17 Aug 2026 10:30:17
Few points noted from being at the match yesterday.
Midfield is a real worry. Bypassed multiple times all game with runners not picked up, even though team mates were pointing them out to be marked. I don't think a Grav - Dom - Wirtz midfield works. We need someone in front of the back 4 who possesses a great engine, is mobile, wins most of his duels and progresses the ball forward.
Defence looked solid even though exposed multiple times by the midfield. Jacquet and Araujo were composed, strong in the tackle and either next to VVD would make a great pairing. Frimpong and Kerkez were good defensively but offered very little going forward.
A midfielder protector as mentioned previously would create a formidable fortresses at the base of our side.
Rio is not the answer for the RW. At times he looked lost out there. Still needs a lot of work on his end product.
The energy of the team was a worry. The zip in our play was missing. Dare I say it but the dregs of Slotball were still present. Iraolo's football philosophy is going to take some time to implement. The players getting sufficiently fit will help this massively.
Hopefully, the transfers incoming will address the deficiencies in the side. A midfield monster is a must.
17 Aug 2026 11:05:58
Sadly, I don't think we're even looking for that type of midfielder, even though I agree that we absolutely need one.
We haven't been linked to destroyer-type midfielders at all, which is really odd to me. If it was up to me, I'd 100% sell Macca and get a CDM to take that non-HG spot.
17 Aug 2026 11:11:52
Gordy, it's pre-season of a World Cup-interrupted summer. Most of the lads haven't played a full match. Szobo is about the only 1st team player to be up to near full match fitness before this game. Not going to be a zip about our play for a while.
17 Aug 2026 12:44:41
Why do you need to sell Macca to sign a DM, @Gre? I am sure most top teams can have 4-5 very good players in their squad?
17 Aug 2026 14:19:39
Frimpong offered nothing going forward ???
Pretty sure it was Frimpong who set Gakpo up for the 1st.
I also thought Kerkez got forward a lot more than he has recently and put a few crosses into the boxes.
Not great crosses but you could defo see the future plan of making the fullbacks overlap as an option.
17 Aug 2026 14:35:38
@Bigh81,
I said very little, not nothing, which you've confirmed with your reply.
If Frimpong and Kerkez are our fullbacks going into the season, I'd expect better attacking output from both. It would help if they were actually given the ball when overlapping the winger. I'm looking at you, Mr Gakpo!