03 Aug 2026 08:24:10
It was very noticeable last night how the pace and pressing dropped off in the second half when Jones and Gravenberch came on,
Nyoni ruled that midfield during the first half.
Is he good enough for his place in the first team?
03 Aug 2026 08:49:56
I said about 2 weeks ago, Nyoni will be pushing to start a lot of games this season, and that Gravenberch needs to seriously up his game now, Slot's not here with his Dutch alliance. Nyoni is definitely good enough, but his attitude needs to be top tier and he needs some luck with injuries.
It's usually mentality or physicality that catches talented kids out.
I kept receipts of everyone who mocked me for backing Nyoni to muscle his way into the team next season. ?
03 Aug 2026 09:00:10
MK, how did the other kids get on aside from Chambers and Nyoni? Any of the young forwards do enough to push for a squad place in your eyes? Wondering if anyone can step up for that back up spot to Isak.
03 Aug 2026 09:02:24
Adam, I can't believe anyone mocked you after your contribution to these pages over the years, tell me it's not true!
03 Aug 2026 09:02:51
MK, I didn't mock you, would never do that, but if Nyoni does step up this season, hats off to you. What I'd seen of him, I just didn't see much in him. I hope you're right, because we are desperate in that position.
03 Aug 2026 09:47:11
Maybe it was Gravy's first minutes of preseason after his holiday, as to why he was so lacklustre. Which he was. Nyoni and Gravy won't be fighting for minutes because Gravy is the starter end of. However, it was great to see Nyoni play so well.
He will surely save us millions on buying a midfielder we don't need. I trust AI to help him improve immensely. Nobody raved about Scott at Bournemouth before last season. The AI affect is gonna be a thing of wonders.
03 Aug 2026 09:49:56
I usually never slagged off Jones, but what on earth is he doing for that 3rd goal? Such a weak, soft challenge. Kerkez, for the 1st goal too, doing heal passes in front of the 16 yard box! Amateur stuff.
Nyoni looks good, so does Morrison, although he is playing it safe! I was hoping to see much more from Elliot, but, alas, seems like he won't make it with us either.
Koumas looked average and wasted a big, big chance too, don't think he is good enough for this level.
Still, biggest disappointment was Curtis Jones, who can only talk a big talk without backing it on the pitch.
03 Aug 2026 09:50:01
MK, yea you have backed him but until these couple of games in pre season he hasn't done anything of note, I was hoping he'd go out on a good loan to see what he can do but Gravenberch is a big worry for me. He is playing like when Klopp had him.
He had a great season when sitting in front of the back 4, but anywhere else he is a liability, so Nyoni could get a spot in the team if he continues to play well n Gravenberch continues to play like a headless chicken.
03 Aug 2026 09:58:40
I'm with Rome on this one, Adam. I doubted Nyoni was ready for a step up yet, but his showing in the 3-4 halves he has clearly stepped up from the previous cameos he showed in the first team last season.
I really like the look of him, and as Darwin also proved, the most important muscle is the 6 inches between the ears.
Trey seems to have a maturity that belies his age.
Obviously he will have ups and downs, as all young players do, but I can see a real player in there now, albeit so far only in pre-season games.
Iraola's first team/squad for the opener against Newcastle will be very revealing.
03 Aug 2026 10:20:41
Mk, Nyoni flattered to deceive for me, but he has looked really good in preseason.
03 Aug 2026 10:20:54
That looked like a very well-oiled midfield yesterday, with Nyoni at the base of it. Constant movement of the ball. Looks like Gravenberch's natural backup. And he's filled out a bit since I last saw him.
What I liked about Koumas is the quick release shot he has.
No pondering over what to do near or in the last third. I saw it in the earlier games too. The accuracy is still not there, of course, but the intention certainly is. And with time and continued training with the 1st team he should improve. Big potential.
03 Aug 2026 10:58:23
Two of the goals were from a long throw in and not picking up at back post. It's just rustiness.
03 Aug 2026 11:41:16
MK, I haven't seen Nyoni enough to have an honest judgement about him. Now, you can think the world of him, and that is fine, but many of us just want to wait and see if he a) gets the chances to prove you right or wrong, or b) to judge him fairly and not just via preseason games.
Just saying.
03 Aug 2026 11:53:10
Leeds were less rusty though, Longthing, and they were just above the relegation places. Pre season is important, and a decent barometer of how the first month will go.
03 Aug 2026 12:40:21
Not all the time, Overkill. I remember people losing their ship when we lost 4 nil to Napoli, going into the 19/20 season. How did that work out? Exactly.
At the end of the day, preseason is for getting players fit and implementing the managers (current or new) their new ideas, team building/bonding practices etc.
The first month of the season is the same for everyone as in, unpredictable, so anything can happen.
{Ed025's Note - the results mean nothing in this case Oli, but you would like to think the players who got on the field would want to impress the new manager by busting a gut or at least showing a modicum of skill mate, i thought the first half was ok but the second half was a shocker...especially the defending, yes they are not fully up to speed yet but they should still have a minimum fitness level because after all these are professional athletes, it all looked a bit sloppy to me..