30 Apr 2026 15:47:51
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 34 - Quick Round Up
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30 Apr 2026 13:45:24
I believe this is a post on that X Twitter place and worth sharing.
We really need to consider the situation very carefully. Surely Burnley would be beating a path to Carrick's door, yet are supposedly looking at Gerrard and Bellamy.
“The Downfall of Carrick’s Middlesbrough team collapse moments;
• Inconsistency across a long season
• Defensive fragility
• Tactically not adaptable
• Inconsistency across a long season;
Middlesbrough could look good for a couple of games then go on a long stretches of poor performances and dropping points.
• Defensive fragility;
Defensive structure and transitions has recurring concerns, especially when games become chaotic and fast paced. Carrick team tends to: leaves spaces between midfield and defense, vulnerability in defensive transitions and inability to close games cleanly.
• Tactically not adaptable;
When opponents disrupt rhythm, press aggressively, or sit compact, (like Leeds and Newcastle) Carrick looked lost and has no plan B to change the game. ”.
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30 Apr 2026 16:43:30
Yep, big red flag against Carrick that Burnley don't want him. In future, we should cross reference every managerial appointment and player signing with JJ Watt to see if he approves of it.
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29 Apr 2026 22:29:57
It's a long way to go yet, but I do feel that this squad is showing the green shoots of a potential title winning team in the future.
Senne Lammens has been a phenomenal signing for us, he is already one of the best keepers in the league already (highest xG prevented in the league), and he will only get better.
Ayden Heaven in the last couple of games has shown just how much of an absolute bargain he was for 1m (3 weeks of Alexis Sanchez's wages). He looks like with a little polishing he could be a monster in defence for us for the next decade.
Kobbie Mainoo is playing himself back into the kind of form that got so many United fans excited when he burst onto the scene in the senior team.
Benjamin Sesko has also quietly gone about settling into English football very effectively. He has all the attributes needed to be a superstar, and even when his form in front of goal hasn't been great he still is effective for the team with his work rate and goal threat.
That is a spine of a team that if they all reach their potential (and I'm fairly confident they will) that could challenge for all the major honours.
Add to them Leny Yoro who I still believe will become a top player (settling into the EPL as a teenage CB was always going to be tough). Let's not forget that Saliba needed to spend time back on loan in France before he could come back and become the stalwart he is for Arsenal.
As well as Amad Diallo, who despite a slight down season from him looks like a future superstar.
That's 6 young lads who are all 3-4 years away from entering their peak years.
While there are other potentially great players in the Academy, JJ Gabriel for example, looks as close to nailed on to become a star as you can get from youth football.
I really like this side, I like what INEOS are building on the pitch, and I'm confident that they will continue to get more signings right over the next couple of windows than they get wrong.
The future looks bright.
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30 Apr 2026 06:36:18
We still need to do a good job in the transfer window, and we, as fans, shouldn't expect a title-winning team so soon.
I would honestly be happy if we qualify for the CL next season, perhaps having a good run in some of the cups, considering the amount of games we will play and how thin our squad is at the moment.
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30 Apr 2026 06:53:12
Shappy,
Yes, to a point. Heaven looks a real player to me, high potential, even Rio-level vibes. Amad is a concern, not seeing the development yet that we would expect.
They need to get the manager appointment right or we won't maximise the potential.
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30 Apr 2026 08:35:26
I agree on some of the core pieces that we have in the team for the next few years. Heaven and Yoro look like they could be a quality pairing in a couple of years, but, likely next year, we need an older, reliable player alongside either of them. Hopefully fewer injuries in the back line, and we could rotate between these.
Lammens could mean we have the GK position locked up for the next decade, with still some upside development to come.
If we can get the CM positions sorted this summer alongside Mainoo, then we could have a real spine that could have us challenging for trophies.
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30 Apr 2026 09:51:00
I think we are a rb and an athletic, combative cm away from having a challenging starting 11. If we get a cb and lb in as well, then a starting 11 you could argue would be favourites. To be real challengers, we need to be better with recruiting the squad players.
I've seen some of the criticism towards Carrick has been his use of substitutes during games, but to be fair, when you look at the bench, there is not a lot to turn to.
Ugarte? Zirkzee? Malacia? Mount? (I actually rate Mount, I just wish he could keep some form of fitness). Yoro is still learning his trade, Lacey is just coming into senior football.
Once Dorgu is fit, Cunha is fit, and you replace Ugarte, Malacia and Zirkzee, suddenly, when everyone is fit, the squad looks very healthy.
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30 Apr 2026 09:53:11
Interesting piece, Shappy. I agree with almost all, but can you help me with my issue - Sesko. Maybe he hasn't had enough play, and it's just his 1st season, with me judging harshly, but .....
I really wish I see what you see, but so far I do not :( What am I missing, between his current displays and future superstardom. His performances so far remind me of players like Zigic, Jan Koller, Benteke; perhaps a step above Crouch and Carrol, but nowhere near Zlatan, Batigol, RvP, Ruud, Lewa, Kane etc.
I hate to say this, and hope I am wrong, but I think he will peak into a Giroud-class player.
And BTW Amad at 24 isn't that young any more and his progress has stalled.
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30 Apr 2026 10:34:29
I'm good with a Giroud-class player, Mbd. 😂
I think he has looked great and is a massive upgrade on Hojlund. With even better players, I think he will easily grab 20+ goals a season. He's got 10 from 29 games already this season.
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30 Apr 2026 12:17:44
Agree with a fair bit of that, Shappy.
I think we finally have a pivotal window for the club, for a number of reasons.
- (assumption here) CL football to help attract the best players.
- Opportunity to get rid of (most of) the random signings, either by selling or because of contracts expiring. That frees up a lot of spots and wages.
- The hope that some of the squad players we need to cope with a busier schedule can be found from the youth, provided we have a manager that's willing to take a chance, e.g.
Vitek, Amass, Lacey, and the continued progress of Yoro, Heaven, Amad, and Mainoo.
That should mean the club should, and can, go all-out to attract players that will improve the first XI. CM (at least 2, ideally 3), followed by full-backs, is the clear priority. Am hopeful there's budget for at least 5 quality signings, but a lot will depend on the owners' ambition. This window will tell us if we are happy competing for CL spots or titles.
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30 Apr 2026 15:04:14
How many strikers in world football do you think are better now than peak Giroud was?? Not many!
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29 Apr 2026 14:45:07
Hope we buy some quality fullbacks to deal with these monstrous wingers in the CL next season. 😂
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30 Apr 2026 09:55:05
That did not help PSG much, Olise used that left flank as if Mendes wasn't even there, and Mendes is one of the best if not the best LBs in the world currently. :D :D Lol !!!
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29 Apr 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Crystal Palace - A Quick Liverpool Perspective
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28 Apr 2026 20:54:56
Half time in the CL final PSG v Bayern.
It's like watching a different game to the robotic EPL. End to end 2 teams attacking to win. Brilliant attacking technical ability on display. Some suspect defending but primarily down to great attacking play.
Dodgy pen at the end of the half.
Often a second half can see the pace slow a bit, hopefully more of the same though. A great advert for football so far.
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28 Apr 2026 21:08:04
Tbh Ken, I'm gutted. I've got HBO Max but not Prime, so I can't watch tonight's game... Instead, I'm stuck with Arsenal v Athletico. 🤦🏼♂️ Seems like I'm missing a classic!!
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28 Apr 2026 21:39:29
I was going to post the same, Ken. It demonstrates exactly why some of us are anxious about the results-are-all-that-counts mentality and about ignoring how negative our football has become.
If we're to bridge the gap to these two teams, we need to have a much more proactive approach.
Both teams are so well balanced, a joy to watch, and a blueprint for what we need to follow.
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28 Apr 2026 22:02:14
Cracking game of football. Both teams went for it, could have been 8-8. Neither sat back at any stage of the game, they backed themselves to get more goals.
Side note, can't see Enrique wanting to leave that squad, they're quality.
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28 Apr 2026 22:13:55
I dunno, Mumbles. I think he definitely stays if they win CL again because he can set a record with them then, but it's not impossible if they don't.
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28 Apr 2026 23:17:44
Well, it didn't slow down. Super stuff. Players that are not afraid to take risks. Players that don't have the life and soul coached out of them. Players that put an emphasis on skill and technique. Players that make you jump out of your seat.
The EPL is all brawn over brain. Very competitive athletes.
There are some exceptions, and some really great players, but due to the culture of the game in England, they don't get to flourish and showcase their skills as much.
In Europe, even the best EPL teams often come out on top, but not often do they produce the most entertaining play.
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28 Apr 2026 23:26:39
We need fewer games, I think. The EPL has so many closely matched sides that everyone is at 70% throughout. Only Man City have aimed at having the players peak for the latter part of the season - because they can. An 18-team EPL would help.
But, some reduction in CL games, too. I'm not inclined to compliment US sports, but they are much more aware of the spectacle, and there has been very little change in their main sports on the number of games over the years.
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29 Apr 2026 10:08:58
You're absolutely right, Ken. The Premier League has shown that if you're an athlete first, footballer second, you can succeed.
There's more than one way to win a football match, but there is something wonderful about watching two teams go punch for punch.
5-3 last night, and Enrique brought on Barcola for Doue, hoping his face could get in behind Bayern. It didn't pan out, but there wasn't a thought in his head to bring on another defender. His first thought was how he could hurt Bayern and get another one.
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29 Apr 2026 15:15:35
Last night was the best game of football I've seen in years. It was a shame that it wasn't the CL final. There was constant end-to-end action. It was like being back at school, playing footie at lunchtime, all about scoring goals, regardless of the actual score.
Those two teams set the benchmark for football last night!
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28 Apr 2026 18:53:08
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Crystal Palace - A Quick Liverpool Perspective
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28 Apr 2026 17:18:03
Sesko is gooodddd guyss! He's getting better and will be world class in a year's time!
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28 Apr 2026 17:39:32
Calm down lol. I have high hopes but a god already. 😂
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28 Apr 2026 18:30:35
I think he needs to earn the trust of his teammates more, but I was getting Bergkamp vibes with a sprinkle of Zlatan watching his game vs Brentford.
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29 Apr 2026 11:24:12
Bergkamp or Zlatan vibes? That's bold.
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28 Apr 2026 14:03:12
Anyone else think signing John Stones on a pay as you play/as available would be a no brainer?
My opinion, he brings winning culture and mentality, top quality when available, tremendous dressing room and young defender development influence and could act as a conduit to other players from the Wngland squad or City moving to us in future.
He has goals in him, replaces Casemiro as an extra top header and nuisance in the box and can play multiple positions including wb, FB and midfield.
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28 Apr 2026 14:54:49
A big no for me.
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28 Apr 2026 15:22:09
No from me too.
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28 Apr 2026 15:31:24
Too injury prone and has availability issues.
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28 Apr 2026 16:29:03
Yep, sure, Stones, de Ligt and Martinez all in one squad going into a season.
Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate will probably have to come out of retirement when they are all injured.
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28 Apr 2026 17:13:15
Stones had one good season at City.
No, get Senesi instead, ffs, if you want a free transfer cb.
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28 Apr 2026 18:25:38
I would if we hadn't signed Harry. For ability and experience, Stones offers a lot as a 3rd choice. I'd expect he'll go to Italy or the US.
But he'd do well at Everton or being a back up at Arsenal or Chelsea. He can't play 40-50 games, that's for sure, and needs managing.
Good player and professional.
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29 Apr 2026 07:44:50
I actually didn't realise his record was that bad as you're saying. It looked like he was available for at least half the lrem games, which, considering City are costly in the Champions League and go deep in every cup, didn't seem that bad overall.
I did say pay as you play, or are available, but fair enough.
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28 Apr 2026 06:07:09
When it was first announced that Cas was leaving I thought it was for the best, despite the incredible season he's been having. Now, though, I'm starting to wonder whether it would be worth keeping him on for another year - especially if we can offload Ugarte.
We're presumably going to be bringing in two new CMs this summer. What if one (or both) of them takes a while to settle? What if they get injured, or, like Ugarte, they never acclimatize to the league?
If Cas leaves, we're not only losing his performances (which have been world class as of late), we're also losing his leadership qualities, as well as his desire to win.
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28 Apr 2026 08:42:36
There is no "if Cas leaves"; he is leaving. Don't look back, keep moving forward. Thanks, Cas, and goodbye.
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28 Apr 2026 08:59:12
Yh, agreed, he's leaving, it's done, and it's really good he is leaving on a high.
Interestingly, most people who want to keep him are on a 1 year deal only with reduced wages.
Why would he agree to that lol, if we were to keep him he would probably want a 2/3 deal at his current wage plus Champions League increase.
It's a non starter for that reason, one thing the club is getting right is the wage bill and not overcommitting on contracts for older players.
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28 Apr 2026 09:18:15
He has already said that his mind is made up and he is leaving.
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28 Apr 2026 11:44:25
Agreed. Leave on a high, and go and enjoy his football elsewhere now it's announced. However, parties are obviously entitled to change their minds, of course, if they feel it's the right thing to do.
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28 Apr 2026 12:11:31
He can't play two games in a week, therefore he would only be a squad player next season, as we are signing a midfielder in his position who will be first choice. He won't accept a big wage cut (why would he?), so it's best for all parties if he leaves.
What we need is a player that can play like him but their legs haven't gone, it's now up to the club to find that player.
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28 Apr 2026 18:28:57
100% Go out on a high.
I was thinking about it last night. He's had highs and lows with us. I remember watching him in his first season against Chelsea. He was levels above. Fair play, he came out well.
He can do another 3 years in Italy easily before going MLS. Top player.
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28 Apr 2026 18:43:23
We'll get 2 new midfielders and promote Thwaites.
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