07 Jan 2026 13:51:55
We all know the situation with players away at African Nations, plus injuries, and with a small squad have limitations on the players that are selected. A bigger squad is needed but I feel the summer will be the time the club decide on transfers when they know if we are in Europe or not. For January, I assume they will only bring another striker in is if offers come in for Beto.
The priority as I see it is to ensure we finish the season in the top half, and if qualification for Europe results then that is a bonus. For me, the fans are long overdue a good FA Cup run with a Wembley day out. Another route to Europe.
Tonight it’s essential they start on the front foot and get at them from the start, get the fans up before opposition get chance to quieten them.
We currently have 2 strikers who can’t control a football despite being footballers. So what’s the continuing point in Pickford booting the ball up to them and then loose possession. That’s the main reason we have the lower possession percentage than opposing teams. Surely the coaches can see this, unless it’s playing to instructions.
Another point is tonight’s referee is Tom Kirk. Hope he has a good game and no controversial incidents to deal with.
He has only referred 2 Premier matches up to date.
07 Jan 2026 16:15:31
The plan for the club was clearly set out. Year one: Move to the new stadium and stabalise, have a clear out, cut the wage bill, bring a few new faces in, build financial and commercial partnerships. We’ve done all of those things. Year 2: another clear out, a few more first team players, higher expectations of performance on the pitch.
No reason to expect that that won’t happen. I know we all want success and better football more quickly, but I think some are judging too harshly based on where we found ourselves just a year or two ago.