09 Mar 2026 13:34:45
So, Alisson is out injured again. No time frame has been given, but he has not been included in the 21 travelling squad to Turkey.
At least he played against Wolves in the FA Cup match, though, rather than Giorgo Mamardashivilli. Giorgi will now have to play the next few important matches, after being left in the cold for ages. Let's hope he proves himself in this time period.
As for Ali, this better be a short term issue, and not related to his hamstrings, because this is becoming an increasing problem. The injuries were something we had to contend with, because we all knew he was one of the best keepers in the world. But, this season, he has been poor. He can't kick the ball properly for fear of picking up an injury. He has looked sluggish and slow, and is no longer able to keep us in matches, like he did previously.
Not entirely his fault, as he used to keep us in games when the outfield players weren't performing. But, now he has become a part of the problem, that has become increasingly rvident. Injuries have hampered him and he is not the same player he used to be. A lot of Italian clubs are looking at him, and I can see us letting him go, although good luck getting an Italian team to pay big money. Like getting blood from a stone.
The work we will have to put in in the Summer, in terms of purchases and sales, feels like a significant period of change is about to take place. And, I have no reassurance that Hughes and Edwards will be able to balance out the squad. After all, after spending 450 million (250 million sold) we still lacked a DM and starting CB which should have been the most obvious requirement.
09 Mar 2026 14:41:34
Not sure that Marmalade is the right replacement for Ali, but if he gets a run of games, he should improve.
09 Mar 2026 14:52:47
Tough first game to come into for him after not playing for so long, but a great opportunity for the lad to grab with both hands, pardon the pun.
09 Mar 2026 15:08:39
I've not been convinced by Marma at all. Our poor run coincided with him being in goal. He just doesn't fill anyone with confidence. For me, he seems really slow to react to things when coming off his line. Not a bad shot stopper, but he looks like he's wearing lead boots half the time.
Kelleher wasn't perfect, but as backup keepers go he was excellent.
09 Mar 2026 15:17:02
Just actually had a quick look. He's played 9 PL and CL games for us and we've lost 6 of them.
Hopefully this next run of games goes a little better.
09 Mar 2026 16:13:04
Can't agree with some points.
Alisson's still a brilliant goalkeeper with great footwork. His one-on-one goalkeeping allows us to play the high line we do; he's the very best I've seen at it.
Kicking not great, sure, still better than most.
You still hang onto a keeper like this as long as possible, even if it's just for the other younger keepers to see what it takes to play at the highest level, and, learning from him, phase him out over 2 years.
We saw how backwards Arsenal went after Seaman, United after Schmeichel and Van Der Sar, and Chelsea after Courtois left.
Give Mamardashvilli a run of games next season, and let Ali come in. I don't blame Mamardashvilli for the losses he was involved in; we were shocking as a team vs City, United, etc. You're blaming a keeper for a team performance.
09 Mar 2026 16:27:04
His footwork is average at best. Why Alisson was playing FA Cup games was always going to end like this.
09 Mar 2026 16:50:50
What high line do we play, Phil Babbs Nut? We don't play a high line because Virgil can't keep running back and Ali can't keep running out. That's the main problem with our setup.
If we did play a high line, we could close the gaps in the midfield, but we drop too early, creating a big hole through the middle of us.
09 Mar 2026 17:02:43
I think our 3rd choice keeper from last season had more potential than Marma. Can anyone remember his name? Is he still at the club?
09 Mar 2026 17:16:42
Stick Scrabble in goal and Hugo at RB.
09 Mar 2026 17:57:51
Man.of.todd, Jaros. We loaned him to Ajax, but he got injured.
09 Mar 2026 18:17:29
I really don't have any issue with Mama getting those games. I'm not down on him like many posters here and haven't seen anything that would make me think he isn't up to the task.
I hope he succeeds!
09 Mar 2026 18:30:33
Massively harsh on Mama, in my opinion. Yeah, he hasn't looked amazing in a badly performing team, but let's be honest, no-one is going to do well if we constantly benchmark them against Ali.
09 Mar 2026 18:37:45
@Mark, are you blaming injuries on the FA Cup?
09 Mar 2026 18:56:40
Thanks, Something Red!
09 Mar 2026 19:04:46
Do people really not read? I'm pretty sure the club have said he should be back for Tottenham. They just didn't see the point in risking it at this point of the season.
09 Mar 2026 22:14:57
Marma is who you have, so you're gonna have to play him, esp. with Ali being ravaged with injuries over the past 3 years, which, imo, are starting to take a toll on his ability to stay fit. It is what it is.
09 Mar 2026 23:42:02
Add a goalkeeper to our long list of new players to come in,
I do think that Ali has one more season with us.
10 Mar 2026 09:54:41
Varry Benison, I've literally no idea how you don't think we are playing a high line?
You can see it in the games, we still have Virgil and Konate sat on the halfway line, if not well past it, condensing the midfield. It's obvious in the stats for heat maps and average positions too.