03 Aug 2025 12:20:48
Who takes our free kicks now trent as gone, Wirtz or szob? for me I hope szob gets the nod.
03 Aug 2025 12:36:57
I can't see Szob playing every game. When everyone's fit, I can see midfield 3 being Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Wirtz. Loads of games to go around, but just my opinion.
03 Aug 2025 12:45:46
It’s whoever is better should take it.
03 Aug 2025 12:50:58
We have Macca as well who is quite good with set pieces. I think he'd get the nod since he was taking them when Trent was out injured last season.
03 Aug 2025 12:52:27
Does macca take free kicks? He's been great taking corners for us. Wirtz has been taking lots of corners in training if the footage is anything to go by.
03 Aug 2025 12:57:42
Van Dijk.
03 Aug 2025 13:03:46
Rome, honestly I think Szoboszlai feels more important to the team than Macca, though Macca is *arguably* our best midfielder. I say this only because Szoboszlai is the only midfielder we have with the anticipation, the legs, the athleticism and the pace to cover massive amounts of ground in unexpected situations. He can have a stinker on the ball but then stop a counter attack all by himself by sprinting and jumping into a passing lane. If we are going to push either of the fullbacks all the way up (I somehow doubt, based on Slot's caution, that we will have both of them all the way up all the time, but will rather alternate), Isak and Mo on the field at the same time, then Szoboszlai feels like a must in the midfield.
He always performs in the big games under Slot too, there's not one big game I can think of besides PSG away that he didn't show up for on both sides of the ball, the man is a machine. I would agree that maybe he won't play every game, but I don't think Macca will either, probably Macca will play in games where we will absolutely dominate possession, but Szoboszlai is better insurance against being counter-attacked on, and if you were to ask me, if push comes to shove and Wirtz and Grav are nailed on for the other two midfield positions, I would feel inclined to start Dom for the big occasions and if the game is expected to be more even in terms of possession. Let's not forget that Dom has an excellent range of passing, too, and can carry the ball from deep.
03 Aug 2025 14:41:40
I'm with you on this. I've always felt that Szoboszlai was the better player, has a greater impact on the field when he's on, and we have less controversy with fouls. The man is quite a machine, and puts in the most miles in games anyway.
03 Aug 2025 14:42:03
I think VVD has been taking some free kicks during pre-season.
03 Aug 2025 15:01:40
I'd say they're both as important as each other, it was notable last season when either of them weren't on the pitch.
03 Aug 2025 15:29:07
Both Mac Allister and Szoboszlai deserve to be in the starting 11, no doubt about that. I also rate Szob above Mac, given the energy he brings. I just think that when both are fit, Slot will lean towards Mac. It could be, however, that he rotates the pair of them, along with Gravenberch this season. We will see in the coming months.
03 Aug 2025 16:14:28
Mac Allister js the best centre midfielder at the club, intelligence on and off the ball, brilliant vision, fantastic range of passing, technically excellent and has a fantastic shot on him. Mac does commit more fouls, but then he makes more tackles and gets stuck in more, so one is a consequence of the other, the centre should always be Gravenberch and Mac starting in the centre. That’s our best pairing.
03 Aug 2025 16:44:54
Think if we've a big game and Macca is fit he starts. i'd give Virg a go on the freekicks.
03 Aug 2025 21:33:19
We ain't winning that league without Szobo's engine, workrate and ability to attack and defend in transition. That's just a fact.
{Ed025's Note - you forgot to add... "when he feels like" Oli, he has had some very good games and some real shockers mate, needs to improve his consistency for me..
03 Aug 2025 22:59:44
Szob is nailed on first 11 for the biggest games. Our team is built on his heart and lungs.