18 Oct 2026 14:26:57
Question to Ed001, and indeed all my fellow Macca skeptics, how do you view his early season contributions? I'm personally happy with how he is performing right now, even if I still would like to see him replaced in the summer. I think if he can carry on like this, it may be actually on considerably better terms in more ways than one.
{Ed001's Note - he is having a decent season, but he is not good enough.}
18 Oct 2026 20:22:30
Did you not watch the game then? You need to watch the goal we conceded and his "attempt" at preventing the cross which led to the goal.
Macca has to be moved on nevermind him seeking a bumper new deal.
I'll keep repeating. The first team needs two top midfielders to go straight in. One, a top 6 and another proper midfielder who can dictate the play. Grav and sob should not be guaranteed.
18 Oct 2026 20:48:06
If we're finger pointing, Ron, Nyoni lost Potter to allow him a free header.
18 Oct 2026 21:00:48
Ron, make sure you bring up the issue with our mids again tomorrow so none of us forget. Haha.
18 Oct 2026 22:09:33
He's consistent enough - just like Gravenberch and possibly Szobo.
Midfield needs to be stronger and more disciplined, we all see it.
Szobo is a good player but he's not very solid in midfield. He needs to improve this aspect, hopefully Iraola and his coaches can help him.
I'd not lose any sleep if we replaced Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
18 Oct 2026 22:17:15
Ron the Potter goal was entirely Nyoni's fault, he was fast asleep, pulld a Trent completely forgot he had to actually track his man. I think MacAllister simply misjudged the angle at which Thiago struck the ball.
18 Oct 2026 22:24:39
I think it was pretty clear in the post - especially clear for my posts - that I don't want him as part of the long term midfield setup. I was more intrigued to see if those who agree with that position agree that he has been decent.
I think Szoboszlai and Gravenberch need to be paired with someone more defensive minded RK. As others have suggested, at some stage we could return to the 2024 configuration with Szoboszlai the most advanced of the midfielders. I haven't lost hope in Wirtz though and I think he was really good the other day. It was good to see him perform well against such a physical side.
18 Oct 2026 22:29:32
Typo - He ISN'T consistent enough .etc.
18 Oct 2026 22:41:30
Fornax, Macca has upped his game this season, for sure, he still goes missing at times, but he at least looks to be putting in more effort. He's doing a good job for us atm, but of course he could be improved on, he was always a bit of a budget purchase, and even at his best we could bring in somebody better.
Wirtz is highly mobile, whilst he lacks that edge that really makes him effective effective in the final third at the moment; that high level mobility is a huge part of what we do need in the 10 right now. He's essentially playing a new role with a new frontline this season. From playing on the left with Ekitike and Mo to playing centrally behind Isak Barcola and Munoz, it's a big change again for him. I think the kid deserves the season to prove himself but he needs a string of goal contributions sooner rather than later to boost his confidence and hopefully kick on, otherwise I fear it will be more of the same.
I remember when people were saying Dom wasn't doing enough as an attacking midfielder prior to moving into the 8, yet he was far more effective than Wirtz, so the kids going to have to pull his socks up or he'll be heading back to Germany come June.
19 Oct 2026 00:27:29
If Sunderland continue to tank then Sadiki might become available.