Liverpool banter 4

18 Aug 2026 16:25:09
According to the BBC, FSG sold 38% of the club to the consortium and there is an option for them to take a controlling stake in the next 12 months.

18 Aug 2026 17:19:08
Worrying.

18 Aug 2026 17:50:33
At a valuation of nearly £2bn north of what the club is currently worth, so I doubt they're going to rip themselves off.

18 Aug 2026 18:58:11
Why the worrying, Ron? Not being arsey, just asking for your genuine concerns.

18 Aug 2026 19:28:31
One consortium of billionaires sold shares to another consortium of billionaires, only the buyers are richer. Literally nothing to worry about, the soul's been seeping from Premier League clubs for years, people just pearl clutching.



Only way it improves is a rich Scouser buys us (not many Scouse billionaires knocking about these days, sadly) or we get a system similar to the German one (the leagues too far gone for that).

18 Aug 2026 21:31:10
With how dominant Bayern are in Germany, I don't think ud want the German system. I'm no great expert on it, but u want a league that's as competitive as possible and different teams capable of winning the league.

18 Aug 2026 22:35:52
Some self research into and around bazos and wefs agendas that's documented about super league and such is very worrying along with other stuff they back and push, same for Gary neville sadly he's a memeber pushing everything we are against. Let's hope for being proved wrong but amazon alone should have people's eyes widening.

19 Aug 2026 00:32:36
Amazon will be on LFC shirts soon enough, Leon, and people will still buy them. That's the truth of it.

19 Aug 2026 02:43:36
Leonshunt10, do share what you found mate. Not sure myself how the World Economic Forum, the defunct Super League proposal and Gary Neville are connected, but would really like to know?

19 Aug 2026 08:20:30
I can't think of a more vociferous opponent to the proposed European Super League than Gary Neville.

18 Aug 2026 15:20:03
Apparently we have submitted an improved offer for Barcola, believed to be around £120m.
I wonder if that will seal it, I'd love to have him in the match day squad against Newcastle if possible.

18 Aug 2026 15:36:49
Can't see him making the match squad at this rate either way to be honest.

120mil pounds is crazy dosh but hey I guess that's the market at the moment. ?

18 Aug 2026 16:24:05
Anderson cost £116m and looked totally out of his depth on Sunday. It's just the market for Premier League clubs, unfortunately.

18 Aug 2026 16:45:23
Anderson will be fine when he doesn't have to play next to a bloke who's pretty much been injured since last May... The market is the market. ?

18 Aug 2026 17:17:14
If he's even signed Friday morning he'll be in that squad.

18 Aug 2026 17:48:19
I'd walk away if they don't accept that.

18 Aug 2026 17:52:19
Even if he signs tonight, there's no chance he's in the squad, he's had zero pre-season minutes.

18 Aug 2026 18:25:43
Jaquet had 45 mins, Chewy. Does he not start on Sunday?

18 Aug 2026 19:09:07
Why does it feel that we've submitted a new and improved 120 m bid every day for the last 4 weeks?
And yet................

18 Aug 2026 19:46:01
Getting very boring, this Barcola and Mbaye deal now. Get on with the rest.

18 Aug 2026 20:16:03
Different scenario though, Florian, Jacquet has been in and around the squad and training with the lads, and we've also very limited options at centre half. Few more options on the wing, and Barcola won't have even trained with the team.

Definitely won't start, be lucky to get minutes. Although I'd be happy to be debating that once he's signed. :-) Have a feeling it'll be another Isak and get done right at the end of the window, unfortunately.

18 Aug 2026 21:38:27
He'll be in the squad if he's signed in time. Didn't say start, I said squad. Imagine we need a goal in the last 15 and we've to turn to Chiesa because we didn't think our £100m plus man could handle a few mins.

18 Aug 2026 21:40:23
Anderson seems like a perfectly capable Premier League midfielder, but fairly limited. His fee was absolutely obscene.

19 Aug 2026 02:57:29
Firstly, Florian, whether the Jaquet starts on Saturday or not is definitely something that's been deliberated by the coaching/medical staff. No doubt about it. He's off the back of a 6-month injury, and despite being at the club all summer, he was only cleared for 45 minutes of pre-season game time.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if he didn't start.

It's not about that, Florian, it's not that simple. If Barcola comes in last minute, do you really think the club's going to risk their £120m investment with no time to assess?

19 Aug 2026 07:54:31
Chewy, he played his last game only a month ago, against England. Had his break, and has been back training now since last Monday. It'll be two full weeks of training under his belt by the time we play Newcastle. He can handle 20 mins.

19 Aug 2026 11:00:43
Fair Florian, still can't see him signing before Friday, mind. But yeh would give them a boost coming on for 15/20mins and try get the fans going.

Fingers crossed it gets done soon, but as I say, I'm fully expecting it to get done but closer to the end of the month, unfortunately.

Hopefully I'm wrong though, wouldn't be the first time and won't be the last ha.

18 Aug 2026 14:48:19
Could the edd's set up a poll for league position?
Say 1st
Top 4
Top 5
Top half
Then review again when the transfer window shuts.

{Ed033's Note -


PL finish poll

18 Aug 2026 15:13:27
We will win. Everything. ?

18 Aug 2026 15:33:34
I think it's just very easy to say Arsenal will win the league based on the Charity Shield performance, but I'm not so sure.

We all know Arsenal struggle to score goals in open play, and one game against a wide open City side hasn't changed that. If refs clamp down on their set piece antics, I can see them struggling.

They are on a high right now, but they'll go through a bad spell, and it's whether they have the motivation to knuckle down and keep going when that happens.



We looked like running away with the league after the first 5 games last season, and you'd have been hard pressed to find anyone who didn't think we would. We lost to Palace and it all fell apart. I can see a similar thing happening at Arsenal.

It's a long, long season and they haven't addressed their glaring weaknesses in forward areas. I really don't expect them to walk away with the league like people think they will.

{Ed025's Note - i beg to differ RSO..

18 Aug 2026 15:39:48
I have to disagree, BP. I think Arsenal have a good chance to win the league again, more than last season. The upcoming season is unique in that almost all the top clubs have a new manager, so all would be adjusting to a new style of play.

Arsenal have the benefit of knowing stability, and they can't be underestimated. I think they'd win not only because they have the best squad in the league atm, but they are also the most stable.

18 Aug 2026 16:14:58
The difference with Arsenal is if they have a bad patch upfront, their defensive side is so strong that they often only need one goal to win.

Their overall squad and stability is way ahead of everyone else, so should walk league, however, that doesn't mean they will.

There's always hope...

18 Aug 2026 16:27:00
Sadly, the Gooners are clear favourites given the amount of change occurring at all other clubs and the fact they have a massive and stable squad.

We should be disappointed that our directors voluntarily chose to put us into a multi-year £billion transition after winning the league.



A title challenge would be a long shot as it stands - even if we were to bring in the signings we need.

Too much change, chosen rather than forced.

18 Aug 2026 16:35:48
They have a chance, Drac, of course, and logic would tell you that they are the most likely league champions.

Football isn't based on logic, though. There are too many variables at play.

Arsenal do draw a lot of games they should win, because of their inability to score goals. Even in the run-in last season, they allowed City to catch up, and were fortunate not to draw against West Ham, which would've allowed City to overtake them. Generally, you are always in the game against Arsenal because they don't have the quality in forward areas to blow you away.

I agree about the other teams having new managers, but I also think that at least one of those teams will hit the ground running with a new manager having the desired bounce (hopefully us).

The law of averages tells you they won't all struggle. At least one of them will get it right.

It's such a long season, with so many things that can happen. I just think it's a bit naive to pin your hat on Arsenal, who only won the league last season because us and City dropped the ball. Arsenal have their own weaknesses that they haven't yet addressed. It's definitely not a foregone conclusion.

18 Aug 2026 16:41:40
Be interesting to see what Alonso can do at Chelsea.
No European football this season either so he could get a tune out of them in the league.

18 Aug 2026 16:42:15
Not a chance we're winning the league for me. The off field incompetency is the main factor for me, not Iraola.

18 Aug 2026 16:45:05
I can't see past VARsenal myself unfortunately.

{Ed025's Note - me neither Barry..

18 Aug 2026 16:52:33
Just wait, Barry, all is not lost. I see why people think that way, but football always has a way of surprising us.

18 Aug 2026 17:18:49
Arsenal for me. Top players all through the squad.

{Ed025's Note - their squad is miles above the rest FM..

18 Aug 2026 17:39:23
Arteta wants to be the first Arsenal manager ever to win the European Cup. He was only one kick of a football away last year from the UCL.

They're the exact carbon copy of Atletico Madrid style, tactics, dirty tricks of the trade. When Slot won it, they lost it with too many drawn games. Does he have the ammo for low block teams, as more teams than ever in the PL are going low block? I don't think he has enough ammo for low block, despite having a very big "Arsenal".

One hopes he focuses solely on the UCL, and draws a similar amount of PL games, and gets injuries like we seem to do!

Slot won it and surprised everyone. No reason why Andoni can't repeat the feat. Slot had prime Salah though, Andoni has ..........?

18 Aug 2026 17:51:33
Can only see Arsenal really really struggling defensively with the new rules employed. I can't see them winning the league at all.

18 Aug 2026 17:56:57
007, maybe Bezos can give Andoni Prime everything. ? See what I did there lads. ?

18 Aug 2026 18:11:25
I said weeks ago, if we finish above Arsenal, we win the league.

18 Aug 2026 18:40:08
I do think they'll win it, but don't forget how hard it is to retain a title. Not many teams can do that, and everyone will sit back and counter them.
However, I'd love it if we beat them, love it.

18 Aug 2026 20:13:14
RSO.. My guy, we looked like running away with the league last season, first 5 games?

Not even close, sir.
We got a good run of results.
But the defensive issues, general errors and the whole squad looking like a shadow of itself just 3 months prior...




Many many people were calling out that they were worried by what they saw regardless of the good luck results.

The narrative of LFC walking the league was based on the record transfer money spent.
And the previous season's performances.

18 Aug 2026 21:13:05
Arsenal are the ones to beat.

18 Aug 2026 13:45:20
Hi
Can the Ed's and posters give me an idea if Mbaye is any good. I've never really seen him play and I'd love to know everyone's thoughts on him. Thanks.

18 Aug 2026 14:01:01
Mbaye? Maybe.

18 Aug 2026 14:04:36
This is the place to come.

No doubts someone has followed him closely since his first ever steps.

18 Aug 2026 14:06:46
Looks to have great potential imo, a very promising player.

18 Aug 2026 14:11:47
Come on, Vv, let him have it!!!

18 Aug 2026 14:23:19
JK, he's improved considerably in the last 16 years, when I started following his career.

At the start, his balance wasn't what you would hope for, nor was there much power in his shots.

If the next 16 years of improvement is as stratospheric as the last 16 years, we may have ourselves a player!

18 Aug 2026 14:36:33
I think Josh Williams did a good piece on his YouTube channel on rw options. His opinion was: Mbaye is quick and direct, can play rw or lw, has a very high ceiling but is raw. He also said he has very impressive pressing and defensive stats.

In terms of style, he sounded similar to Mane, let's hope if he signs he can reach that level. As right now, he is young, raw and unproven potential.

18 Aug 2026 14:52:44
Did you watch the same Pythagoras in Boots video, Longthing? I watched this afternoon and was going to post the same question. His analysis doesn't excite me.

Maybe someone can give an analysis of the analyst? Haha. Is he any good, and can he be trusted?

18 Aug 2026 14:54:56
Man. of. Todd,
You say he is raw. Wonder what Fornax would have to say on that.

18 Aug 2026 15:11:57
I've only seen him play once for PSG and then for Senegal at the World Cup, so I'm not well placed to assess whether he is good enough or not. However, I can tell you about his playing style from what I've seen. He is a very quick and very direct rw with a cannon of a right foot. When I saw him against France, he scored by powering past the defender and hitting a shot so hard it went straight through Maignan (who is not a bad keeper at all, but just couldn't deal with the ferocity Mbaye hit the ball with).



It's a lazy comparison, but he did remind me of a young Mane. It's never good to make a judgement call off the back of a World Cup campaign though, so I wouldn't like to predict if he'd be a good or a bad signing.

18 Aug 2026 17:27:23
Sometimes Mbaye is good, sometimes Mbaye s***.

18 Aug 2026 18:05:35
Definitely, Mbaye.

18 Aug 2026 20:36:09
Maybe Mbaye am bye, bay me...my abe, beamy!? Maybe ok, maybe s****. Sign him.

19 Aug 2026 00:02:38
Solid attributes for a quick, powerful winger who can score goals, but very, very raw and lots to learn and improve still.

Hot take coming, but I'd personally be more comfortable with the club spending £40m on Mbaye than £120m on Diomande as I see both as very raw, exciting young prospects.

Diomande probably ahead because of more game time last season, hence why he could score/assist more etc., but I'd argue Mbaye could've seen similar numbers to Diomande if he was playing every game for a top 6 German team, hence why I'd be more comfortable with Mbaye at a third of the cost, which allows us to also get someone like Barcola in.



Anyway, this assessment is based only on a few games similar to what MK said.

18 Aug 2026 11:31:06
Been away on holiday the last week and this site has really filled my chill time. Been a follower for a while and although there seems to have been a few extra moaners recently for the most part I really enjoy reading people's views. Additionally to the regular ITKs I also enjoy a few of the regulars and scroll to see their views. It's actually such a great site for just seeing if others feel the same as I do on the team and signings. VV has changed my view on a person more than anyone, when I first read their comments a long time ago it really annoyed me how negative, now I see they are just being honest and blunt and I find myself very often agreeing.

Really enjoy the Eds input as well, specifically 001 and 025(again honest but fair) but they are all great at what they do. Anyway just commenting really on what a brilliant site this is(especially when you have 2 teenage daughters who love to sleep and sunbathe) and how everyone(90%) really make it what it is! So thanks everyone!
Love being a supporter of our club! YNWA

18 Aug 2026 11:44:33
Thanks, Victor. ??

18 Aug 2026 12:19:39
Here, here! I must admit, VV has grown on me over time too! ?

18 Aug 2026 12:35:50
The positivity is a breath of fresh air atm. Much more enjoyable. VV, he's a good egg.

18 Aug 2026 12:46:30
Got to say VV has definitely grown on me, I've never really agreed with him but have on a few things recently.

Keep it up, VV.

18 Aug 2026 14:08:20
VV, You're getting soft. Too many people liking you. Time to turn it back on, mate.

18 Aug 2026 11:29:29
I have come round to the idea, if the player is amenable, of keeping Cody. 2 reasons, firstly Ekitike's injury and Cody's ability through the middle and secondly, I was a Cody fan a while back, and I want to see if his fall off last season was due to him or Slot. Given Spurs are willing to pay £70m+, I suspect it may be Slot.

However, if he is set on a move, and we can extract a decent price from Spurs, what do you guys think of a double deal, with Kudus coming to us? Most folks rated him when he was at West Ham and I for one was disappointed when he went to Spurs, understandable though given Mo had signed for another 2 years.

He had a significant injury last season - hamstring so not ideal for a speedster - but I wonder if, for example, Kudus + (say) £10-20m for Gakpo could be a good deal for both parties?

Would solve our RW problem as long as Kudus has recovered (reports suggest Aug/Sep for a return).

18 Aug 2026 12:55:45
Hi Zed, think you've answered your own question there. A big no from me due to injury, which is last thing we need right now with our squad.

18 Aug 2026 13:01:24
Kudus looked good before his injury, but it's never good bringing fast players back from hamstring injuries. He could easily pull it again and be out another 3 months. We shouldn't go near him. Any more injuries and we will need to be in the market for medical staff nevermind wingers and midfielders.

18 Aug 2026 13:02:57
Yeah, but people do recover from hamstring injuries. Did Salah have one not so long ago?

18 Aug 2026 14:13:40
I like Kudus, but I'd avoid for now.

Swapping an always available winger who scores a decent amount of goals and can cover CF too when needed for a winger who played very little last season and has played no preseason, is a very bad deal in my opinion.

18 Aug 2026 14:24:08
Fair enough, folks, always a risk, I agree.

18 Aug 2026 15:09:27
If Barcola and Mbaye join (as is being said on the rumours page), we can have a strike force of Barcola, Rio, Munoz, Mbaye and Isak. Add Wirtz, who can play on the left, also. Add Ekitike 6+ months from now. And add Koumas whenever you need him. That strike force should scare the daylights out of everyone, because the sheer speed will be phenomenal.

So, and despite his recent good performances, I'm ambivalent whether Gakpo stays or not. If he has put in a request to move, as has been mentioned here also, then the question is already moot.

It feels, anyway, like Iraola really wants to start afresh up front.

18 Aug 2026 10:12:04
Who's up for some predictions?

PL: Can't see us higher than 3rd but we'll be a lot more entertaining and solid.
Winners: Arsenal, sigh.

CL: Quarter finals. A lot depends on the draw but I don't think we've got the squad for number seven yet.
Winners: PSG. They seem to peak at the right time and can't see them being beaten.

LC: Early knock out due to resting first team.


Winners: Chelsea. No European comps so they will have plenty of player recouperatio time to focus on this.

FA: I just have the feeling this could be ours this year. Not our main priority of course but our new players will be fully integrated, AI's tactics and fitness demands will be solidified and long term injuries back into contention.

18 Aug 2026 10:37:09
I think we'll win the league, get to at least the quarter final in the CL, but with a bit of luck the final.

The domestic cups depend on the other 2. Can't see us targeting them if we are challenging for the league and CL. Probably quarter final in both.

18 Aug 2026 10:45:07
I think 2nd in the League (Arsenal winners).

FA Cup 4th round (Chelsea winners).

Carabao Cup Quarter Finals (Arsenal winners).

Champions League winners, number 7! Ekitike coming back in around February time will be such a huge boost!

18 Aug 2026 10:48:35
Good cup run in all 3 cups, and top 4 would be ok this season.

18 Aug 2026 10:58:25
League: 3rd spot. We will go through a bad patch at some point, but I see a strong second half to the season (Winners Arsenal).

CL: Semi Finalists (Winners PSG).

FA Cup: 3rd round exit due to injury crisis round Christmas and getting Arsenal away (Winners Chelsea).



League Cup (Winners Manchester United to keep Carrick in the job as he lives up to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season).

18 Aug 2026 11:01:55
I think we'll come 2nd and win the Champions League, and that's absolutely fine because that's the one I want this season. Iraola's football will bring the atmosphere back and that counts for a lot in that competition.

We're more than capable of winning the league as well, but it's a tough ask to expect everyone to stay fit. If we get Barcola in and a proper DM, I will change my tune. Either way though, we're adding Madrid 2027 to Madrid 2019.

18 Aug 2026 11:04:05
Honestly, it depends on the business we do before the end of the window. There'll be a lot of games this season, and the squad still feels really thin to me. Who we sign will have a big impact over the course of the season, especially when injuries come into play. If we bring in 3 players (+ replacements for those who end up leaving), then I can see 3rd minimally. If not, then 4th will be a struggle.



In cups, I can see Iraola's style having more success. CL semi-final, potentially. League Cup Quarter, as I think they'll give a lot of time to younger players. FA Cup semi-final or higher. All of these depend on us adding to the squad before the transfer window shuts. I think Iraola needs backing in the market for us to see the full potential of the system.

18 Aug 2026 11:07:00
I just want top 4 lads, everything else after that is a massive bonus.

18 Aug 2026 11:12:17
Couple of wingers and a top class CDM (Fabinho in his prime) and we have every chance to win the league.

18 Aug 2026 11:12:44
I think we finish 4th, but it will be tough and scrapping it out with Utd, Spurs and Villa! Arsenal, City and Chelsea to finish above us comfortably. Not being a killjoy, but City's and Arsenal's squads have far more depth than ours, and it's going to take time to adapt to our new playing style - I predict a fair few bumps and inconsistency in our results all season.

Chelsea will benefit massively from no Europe.



I reckon we can be a force in Europe and if we get a kind draw keeping us apart from PSG we can go a fair distance.

Although I'd love to say we are gonna be challenging for the title, I think in reality this will be a season of transition and top 4 with a decent Champions League run would be an acceptable outcome once we play decent football.

18 Aug 2026 11:17:23
No idea to be honest.
As it stands the squad is very weak with massive gaps, especially on the right flank. And we have too many players who are coasting (Macca, im looking at you).
There's going to have to be a lot of wheeling and dealing in the final stage of the window to address the issues in the squad.
That doesn't suggest we are going to win the league.
Last two league wins were with very settled squads and minimal changes in the summers before.


Plus, throw in the fact that our players will have a fair way to go to get to the fitness levels required for Iraola's tactics, then I just can't see us winning the league.
I think we will be top 4 and have a good run in all the cups and maybe win one though.

Really looking forward to watching us play exciting football again more than anything though, the amount of times I fell asleep watching Slot ball last season was ridiculous.

18 Aug 2026 11:18:16
13/2 to win the league and 12/1 to win the CL. How much is everyone betting?

18 Aug 2026 11:20:35
Prem- we just pip Assnil with one game to go- champs.

Carabao- we beat Everton in the final 4-2.

FA Cup- 1nil over Man City (Araujo gets the winner with 3 minutes to go).

CL- Liverpool Assnil final 3--1 to us. A brace for Chiesa!

What. A. Season.

18 Aug 2026 11:27:56
4th would be generous and can easily see us dropping out of the Champions League places through our inactivity this summer.

Unless you have a season where all your opponents fall off, you can't win the league if you can't defend and are weak in midfield. Unfortunately for us, we are weak in midfield, we can't defend and it's unlikely that Arsenal are going to fall off.



We'll concede too many goals and are far too weak in midfield again.

Last 32/16 of the Champions League at best, we won't win domestic cups as our squad depth is too shallow.

Another season written off under the word "transition".

18 Aug 2026 12:38:47
Predictions? Lots of ups and downs throughout the season, ride our luck in a fight for top 4. Early exit in both cups and perhaps we get as far as R16 in CL.

But really, I have no real sense other than an expectation that this will be a transition season.

So, will take the most positive outcomes possible, with the target of the bare minimum of a top 4 finish.

18 Aug 2026 12:41:05
I can't do predictions, mainly because I always think we'll win every game.

I'd be disappointed if we're not top 4.

18 Aug 2026 12:42:35
I'm with Metal Mickey on this, with occasional moves towards VV when the fatigue of the inactivity in the window kicks in.

18 Aug 2026 14:10:02
Strange as it may sound, I feel like we're in a somewhat similar position to where we were in 2004. Following a disastrous mid-season slump, we find ourselves with a new, tactically astute manager who's not afraid to make the big changes necessary to grind out results, with a style that may be more effective in European/cup games, particularly whilst the squad adjusts to the new format, rotation and intensity.

So I think top 5 and a very good Champions League run, possibly with an early exit from at least 1 domestic cup.

But my main concern is not how we do in the competitions, it's how we finish as a team.

There's going to be issues, we know that. Iraola can't iron out 12-18 months of bad coaching in a handful of weeks, so I expect a bit of a roller coaster, but by the new year I want to see some improvement in the squad's assimilation into Andoni's system, and then a vast improvement by the tail end of the season, particularly from a defensive standpoint in the midfield and with pressing as a unit.

This is one of those seasons where there's a whole lot up in the air, plenty of new managers, particularly amongst the top teams. It's going to be very interesting to see how it plays out.

18 Aug 2026 14:28:28
Top 4 and I'd be delighted.

Our midfield is too weak, and we still have the issue at Rb if Frimpong picks up an injury before Bradley is back.

Arsenal with Guimaraes, Rice and Odegaard look crazy strong, plus their defensive solidity.

No way we beat them to the PL. Even Spurs will have more bite than us with Tonali and Fernandes.

Top 4 and quarters in the CL is kind of where I think we may land.

18 Aug 2026 14:39:48
With this squad as it is, we might win a minor trophy. That's it.

18 Aug 2026 15:01:46
Historically we stink in the FA Cup, so 4th round for me. Chelsea running out winners, stopping Arsenal from doing the double.

We tend to fare better in the League Cup, so going to say quarter-finalists but dropping out by Christmas to focus on #7. Chelsea also winning the LC.

CL - winners.

EPL - 3rd. Arsenal winning at a canter.

18 Aug 2026 15:11:29
We will win. Everything. ?

18 Aug 2026 15:44:36
Jk, I have put £10 on Champs League. Got an odds booster bonus, so got 14/1.

{Ed025's Note - im good at betting WYR and i have calculated that at those odds and allowing for bonuses and price fluctuations...you have just lost £10 mate.. :)

18 Aug 2026 16:37:53
5th. I see Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea finishing above us.

FA Cup - a surprising good run, as we have not been too clever in the FA Cup apart from the Chelsea win - semi-finals at least.

Carabao - early exit.

CL - QF at best. We have not got the squad or the midfield to win old big ears.

18 Aug 2026 18:35:17
As the squads stand now, Utd will not finish ahead of us. That much I am certain of.

{Ed025's Note - i would not put money on that FM..

19 Aug 2026 07:57:39
Ah c'mon Ed.You have us ahead of City but behind Utd? ?

{Ed025's Note - im so unsure what Liverpool we will get FM, i think Maresca will struggle so im ruling out City but United improved last season and i think it will be close between you so i would not put money it mate, new manger, loss of your talisman and up to now poor recruitment could bite you in the arse mate...but we will see..

19 Aug 2026 08:39:52
The talisman you said earlier was bloody brutal last year Ed? ?your reaching buddy.Not a hope that United team finish ahead of us.

{Ed025's Note - there are no guarantees in football FM thats all im saying, you won the league 2 years ago (albeit the worst one in modern history) then added 2 £100m superstars and after a great start struggled to make the top 4, nothing is set in stone my friend..

18 Aug 2026 09:39:46
Ed001 what's your thoughts on our midfield of Gravenberch Szoboszlai and Wirtz.
Am not a fan of number 10 I feel when I think of teams with them they seem a bit too open.
I loved Klopp's midfield of a number 6 and two 8's.
You seem to get hold of the game better.
I think it's been a massive problem for United Bruno in there he has been by far there best player but there balance has always looked off.


I think Wirtz is a fantastic footballer but I feel a 433 does not suit a number 10 it's ok against weaker teams but the title winning midfield with Sobs in the 10 even with Mac in there we seemed more structurally balanced.

{Ed001's Note - I don't see an issue with it, if ever we get players who actually make the runs Wirtz needs. It just needs organisation.}

18 Aug 2026 10:41:11
Agree with Ed001 here ref the midfield not being that much of an issue. Provided Grav does what he did in 24/25 season, sitting deeper in front of the back 4, where he has looked his best for us. Dom has the legs to get up and down the pitch, box to box, Wirtz works tirelessly off the ball as well, it can work. Having outlets in the wide areas that want to get in behind defences rather than having the ball to feet more often than not will suit Wirtz 100x more. Which, for me, makes the prospect of signing Barcola and possibly Mbaye that bit more exciting.

Just my opinion and we are all entitled to them, but I think signing two direct, pacey wide forwards/wingers, whatever they're called these days, will elevate us a great deal even without a new CDM. In an ideal world we'd sign a '6' but without a mass of outgoings I can't see it happening at this stage of the window, personally.

If we get the rumoured LW and RW signings over the line, its safe to predict Isak will get so many chances where we want him to be and score plenty of 'tap ins' from in and around the 6 yard box which can turn draws into vital wins. Our defence looks much more solid than a week or so ago with Araujo and Jacquet impressing on the weekend. We may not hit the ground running, but I am quietly optimistic about the season ahead.

18 Aug 2026 10:51:39
I agree Ed, we don't have players with pace who look to run in behind so Wirtz is always left with square passes wide and Isak is always marked in the centre.

Get some fast wingers either side pulling defences about and that'll free Wirtz and Isak up.

Get the defence pushing up and holding the line closer to the midfield closing the big gap between them will allow us to get consistent pressure on the ball and win the ball higher.

18 Aug 2026 11:15:02
Not sure if they're accurate. Read it somewhere Irola doesn't like Gravenberch to play the deeper role.

18 Aug 2026 12:48:41
Interesting point on the runners Ed. Isak doesn't seem to play much on the shoulder of the last man, he's more of a goal poacher. I saw him run through for Newcastle, but lots of his goals were in the six yard box.

So if he plays the runners would more likely be whoever is out wide or Szob. Maybe Barcola can be that player, I've not really seen Rio making the runs in behind much in the way Mo used to do. Maybe Munoz.

18 Aug 2026 09:06:18
Morning All.

Everybody saying we need to buy a CDM. The midfielders we've got are more than capable of defending: Gravenburch, Dom, Macca, Nyoni, just needs tactical tweet here and there.

We are not buying a CDM. Let's stop this talk please.

18 Aug 2026 09:28:16
And, if one gets injured, we got Endo running till next year, and Curtis, who is likely to go. We definitely need to start looking at the situation, maybe not buying this window.

18 Aug 2026 09:32:01
Let's keep talk of tactical tweets over on X, please.

18 Aug 2026 09:33:37
Yeah, bit that'll cut traffic on this site dramatically!
What seems like hundreds of posters all saying the same thing, we need ............. but no one at the club listening, or at least not letting us know.

18 Aug 2026 09:43:32
@strad, He listed 4 players for 2 positions. If 1 gets injured, there would still be 3 and that is not counting Endo and Jones. I would love us to bring in another quality deep lying midfielder, but unless one of those 4 (i.e. Macca) leaves, it is not as big a priority as getting a couple of wingers in. We currently have no right-wingers and are being forced to play left-wingers out of position.

There was a need to fill holes in the squad (CB, RB cover and wingers) before looking to upgrade our current options in the squad.

Our scouts will always be scouting players for all positions, so there will always be options on the table. I'm sure whoever comes in to replace Hughes will sit down with Iraola and discuss what is needed in January and beyond.

18 Aug 2026 09:45:10
No, they are not. Macca flopped in that role from the time of Jurgen. Gravenberch only works if there is a press, and he could turn on with the ball. He is a ball carrier. Szoobo is just an engine. Absolutely not, one has positional sense. Us not signing doesn't change it.

18 Aug 2026 09:48:29
5 players to play 3 positions over 60 games in an intense setup.

Yep can't see anything wrong with that.

18 Aug 2026 10:17:14
@shipley, Going into this season AI going to use 4-2-3-1, 2 midfielders are Szoboszlai and Grav/Macca, and the 3 is 2 wingers with Wirtz in the middle.

Therefore, Jones or his successor will be getting sub minutes if no-one is injured. When injuries inevitably strike, we gonna have to hope Harvey is half decent and Endo puts in decent performances.

18 Aug 2026 10:20:24
I think the problem with the set of midfielders u have named, Torben, is that they're just not aggressive enough. Only 1 that seems to relish a 50/50 is Macca, and he is just too slow to actually get there in 1st place.

I like all 4 players u have named, when they're on their game and playing well, they, imo, 4 v good players, but I think that group lack balance.
Add a defensive minded midfielder who plays with aggression, and we in business.

18 Aug 2026 10:20:57
I'm no mathematician, but Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Nyoni, Endo, Wirtz and McConnell are 7 players, not 5.

That's also assuming Jones, Elliott and Bajcetic all leave (which looks likely to be fair).

18 Aug 2026 10:56:13
Ideally we would need a proper 6 (Sadiki or Camara). If we do get one, we have enough midfielders to cover while he gets sorted and ready.

Not sure if you noticed, Macca was playing a sort of deep-lying playmaker, pinging long passes to the wings. Probably remodelling his gameplay to suit Iraola's style (and raise his value for January).



So yeah, 7 midfielders for 3 spots is plenty and enough. Agree with the need to tweak based on personnel and opposition. But still hoping for a midfield destroyer to shore up and protect our defence.

{Ed001's Note - Sadiki is not a 6. Xhaka is the 6 at Sunderland.}

18 Aug 2026 12:24:56
@strad, OP was specifically talking about the 2 in that 4-2-3-1 formation, and there are 4 players who can play in that 2, excluding Endo, Jones, Bajcetic, plus any U21s who Iraola might want to give a chance to.

My point was purely that we have loads of midfielders (just because you might not rate them doesn't mean that they don't exist, and for all you know they may be rated as good enough cover by Iraola), but we didn't have enough defenders, and we still don't have enough wingers, and whilst it would be nice to upgrade some of those midfield options, it is currently far more important that we sign players for those positions where we have no options.



Let's not forget that this current midfield won the league just over 12 months ago, so it just makes sense to fix the actual problems in the squad rather than the perceived ones that people obsess over on here.