05 Aug 2026 17:37:22
Jacquet missed training again today. 2 weeks before the season starts. It’s looking like Virgil & Endo at Newcastle at the back.
05 Aug 2026 17:56:58
Don't be ridiculous. Endo won't be fit either.
05 Aug 2026 17:58:15
I think we should sign the lad from Brentford. Collins.
No Jacquet required.
{Ed025's Note - very clever Rigsby..
05 Aug 2026 18:25:53
Maybe we could re-sign Coates. I recall he could put a shift in at cb. Shame his defence partner Umbrella has since retired.
05 Aug 2026 18:42:32
Wasn't being ridiculous, Petethepool, was just saying about our shortness of options at the back, pal. Wasn't up to speed with Endo's injury, I can see he has been training today. A bit over the top to say I'm ridiculous. Maybe try to add something a little more constructive.
05 Aug 2026 18:45:50
Let's be honest, Newcastle will have about 4 players by the time the season starts. We should be ok.....
05 Aug 2026 18:47:08
He was just being sarcastic, Namco, I think, mate.
05 Aug 2026 19:10:45
Really don't think that was targeted at you, buddy, think it's a figure of speech and joking about the injuries in the squad and the situation we are in.
05 Aug 2026 19:36:53
Grav can cover and the young lads all look good. Still see Quansah coming back.
05 Aug 2026 19:40:33
Namco, that was sarcasm lol.
05 Aug 2026 20:07:33
Namco, JJ was training today, he took his braids out, so maybe you thought it was Ndukwe, but he's the one sporting the afro.
05 Aug 2026 20:15:35
Judging by last season's chat about our poor fitness being due to disjointed pre-season, he'll be unfit for the season, same with Bradley, Ekitike, VVD, Macca and Ali.
So, roughly half the starting team won't have played, or in some cases trained, pre-season. There can't be many clubs in this position.
05 Aug 2026 20:26:22
Well, whatever happens, and who is/isn't fit, I hope we can bring in a defensive reinforcement before the season starts. Anything else is just ridiculous. ?
05 Aug 2026 20:34:20
Rather play a kid than spend 50million on Quansah, he's poor, and have to stop this bringing back exes, it's unhealthy.
05 Aug 2026 20:33:14
Guimares medical at the Gunners just booked?
05 Aug 2026 20:47:55
I thought what Petethepool said was very witty. Good work, son.
05 Aug 2026 21:10:32
Top stuff, inbeta1989, good contribution. ?
05 Aug 2026 21:18:45
Grab a CB now then? Another write off season in the works. Feel sorry for Iraola.
05 Aug 2026 21:29:12
Endo full training today.
05 Aug 2026 21:48:06
If we're going into the start of the season with a midfielder as a makeshift centre back that's a failure of recruitment and squad management. It's like we never ever ever learn.
05 Aug 2026 22:33:48
Why is he still at the club? If that's what we start the season with, then we might as well congratulate Arsenal now on winning the league again.
06 Aug 2026 08:47:12
Writing the season off before it even starts.
Comedy gold.
06 Aug 2026 09:05:40
Endo-san is more than good enough as an emergency backup for CB. Played there many times. Beast in the air. Has a progressive pass
Still need another versatile CB though.
06 Aug 2026 09:10:31
Fully agree with Rigsby. Collins has been linked a few times, and seems a good option.
Not sure what the transfer department is doing... getting very frustrating defensively.
Though in fairness, Leoni/Jacquet were both injured out of the blue.
Collins would be a smart signing, yet we seem allergic to them now.