RichiBoi11

McGinn's best postion probably is CAM/Second Striker in fariness. With a sensible manager though he'd still have a struggle to justify playing there if we played a formation to accomodate that though as realistically he should be behind Buendia, Coutinho and Ramsey in the pecking order.

You can tell that without even his words, you just need to watch one of the leagues greatest midfielders telling his own midfielders to fill in at full back to know he's deluded.

I think the loans were the best thing for them. They both show huge promise, but realistically are either ready to challegne Digne or Cash. Not yet, and a full season on loan will have them both in a much better postion to challenge next year rather than spending a large chunk of the season on our bench. We probably should have loaned Archer out too.

I know a few on here have already pointed this out multiple times, but the lack of even attempting to play 4231 is truly baffling. The large majority of our squad are equipped in a way that this would play to their biggest strengths. It would allow Mings and Konsa more protection and less pressure to challenge for everything. It would give the fullbacks more respite as they only need to push forward when play is on their side (Young especially would benefit from this when Cash is out). The large majority of our central midfielders are perfect to play in that two, Kamara, Luiz, Dendoncker, EVEN the likes of Nakamba could be effective next to a more expansive deep lying playmaker. The attacking three would allow Buendia, Countinho and Bailey all to get more minutes, but you still have options as Ramsey can play in most of those roles too and be an asset with his driving runs. Watkins would have more support and it could even potentially allow enough attacking play for Ings to play up top alone without being a passenger. I can only see one reason this hasn't been tried. There's nowhere to fit McGinn in to that system. Maybe a new manager would see sense and at least try this, but as long as McGinn is captain and undroppable it wouldn't work. (By the way I am in no way anti McGinn, I just think he's the weakest link if we switch to the most logical formation that benefits the rest of the squad)

It would also allow us to play with a double pivot but that would mean dropping one or both of JJ and McGinn out of the team which Gerrard won't do. The next manager might though...

They've been playing him in midfield so I doubt it but you never know

He will do well at Arsenal as well i think. Shame

Looks like he's gone tbh. We just need to decide if it's best to keep him and lose him on a free or cash in. Personally I'd keep him as I doubt we will locate and bring in a decent replacement today, but I'm not a businessman...

If he was the answer I'd dread to think what the question is

That's the nail on the head tbf. Kamara is the only new player in there, so why is it its virtually every other player that look like they've never played together before?

Considering Gerrard wanted to strengthen the spine of his team (and I know he can't help Carlos' injury) it's amazing how utterly ineffective our entire core is. And his new captain seems to be regressing in his ability, at this rate he's at risk of getting sent off.

Lucky for us we have Buendia then

Kamara actually started as a centre back so he can definitely play there, but I wouldn't rule out another centre back coming in anyway. Apparently Gerrard was asked if we'd look to sign a new centre back after Carlos' injury on Saturday and he said that'd depend on how bad it is. A ruptured achilles is about as bad as it gets so I'd say Lange will be out searching now. Whether or not Hause seals a loan move away will probably be a big indicator of if we're closing on another option too.

Turns out Bournemouth have signed a keeper, centre back, full back, and two midfielders, just like we have. If you think looking at their signings and ours they're on a par then frankly that's madness! Augustinsson - Fredericks Olsen - Neto Kamara - Rothwell Coutinho - Tavernier Carlos - Senesi

Agree with the majority of this except for Carney. He will be getting zero minutes as he will almost inevitably be leaving one way or another, so it probably does exasperbate needing a midfielder.

Moore is 6.4 tbf, but if he was going to go with Mings I think he'd of taken him to Rennes to carry on building his partnership with Carlos.

I think he's already placed himself as the top centre back with his pre season performances tbh. I'd be happy with any of the other three partnering him as well, but going on performances at the end of last season and throughout pre season I think it'll be extremely harsh if it's not Chambers alongside him at Bournemouth.

It's on the Birmingham Mails coverage for todays game

Tbf I've only just seen this myself as there's very little reported on it!

We beat Fulham 1-0. Ings scored and Mings, Buendia, Chambers and Kesler-Hayden all played

Careful, you'll spark the Gueye debate again.

If they're talking about him on the BBC it's highly likely it has been discussed by a peadophile in fairness...

Yeah considering the profile of players we were signing we don't have that many saleable assets on the fringes of the squad.

I agree with this, and I also think reducing the squad is a priority for us too, I'd imagine a few fringe players will need to leave before any other player comes in. We can't just stockpile footballers.

Yeah it definitely depends on how he takes it as well, but he's always struck me as very professional and level headed. I actually think not having the armband could take a bit of pressure off and improve his game.