LAM09

Change isn't welcomed by people, that's why. Madrid's defence isn't going to magically transform itself, so they'll be vulnerable defensively at any point. Their saving grace is that Bellingham and Mbappe can't get much worse. The former has been dire since the CL final.

When the CL change was announced, people said, "If it ain't broke," but I have to admit, it's been a breath of new air thus far. It implies that every game counts, and you don't have to worry about aggregate ties ending 10+. If anyone watched the two games they won, you'd know they were lucky to have no lost them as well. Fonseca might give Leao a few more starts. He's a promising player. 😄

It's a shame that he left Benfica over five years ago and still hasn't taken his game to the next level. He's 25 in a couple of days, so time isn't necessarily on his side at this point. For everyone's sake, I hope some stability will do him good & allow him to finally flourish (wishful thinking, I know).

I was mainly referring to times when we don't have the ball. He's a passenger in such situations.

I'd imagine the sell-on fee was similar to the buy-back clause that was rumoured. There was certainly a lot of hype surrounding him after he won the Golden Ball at the U-20 World Cup, which prompted Liverpool to snap him up. It was seemingly too much for him at the time, as he suffered a similar fate.

Personally, I believe Palmer is wasted out on the wing, but I've observed what you've described in recent weeks along with his eagerness to try and create something on his own. Felix is a weird one; it may work wonders against weaker teams; yet, against the best, I worry we'd be playing with one man down from the start, which we can't afford for a variety of reasons.

Neto can play there with ease and seems like a nailed on starter out wide. It's a battle between the other three (Noni, Mudryk, & Sancho) for a spot.

Awful character traits combined with subpar football ability. Neither of which we want at this club.

Any bit of composure sees us with a quick fire double. I continue to scratch my head wondering what Enzo offers/excels at.

Great strike! He's been the general in midfield.

One simple ball causes us this much trouble. Only United's NINTH PL goal this season. Offered nothing going forward.

Aside from Palmer, we've hardly offered any threat despite United being there for a taking. We must score soon or a chance similar to Rashford's will fall to them again, and we all know the rest.

I was going to mention him as well, but I'd imagine Gusto would have been another roadblock for him. If you want to look at it in another way, though, Gusto probably would have been at Newcastle instead of Tino.

It's a slight shame more weren't given a chance during their time here. I'm sure Hall would have stayed if it weren't for our margins.

I just have a feeling one side is going to be brushed aside, similar to the game that preceded this.

Maresca hasn't been in charge of a senior side for over a year, so I doubt we'll find out anytime soon, provided he's here for the long haul. However, based on what he's had to say thus far, I'd imagine his goal would be a possession-based side with some actual presence, unlike the current makeup of City. If KDH was his sole target during the summer and can hardly get a game for us, I'd rather others make the transfer decision on this occasion.

They don't exactly need one when they generally have the majority of the ball. Not having key players fit who have great ball retention is why they have been vulnerable in recent weeks. If KDB returns to the sidelines for any notable length of time, I could see Liverpool opening up a gap (should their spine stay fit) that won't be easily clawed back like recent years.

A day to remember for Cobham graduates.

I agree. If we, I hate to say it, lose, I can see the noise doing the rounds that we can't beat the "Top 6.". Arsenal to follow next as well.

100%. We could have & probably should have won by a bigger margin too. I'll put midweek's match aside considering the number of changes. I'm just totally unsure what to expect tomorrow.

The latter has really bounced back after that lengthy layoff. A full strength Newcastle is a problem for every side in the league.

I have no idea who thought it was a smart idea to buy players coming off serious injuries. The number of players who fully recover or get close is so small.

Time has moved on, and players ideally mature as they get older. If Maresca is no nonsense as is led to believe, Felix will remain a Cup player, provided everyone remains fit. He obviously wasn't alone tonight in this way. Nkunku undoubtedly shown that, despite his superior talent, he will remain Jackson's understudy.

Is VAR on a night off tonight?

If the latter occurs, his advisors' counsel will appear to be dumb. The prospect of squandering your formative years betting on "a mystery club" and hoping they are still interested in two seasons.