12 Mar 2026 14:33:47
Watching the City v Real game last night, and wondering what modern coaches have against crossing the ball.
Coaches like Pep, Arteta, and Slott have complained about the difficulty in beating a low block, but don't even try to whip crosses into the striker.
Last night was a prime example. Real sat back, allowed City possession in their half, and hit on the counter. City have the most prolific goal scorer in the world up top. Yeah, Haaland likes balls over the top to run on to. But if the opposition is set up to prevent this, surely you'd look to get down the line and get crosses in for Haaland to get on the end of?
Doku clearly had the beating of Trent. Yet every single time he got past him, he cut back inside, allowing Valverdi to cover. Haaland could have walked off the pitch and nobody would have noticed. What's the point in playing him if all he gets to do is watch the other players pass rge ball around the box behind him? Same with Gyrokes. Bringing in a 6ft plus powerful striker and not even attempting to get crosses into him, baffling.
I mean, I'm not advocating the Moyes style when he was here, but at least try a few crosses if the more intricate stuff isn't working.
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11 Mar 2026 18:21:08
Number 6
Casemiro is going to be a massive loss.
Ugarte has to go.
Kone is not quite ready.
We need two in here with Kone as understudy, I feel he is the standout from the youth section.
Do we go all out for a prime target and retain Collyer as back up?
So maybe a Baleba, Collyer and Kone setup.
Is Collyer good enough and should we cash in on him and use the funds for a Gomes?
Baleba, Gomes, Kone.
Thoughts?
11 Mar 2026 18:39:42
Baleba and Gomes aren't good enough for where we want to be, Jimbob. They would be great as a second or third signing, but not the star name.
11 Mar 2026 19:05:29
Then who, JR?
11 Mar 2026 20:41:35
Manu Kone, Elliot Anderson, Nmecha, Ederson. Lots of players I'd be very happy with. Gomes is a good shout for squad depth to replace Ugarte, but I agree with John that he's not got enough to be a regular starter for us if we have league title aspirations.
11 Mar 2026 22:20:28
I agree, guys. Gomes is backup to a long-scouted Baleba.
To be clear, we are talking about the holding midfielder here, not the number 8. Some of those names are not a Cas/Ugarte replacement.
11 Mar 2026 23:22:30
Anderson and Nmecha are very much 8's.
Ederson and Manu Kone are definitely options versus Baleba. I suppose it is whether we are going the prem proven route or not....
I'll do #8 last. Anderson and Nmecha are in with a shout for sure.
12 Mar 2026 11:45:57
We need a 6 and an 8. If we are going to play Mainoo as one of the 8's, we need a left-footed 6. Also, we are heavily linked to Anderson, another right-footed 8. Baleba, Wharton, and Stiller are all left-footed 6's.
You ideally want two of each, so potentially we need 3 midfielders in the summer. Anderson & Wharton would be my first choices, as they like to pass forward, and, most importantly, they cover a lot of ground, which would stop our biggest issue over the last few seasons, which is midfield runners.
The backline would get a lot more protection from those two.
If we were to let Ugarte go, we would need a third midfielder. If we were to sign Wharton and Anderson as starters, that would give Mainoo as Anderson's backup. Wharton would need a backup. I'd suggest a younger player, such as Jorthy Mokio at Ajax. He's a left-footed CDM, with quite a lot of potential, and he'd be fairly cheap in terms of cost.
12 Mar 2026 14:09:19
Jimbo, I wouldn't get caught up in the 6 vs 8 split. If we've two box-to-box midfielders, they'll work it out. Elliot Anderson, for instance, reminds me very much of Roy Keane in his Forest days. We'd have regarded Keane as an 8 at that stage. But the main characteristic was that he's a box-to-box midfielder who can do everything.
12 Mar 2026 14:10:32
There's no way we sign both Wharton and Anderson.
I think we need to be savvy, pick one of them and go all out. Move Ugarte too, and bring in a cheaper option for back up.
Personally, I think Anderson is a better fit because he's able to move the ball forward quicker than Wharton.
For me, this is the key position, because Casemiro, despite not having the legs anymore, has been key in getting our attacks started.
12 Mar 2026 15:50:46
I like Wharton and Anderson, 2 big, strong lads who get up and down the field, great engines, and can really play football. That's from what I've seen. Baleba also looks good and athletic, but he hasn't impressed me when I've watched him.
Outside of that, I would be guessing, as I haven't watched the others closely enough.
I think the scouting and recruitment department has done a pretty decent job so far when bringing in new talent, so I'm very positive about who they choose to bring in.
11 Mar 2026 18:13:06
The Bruno role:
This is a split decision.
If Bruno stays.
I'd be happy with Wilson from Fulham at 28 who isn't going to pull up trees but equally is a capable stand in when Bruno needs a rest. And then I'd have Thwaites as the third choice. Again fund have been preserved for other areas whilst adding depth with a free transfer.
If Bruno goes, we don't have anyone who can actually step into that role that is ready.
Mainoo? Means we effectively have zero midfielders for the 6&8 roles assuming Ugarte goes.
Cunha steps in if we sign a LW? Not against that route.
I haven't really thought too much about this in the event Bruno leaves, I assume he stays. But if he goes I think we need a Doue or a Musiala or a Paz to replace him.
11 Mar 2026 23:23:00
Or do we test the likes of Chelsea with a bid for Palmer.
12 Mar 2026 11:31:22
Rightly so, Mount is not even part of the discussion.
What an absolute shower of a signing it has been. Overpaid, never fit, and the enormous opportunity cost of not signing an actual centre mid that summer puts it down as one of the worst signings in the club's history, imo.
12 Mar 2026 13:55:48
Agreed! Anyone not mentioned from current squad is assumed sold.
12 Mar 2026 14:16:42
I feel sorry for Mount. He didn't really have major injury concerns before he signed, and had shown glimpses of what he's capable of when fit. You can see that he wants to play, but is stuck in a cycle of pushing to get back and never being 100%.
I think Bruno has to be kept for another season.
He carries most of the creative responsibilities, and Cunha is way too prone to go missing in games. Ultimately, we need to see the likes of him and Manioo step up and take some creative responsibility. Far too often, they divert to Bruno instead of trying to play a final pass.
12 Mar 2026 15:52:23
I like Mount as both a person and a player, but he cannot stay fit, and, unfortunately, that has to be the priority. No point having talent if you can't use it on a consistent basis.
11 Mar 2026 03:34:11
Front 3
Personally, until we have sorted other areas, I wouldn't be bothered if we left this alone, apart from departures.
LW: Cunha, Dorgu, Mantato
RW: Mbeumo, Amad, Lacey
SK: Sesko, Obi-Martin, Biancheri and JJ Gabriel
IF, and a big one at that, we sort out midfield and portions of defence, I can see us making a play for Diomande, with the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo able to shuffle across the line to a degree. But more me, a luxury signing that we only make it funds permit after sorting the rest out.
Thoughts?
I've saved the favourite positions to last of course, midfield tomorrow!
11 Mar 2026 05:58:35
Well we have virtually those players now and it's not exactly pulling up trees..... Both of those wings already have trouble supplying decent crosses into the box, or even a constant supply for strikers to feed off.
Sesko still has lots to learn, Obi even more so, so you now have Obi trying to learn from a player who's still learning his trade. Nah, not for me.
I still think we need a very experienced striker, one with pace & quality, and a decent winger who can supply quick, incisive crosses, not more of this slow, pedestrian build up.
To me Cunha is no left winger, he holds the ball far too long.
Dorgu, yes, gives energy and pace, but his crossing and final ball are poor, but of course, if that's the standard we're happy with, he can do a job.
Mantato... have no idea.
Not sure the right wing is much better. We have that now and it's not doing so well.
Guess we stick with these if that's the level we are now looking at.
11 Mar 2026 10:00:14
We are definitely going to be signing a left winger. We sold/loaned all of them because of the shift in system with Amorim. Now we are shifting back, we need to bring someone in.
Cunha is not a left winger. He spends most of his time drifting to the middle, and it gets way too congested.
We are going to need to see more than 3 games of Dorgu at left winger before he can be banked on to play there.
I know it's going to be unpopular, but I don't think we should have let Garnacho go, especially for the small fee we received. Rumours that someone like Diomande is going to cost 80-100m, and I'm not sure he is twice the player.
11 Mar 2026 12:31:57
We sold them, DSG, because they were either disruptive or not good enough. Sancho, Garnacho, Rashford and Antony went. Cunha, Mbeumo, Dorgu in, with Amad now playing. We could do with another, but your point about the playing system, I don't think is correct.
11 Mar 2026 13:51:12
What about bringing Hoijland back to compete with Sesko?
11 Mar 2026 14:36:11
Garnacho struggles to get a game for Chelsea. They have been underwhelmed with him. He is another Billy Big Boots who thinks he is better than he is. We have shipped out the bad attitudes, Scott aside, and it was needed.
11 Mar 2026 15:34:04
JBR, not sure if you have seen much of JJ Gabriel, but we need to remember he has only just turned 15 and physically he has a long way to go. Don't think he will be a regular in the first-team squad, he needs to be playing regularly.
Have watched quite a few U18 games this season, and, whilst he clearly is a phenomenal prospect and very, very talented, we need to avoid heaping too much expectation upon him too soon.
Next season I can see him training with the first team on occasions and getting a few minutes as a late substitute. This would mainly be to let him know how highly rated he is by the club, let's not forget, when he turns sixteen this October, he has the option of leaving on a free transfer.
There is massive interest in him from most of the major European clubs, especially Barcelona. It is not going to be straightforward keeping him.
Before we get the 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' comments, whilst he may be skilful enough, his physicality is not ready for the Premier League.
Anyone not really seen him, if you want to get an idea, go to YouTube and search for his highlights against Nottm Forest U18s last Saturday, 7/3/26. He scored 2 goals.
11 Mar 2026 17:46:09
Nice comments, everyone. I almost agree and disagree with them all. The reason I haven't changed personnel is that, at times, even since the managerial change (Arsenal and City), the front three have been electric. Dorgu being injured seemed to change the dynamic; we lost his unpredictability (sometimes it felt he didn't know what he was going to do next!).
I agree JJ is young, hence 4th choice. I wouldn't be against signing someone, but equally I felt that Sesko is finding his feet, and I agree with Ken that he will score 25+ goals next season.
Also the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo can sit there if absolutely necessary.
I guess I wouldn't be too concerned if we didn't sign someone there. Amongst all of these posts, I'm trying to ascertain the general feeling of the fans.
If we sign Diomande, for instance, what happens to Dorgu and Cunha?
11 Mar 2026 18:05:50
Simo, that is not the worst decision, and I assume not off the table. He hasn't exactly found his previous form whilst being away, but he could play understudy.
I'll say this, I would love us to go and sign Kane, but that ain't happening for a multitude of reasons, so I haven't composed these posts to suggest my dream team.
It is a measured assessment, factoring in where we are as a team and financially.
10 Mar 2026 22:21:58
Feel sorry for the Spurs keeper tonight. Just had one of those nights. Thank goodness we finally have a decent one in Lammens. Without a good keeper the defence and team cannot prosper. We def need a good backup and I would be happy with Vitek.
10 Mar 2026 23:41:57
Yeah, I felt for him too, Salford, but it was the right call to take him off, imo.
Van de Ven didn't look a 100m player.
They are in a bad place as a team at the moment, and I think they need a change of manager again, and a change of mood and attitude.
9 games to save the club from the catastrophe of relegation.
Who do they get? It will need to be an inspired move.
What age is Martin O'Neill holding fort at Celtic?
Lifting that bunch off the floor will take some doing. Can't wait to see who they turn to, because this guy has to go.
11 Mar 2026 02:46:03
Or he has to stay! It would be great to see Spurs in the Championship!
11 Mar 2026 06:02:39
Yeah, would love them to go down, but they may be saved because of the other poor teams down there.
Tudor was always going to be a risky appointment.
Van de Ven is a very good player (put him in front of any CB we have, that's for sure).
Of course, even good players look terrible in a very poor team, plus he wants out anyway, so not helping.
Diabolical decision to chuck in number 2 GK in the Cauldron of Metropoliano...
11 Mar 2026 11:55:33
Van de Ven is a poor centre back, je suis not even the best centre back at Spurs, so I don't know how you think he's better than ours.
11 Mar 2026 12:46:23
My suspicion is that a lot of the "big" players in the Spurs squad are hoping for relegation. They've given up on the team, and know that they'll have a better chance of leaving if they go down. They haven't given a single s**** since the new year.
11 Mar 2026 14:34:07
Why Jim?
Spurs are a big club, I'd hate to see them relegated.
11 Mar 2026 17:49:49
They are a biggish club that, the Europa League success aside, haven't exactly been winning loads recently.
Preston were a big club, but I wouldn't want them in the Premier League.
I feel they could do with a bit of a reset for a year or two.
I'm not saying they should stay down and never return, they are just a bit boring over the last 10+ years. They are never going to actually challenge for the title, etc.
11 Mar 2026 22:20:37
A bit like us then, Jim.
10 Mar 2026 16:38:42
Centre backs:
I'll say from the outset MdL needs to go as he is not available, cut losses and get him back to fitness and out the door.
Renew Maguire on a rolling one year extension is stage 1.
Sign Senesi on a free stage 2.
Senesi and Licha first choice.
Yoro and Maguire second choice.
Heaven and Kukonki back up.
I do expect Heaven and Yoro to keep pushing and it may even see Licha dropped into the second choice position through the season.
I said in a previous post we don't need to spend too much here as well stocked, next window would probably need to be looking at a Branthwaite to replace Licha or Maguire.
If the club has the funds to make that change this summer I wouldn't be against it, but I feel fullbacks and centre mid are crucial for our future progression.
What is the general consensus here.
10 Mar 2026 18:34:33
Senesi isn't good enough.
Shaw needs to be the first out the door.
10 Mar 2026 18:37:29
I can already see centre back being a big issue for us next season. It's not a position you can afford to be naive about. Two seasons ago, Varane and Martinez missed most of the season, and our season imploded (J Evans went from 5th choice to first choice lol).
I appreciate we have so many other areas to strengthen (CM, LW and LB), but this overlooks that all of our centre backs are either injury prone or inexperienced.
I agree with OP that MDL is injury prone, and so is Martinez.
Maguire is getting older and suffering more injuries as he ages. None of them can be relied upon tbh.
Yoro and Heaven are promising but inexperienced. I could see them starting a lot of games, but they would need to be next to a highly experienced partner.
I think we desperately need to sign a top CB next season and let MDL or Martinez go.
First Choice: Yoro and New CB
Backups: Maguire & Martinez & Heaven.
10 Mar 2026 18:45:16
Not sure on Senesi, if w how about Murillo from Forest, Nathan Collins at Brentford or Lacroix from Palace.
10 Mar 2026 19:03:39
I contemplated Branthwaite this season, but I suspect he would cost north of $70m, and I felt midfield is more of a priority.
Senesi has been a beast this season. I think overlooking him might be a mistake, more so for our financial position.
Don't disagree with your sentiments on moving on more players this summer from CB DSG.
My concern is whether we have the team to execute this, and the funds to do it right.
Talk of Amissah from Fulham, which would make sense as he covers all positions. But, again, young.
Wiggy, of those I like Lacroix, the others I'd pass on personally.
10 Mar 2026 20:03:49
Sell Maguire. As a self-confessed anti-Maguire, I accept that he has had somewhat of a purple patch of late, but the fact remains he is borderline average at this level.
He will fall off the cliff next season, post-World Cup. Not that he could get much slower, but he will struggle even more to play the high line.
It's laughable seeing him try to recover from the halfway line. I've got T-shirts whose colour runs faster!
If you are going to keep him on for one more year, then it can only be as backup, as mentioned above, when we need to shore up defence in games for the last 10 minutes.
10 Mar 2026 20:21:08
Murillo would also be my first choice. We need a serious improvement on Dalot. I think calling for Shaw to go isn't particularly fair on him.
10 Mar 2026 21:19:58
Similar to Keefy's comment on Maguire, DonRed, Shaw's stock, form, and availability will fall off a cliff post WC. The only thing that will go up will be his weight, if I had to predict proceedings.
11 Mar 2026 05:52:55
Licha should take the Casemiro role until we have a replacement. Maguire needs to stay for his experience. Likewise, Shaw has had a decent season this year.
It's a shame about Mdl, but if he can't keep fit, we need a replacement with experience and pace to help Yoro and Heaven. Must be a guide, an in-game talker, to guide these two young boys.
Def need a good left back.
But, first priority has to be midfield. It has been neglected far too long. I don't want £80m + being spent on a 28yr old like Newcastle Bruno. I want a 25 yr old who is maturing, but we can still get 4 to 5 years of good playing time at least from him and in his prime years.
11 Mar 2026 17:51:25
I'm saving midfield til last, Salford. 👍
09 Mar 2026 23:41:03
Fullbacks:
Assuming a 60 game season, ideally we need 3 players per position.
The narrative for me is to churn out the players who, over the years, have not been good enough. This includes saying goodbye to likes of Shaw and Dalot as our first team fullbacks.
I don't think our financial position allows for us to be signing the best in class (say Livramento as an example).
I actually think our fullbacks need more attention than centre backs, which we will touch on next post.
Right back, suggested first Teamer (Munoz or Ryerson), back up either one of those two or retain Mazraoui for another season, youth player, Ogunneye.
Left back, first team Robinson from Fulham, bring back Amass for cover, and have Leon as third choice.
Welcome people's thoughts on those suggestions and offer alternatives if not aligned.
10 Mar 2026 11:11:19
I don't think Dalot will be going anywhere tbh. And, to give him some credit, he has been one of the most improved players since the change. But I don't think he should be a starter, and we need an upgrade. Can see him staying on as a squad player though, along with Mazraoui, as both can play RB and LB.
I've seen Di Marco from Inter mentioned in rumours and think he'd be a good addition to LB, and maybe Munoz from Palace or Kayode from Brentford for RB.
The 4 of Di Marco, Munoz/Kayode, Dalot and Mazraoui, along with the youth of Amass and Leon, should be sufficient imo.
10 Mar 2026 13:32:04
I think Dalot and Mazraoui are fine for another season considering the other areas we need to strengthen.
Definitely think we need another left back. I have seen us linked with Di Marco/ Grimaldo as more attacking options.
10 Mar 2026 16:32:40
Di Marco numbers are excellent this year, my concern is whether they are repeatable in the Premier League, same kind of applies to Ryerson who we've also been linked with.
I'd be happy with one Premier League proven and one risk. Because we have more proven cattle at RB, it maybe makes more sense to invest in, say, Ryerson over Munoz, and then get prem proven for LB as Shaw needs to go imo.
After Livramento, who I would want but don't think we'll even go for, the next best in the EPL is Robinson. He fulfils his role with no fuss.
Would you be happy with
Ryerson, Mazraoui, Dalot
Robinson, Amass, Leon (he is specialist left sided not right).
10 Mar 2026 18:20:30
Lewis Hall over Robinson for me, Jimbo.
10 Mar 2026 20:38:36
Has anyone considered Vanderson from Morocco? Seems an excellent fit and should be available at a respectable fee.
10 Mar 2026 21:22:45
Don't disagree, Wiggy. Concern is the required fee. I am led to believe Robinson would be a relatively low fee.
Kiwi Red, yes, considered, and if we had an established team with a direction, and were looking to top up our stock, I would take a gamble on an unknown in the PL.
For that reason alone, I discounted him, but he looks quality.
Definitely a position that has a few options available for it.
09 Mar 2026 18:42:17
Ed033, do you have any pages open for Cheltenham chat and tips?
Cheers.
{Ed033's Note - We have a site called football rumours bets but the Ed that runs it for Cheltenham and the Grand National Meeting is in hospital.
09 Mar 2026 19:41:21
No problem, mate, thanks. Hope they're ok. 👍
09 Mar 2026 17:53:26
Rather than write a full script on the future direction of the squad, I thought I'd break it down starting with an easy one. Goalkeeper.
Lammens has been a revelation for our team, IMO.
Vitek is doing well out on loan at Bristol and is very much capable of being understudy/competition to Lammens.
Bayindir, even as third choice, I am not sure he is worth keeping.
Onana just has to go.
Heaton is of course retiring. His experience is vital for the dressing room.
Suggestions of Pope or even Ortega on a free at the end of the window. Either would be smart business and I'd probably lean more towards Ortega at the moment.
We also have the likes of Mee and Harrison in youth, but they probably need loans before any consideration is given to them stepping up.
So would everyone be happy with a stock of Lammens/Vitek/cheap third choice like the aforementioned Pope or Ortega. Or do people feel this is an area we need to invest in over the summer?
09 Mar 2026 19:42:48
I think that is fine, to be honest. Lammens has been great and should only get better.
Goalkeeper isn't a position you want to rotate much, and is probably the last position we should be looking to spend significantly on improving right now.
09 Mar 2026 19:44:58
Jimbo, I agree with the first choice, obviously. I can't see Pope wanting to be a third choice, so I'd take him as backup if he was happy with that. Vitek needs game time at his age, so I'd get him out again on a good loan.
I do think he could be a good keeper, but no point in him sitting on the bench week after week. Young goalies need as much playing experience as possible, imo.
09 Mar 2026 21:38:19
Talking about goalies. Has anyone seen our u18s keeper? I'm not sure I've ever seen a range of passing like that from a GK in my life. 😂
09 Mar 2026 22:46:10
So, general consensus is the GK position is not in need of any major surgery.
Noucamp, fair point on Vitek. Maybe he sits in the #2 spot until Xmas, and is then on loan for the second half after early rounds of the EFL, etc., have been played. My issue with, say, Pope as #2 is that he isn't going to offer much competition for Lammens, whereas Vitek is literally going to do exactly that.
It could be an interesting tussle between the two. Providing we have competent coaching staff, I think it could work well.
I'll do a separate thread next for full backs.... to see what the general consensus is.
10 Mar 2026 04:27:59
100% we need a GK who is capable of playing regularly and challenging for the starting position. That way, it keeps pushing Lammens; there is nothing worse for any player than knowing there is no competition for their place. I don't care who it is, just as long as they are of the quality to be a number 1.
10 Mar 2026 16:40:12
Would you be happy with Vitek JSU?
08 Mar 2026 22:31:22
Hayden Hackney is a player known to Carrick. Looks quality. Should we be looking to sign him. Wonder if there is any Utd interest.
09 Mar 2026 05:08:35
Is this really the quality of players United should be looking at?
09 Mar 2026 09:03:49
I think, as a backup to the first team, sure, get him in.
09 Mar 2026 10:12:15
I thought he'd have been a good, cheap January signing to freshen up the squad and the midfield options for the remainder of the season. It would have given him half a season to get to grips with the expectations, and, hopefully, he would have developed well enough to be a useful squad player next season.
However, going into the summer, I think other, dare I say, better options need to be targeted, and maybe he's a later signing in the window depending on budget and player outs.
09 Mar 2026 10:55:40
I think he looks a very classy player, but you only really find out when you ask them to play the highest level.
09 Mar 2026 19:46:09
He looks a great young player, and there are lots of recent examples of players getting a good grounding in the Championship, then stepping up and playing well in the EPL. Even our own Amad did well on loan at Sunderland before coming back and stepping up with us.
Hackney looks like the best midfielder in the Championship. That said, given the need we have, he probably shouldn't be the marquee signing this summer. But, as a second or third midfield signing (if Ugarte leaves), I think he could be a shrewd bit of business.
10 Mar 2026 04:30:54
Let's be honest, as Amad has really stepped up to what's required at United. Yes, he's been ok if you're comparing him to what we have and had, but he is no world beater, if we are being honest.
If he was at another club, would we be looking to purchase him? I would 100% say no. That's no disrespect to him, he did ok here, but is he at the level we really need?
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