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04 Nov 2026 17:35:33
Two players im wondering might work for a creative mid role come Jan both with pros and cons.
Conor Gallagher. I saw a clickbait article linking us Everton and villa with him. I think there is a price to be done there. Perhaps a loan with. £20m staying up obligation. He's a good player and more attacking than stach and Ampadu and Tanaka. The less he plays maybe we can get that fee down to £15m but if a bidding war emerges that would be unlikely. Wouldn't go higher than £20m and we might lose out there.
Carlos Alcaraz. Now this is heavily contingent on Everton doing some big incoming business in Jan because their squad is threadbare as it is. But I'm sure they will. I remember Alcaraz being very good at Southampton and early Everton not sure why he's not getting more gametime. He's also out of contract according to transfermarkt, not sure if there's a clause to extend. If farke is still here strikes me as a Buendia at Norwich potential.
Both playmaker types both affordable.
1.) 04 Nov 2026 18:17:29
Decent shouts Ealing
Last time we made a transfer fee signing in Jan was 2023 Rutter and Wober.
Just loans since then in January 2024, 25 and 26 most of which Farkey rarely played.
So a loan or nowt in Jan 2027 window ?
Personally, I would prefer a striker signing ( on loan) and revert to playing 2 up front which is more likely to happen with a new more forward thinking, positive coach.
2.) 04 Nov 2026 20:16:35
When was Gallagher ever a creative player? Very strange pov. As for 15-20 million not a chance in hell.
3.) 05 Nov 2026 09:40:51
Agree Corkey, I liked Gallagher when he was at Palace (and turned us down to stay in London) , but since thenn he's gone backwards, and ain't really what we want.
02 Nov 2026 22:24:04
We'd all love another striker but the reality is, you look at the strikers or forwards that have moved around the Prem recently and there's been a few really expensive duds.
Marmoush (loan, £60m obligation) Slow start but signs he's warming up.
Fernandez-Pardo (£50m), early days, yet to score, but he definitely hasn't found his feet yet.
Jackson (£45m) big success. But the reality is we couldn't compete at that price.
Delap (£40m) 1 goal from all his starts. An expensive dud so far. Good finish vs Villa. Some sitters including Palace.
Larsen (£43m+) from Jan. Four league goals from 21 isnt good enough. We did well to avoid.
Gonzalo Garcia (£30m+) Just the one league goal for another expensive price.
Flemming (£17m+) Early days as he's behind Emersonn but stuck away two important pens already. Arguably one we might have stretched to (but we don't know the finances).
Callum Wilson (free) would have fit the bill admittedly as backup option.
Awoniyi (£7m) Another good price but I dont think he looks the same player as at Forest after a bad injury and he's had discipline issues this year.
Guiu (£12m) left Chelsea hasn't really played so not sure.
There's ofc more Lankshear (£20m, but a risk with no prem history, hard to predict the tear he's gone on) Troy Parrot similar. Promise David at Brighton hasn't started too well either.
Worth noting we did sign one forward in the summer, very much a prospect in Ditmir Hodja, but he isn't expected to feature this year at 18yrs. But they are looking at it.
1.) 03 Nov 2026 07:13:56
Great post again, Ealing, and defo some big duds that we dodged potential bullets on.
From a current form perspective tho, we still wouldn't be banging the goals irrespective of who we bought as back up to DCL, because we just ain't creating sufficient clear cut chances.
I agree with Devon's opening statement below, that our MF is looking stale (right now) .
I'd defo be looking to add someone for the middle of the park in Jan, who can do the dirty work as well as pick a pass thro lines. Caveat to that being I'm not ruling out returns to form for those guys currently in the middle.
2.) 03 Nov 2026 08:36:15
Fair dos but slightly worry that we put bid in for strand.
3.) 03 Nov 2026 11:52:31
Agree to a degree Aus, but Larsen isn't a terrible player. The point was the scouting department liked the player but rightly put a price tag on him and if went beyond that it was too much.
Had we got him for £25m in Jan that would have looked good. Palace paid an initial £43m +5m in add ons. They thought they were losing Mateta to Milan, did lose Guehi to city and their form was in freefall, at one point getting sucked into relegation fight after they lost to us 4-1 was a very real possibility.
They got themselves in a position where they decided they couldn't afford not to get him so effectively let Wolves name their price.
So they did Larsen at £43m and Johnson at £35m. So call it £80m and four goals, paying £20m per goal. They've then flipped Johnson for Mcneil at a book value of £22m for each i think. So in six months they accepted a loss of £13m just to get rid of Johnson.
There's more than one way to get things right and wrong ofc, and Larsen and McNeil could yet come good. But on current basis, the panic buying last Jan for Palace has set them back and if they didn't end up in relegation trouble last term they might well do this.
4.) 03 Nov 2026 12:17:17
Rumour now linking us with Balogun, but as he's valued at circa £50M it'd have to be a loan - other clubs also interested.
In July we were also linked with Tresoldi at Bruges who could've been available then for £20M, but has since shot up in value with some of the big names linked, so prob out of our price bracket now.
5.) 03 Nov 2026 19:04:02
Larsen is a good striker in the tight team. Would that right team have been us? Dunno.
Nit even sure we were really in for him at anywhere near the asking price.
6.) 04 Nov 2026 16:45:28
I'm sure we weren't in at what the final price was. I think my suggestion of £25m was probably a base fee and wolves and Leeds were interested in the nature of add ons etc taking it about £30m.
Our recruitment aren't stingy. They did pay big money for Trafford and Muharemovic. That looks money well spent so far. It's similar to what palace paid for Larsen and Johnson and it's no contest.
With Larsen, Shea Charles etc it shows when there's a player we want we have a very clear idea what we percieve a fair price to be wont go above it. Fair enough. The desperation has doomed many a club including us before.
16 Sep 2026 14:39:30
Feels like a time to think about it. Do we think about extending
Calvert Lewin right now. He's coming up on his last 18 months.
If we were to what would an extension look like? Longer terms on his existing 100k a week or would we have to fork out even more?
It sounds cynical but enjoy him but strengthen our position with him if he's willing to talk a 2 yr extension. If we're in a good place come Jan we can fend off the desperate teams (Spurs) or force them into even more than palace forked out for strand Larsen.
That's one scenario which i don't love. Unless Leeds have targets up front because Nmecha is out of contract soon too.
1.) 16 Sep 2026 15:36:48
He would probably warrant a wage increase tbh. Has kept fit and scoring as well as can be expected. He is also vital to the leadership group and was one of the reasons we switched to 5 at the back last season midway through the Citeh game so essentially instrumental in keeping us up.
Still better to give him an extension with wage increase than buy someone else financially.
2.) 16 Sep 2026 18:51:31
Oh i agree Alf, he definitely gets a new deal. My only concern is the fitness. He's approaching 30 and it feels like we are playing roulette with how fit he has been since he joined. Long may it continue though, the Leeds physio team are doing a pretty decent job.
15 Sep 2026 10:59:56
Crazy that Richarlison was left out of Spurs premier league list and then they didn't or couldn't sell him.
Clubs clamouring for forwards like Everton who tried to resign him. We could have use him on loan or for free. It's going real well for us right now but still feel we're one forward injury away from an issue.
1.) 15 Sep 2026 11:46:59
Good on his day, but not the right character for us I don't feel.
2.) 15 Sep 2026 22:42:46
Eventually Spuds will see the light and release him from his contract, then as soon as he becomes a free agent, clubs will be queueing up to sign him.
3.) 16 Sep 2026 07:37:34
Everton will be at the front of the queue!
4.) 16 Sep 2026 17:57:44
Agree, that he doesn't fit the lack of ego/teamwork dressing room.
He's a diva that needs to be loved, and would probably throw a strop if he isn't installed as no.1 forward within a month. DCL is our No.1 forward full stop.
30 Jul 2026 14:40:14
I think we're doing alright.
Trafford will sign post holiday medical.
Some clubs who I think will really struggle based on current status.
Sunderland - prime candidates for 1 season wonders and Europe stretching their squad.
Fulham - relying heavily on arbeloas relationship with two Madrid youngsters to hit the ground running as they replace Jimenez and Wilson. If they and/ or rodrigo Muniz and Kevin don't step up they're in big trouble.
Newcastle - looks like a fire sale and the manager gone too. New signings unknown and need to hit the ground like Fulham. Fans might think they have 'too big to go downitis'. Lose guimaraes and if Wissa and Woltemade don't improve it's a lot on Osula.
Villa - they're losing Digne, Rogers is gone. They can't spend a lot right now. Talk of Konsa leaving and with Mings really ageing I think they're super thin defensively without much scr headroom even after Rogers. Reliant on Mazambi. Having seen enough of Manzambi though think he's class. Garnacho a risk loan. Martinez wants out Abraham is injured and Watkins had a good yr last yr and will need to again. Will be fine but worse than last year.
Palace - I don't think they've spent well. The panicked a bit in January as they slid down the table and bought JSl and Brennan Johnson. Sold Lacroix who'll need to be replaced.
Everton - apart from tyrick George they seem to be treading a bit of water. They'll be heavily reliant on the inflated fee they might get from Saudi for Ndiaye. So so light up front and Keane and Tarkowski are at the point where guilty until proven innocent. If a wildcard comes good like dibling settles then they'll be alright.
I don't think Leeds can finish above villa even at their worst but all those other teams at present yes. Caveated by there's a lot of trading to be done.
Brentford look good, without having done much, Brighton will be fine as they have a succession plan for welbeck. Bournemouth I think will be ok even if the blow about kroupi and I think forest will be alright too if the owner let's glasner do his thing.
1.) 30 Jul 2026 15:43:56.
No disrespect here, Ealing, but I do have a little giggle at these types of very biased posts.
Apart from Mack'ens, those teams are all fairly fundamental Prem teams, with plenty of staying up experience.
Barcodes will just go buy a few now.
Villa only had 1 scare in many, many years.
Palace always seem to pull rabbits out.
Same with a few others you mentioned.
Brentford were "gone" last season after Frank left, and look how that turned out.
There's so many nuances to how clubs actually progress through a season, it's almost impossible to call, apart from the new 3, which is where it mostly happens.
2.) 30 Jul 2026 16:23:46
I agree that Sunderland will likely struggle this seez. I would lurve em to get relegated.
Still think bottom six will comprise of the 3 promoted teams, Sunderland, Palace and Leeds.
For me, our season's success hinges on:
1) having few injuries.
and
2) signing at least a goal-scoring striker. We simply cannot risk going again into an EPL seez with just DCL and Nmecha, and Piroe is pointless.
3.) 30 Jul 2026 17:04:20
Villa also lost Tielemans, so a huge midfield change for them.
4.) 30 Jul 2026 17:15:03
Agree, Baz.
We were lucky with injuries last season, and it only hit us right at the end when we were safe. If we'd two or three key players out at the same time, for a long spell after the Man City away game, the season might have ended differently.
We do need to find the DCL back up, one who can be ahead of Nmecha and stay fit.
5.) 30 Jul 2026 17:33:32
Absolutely Dune. ?
6.) 31 Jul 2026 09:19:09
West Ham were a fairly fundamental Premier League team with plenty of staying up experience. I can see the point Ealing is making. Very often an established team gets relegated and this coming season may see the same.
7.) 31 Jul 2026 10:59:50
Unless it's Palace, and they will probably stay up 16th or so. No chance any other established EPL club is going down this seez imo.
8.) 31 Jul 2026 11:18:07
Fulham, CP, Sunderland, Brentford, Newcastle and Everton are all, at this moment in time, possible relegation candidates, imo. Oh, and even the mighty Leeds.
9.) 31 Jul 2026 15:00:46
Not so sure about that, Baz. Barcodes have already lost Tonali and Gordon, with maybe Guimares and Woltemade to follow, on top of losing Isak last year. Now, Eddie Howe has walked out, and may be replaced by Matthias Jaissle, who has zero PL experience.
I can see them sinking into the do-do too.
But, there again, I said something similar about Brentford this time last year and was wrong then, so what do I know.
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03 Nov 2026 11:16:02
I was calling for Farke's head a year ago. And with a weaker squad he turned it around by tweaking and showing tactical flexibility. My faith in him isn't absolute but I've learnt my lesson from last time. I'd only begin to be slightly worried about Farke if we take less than three points from the next three. So a win vs. coventry and two defeats would be ok, not ideal, but ok.
We have a rough few fixtures, in Spurs, Chelsea, Coventry.
Ipswich: Bournemouth, Spurs, Villa
Fulham: Newcastle, City, Bournemouth
Coventry: Everton, Palace, Leeds
Manchester United: Villa, Liverpool, Brentford
Palace: Liverpool coventry, hull
Forest: City, Bournemouth, Chelsea
Sunderland: Chelsea, Villa, Spurs.
My point is aside from Coventry, and potentially Palace, it looks really hard for these sides to take too many points. Palace and Coventry actually play each other so it'll be hard for them to both do well in this run, a draw wouldn't be too bad there. Coventry will be under a bit of pressure with these 'kind-ish' fixtures to get at least four points I reckon, which brings its own kind of pressure.
Palace just lost Mateta for three games with a red, Larsen has had niggly injuries and they are shipping goals for fun. They still can't get Sarr fit and its too much for Wharton to shoulder alone. The owner clearly isn't convinced by the manager either, which doesn't help his authority.
Manchester United are a crisis club without a natural LB or fit centre forward. Fulham are struggling to score if it isn't Iwobi or Josh King. Glasner might be on the brink and Delap cant score (so glad we weren't in for him) . Sunderland have their share of injuries to Brobbey and Ballard, and are severely stretched with Europe. Their immediate run is even more brutal with Liverpool and Newcastle after Chelsea, Villa, Spurs. I'd be shocked if they take more than 4 points from that run.
You don't like to make the argument that we'll be ok because we're not good but there are x number of teams in worse shape right now. But it is worth noting. The table is beginning to take shape about a quarter of the way in. There's a reason why the teams behind are us are behind us.
Of course we have to start playing better and that Coventry game is big if not quite a six-pointer yet.
I also predict a managerial sacking merry-go-round has a better than fair chance of seeing Carrick, Le Bris and Glasner gone after these three games.
1.) 03 Nov 2026 18:28:31
Eailing with regards to your managerial sacking predictions, I think you will need to definitely add
Sage in significant peril at Palace.
Jaissle at some peril at Newcastle.
And
Farke potentially in peril at Leeds if results continue to deteriorate further between now and end of December.
For all the lampooning by peeps of Lampard a few months ago, he is longer odds with bookies of being sacked than Farke and seven other EPL coaches !
2.) 03 Nov 2026 22:51:15
You always see everything as it stands Baz, the football season is long and often changes.
Couldn't care less about Frank Lampard and his Club, maybe they survive or maybe they won't, who cares !
Unless clubs like Sunderland, Newcastle or Palace free fall, my money will be on chubby Frank to get his team relegated.
I'd also place my money on Sunderland and Forest scraping out of the mire by the end of this season.
3.) 04 Nov 2026 00:30:24
Err OP it. was only a few weeks ago you were proclaiming Spuds as Relegation fodder.4 wins later they are up to 8th.
4.) 04 Nov 2026 11:35:44
Last year after 9 games we had 8 points and finished 14th. This time after 9 games we have 11 points.
Don't panic Captain Mainwaring!
5.) 04 Nov 2026 11:39:01
Their safety is no where near assured.
Let's see where they are in January, they are only 5 points from the relegation zone.
6.) 04 Nov 2026 13:30:48
JR
Last seez we also had 11 points from 9 games ( 3 wins 2 draws 3 defeats)
7.) 04 Nov 2026 16:31:43
I totally agree baz about palace and sage. I did say the owner doesn't like the coach over results performances and the canvot dropping incident.
I do think that sage is a decent coach. He essentially inherited a mess where the panicked on overspending on Larsen and Johnson which I've already covered, leaving to very little to work with. They rushed three signings over the line on deadline day including chilwell who's barely been used. Larsen hasn't hit the ground running and when mateta isn't injured he's getting sent off.
They then lost riad to ACL and even Henderson has missed time this season already. The only star they have is Wharton and he's struggling with the pressure and lack of support. I think 16th or 17th would be a huge success for sage but given what glasner did they won't accept that.
26 Oct 2026 23:49:51
2025/26 vs. 2026/27
Game 1: 1:0 win vs Everton, late pen. Close game. combative performance. 0:1 win vs. Forest late free kick. Almost identical scenarios. 7/10 Everton vs. 7.5/10 vs. Forest being away from home.
Game 2: Spanked by Arsenal 5:0. Piroe non-existent up front. Perri couldn't save anything. Defence out of their depth. 1:1 vs. Brentford. They were all over us first half. We came back into it after losing Rodon. Lucky to get a point. Arsenal = 2/10, Brentford 6/10 - getting a result vs. a very solid team when we were second best.
Game 3: 0:0 Newcastle at home, didn't watch but it was a clean sheet. Brighton 1:1 away. Almost a reversal of Brentford, we dominated and the only issue was we weren't ahead by more, had one disallowed for a narrow offside. Newcastle 5/10 Brighton 7.5/10.
Game 4: Lost a narrow away 1:0 to Fulham with Gabby's bizzare own goal. Chalk it down to bad luck. Thrashed Newcastle 4:1. 5.5/10 vs. 9/10.
Game 5: 1:3 win at Wolves. DCL's first goal I think, good performance away against a slow starting and eventually relegated Wolves. Tepid 0:0 at home vs. poor and depleted Palace. First truly poor performance and we still got a point. 8/10 vs. 5.5/10.
Game 6: Conceded late to draw with Bournemouth so frustrating, but they were a good side and remain a good side. Lost narrowly to Arsenal after taking the lead. Widely accepted we were the better side for 60 mins. 6.5/10 vs. 7.5/10.
Game 7: 1:2 vs. Spurs who we all know how their season ended. But it actually started alright for them at the time. Close game. 1:1 vs Man U, with the game up for grabs but they fought (for once this season) though it lacked quality all round. 5/10 vs. 6/10.
Game 8: Lost to Burnley 2:0 who had come up with us and would go down rather easily. 0:0 away from home at Sunderland where they were Euro in the week and depleted at the back and Brobbey half-fit. Had our own injuries/absentees with Okafor, Stach only for the bench, DCL half-fit and Elvedi ill. Crazy weather made attacking hard and defending you had to concentrate. 2/10 vs. 5.5/10.
There's no science behind this, relying on vibes, match reports, highlights, and memory. Scoring system relies on the performance, calibre of opponent, result, and general context on respective teams availabilities.
2025/26 would score 41/80. This season 54.5/80.
At this stage of last season we'd played the teams that ended up finishing 13th, 1st, 12th, 11, 20th, 6th, 17th, and 19th. Average is about 12 and change.
The current performance of the teams we've faced this season is: 18th, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 17th, 2nd, 16th, 20th. Average is 11 and change. Of course there is nuance in this analysis but what it tells me if i take it reasonably at face value is, we've a slightly tougher start this yr compared to last, and are three points better off for it. We've also not faced a newly promoted side this term yet.
Worth off noting that in gameweek 9 last season we beat West Ham and then lost the next four. We were on 11 pts on December 1st last season, and that run of losses included hidings vs. Brighton and Forest.
Sunderland and Palace were obviously not great (maybe Man u too) but no team is perfect and there have been at least as many good performances this season as poor ones.
1.) 28 Oct 2026 08:03:39
So good, they posted it twice, eh, Ealing!
2.) 28 Oct 2026 12:05:18
Didn't mean to post it twice some kind of bug on my phone no doubt.
26 Oct 2026 23:19:51
2025/26 vs. 2026/27
Game 1: 1:0 win vs Everton, late pen. Close game. combative performance. 0:1 win vs. Forest late free kick. Almost identical scenarios. 7/10 Everton vs. 7.5/10 vs. Forest being away from home.
Game 2: Spanked by Arsenal 5:0. Piroe non-existent up front. Perri couldn't save anything. Defence out of their depth. 1:1 vs. Brentford. They were all over us first half. We came back into it after losing Rodon. Lucky to get a point. Arsenal = 2/10, Brentford 6/10 - getting a result vs. a very solid team when we were second best.
Game 3: 0:0 Newcastle at home, didn't watch but it was a clean sheet. Brighton 1:1 away. Almost a reversal of Brentford, we dominated and the only issue was we weren't ahead by more, had one disallowed for a narrow offside. Newcastle 5/10 Brighton 7.5/10.
Game 4: Lost a narrow away 1:0 to Fulham with Gabby's bizzare own goal. Chalk it down to bad luck. Thrashed Newcastle 4:1. 5.5/10 vs. 9/10.
Game 5: 1:3 win at Wolves. DCL's first goal I think, good performance away against a slow starting and eventually relegated Wolves. Tepid 0:0 at home vs. poor and depleted Palace. First truly poor performance and we still got a point. 8/10 vs. 5.5/10.
Game 6: Conceded late to draw with Bournemouth so frustrating, but they were a good side and remain a good side. Lost narrowly to Arsenal after taking the lead. Widely accepted we were the better side for 60 mins. 6.5/10 vs. 7.5/10.
Game 7: 1:2 vs. Spurs who we all know how their season ended. But it actually started alright for them at the time. Close game. 1:1 vs Man U, with the game up for grabs but they fought (for once this season) though it lacked quality all round. 5/10 vs. 6/10.
Game 8: Lost to Burnley 2:0 who had come up with us and would go down rather easily. 0:0 away from home at Sunderland where they were Euro in the week and depleted at the back and Brobbey half-fit. Had our own injuries/absentees with Okafor, Stach only for the bench, DCL half-fit and Elvedi ill. Crazy weather made attacking hard and defending you had to concentrate. 2/10 vs. 5.5/10.
There's no science behind this, relying on vibes, match reports, highlights, and memory. Scoring system relies on the performance, calibre of opponent, result, and general context on respective teams availabilities.
2025/26 would score 41/80. This season 54.5/80.
At this stage of last season we'd played the teams that ended up finishing 13th, 1st, 12th, 11, 20th, 6th, 17th, and 19th. Average is about 12 and change.
The current performance of the teams we've faced this season is: 18th, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 17th, 2nd, 16th, 20th. Average is 11 and change. Of course there is nuance in this analysis but what it tells me if i take it reasonably at face value is, we've a slightly tougher start this yr compared to last, and are three points better off for it. We've also not faced a newly promoted side this term yet.
Worth off noting that in gameweek 9 last season we beat West Ham and then lost the next four. We were on 11 pts on December 1st last season, and that run of losses included hidings vs. Brighton and Forest.
Sunderland and Palace were obviously not great (maybe Man u too) but no team is perfect and there have been at least as many good performances this season as poor ones.
1.) 27 Oct 2026 02:11:34
Good post Ealing. imo we have had one complete very good performance in 8 EPL matches
Our back line players have been generally good
But there should be considerable general concern that further up pitch players such as Okafor, Wilson, BA, Nmecha and Stach this seez continue to look ineffective and very out of form compared to last seez
Added to Farke's relunctance to even try JB and with DJ oft injured ; we miss Gnonto imo
If DCL is injured it really will become "Leeds United NIL"
Leeds struggled badly against 20th place Sunderland, 17th place Palace and 16th place Man U who between them have already conceded 46 ( forty six EPL goals ! ) this seez
Leeds home form kept us up last seez.Leeds really could do with significant points accumulation in next 3 home games coming up vs Spuds and newly promoted Coventry and Ipswich.
2.) 27 Oct 2026 08:07:51
It's difficult to make real comparisons with last season because there are many different nuances to account for, but it can give you a general overview of how better, worse or static a team may or may not be.
For me I'd like to see where we are by the 2nd December which is pretty much the same date we played Citeh last season and make that our comparison.
There you might find roughly how many points we lost last season or gained this season. Many like to say that's where our fortunes changed when tactically Farke changed our formation.
3.) 27 Oct 2026 08:34:29
Funny. Farke changed our formation. Think it's pretty well documented that's not the case although he did learn from it.
I don't think you can compare with last season although the average league position comparison might have some merit. But those higher up teams coulda played mostly relegation fodder. So yeah. Not realistic.
I prefer to trust my eyes and go on current form. ?.
4.) 27 Oct 2026 09:25:35
Current form. Yes. And the form of others, equally. Where are we in the league, and how many have we lost within the context of those peers? League position and stats that count to that position say we are doing quite well.
5.) 27 Oct 2026 10:18:38
I think if you compare the same time last your to our current table position you will see definitely a improvement,
6.) 27 Oct 2026 13:53:21
That's because Rodon Amps and stach changed the formation and tactics. We are now set up not to lose. Which we do admirably. We just don't win much = boring.
7.) 27 Oct 2026 16:55:34
I agree with that Aus mate hopefully given time that will change a few months ago many were saying that as long as we are in the PL and not in a battle they would be happy we are not and in 7 place yes it was a crap game but still a point towards the 40 or so need to stay up it's not doom time and let's not make it so,
19 Oct 2026 18:37:19
Does anyone think its time for a few rotations, particularly behind Calvert-Lewin?
Okafor was particularly poor and deserves giving Bahoya a look now (please not Nmecha or Aaronson from the start - maybe Aaronson from the bench) . Wilson will only get better if he's given a chance and five games adjusting to a new system isn't a full chance yet.
Stach has been average in most games (but not poor) apart from the hour at Arsenal where I thought he was good. I think he is a prem player but a break everynow and then helps him with the intensity.
1.) 19 Oct 2026 19:29:58
I would start Harry Wilson instead of Okafor vs Sunderland away ; Wilson has numerous EPL Goals and Assists to his name and we need some asap
As for BA he is defo a better starter than sub and generally plays better away from home. I would start BA instead of Stach vs Sunderland ( bring on Stach as sub when game slows down 2nd half )
As for " project " Bahoya as Farke revealingly labelled him, a sizeable £2 million loan fee looks completely wasted on Bahoya, if Farke seemingly does not rate him nor is willing to play him at all in EPL, let alone start him.
2.) 20 Oct 2026 00:46:40
I'd like to see them go from a 3:5:2 formation to something more like a 3:4:3 by replacing Tanaka or Stach (probably the latter) with Wilson. Then around the hour mark maybe bring on Bahoya for Okafor, Stach for Tanaka, BA or James (if fit) for Wilson.
This would just be a starting formation, subject to change or maybe reinforcement in certain areas depending on how the game pans out. To me, this would offer greater offensive threat whilst still keeping defensive solidity.
3.) 21 Oct 2026 13:59:05
Perhaps the way to go would be we have 5 managers and rotate them keep every one happy?.
15 Sep 2026 15:23:01
In thinking the internationals are a great period for Wilson to actually get a couple full 90 minutes. There are a few who I would say wrap in cotton wool.
But he's been a rotational option so I'd be happy to see him get 2 or 3 90 minutes runs out of the four games. Hopefully 2 for James too.
Not that they're off it but itll be a great way for them to just keep ticking over.
1.) 15 Sep 2026 22:31:23
Definitely won't be a bad thing for them to get mins under their belts.
04 Nov 2026 16:45:28
I'm sure we weren't in at what the final price was. I think my suggestion of £25m was probably a base fee and wolves and Leeds were interested in the nature of add ons etc taking it about £30m.
Our recruitment aren't stingy. They did pay big money for Trafford and Muharemovic. That looks money well spent so far. It's similar to what palace paid for Larsen and Johnson and it's no contest.
With Larsen, Shea Charles etc it shows when there's a player we want we have a very clear idea what we percieve a fair price to be wont go above it. Fair enough. The desperation has doomed many a club including us before.
04 Nov 2026 16:20:47
The thing is we couldn't have had Suzuki because Villa were in for him and PSG before that.
Just because he cost £30m and therefore looks affordable isn't the only factor. An objectively more attractive club right now with a class manager and champions league football wanted to make Suzuki their no.1.
Maybe it's fair to say villa have got better value out of it so far paying £30m vs. Our £40m for Trafford. But it doesnt mean we could have had Suzuki. Suzuki looked class at the world cup but it's still a question mark moving to a new league. Trafford is English had some prem experiences and his strengths and weaknesses were pretty battle tested in the prem so less of an unknown quantity.
We also could not have swooped in because villa knew Martinez wanted out for 2 yrs so planned this. And they nearly lost out to PSG before they backed out.
03 Nov 2026 17:39:26
i think it goes Suzuki, Trafford, Hornicek.
Im a huge Trafford advocate but, dropping the cross aside, I've been massively impressed with Suzuki at Villa. He's a clear upgrade on what Martinez gave them the past two years. He was the main reason they got the win vs. Spurs earlier, and made a truly world class save earlier in the Fulham game.
Trafford is better than Hornicek, who himself looks promising if a little more raw than Trafford for me.
03 Nov 2026 11:52:31
Agree to a degree Aus, but Larsen isn't a terrible player. The point was the scouting department liked the player but rightly put a price tag on him and if went beyond that it was too much.
Had we got him for £25m in Jan that would have looked good. Palace paid an initial £43m +5m in add ons. They thought they were losing Mateta to Milan, did lose Guehi to city and their form was in freefall, at one point getting sucked into relegation fight after they lost to us 4-1 was a very real possibility.
They got themselves in a position where they decided they couldn't afford not to get him so effectively let Wolves name their price.
So they did Larsen at £43m and Johnson at £35m. So call it £80m and four goals, paying £20m per goal. They've then flipped Johnson for Mcneil at a book value of £22m for each i think. So in six months they accepted a loss of £13m just to get rid of Johnson.
There's more than one way to get things right and wrong ofc, and Larsen and McNeil could yet come good. But on current basis, the panic buying last Jan for Palace has set them back and if they didn't end up in relegation trouble last term they might well do this.
02 Nov 2026 12:05:21
Farke lost trust in Gnonto. And he was underwhelming last season. He's done very little in italy too. Gnonto wouldn't have solved our problems this yr.
04 Nov 2026 16:31:43
I totally agree baz about palace and sage. I did say the owner doesn't like the coach over results performances and the canvot dropping incident.
I do think that sage is a decent coach. He essentially inherited a mess where the panicked on overspending on Larsen and Johnson which I've already covered, leaving to very little to work with. They rushed three signings over the line on deadline day including chilwell who's barely been used. Larsen hasn't hit the ground running and when mateta isn't injured he's getting sent off.
They then lost riad to ACL and even Henderson has missed time this season already. The only star they have is Wharton and he's struggling with the pressure and lack of support. I think 16th or 17th would be a huge success for sage but given what glasner did they won't accept that.
04 Nov 2026 14:33:48
I think it's a good thing they won too. They got a sniff of a chance after a controversial penalty award and even more controversial retake.
But that squad isn't capable of playing three games in eight days to the intensity they showed in the second half.
Villa were finished by the hour so they took off Manzambi and mcginn on 62 and Jackson for the last 15. Little game management bits like that make the difference in keeping players sharp Vs fatigued.
In such a congested fixture list if you're more than two down to a leading team and a big game at the weekend absolutely rest the stars. Not everyone will agree with that.
03 Nov 2026 15:02:04
It's also worth noting with regards to some of the pondering with keepers. It's pretty clear that they're also instructed to goad the opposition into a press in certain situations. Sometimes the only way the ball the manager wants played opens up is when the forwards begins pressing the keeper.
03 Nov 2026 14:55:26
He is missed. I wonder if he's more willing to step into mid a bit centrally. Bijol and elvedi are defenders defenders and Muharemovic does tend to stay back too. Justin with Bogle is well documented.
Rodon adds a bit of fire. Ampadu is missing his mate and as good as elvedi has been (and he has been good, better than bornauw and close to pascal in terms of level.
Somehow showing for the ball more creating another option that's just a hair more progressive in playing out will help the mid enormously.
I wonder if gruev isn't due a game soon too. If he's healthy I'd give him the start over longstaff when amps drops out for his 5-yellow suspension soon.
02 Nov 2026 21:04:46
Baz I think Trafford has already made saves that meslier perri and darlow dont make this season. Sunderland had a few of those. Bournemouth is the only true error for me. Arsenal is one that you can chalk down to 'might expect to do better without being a full error'. I'd expect a world class keeper to save the arsenal one. But Trafford is in the very decent, on the way to very good and potential to be world class camp. He definitely isnt yet.
What I like about him is that so far at least he looks completely unruffled the moment something bad happens. Meslier was on his way to very good too but the moment he made a couple of errors it cascaded. Having a thick skin is a big part of it for keepers and you could see the way he was bantering the sunderland fans as he baited the press he was well up for it.
And I'm too young to remember anyone before Martyn granted but surely if Martyn edged out title winners in Leeds all-time voting he's better than Sterwart, Harvey Lukic, etc.