11 Oct 2025 07:16:26
Hi Ed001,
Given the injury to Leoni, do you think we'll dip into the January transfer window for defensive cover?
Cheers
Drogie.
{Ed001's Note - we would have been doing that anyway, it is Konate's abysmal play that is the cause.}
11 Oct 2025 10:35:19
Why is it that Joe Gomez isn’t getting a chance to play when he is fit?
Quansah was off at half time last seasons first match. Konate is playing worse than him every week….
11 Oct 2025 11:29:24
What do you think is going on with Konate Ed001? is it a tweak in the system or do you think he's dropped his level because his heads elsewhere?
{Ed001's Note - his head is not in it and he was never that outstanding anyway.}
11 Oct 2025 12:05:13
I wondered too if Gomez might be an answer, I know he’s had many more injuries over many years, but before that he and Virg where thought to be one of the best CB partnerships
When he does step in, he seems more nervous of making an error, but maybe there is still the player in there?
ED001 always mentions about giving players regular playing time when new or after injury to get into rhythm. Could that be a way back to his old self, or has too much passed?
Possibly a better solution to Konate the way he is playing?
Cheers.
11 Oct 2025 12:42:24
If he's made up his mind to go to Madrid fine but i just can't understand why they can't just knuckle down and give their usual level for their remaining time. This is why i said all summer we couldn't have another Trent situation ever again and was hit with"Arne is not going to cut his nose off to spite his face". Funny thing is if Ibou carries on this form for most of the season Madrid'll take him because he's free but there's no way he'll be going there as anything else than a squad player.
11 Oct 2025 15:18:30
if konate keeps playing like this, will real madrid want him? there are a few free agents coming up this year and konate is not doing himself any favours here.
11 Oct 2025 15:22:21
The eternal hope of Joe Gomez stepping in to recreate the first half of the 19/ 20 season never ceases to amaze me.
Joe is a great lad but let's be honest, Slot is likely not starting him because of the probability of injury is too high, leaving bench defensive options even shorter.
Ibou is definitely a problem at the moment. Yes, he's got some headloss moments in his game - much like what Lovren was criticised for, but I think we should also be fair to mention that (i) Slot's preferred build up approach puts Ibou under pressure given he's not really a ball playing CB and that (ii) it's entirely possible that like Mo, he's also deeply affected by the Diogo tragedy.
Equally, I might be totally wrong and Real Madrid has infected his mind and game.
11 Oct 2025 16:17:24
Joe should be getting his chance now Konate has pulled out of the France squad with injury.
11 Oct 2025 17:27:08
Reality is that both Konate and Gomez are made of crisps, and with Konate also being so out of form and Leoni out long term, it is sensible to bring someone else in during the January window. We can’t have a situation where midfield is compromised by playing Gravenberch as a centre back like we did with Fabinho in 20/ 21 as that was a mess.
12 Oct 2025 09:12:09
Agrees Viktor. Gomez was a good defender back in the 19/ 20 season but he hasn't kicked on now. To rely on him and Konate doe the rest of the season would be risky. It's just a shame that we had a long term injury to Leoni since he looked to be a very capable CB.
I still think we'd go back for Guehi since him being HG is going to be valuable for us. I'd still wager we need one more CB as a replacement for Vvd for when he eventually leaves but maybe we'll leave that for the summer.
12 Oct 2025 20:31:22
I wonder if Guehi will go for Real now they are interested. Apprently his closest friends are from L4 and Manny.
12 Oct 2025 21:26:20
Trents game dropped off the last season with us he is struggling to get his form back and struggling to get in madrid side and England and konate will suffer the same fate YNWA.
13 Oct 2025 01:08:40
Gomez no matter what we think has got to be a better cb than Endo or grav?
13 Oct 2025 13:13:54
Pelican, I don't know if that is what people want. For me, I think people just want another CB to have a go cos Konate's form is up and down and Im being very nice here.
I just think Joe should be getting his chance (esp. with Leoni out the way he is) Konate has not shown he should deserve to keep his place and well, we got no one else right now. And no, I ain't having Grav at CB right now. No way.