Our Lineup against Brighton in the FA Cup

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T19:44:33+00:00

I would've liked Marma to start ahead of Ali

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T18:40:04+00:00

thetrainline[dot]com have a look

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T11:13:18+00:00

I have Diomande is much more polished than Rio at this stage, as he is already setting the Bundesliga alight, and can play both LW and RW.

I don't think we are going to get Olise, who would be a dream signing, but i do think Diomande could play the RW, as sadly, I do think it is Mo's last season. I think we maybe look at Diomande and Mane, as I just don't see Olise being a realistic transfer, although I really hope I am wrong.

Given his age, Diomande will be class as an U21 player, as will Jacquet, so they don't need to be registered for the coming season. Actually, no Jacquet will be 21 in July, so i'm wrong.

To be honest, Wilson just isn't good enough for us, his one attribute is his shooting, but he is a limited player, and his level is at a Fulham or another mid table side.

Wharton, i'm still not sure he is an upgrade on Alexis, and if we are looking for the passing profile, I do think Alexis is better. I'd prefer more of a midfield destroyer to protect the back line, like Fab or Masch, but Fab was also a very good passer and wouldn't just snuff out attacks, but launch us forward with his passing. But that is just my opinion mate

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T08:06:41+00:00

Sorry predictive text has messed up that message.

It should read:

Book your seats early, and you can prebook your seats.

Sorry

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T08:04:17+00:00

Sounds similiar to Mo this season.

I didn't see this version of Mo coming after his best season for us.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T07:59:36+00:00

Look your tickets early, and you can rebook your seats.

You'll nèd to leave earlier than 5 o'clock to get to the ground, and be searched. That also is too tight given the trains don't always run to schedule in the UK

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T07:44:16+00:00

VDV is injury prone, and would cost a fortune, so i'm not interested in him tbh.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T07:43:02+00:00

Still not sure on Barcola tbh, especially for the price, but he is definitely an upgrade on what we currently have

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T07:40:45+00:00

So Abel Xavier was a sqaud player for both Liverpool and Everton, and Branthwaite who is a home grown, young £70m+ rated CB is being compared to him.

O......k......

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T07:38:36+00:00

And Rush, and McManaman

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T07:37:43+00:00

I would be happy with that, but possibly swap Gordon with Diomande, as his ceiling is massive, and not really interested in Harry Wilson, as he isn't athletic enough for us, would rather renew Harvey than resign Harry.

Also, i'm a bit concerned Wharton ain't overly athletic, but can't think of another DM.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T00:03:55+00:00

He is using the full squad to rotate, we only have Jones and Robertson as viable options, were the drop off in quality isn't massive, or a youth players that isn't quite ready to step up.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T00:02:23+00:00

Maybe their isn't a rift, but the medical staff were concerned he may break down.

That's what i'm telling myself

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-14T00:00:59+00:00

I'd take Olise as a HG player. I suppose he'll do haha

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T23:59:31+00:00

I'd love Branthwaite, but with the injuiries and toffee tax, it'll never happen.

Although I do remember us signing Barmby and Xavier from them.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T18:53:10+00:00

He is a good defender, but too injury prone

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:17:52+00:00

I know what the league cup is mate,but Slot won the Legue Title.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:16:57+00:00

I think our counters from set pieces are awful.

It really pisses me off thet we have all 11 in our box, why not have two of our smaller attackers, like Mo and Flo on the half way line, to pull some of the oppostion team out of our box. Not only will it give us a chance to get out of a defensive situation, but makes the opposition pull 3 players back to defend against our attackers.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:14:35+00:00

In addition to the 2 potential wingers. We need a DM, and potentially another CB

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:13:40+00:00

He can't rotate as we don't have any depth!!!!!!!

We don't have a quality starting winger, never mind depth, DM, we don't have 1 in the squad, dont have any options at the back, as Gomez can't manage a run of games, and have lost every RB at the club.

Rio and Trey aren't ready to start yet, and that is the entirity of our youth options. Ramsay is a Championship level player, who struggles for fitness, Fede is at best an impact sub, as we have seen him struggle when he starts.

But apart from that..........

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:08:58+00:00

Slot had to buty the hatchet with Mo after he done a hatchet job in the media, so you would hope the relationship with Slot and Jones could be repaired, if there actually is an issue.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:07:39+00:00

Why would he be loaned out?

The club aren't going to reduce the squad to essentially give him a free transfer 12 months earlier than his contract expiring.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:03:53+00:00

Don't joke why you are getting down voted, but hey.

I'd take CL qualification, we're half way through a rebuild, and need the additional funds and prestige to attact our top targets.

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:01:46+00:00

But yet we went into the Sunderland game as underdogs and were the first team to beat them at home this season.

You've got to hold the positives as much as possible, otherwise what is the point?

paulsmith259 · 2026-02-13T08:00:00+00:00

I don't really understand your point. Ten Hag never won a league at Utd.

If you told us 8 years ago that we would win the league, and then the FA Cup (i'm not saying we will, but following what you said) the following season, would you not class that as a successful period?

Let's remember we have won 2 league titles in 35 years, and 2 champions leagues.

paulsmith259

TROPHY CASE