Sibierski

Yea, that was immense. He could’ve took the easy option of passing back but he has the aura of ‘I’m the best here’, so took on Gomes and goaded him into the foul and it took all pressure off. He was a top player when he joined, but now he’s fully adjusted to the prem style, he’s now proper elite.

Also had really good feet when it was played into him. Be interesting to see what he develops into this season.

We were largely very stinky with the ball, reasonably solid without again (expect first 5 mins). The positives: Three points Nick looks up to speed already and a quality outlet. Everything stuck with him. Pope solid at crosses yet again, killed any threat Wolves had there. Tonali is an absolute Rolls Royce of a CM that helped ensure we won. Negatives: Trippier sloppy at RB once again. Keeps rushing play and it will hurt us eventually. Joelinton non-existent. If he’s not in a battle, he’s an absolute nothing player. Offered us square root of f all in possession, and I’m sure from watching him, he was playing within himself injured wise from word go. Do feel the end days will be this season if this is the norm. Barnes. Words can’t describe how shit he was. Another Prem start at LW where he’s been beyond shit and offered no threat to the opposition RB. Onto Barcelona now where I’m very confident our play will do them damage and we win, but Bournemouth will then on sunday will a hard defeat as the team looks fucked already.

My three hopes for today. We win. We suffer no new injuries. Barnes scores and gets into form as he’ll be crucial these next few weeks.

If there’s discomfort in his knee, a long flight from Africa wouldn’t have been ideal but bit limited what we could do. I’d say best case scenario it doesn’t need surgery and it’s strained the ligaments with some swelling. Out similar length to Ramsey.

I hope he comes good long term, but it was a strange signing giving his injury history and the cost.

One of Delap or Emegha will be sold next summer. But even wouldn’t rule out Pedro if they can sell for £70m.

He’ll be ready from the off. Don’t spend £70m on someone and them not be ready, be like Isak when he arrived and straight in and looking unreal. Goal, game 2+ ahead after 60 and nice standing ovation as he goes off for Osula will be ideal debut. Gets early monkey off his back, bedded in with a rest ahead of Barcelona and everyone leaving the ground all in good moods.

Really excited to watch him tomorrow. Think he will be pure mustard in linking up our attack where everyone around him goes up a level because of the confidence of zipping ball into his feet and then making the run knowing it will be played with quality. Defenders will be getting tight thinking they can nick it too, and they'll be rolled. Good outlet to get more free kicks in dangerous positions, which we don't seem to get as much anymore. When Trippier first arrived, we seemed to get loads. But guess that was with Wood up front and Wilson/Isak were different type of attackers so free kicks 25 yards out central were less of an occurance.

I'm fully braced for it. Kiss of the badge as well.

Issue that’s frustrating, with Ramsey out that’s 7 games we now have to cover. With Joelinton only just back himself, Willock a crock and Bruno coming back off a gruelling intentional break that’s potentially straight back in. It’s spreading things thin quick. Hoepfully wissa is just precautionary and at worst back next week, or it’s similar and we’re back to Gordon up top as Ousla will not be leading the line unless both Gordon and Woltemade are unavailable.

People will say it’s overblown, but I maintain it was dumb to allow him to start both games. Was a freak one, but he shouldn’t be in that situation, 45 at most each game. We was in driving seat in dictating to him what our expectations are for this break and we have to start acting like a big club in that way.

He’s needed against Barcelona. Starting him and playing 75+ then starting Barcelona game for near 90, after having a muscle scare would be idiotic fitness management.

And the process starts.

That’s him fucked. Barnes type first year signing

Yea, said it would be like the Brentford game in 2023 all over again and nothing in past week has changed my mind, if anything reinforced it. On subject of that game, who would be our current penalty taker choices now both Wilson / Isak are gone? Gordon should be no-where near them when available. I'm assuming Wissa, even though he's not took them in Prem as had no need with Toney / Mbeumo ahead of him. Anyone else upthere? Barnes considering how well he strikes a ball should be good penalties you'd think, but he's never took one.

But had a potential clear progression with Pope contract ending in 2026 (same could be said for Man City in fairness as Ederson was ending same time). Maybe naively thought Man City was all in on him, but that's not happened. Probably can gurantee he's gutted and knows it could be a move to someone like West Ham his next move.

Probably say flop for him/Liverpool, is Liverpool ending the season trophyless, and him clear 2nd choice to Etitike. Even if he scored 10 goals in 24 league games (averaging G/A every 120 mins in Prem), that's a good return. But it's the same return up until last season Nunez was offering, so they'd have essentially spent more on staying the same at best. Isak won't enjoy being 2nd fiddle either if he's not starting the big games in 2026, so they then have that ego to deal with. Be fanciful / blinkered for people to think he'd do anyworse, but above is best case scenario IMO.

Anderson for me. Wharton will be better player when both alongside each other at different clubs, but we’d get that extra 10% from Anderson with it being his club, like we get 110% out of Burn so his levels are way higher then it would be if he was playing elsewhere. HG for Europe is also priceless, as it means better squad elsewhere.

Said it other month, him being in England side and being surrounded by top players, will attract the top clubs. Our window to get him back is probably Jan or next summer (if ground work is done now). After that, he’s off to a top side. Like Man City literally need that type of midfielder and ticks the HG quota they’re running low on too. Couldn’t care if he cost £60m+ add ons. He’s a CM for many seasons.

Based on Bruno playing full 90 in altitude ffs I can see this being the side: Pope: Hall, Burn, Schar, Trippier: Joelinton, Tonali, Miley/Ramsey: Barnes, Woltemade, Elanga/Murphy

“He’s not involved this weekend, because he has some stiffness after playing twice in quick succession. We’re hopeful he’ll be fit for Barcelona.” Monday ”He’s had a slight set back, unlikely to feature against Barcelona but will be back to full training soon.” 2 weeks later ”He’s needing minor surgery, but we’re aiming for him to be back after the October Internationals.” November ”We’re unsure on when he will be back, there’s a bit of discomfort which we’re managing carefully.” 21st February ‘Wissa in match day squad for Man City away.’ That’s usually how it goes for us.

Why is he playing so much after no pre season? Get it’s his country and he will want to play, but Christ. Some awareness and management of minutes on some shite pitches wouldn’t go a miss. We’ve just dropped £50m on him.

Gordon is such a dumb player. Don't think he's ever going to change.

I really hope it’s a defence that has Tino - Burn - Hall in World Cup.