pre-season so he was not fit to start against City. Zaroury got pocketed by Walker in the away game last season, came on anyway and got sent off. Brownhill was supposedly not fully fit according to his brother.

[Carlos the Great]

We spent 19 m on Trafford and he no better than Muric .. coukd be worse ,, signed Ramsey for around 15m but our first choice Hamer at Coventry we wouldn’t pay the money even with them wanting mcnally who we sent to Stoke instead ,,,we turned down Tella at 15m who then got sold for over 20 m then bought Amoudini who we knew nothing about for 16m .. tresor we signed on loan with a guaranteed purchase when we have Zaroury who looks miles better can’t even get on the bench ,, some strange things gone on

[Nori1958]

Not true though is it?

Muric, Zaroury, Benson, Brownhill all fit to start the season.

Should all have been starting against City

Not sure I agree they all should have started

Was Benson fit?....surprised Zaroury didn't start I agree, but the poster wasn't talking just about the first game....so you can take those two out of the list.

[Nori1958]

We spent 19 m on Trafford and he no better than Muric .. coukd be worse ,, signed Ramsey for around 15m but our first choice Hamer at Coventry we wouldn’t pay the money even with them wanting mcnally who we sent to Stoke instead ,,,we turned down Tella at 15m who then got sold for over 20 m then bought Amoudini who we knew nothing about for 16m .. tresor we signed on loan with a guaranteed purchase when we have Zaroury who looks miles better can’t even get on the bench ,, some strange things gone on

We haven't spent 19 million on Trafford, when will it get through to some people.

[CoolClaret]

Benson had no pre-season so he was not fit to start against City. Zaroury got pocketed by Walker in the away game last season, came on anyway and got sent off. Brownhill was supposedly not fully fit according to his brother.

Brownhill on the bench first three league games no? Can’t have been that unfit.

Heaven forbid Zaroury got pocketed by the best defensive fullback in world football away at the Etihad.

How did Gvardiol do against City the game before we played them last season?

[claretburns]

Muric

Taylor Ekdal AAD Vitinho

Cork Cullen

Zaroury Brownhill Koleosho

Foster

[RVclaret]

Brownhill on the bench first three league games no? Can’t have been that unfit.

Heaven forbid Zaroury got pocketed by the best defensive fullback in world football away at the Etihad.

How did Gvardiol do against City the game before we played them last season?

Maybe needed easing in? Just going off what his brother said.

Not saying it’s owt on Zaroury, just that it’s not the end of the world that we tried something slightly different to upset City. And again, he came on, did nothing and got sent off.

[CoolClaret]

Maybe needed easing in? Just going off what his brother said.

Not saying it’s owt on Zaroury, just that it’s not the end of the world that we tried something slightly different to upset City. And again, he came on, did nothing and got sent off.

You still don’t make the vast changes we did to start a season. It’s proper rookie stuff.

[Casper2]

I don't know, because we haven't played them..... I'll say it again.... The poster was asking which teams we could beat, I pointed out the one we actually had beaten, which he'd clearly forgotten about

Fair enough

[Carlos the Great]

Fair enough

We have only beaten Luton town .: not much of a list

[Hedontplayforyou]

We’ve got to win this next game. Who knows what the team will be , it’s a huge game now and I fear we could end up adrift before the January window if we don’t improve quickly.

Dependant on who is available I’d go for this

Muric
Vitinho
Al-Dakhil
O’Shea
Taylor
Cullen
Brownhill
Berge
Zaroury
Foster
Larsen

[Holtyclaret]

Brownhill on the bench first three league games no? Can’t have been that unfit.

Heaven forbid Zaroury got pocketed by the best defensive fullback in world football away at the Etihad.

How did Gvardiol do against City the game before we played them last season?

Fit to start is different from sitting on the bench on a ‘just in case’ basis.

[CoolClaret]

Fit to start is different from sitting on the bench on a ‘just in case’ basis.

Not for 3 weeks!

[Boss Hogg]

Not confident about this at all based on what I’ve seen to date. It would be no surprise if we got battered 4-0. If we persist with line ups like we have been doing and the clueless tactics we’ve no chance. We need Muric in and we just cannot play Berge as a CDM. Personally do not like Amdouni and Foster in the same line up. We need players like Ekdal, Beyer and Zaroury back in if fit.

[TopCat]

Who’s playing right back?

Think I’d be tempted with O’Shea there you know.

Can’t be as bad as he’s been at centre half and I’d like a bit of extra height in the team.

Not sure on where we stand with the fitness of Beyer and Ekdal though which is a problem.

Think Delcroix is better than given credit for like; would like to see Al Dakhil out of the side for a while and brought back in slowly.

Time for Brunn Larsen, Zaroury/Redmond as well and yeah Cork back in a dedicated sitting two man midfield with Cullen.

Brownhill back in the ‘number 10’ / Hendrick ish role that he played last season and press from the front.

Brownhill plays next to Cullen or doesn’t play.
We have enough number tens in Berge, Ramsey, Amdouni, even Redmond.

[RVclaret]

Not confident about this at all based on what I’ve seen to date. It would be no surprise if we got battered 4-0. If we persist with line ups like we have been doing and the clueless tactics we’ve no chance. We need Muric in and we just cannot play Berge as a CDM. Personally do not like Amdouni and Foster in the same line up. We need players like Ekdal, Beyer and Zaroury back in if fit.

Berge has not played as a CDM once except arguably against City.

[Newcastleclaret93]

We’ve got to win this next game. Who knows what the team will be , it’s a huge game now and I fear we could end up adrift before the January window if we don’t improve quickly.

Dependant on who is available I’d go for this

Muric
Vitinho
Al-Dakhil
O’Shea
Taylor
Cullen
Brownhill
Berge
Zaroury
Foster
Larsen

We have got to stop conceding goals.

I would honestly be tempted to go with the below just to get some solidity.

Trafford
Vitinho, O’Shea, Al Dakhil, Delcroix, Taylor
Cork, Cullen, Brownhill
Foster, Amdouni

Goes completely against what VK wants, as none of his 8 wingers get in but that’s the only formation I can see where we potentially keep a clean sheet

[CoolClaret]

Brownhill plays next to Cullen or doesn’t play.
We have enough number tens in Berge, Ramsey, Amdouni, even Redmond.

Yeah that’s more shade to the recruitment

& he hasn’t really been playing ‘next’ to him this year as a sitting midfielder.

I think we need him back where he was best last season - and where he managed to find himself in the Champ team of the year.

We miss his energy pressing from the front.

[CoolClaret]

Berge has not played as a CDM once except arguably against City.

Yeah I’ll agree with this really - I think he’s definitely meant to do more defensively dependent on personnel but that could just be me misinterpreting it.

For example against Villa I’m fairly certain he was meant to be more disciplined.

Do you think the current system we’re trying to do sort of emulate Arsenal?

Sitting midfielder, two floating 8s?

[Boss Hogg]

We haven't spent 19 million on Trafford, when will it get through to some people.

Widely reported in the press and may end up paying this. Ok let’s say 15 plus add ons - still not worth it for us right now.

[ClaretAL]

We beat them 4 - 1 with last season squad, so this may put to bed the argument of which is our better squad/tactics last season or this season.

[Newcastleclaret93]

We beat them 4 - 1 with last season squad, so this may put to bed the argument of which is our better squad/tactics last season or this season.

In a nothing cup match.

[ClaretAL]

In a nothing cup match.

If my memory serves me right I think they played a full strength team needing the money for the next round

[Nori1958]

Widely reported in the press and may end up paying this. Ok let’s say 15 plus add ons - still not worth it for us right now.

Less than 10......up front

Up to 19 with add ons

Either way we haven't "spent" 19 million as suggested

[RVclaret]

We beat them 4 - 1 with last season squad, so this may put to bed the argument of which is our better squad/tactics last season or this season.

I would say their squad has improved a fair bit since then (they spent a fortune in January and this summer).

[alwaysaclaret]

It isn't a must win.

I'd love to know which opposition you'd consider must win if this one isn't

[Boss Hogg]

Less than 10......up front

Up to 19 with add ons

Either way we haven't "spent" 19 million as suggested

Could have bought a better goalkeeper for less and not the priority area for team strengthening.

[taio]

I'd love to know which opposition you'd consider must win if this one isn't

I don't consider any opposition when we are away a 'must win' in October.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Not registered

No room in squad

Are you really serious?

Serious as moonlight

[AmbleClaret]

It isn't a must win.

It is, sorry. Not from the point of view that we will be relegated as a result of losing,obviously. But given our poor start,lack of cohesion,confidence etc ,we really must use it as a springboard to turn things around. Otherwise, where do you suggest the positives will come from.

[taio]

It is, sorry. Not from the point of view that we will be relegated as a result of losing,obviously. But given our poor start,lack of cohesion,confidence etc ,we really must use it as a springboard to turn things around. Otherwise, where do you suggest the positives will come from.

Possibly away to Bournemouth or at home to Palace.

[AmbleClaret]

Possibly away to Bournemouth or at home to Palace.

Exactly, so at least one of those is a must win ( they both should be really).

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Who’s playing right back?

Think I’d be tempted with O’Shea there you know.

Can’t be as bad as he’s been at centre half and I’d like a bit of extra height in the team.

Not sure on where we stand with the fitness of Beyer and Ekdal though which is a problem.

Think Delcroix is better than given credit for like; would like to see Al Dakhil out of the side for a while and brought back in slowly.

Time for Brunn Larsen, Zaroury/Redmond as well and yeah Cork back in a dedicated sitting two man midfield with Cullen.

Brownhill back in the ‘number 10’ / Hendrick ish role that he played last season and press from the front.

I agree If we don’t play two holding midfielders we ares screwed.

Brownhill doesn’t offer anything in the ten, apart from losing the ball upfield, would rather have Berge there in a 4-2-3-1.

Agree Larsen needs to play on right with kolo and zaroury on the left sub etc.

Need to get Ekdal or Beyer fit as a minimum.

[CoolClaret]

I agree If we don’t play two holding midfielders we ares screwed.

Brownhill doesn’t offer anything in the ten, apart from losing the ball upfield, would rather have Berge there in a 4-2-3-1.

Agree Larsen needs to play on right with kolo and zaroury on the left sub etc.

Need to get Ekdal or Beyer fit as a minimum.

Brownhill does mate he presses from the front and also tracks back - Berge can come off the bench for 35 mins or so.

Zaroury or Redmond to start. Koleosho doesn’t have the same ability with the ball.

Need footballers with high game/field intelligence right now that have been there a bit before. Absolutely have to get a result.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Brownhill does mate he presses from the front and also tracks back - Berge can come off the bench for 35 mins or so.

Zaroury or Redmond to start. Koleosho doesn’t have the same ability with the ball.

Need footballers with high game/field intelligence right now that have been there a bit before. Absolutely have to get a result.

He might press but he does little else , doesn’t offer anything going forward ( at this level) and we need someone with some forward passing like Berge in there tbh. I’m not a fan of his and never have been so my perception may be biased

Zaroury seems out of favour which is bizarre to say the least. Needs another start for me or at least 45 minutes off the bench.

Brun Larsen also owed a start I would imagine.

[Silkyskills1]

I would say their squad has improved a fair bit since then (they spent a fortune in January and this summer).

Not showing in their results is it?

[Rileybobs]

Zaroury seems out of favour which is bizarre to say the least.

Maybe Kompany has an axe to grind because Zaroury ditched Belgium for Morocco

[Rileybobs]

Not showing in their results is it?

Or ours…

[CoolClaret]

He might press but he does little else , doesn’t offer anything going forward ( at this level) and we need someone with some forward passing like Berge in there tbh. I’m not a fan of his and never have been so my perception may be biased

Zaroury seems out of favour which is bizarre to say the least. Needs another start for me or at least 45 minutes off the bench.

Brun Larsen also owed a start I would imagine.

Zaroury and Brunn Larsen would help with our ball retention and passing up top id have thought -

Don’t forget Brownhill bagged a few from there early season last year - he still has something to offer.

The other obvious candidate is Redmond; certainly not averse to Berge further forward just hate him out of possession.

[Rileybobs]

Zaroury and Brunn Larsen would help with our ball retention and passing up top id have thought -

Don’t forget Brownhill bagged a few from there early season last year - he still has something to offer.

The other obvious candidate is Redmond; certainly not averse to Berge further forward just hate him out of possession.

I’d have Cork, Zaroury and Redmond in against Bournemouth.

[CoolClaret]

I’d have Cork, Zaroury and Redmond in against Bournemouth.

Yeah wouldn’t hate it; as long as we belt our corners out for throwins though

[Rileybobs]

Yeah wouldn’t hate it; as long as we belt our corners out for throwins though

I reckon Brownhill could tap a mean corner into touch right next to the corner flag so he should probably be included.

[RVclaret]

———————Trafford
Vitinho——AAD——Delcroix——Taylor
————————Cullen
Amdouni—Berge—Brownhill——Zaroury
————————Foster

[Newcastleclaret93]

———————Trafford
Vitinho——AAD——Delcroix——Taylor
————————Cullen
Amdouni—Berge—Brownhill——Zaroury
————————Foster

Really struggling to see how that team concedes less than 2.

No dig btw, just think we look really unbalanced

[RVclaret]

Really struggling to see how that team concedes less than 2.

No dig btw, just think we look really unbalanced

Think that offers the best balance from what’s available?

That midfield 3 had been looking more structured. Allow Amdouni to drift central.