11 Aug 2026 08:52:27
Morning ed001,
Are you looking forward to the new season?
I thought we looked sharp at time in the first half on Sunday, certainly more direct, more energy, with more players getting forward when we attacked. Wirtz already looks like a different player, tracking back, movement, I think him and Isak will be like new signings.
Defence is a bit of concern, conceding easily again but with the new fella for Barca and Jaquet set to probably start against Newcastle, I'm optimistic.
It will be a highly charged game and hopefully a fitting tribute to the great man Kevin Keegan.
Cheers
Drogie
{Ed001's Note - very much looking forward to it. It might take a bit of time for the players to build up their fitness, but the footie will be enjoyable to watch and we actually have a boss who gives a toss.}
11 Aug 2026 10:53:32
I'm still not sold on Iraola myself. I just think he's missing that charisma that the top level managers have. That being said I'll reserve judgement until he gets his feet under the table properly and gets the team playing how he wants.
I wouldn't read too much into us conceding goals in preseason though. 2 of the goals on Sunday were down to Virgil who has only just come back and the other was a set piece when we had Chambers and Endo at CB and Marma in goal.
I have to say Ed1 you were absolutely right about Marma. He is nowhere near the level of goalkeeper we need. If we have to rely on him for any length of time like last season we will struggle.
The long throws against Leeds were conceded with none of our first choice CBs on the pitch and again with Marma in goal.
End of the day it's just preseason, let's see how it all pans out.
11 Aug 2026 11:13:30
Bob Paisley was hardly bursting with charisma, Rio.
11 Aug 2026 11:39:18
Surely Araola has to be given a chance before the pitch forks come out.
He's coming into a squad that can field a very good strong 11, but certainly has holes in the squad that can be improved upon.
He's looking at incorporating a whole new way of playing, and has already admitted, and quite evidently visible, the players aren't fit enough to carry out (currently) for 90 mins.
I very much expect this season to be a season of ups and downs, but managers are judged on results.
He's only signed a 2 year contract and I'd like to see him given those 2 years to see what trajectory the club is then on.
Hopefully the club back him with what he needs in the transfer market otherwise he's got his work even more cut out.
11 Aug 2026 11:40:50
Neither was Rafa.
11 Aug 2026 11:47:57
Iraola, not Araola. Bloody autocorrect.
11 Aug 2026 11:53:51
I can see us having a similar season to Bournemouth's last season. Start off slow and come on strong in the second half of the season. Regardless, the football will be much more enjoyable to watch. I also think we will have a very strong Champions League.
11 Aug 2026 12:00:22
I am cautiously optimistic. I look forward to the style being implemented, but I am so concerned by our midfield primarily. An efficient high press system will alleviate some of that, but we are still missing a DM imo.
11 Aug 2026 12:49:32
I'm full 2 feet in behind this fella. Managers can dramatically change things, like Klopp did to many others, like, hmm, Shankly? Even if Macca stays, he will be a better Macca for when we do sell him. Give hope until it's taken. Many backed Slot like Jurgen without knowing anything about the blagger. Basquescouse ball will be the new PSG. ;)
11 Aug 2026 13:04:27
Missing one of those for a number of years now, Westwood, which is crazy to me.
11 Aug 2026 12:58:22
I agree, Ed. It's going to be a slow burn at the start of the season, as preseason is showing already. I am excited about the season as a whole because it's a new manager, a new system and of course, a new voice that the players need to impress once again.
We just have to persevere with Doni and the players and not quit on them early on because things aren't getting great fast enuff. But as some has said, the real rewards may come down the road like in Feb/March next year. The question will be where we are in the table when that happens.
11 Aug 2026 13:20:05
The football will be good, as long as it's enjoyable watching us again. I'm happy.
11 Aug 2026 16:50:00
Agreed, Seano.
11 Aug 2026 17:02:42
We've got any easy start, Stone, relatively speaking. Whilst pre season suggests we may get off to a slow start, with the run of fixtures we have, we should be top after ten games, and then maybe fall away when injuries kick in and lack of squad depth bites around November.