29 Oct 2026 13:20:43
Rio is coming on in spades and works incredibly hard.
Gakpo looked like the gakpo of old last night that we were OK with selling.
Poor touches, not passing when the pass is on and having a stinker.
There's one player that's not performing well now consistently under andoni. That's Ryan. I don't want to mention his wages anymore. The player isn't putting in good performances. I think he's abit lost atm.
He needs a set position and positional discipline to see if the lads going to be anchoring our midfield for years to come.
I think his contract had the aim of channeling that but I'm unconvinced.
Like Kerkez, he, Ryan and a few others have a full season to show if they're the future. Plenty of time to improve and offer more to the team.
Rio and Nyoni impressed me. Soo much. I think for McConnell and koumas, this is a level above them.
29 Oct 2026 13:43:39
I agree with everything you said, but would be willing to give McConnell and Koumas the benefit of the doubt. Rio and Nyoni have had considerably more game time than both the aforementioned, and it shows.
I dare say that McConnell and Koumas will fare the same given the same amount of opportunities. Rio, especially, has a season extra under his belt. Koumas is really just starting to feature more now this season.
29 Oct 2026 14:24:37
Rio is developing very quickly, he just needs to learn to get his head up and play the ball sooner. There were a couple of opportunities after he beat his man to realise the ball and get us in a dangerous area, only for him to delay and then beat his man again .not a dig as he is doing brilliant just an observation, as still as much to learn but it is clear he is already an elite dribbler, once he gets his decision making and end product consisten he will be lethal.
29 Oct 2026 14:27:17
Apart from Lask i'm yet to see Koumas really do anything as a forward be it central or right that doesn't involve running around and closing down. You can't fault the lads energy but he is quite some way off when compared to LFC forwards of yesteryear.
However Iarola seems to like him and my opinion means absolutely nothing to the club, player or team selection.
29 Oct 2026 14:55:22
I've no issue with koumas and McConnell getting games this season. I just don't see either making it unless they both take their games up at least 2 levels. It's a big ask.
29 Oct 2026 15:19:31
Bang on.
Everything the same as Ron Funky.
29 Oct 2026 15:23:15
McConnell is not going to make it at this level every thing he does is half arsed, thought he should have been subbed at half time latest. No effort in closing down same laboured approach when going forward championship player at best I feel for him. He has ability, can use both feet but doesn't produce anything. I don't mind the young players playing to build up value but any more performances like that and we won't be able to give him away.
Koumas I feel could be a useful squad player works hard tries to play the right ball to create chances, just unfortunate on a couple of occasions the ball into Gakpo was just behind him, hopefully once he settles himself down a bit, learn when to press and when to slow himself down he would show a bit more ability and composure on the ball around the box.
I hope when it comes to signing midfield players they bear in mind Nyoni as he certainly has earned his place in the squad and maybe a bit unlucky not to start more games.
He brings a lot more stability to the midfield he has similar traits to gravenberch the way he turns away from players with a bit more thought to an end product.
Rio I think looks to be better playing on the right side, I find he's a bit more unpredictable playing there then on the left. He still needs to work on his end product and maybe when to lay it off look for a one two to healp beat his men then always looking to dribble every time. But very promising signs if he can go on to learn.
Mc Calister is performing a lot better this season not so much dramatics although still has the habbit of going down unnecessary at times. Still think for the balance of the midfield be best to move him on and possible Gravenberch if we do look to bring in 2 new midfielders. Sometimes good players just don't suit a way of playing so best to cash in and reinvest to a more suited style player.
29 Oct 2026 15:26:01
Koumas definitely gives a 101% every time he is out there, no doubt about it. But we see the limitations he has in terms of sharpness and accuracy in front of, or near the goal. He has to develop further. And that's fine, he's very young and has time.
I was just thinking that he is currently occupying the place of players like Origi and Minamino that we had in the past. And it becomes clear that there's a big difference between what they were producing, and Koumas.
29 Oct 2026 16:34:32
I like Koumas but so far - Neil Mellor type prospect. Will play, will score sometimes - Pool to make 10-20 mill for him some point.
Mcconnell - not for me. But what do I know.
Nyoni and Rio both look 1st team ready, stars in the making.
29 Oct 2026 17:28:43
I thought Rio had a poor game last night actually. Gakpo had a better game and is being lambasted for it but in truth Gakpo had much more involvement in the game but both he and Rio made poor choices with the ball.
Both are capable of much better.
Rio is getting a pass in a lot of games because we all hope he's going to improve and bring more end product like he did against Villarreal. Most of the time though he gets into good positions and makes poor decisions just like Gakpo has in the last couple of games.
29 Oct 2026 23:15:39
In terms of what Koumas is doing, I'd have to say it's broadly what Iraola wants him to be doing as he keeps on using him.
I don't think Iraola necessarily sees him constantly involved in the last one or two actions of a goal, but (at least how I see it) he is primarily there to unsettle the opponents defence by not giving them a moments rest. In that way he is very good and getting better imo. Possibly because the whole team is becoming better at pressing.
I also think think his link up play is flying slightly under the radar, but there are numerous times I've seen the ball pumped into him and he's made it stick, won his battle with the defender and moved it onto someone else. You need players in forward areas who can do that, even if it's just to allow the team to gain some territory in a controlled way.
29 Oct 2026 23:19:21
JK, I agree on Koumas, love the work rate, the pressing can be very effective, but I just don't see a clinical striker there. Hopefully I'm wrong but either way a good squad option.
Arleseyred84, I have to say I've never seen what others do in McConnell, I don't think he's up to par, he looks out of his depth in my opinion, maybe its just that he needs more game time but at the moment I agree, I don't see him competing for a place in a top side like us.
Riosstepover, the difference being that ones long hit his ceiling and the others just a kid capable of improving a hell of a lot more. In Rio's defence, I'm not sure I've ever seen him throw away assists the way I've seen Gakpo do it, he should face criminal charges for some of the passes he never made.
30 Oct 2026 06:06:14
It's too early to judge McConnel and Koumas for me. Just let them play big boy's football and see if they develop to the right level. It could take a season or two until we know for sure but kids can only improve by playing and learning.
Kane was written off at a young age and now looks at him.
It's up to them now to prove themselves but let's be honest, Koumas is only playing because of Ekitike's injury and McConnell is far down the midfielder list. However, I'd certainly rather be filling out the squad with good prospects than some cheap, older import without the hope of making it to the right level.