Harry_SFC

Just out of interest, what sort of side do you think he would do better in?

I agree. The fact Hoffenheim have done this to 3 players/clubs now speaks volumes.

That's one less signing we'll be able to make then.

I think you're being incredibly harsh on him. He was a relatively solid player in my eyes, nothing more, nothing less.

Not sure but from what Martin said before and after the Newcastle game, we are clearly looking at bringing in another attacking player.

Lumley; KWP, Bednarek, THB, Sugawara; Downes, Smallbone, Aribo; AA, BBD, Archer. Subs - McCarthy, Stephens, Taylor, Bree, Les, Fernandes, Edozie, Dibling, SAA. A bit conflicted on formation but as Saint Matty says, the onus should be on us to go out, be positive and win this one. Basing this on Onuachu, Alcaraz etc not being available for obvious reasons.

Agreed. It's a rarity but if Bazunu is playing we win that game.

Yeah all keepers make errors but as you say, it's about limiting them. McCarthy seemed to make a mistake when passing out/sweeping in every pre season game and then yesterday. Bazunu only made a few in pretty much most of the season last year. Just a shame he can't save anything!

Linked with Jason Steele again.

Well yes we are perfectly capable of it but the space we were enjoying before the red card closed up completely - before the sending off Newcastle weren't really pressing as well as they should have and it gave us a lot of encouragement.

https://x.com/Ben_Mattinson_/status/1797681339011076353?t=sAbyo9jjycV-A4w94CBkNg&s=19 This thread on Fernandes is a good read.

Yeah the red card was probably the worst thing that could happen to us. We're just not very good at breaking teams down and as soon as you sat back I knew we'd be in for a long afternoon of watching us pass the ball around infront of your box.

Sporting fans on twitter seem a bit gutted he's going. I'm going to say he's a replacement for Alcaraz. Sign this guy for €15m and sell Alcaraz for €20m could make sense.

Downes, Ugochukwu, Smallbone, Aribo, Fernandes. That would be 5 options for 3 positions. Can't see us signing O'Riley as well.

That's why we badly need another option up top because AA and Archer are very similar players.

You're not wrong. The amount of corners and free kicks that were put into decent areas in that second half and we had absolutely no aerial threat what so ever.

It's pretty unfair to put any real emphasis on Archer today - I presume he hasn't even had a training session? I do fear AA will be the same one we saw in the PL last time around.

It was a really odd decision if Yuki wasn't injured. The two wingbacks were so good - KWP actually looked more comfortable coming into the middle onto his right foot. Then he decided to change it at half time. Weird.

€25m and I'd sell, that means we'd only have to invest around €5m on O'Riley.

Yep. Having two players in the defensive third that can't concentrate in key moments is a disaster.

I actually think Martin doesn't want the players to pass the ball to back McCarthy because he knows how much of a liability he is. Such a poorly managed situation.

He had a shot on the turn that went well over the bar. Should've hit the target but wasn't exactly a great chance.

Bazunu isn't a good enough shot stopper and McCarthy isn't good enough at passing. How about we sign a keeper who is competent, not amazing, just competent at both?

I'd start Lumley.

Sorry but you dont have to be a 'playmaker' to be able to play a simple 5 yard pass. He could've passed it anywhere but there. It's just a really, really bad mistake on his part.