02 Nov 2025 15:50:23
Quick question if you have a spare moment Ed1 (apologies if someone else has already asked) i thought Ekitike didn't look particularly happy at coming off last night. his facial features don't give a lot away so not sure if it was to do with his goal being chalked off or something else.
I really like him by the way and he certainly looks like he has a bit of everything in his locker but wondered whether you thought anything of it or whether it's to do with Slot? I know you mentioned he ignored him after his last goal. hopefully its just me overthinking it.
{Ed001's Note - he just wants to play every minute.}
02 Nov 2025 16:40:29
Slightly of topic but I’d love ed001 opinion on Semenyo. Do you think he could be the natural successor to Salah with the pace to burn with good close control and finishing?
{Ed001's Note - he is a bit inconsistent, because he is not that good technically, but he is physically exceptional and has an excellent work rate too. To allow Wirtz freedom in the middle, a player like him would be a good option, he is like a better version of Kuyt. And he gives options as he can play either flank. He has certainly come a long way from when I saw him first playing for Bristol City alongside a lad I used to train with over the summer. He has come on in leaps and bounds since then, which suggests he is very coachable and hard working away from the pitch.}
02 Nov 2025 16:58:38
Cheers ed001 for reply. Hope your well pal and family all good.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate. All,good thanks. How are things with you and yours mate?}
02 Nov 2025 17:07:49
Yeah all good Tris. Believe it or not the kids made me dig the Christmas tree out today. I didn’t mind too much as I am still in a jubilant mood that we actually won yesterday with a slightly better performance.
{Ed001's Note - if you were in the Philippines, you would have done it 2 months ago. They start the build up when the 'ber' months begin. Crazy.}
02 Nov 2025 17:19:31
Oh jeez I’m not telling them that otherwise they either want to move to the Philippines or move the day in putting the tree up earlier ?.
{Ed001's Note - ah but in the Philippines they would only get one prezzie and it would be something very small.}
02 Nov 2025 17:27:19
Love your info like this Ed!
After last season and his start to this year, I feel semenyo could be a great option for the RW.
Can’t replace Mo, no one can.
But semenyo would make us an even stronger, more athletic team and give us so much more work rate and pressing from that side then Mo has recently.
Making us a more balanced team and he could definitely hit double figures for goals and assists with us.
02 Nov 2025 17:36:50
Just to add to the OP's post. I thought it would have been better to have taken Gakpo off, and then Ekitike and Wortz could have interchanged between wide and the middle.
02 Nov 2025 18:10:03
Ed i haven't seen much of Wirtz before he joined us I only watch PL. What do you feel would be his best position? I fancy him off the left but that would mean dropping Gakpo who seems to be undroppable and a Slot favourite.
I feel for Wirtz he's looked good in moments and he's always looking to drive us forward. I think yesterday would have been a good game for him but obviously Slot felt differently.
02 Nov 2025 18:51:46
Thanks for all the info, Ed. Really appreciate it.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome and to answer Red_Flyer's question, as the post was not held for me to see at the time, Wirtz is best given a free role in the centre. He is not best as a wide player. He could play there, but it doesn't make best use of his assets. He does need a solid base behind him, which hasn't happened, and space to operate, which again hasn't happened. Instead we have had both central midfielders in the areas he is looking to use and so he is constantly crowded off the ball. The opposition are able to just put bodies in there and block off anything he can do. He has no passing angles as everyone seems to end up in one straight line alongside him.}
02 Nov 2025 19:08:27
Thx Ed. I'm no expert but that all makes sense. I've been crying out for the full backs to give us the width and sit 2 mids to protect the counter and give Wirtz space to play.
Yesterday was perfect for him but he chooses to push all 3 mids at times into that space. Have to feel for Florian i def do. I know Slot needed the win so went "tried and tested" but his tactics i feel would def have benefitted Wirtz.
Macca still offering very little on the ball unlike Dom and Grav so for me could have been statement game for Wirtz.
02 Nov 2025 22:28:36
Great info ED01. Very much appreciated.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome sg.}
02 Nov 2025 23:05:49
"Wirtz is best given a free role in the centre".
Preaching to to the choir, may man. That being said, do you think Slot may go horses for courses in midfield cos the title winning midfield did the job vs Villa cos Villa had 3 physical midfielders in there as their 10 Buendia was absent?
While in other games, Wirtz will get his chances in the 10 with 2 in behind him for protection depending on the oppo.?
{Ed001's Note - probably yes.}
03 Nov 2025 08:25:38
To be fair ed we kind of have enough cute technical players as it is, we need more grafters and players who can run up and down for 90 minutes. Though if we can get a player like Anderson, who has technique and guile and can run up and down for 90 minutes, that would be even better.
{Ed001's Note - that is exactly how I see it as well mate.}