Would be a Godsend if we've got both GabbyGol and Leo back to their bests or even

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

better.

Makes such a difference being able to bring them on, esp when we have B, Kai, Odin and Jeez out.

Pwoppa squad depth for the first time.

But we look better when we have some creativity in MF.

The year we signed Dec, MA originally wanted Kai as L8, so we'd have had 2 no.10s. I know he's a safety first manager, but with Odin out we don't need all 3 DM/box-to-box MFs. Yes, we were away from home. Yes, it was our first CL game and we didn't want to lose. Yes, we won.

But he should have started Ethan. Or Eze as no.10 with Gabby or Leo as LW. Ok, away at LFC or PSG with Odin out, I get it. But we need at least one no.10 in our 3 man MF.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

better.

Makes such a difference being able to bring them on, esp when we have B, Kai, Odin and Jeez out.

Pwoppa squad depth for the first time.

But we look better when we have some creativity in MF.

The year we signed Dec, MA originally wanted Kai as L8, so we'd have had 2 no.10s. I know he's a safety first manager, but with Odin out we don't need all 3 DM/box-to-box MFs. Yes, we were away from home. Yes, it was our first CL game and we didn't want to lose. Yes, we won.

But he should have started Ethan. Or Eze as no.10 with Gabby or Leo as LW. Ok, away at LFC or PSG with Odin out, I get it. But we need at least one no.10 in our 3 man MF.

Just watched a replay of the 2nd goal. The pass from MnM to Gabby was top drawer. I know it was just one pass but it reminded me of the sort Cesc used to play to launch a counter.

[Peter]

Just watched a replay of the 2nd goal. The pass from MnM to Gabby was top drawer. I know it was just one pass but it reminded me of the sort Cesc used to play to launch a counter.

I think Madueke deserves a mention as well. He has a serious nought to 60 in tight areas. Constantly threatening the space around the full back.

Doesn't have Saka's decision making but nobody does, that is what sets Saka apart. But this guy has already proved he can be extremely valuable.

I was drunk and watching in a pub but thought Gyokeres did quite well.

[Peter]

better.

Makes such a difference being able to bring them on, esp when we have B, Kai, Odin and Jeez out.

Pwoppa squad depth for the first time.

But we look better when we have some creativity in MF.

The year we signed Dec, MA originally wanted Kai as L8, so we'd have had 2 no.10s. I know he's a safety first manager, but with Odin out we don't need all 3 DM/box-to-box MFs. Yes, we were away from home. Yes, it was our first CL game and we didn't want to lose. Yes, we won.

But he should have started Ethan. Or Eze as no.10 with Gabby or Leo as LW. Ok, away at LFC or PSG with Odin out, I get it. But we need at least one no.10 in our 3 man MF.

Think Eze will move central against City. He just doesn't trust Nwaneri and I can see why.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Think Eze will move central against City. He just doesn't trust Nwaneri and I can see why.

I still think MA's being conservative. He looked fine against Forest. He's got an amazing double pivot of Dec'n'Zubi behind him, a LB who gives an extra body in MF and a the best defence in decades. I also think that him playing inside right with Noni outside him would be tops. He can cut in and shoot/cross like B while Noni can get to the byline if played through.

I wish he'd give the young lad a go.

[Peter]

I still think MA's being conservative. He looked fine against Forest. He's got an amazing double pivot of Dec'n'Zubi behind him, a LB who gives an extra body in MF and a the best defence in decades. I also think that him playing inside right with Noni outside him would be tops. He can cut in and shoot/cross like B while Noni can get to the byline if played through.

I wish he'd give the young lad a go.

He is too loose with the ball, takes too many touches and doesn't yet have the vision of what is around him and what is about to happen. It will come, but right now we are seeing a kid who has spent his life playing football where he head and shoulders above every other player. Suddenly he isn't.

[PSRB]

I think Madueke deserves a mention as well. He has a serious nought to 60 in tight areas. Constantly threatening the space around the full back.

Doesn't have Saka's decision making but nobody does, that is what sets Saka apart. But this guy has already proved he can be extremely valuable.

I was drunk and watching in a pub but thought Gyokeres did quite well.

He was also being doubled or tripled up on.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

He is too loose with the ball, takes too many touches and doesn't yet have the vision of what is around him and what is about to happen. It will come, but right now we are seeing a kid who has spent his life playing football where he head and shoulders above every other player. Suddenly he isn't.

He's banged the ball into the net cutting inside like B does. He and that great cross in a CL game where he put it on a plate for Dec curling it into the box which Dec headed over. He scored about 9 goals in half a season.

As I said, with a great defence and a great double pivot behind him and Cala in MF, we can risk him. When he replaced Odin vs Forest, our creativity didn't drop and he didn't make any mistakes.

I agree that Eze at no.10 with Gabby hugging the touchline could really work and might well be the best option vs City. But given Odin's injury, MA wouldn't have signed Ethan up for 5 years and not bought an Odin cover if he didn't think he was good enough.

I just reckon it's MA's conservatism.

[Peter]

He's banged the ball into the net cutting inside like B does. He and that great cross in a CL game where he put it on a plate for Dec curling it into the box which Dec headed over. He scored about 9 goals in half a season.

As I said, with a great defence and a great double pivot behind him and Cala in MF, we can risk him. When he replaced Odin vs Forest, our creativity didn't drop and he didn't make any mistakes.

I agree that Eze at no.10 with Gabby hugging the touchline could really work and might well be the best option vs City. But given Odin's injury, MA wouldn't have signed Ethan up for 5 years and not bought an Odin cover if he didn't think he was good enough.

I just reckon it's MA's conservatism.

Long term, maybe. But as i said, all summer, over the next few years Maedueke and Eze are going to nick minutes off him.

He needs games to learn that central role. My concern is he isn't going to get enough of them.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Long term, maybe. But as i said, all summer, over the next few years Maedueke and Eze are going to nick minutes off him.

He needs games to learn that central role. My concern is he isn't going to get enough of them.

He needs to learn that central role by playing when Odin's injured or rested.

As AW said, if I play a 19 year old centre half, he make far more mistakes than a 27 year old, but in 3 years time I'll have a much better player than the 27 year old.

Again, look at his output at the end of last season. Let's at least give him a go before we say he's not ready.