benali-shorts

He wasn't a bad or unsensible signing aged 21 for £5m. He didn't progress beyond that signing value, i.e. 3rd or 4th choice cover was his ceiling level. Sadly he ended up being first choice, which tells us all about the declining standards at the club during his time here. I wish him well but not sorry to see him go.

One down, about 20 more to go…..

It'll be interesting to see how Edozie and Robinson (i.e. wingers) compare and contrast to BBD and AA playing the wide front roles.

good cross from BBD for the own goal

Front 3, BBD, Archer, Armstrong. Fraser playing as AM behind them.

Edwards is at RB. Pitch poor quality. Not much structure to the game in first ten.

Simon Charlton (Heston)

Craig David

Lloyd James.

All red home kit, and an away kit in the colours of Ukraine. We are blessed to be in the hands of visionaries who understand the full gamut of global desires when it comes to kits. And Puma are lucky to have us.

I would imagine that once Puma realise that our catchment area includes Bath and half of the Isle of Wight, we'll get at least an equal deal as City's.

I'd prefer him to spell his name Damien, as in Thorn.

The new Eric Black

An excellent watch, thank you. They really did have to put their laces through those pig bladders.

Agree wholeheartedly re physical attributes. Rudoni would be absolutely excellent.

...and debt.

Assuming the sticky is correct, 11 out of contract next summer: McCarthy Stephens Aribo Smallbone Stewart Bree Fraser Taylor Ounachu Dibling Bella-Kotchap Assuming Dibling doesn't renew, it's hard to imagine any of the others getting an extension? 2027 ones are: Manning Armstrong Sulemana Edozie Larios Bazunu Bednarek Charles Assuming they don't renew, offers would be considered for all, with extensions feasible for Sulemana & Charles?

I hadn't realised he's out of contract June 2026 (well, according to the sticky on the forum page) in which case we might be lucky to get £3m......

He’s an intriguing one to place a value on. £3m?

Lacks the physical attributes to play CM, and insufficient technical ability to play further forward or wider. He’s the sort of player who would be ok to be fourth choice CM if we’re playing two, but not sure he should stay on that basis.

I understand we weren’t playing a defensive 4 today. Thank you for feeling you needed to clarify that for the group though. I am only able to judge him on the game he played today, given his scant appearances this season - and on that basis, I remain surprised he hasn’t played more in either a 4 or a 5. His limitations seem no greater than the other ones we’ve played there, who have each displayed significant weaknesses of their own. He might struggle aerially - but given his lack of appearances, we don’t have the physical proof of that either way. I hate myself for engaging with you.

Very tidy full debut today - good balance, two-footed, aggressive and with a desire to get forward. Hopefully he'll stay involved with the first team next season.

I thought he attacked the ball well today, and anticipated better than our CBs generally do. He wasn't out-muscled to any extent. He didn't over-commit and lunge in like our usual CBs which was a refreshing change. Weird to think he hasn't been tried in either a CB or LB / LCB role in the Premier League, despite the utter and repeated incompetence of those picked ahead of him.

And not only bring him on, but move Fernandes over to the right to accommodate Smallbone in the middle. Madness.

That is ridiculous. He played very well today.