Exiled_Rover

I've seen him play for like 20 minutes, so no I wouldn't agree. He could be the next Cafu for all I know at this stage.

He's far, far more effective starting games than coming on as an 'impact sub'.

I just think you're desperate for another CM. We fell apart when Tronstad and Travis got injured last year - we need to lighten their load. Montgomery / Forshaw / Buckley can come off the bench and spell them for 10-15 minutes, but I wouldn't want to start any of them in a meaningful match. We need two guys like Baker who can start a midweek match without a second thought from the manager - hopefully Tavares is one of them.

Might as well sell him in that case.

Ohashi and Gueye are a massive upgrade on what came before them. You'd have to spend a pretty penny bringing in a better replacement (assuming you didn't strike lucky on the continent again). What they both struggled with last year was receiving quality delivery - that's where I think our paltry war chest should be spent.

Maybe the ref was as sick of the Italian diving as the rest of us?

You love to see it. Play acting from minute one and camped in their own box. Got what they deserved.

Difficult to bring in a CF when you have Gueye and Ohashi - PL teams won't loan you their best if they're third in the pecking order and you don't really want to buy a backup.

One thing I'll say for Tyjon - he's more decisive with the ball. Cantwell loves a fancy flick and trick, often to his detriment. Tyjon gets it under control and drives towards goal.

Surely it's the opposite - there's no more hiding from the problem in structured training sessions. We have a glaring need at RW, CM (there's not enough depth) and CB. Tyjon is a nice surprise, but you'd like another in that 3 behind the CF for the inevitable Cantwell injury. They'll probably fill those positions with loans at this stage - it's what they usually do.

Russo is what I think most of you think Gueye is - best athlete on the field, but can't score for toffee. 🤣 She runs her blood to water, but bloody hell she's got no striker instincts at all. We have too many good players to be this ineffectual.

Considering he's taking up an ESC slot you'd have to think they're looking to move him on.

He doesn't look out of place which, as a 17 year old, is very exciting. I'd be more excited if we had any chance of keeping him of course - but yes I think he eases the pressure on the scouting team finding a direct backup to Cantwell. I think you could focus your efforts elsewhere and a couple of players could rotate in at 10 across the season. Reassess in December.

They played Phillips as much as they dared - he wasn't ready. He clearly thought he was better than he is as he scarpered at the first opportunity. Tyjon has already moved once in his career so I wouldn't expect any loyalty from him.

Perhaps - he's miles off this standard at the moment though. I gather he's RB? Which explains why he looks a bit lost playing on the wing.

Basically - which then begs the question why would you waste your time watching really shit men's football? I only watch England play these days - and I used to watch that Bronze / Bardsley / Houghton City team most home games back in the day.

Has done for a while, unfortunately. I used to enjoy watching City women play because the game was so honest. Diving and screaming all over the place now - which takes away it's USP from the men's game.

Deary me that's shit defending.

It's very difficult to give match ratings - we were far better than Qatar SC, especially when the subs were made. Nobody had a bad game, nobody really looked out of place (I still don't think Mullarkey-Matthews has much going on, but he's very young). Tyjon continues to impress in the #10 role.

I thought Alebiosu looked incredibly athletic and would pose different problems for the opposition to Brittain. Clearly far bigger, faster and aggressive in defence (tried to nip in front of his man for the ball a few times).

England v Italy - so of course we're in blue and they're in lime green.

I think Facebook might be more your speed, mate.

Happy for him to stick around as 5th choice CM and 3rd choice RB. He's athletic at least.

He'd light up whatever league Qatar SC play in that's for sure.

Buckley annoys me no end - gets back to cover a counter attack. Ball falls to him when facing goal and he thinks the best decision is to dink it, head high, to whoever was at LB (Montgomery maybe?). Brain dead.