06 Aug 2025 21:51:48
I keep reading the press dramatising the number of players who have left this summer. They say of the nine players that have left, five were ‘starters’ but I’m not seeing that as the whole truth.
Maupay - was out on loan.
Holgate - was out on loan.
DCL - was a starter when fit but not really doing anything and bench player last part of season when not injured. Not a huge loss.
Doucs - starter but pretty awful at times. We played better when Alcaraz replaced him. Not a huge loss.
Harrison - sometimes starter but awful. Not a loss. Whatsoever.
Lindstrom - bench player who did nothing.
Malanga - was a starter until injured and didn’t play last six months.
Young - starter under Dyche, bench player under Moyes.
Virginia - back up keeper.
Bergovic- back up, back up keeper.
Broja - back up, back up striker.
Alcaraz - signed permanently.
The five ‘starters’ I guess are out of DCL, Doucs, Harrison, Lindstrom and Young. Mangala hasn’t started for a long time as injured and likely not the same player after his ACL going. You can’t claim many of them would be doing us a favour by staying. We resigned the ones worth keeping and replaced/ upgraded who left/ needed replacing except for the RW and RB positions.
I genuinely feel the backbone of the team is alright. Sort out the right side and we should fair better than last year. The only sticking point is whether Barry is more prolific than Beto and if we need another striker on the bench and if we can get a number 10 to add creativity (possibly Grealish) . It would need at least two more players to be a good window and four to five to be an excellent window (given we sign the right players) .
I’m starting to feel a little optimistic….
{Ed025's Note - me too BR..
06 Aug 2025 22:19:14
I look at this way.
If these players didn't leave we wouldn't have got any money for them anyway as they were on high wages, too old or always injured.
Therefore, the change happening this summer wouldn't have happened and next season we'd have the same squad
Now we can look forward to genuine excitement at new players that can change the direction of the team and club in our brand new stadium. This is the best thing that could have happened and at just the right time.
I can't contain my excitement any more and I'm ready to be patient in getting players and their settling in because there is finally reason to be optimistic and dream instead living in a bloody nightmare for 4 years.
COYB NSNO.
07 Aug 2025 07:46:43
Going into our new stadium with the squad we’ve had for the past few years would be like going out on a Friday night still wearing overalls from working that day.
Fortunately Moyes has seen the need to have a shower, dress up and slap some old spice on. So for me I’m looking forward to a good night out this season… so to speak.
07 Aug 2025 10:01:24
Its so nice to hear some optimism from us on here. I’m the same, I genuinely feel good again about the team.
If we can get top half this season without having to look over our shoulder then for me that is a decent season.
Hoping we can kick on from there.
07 Aug 2025 12:24:40
Often went out out on a friday, can't remember work clothes or after bath clothes ???.