(That long since we've had any, couldn't find the thread)

Alan Nixon: "Top Liverpool starlet Cameron Branagan will Ben allowed out on loan in Jan.

Bolton lead the race for the 20 year old midfielder"

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by Ratwhite

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

He also says the lad has done well so far.

The whole team has room for improvement, especially up top.

Looking at the starting line up that day, is it a surprise that some difficulties were experienced initially?

Much less experienced back line, and Morley/Sheehan in midfield- as they were against Preston.

 

Morley and Sheehan in midfield this season bears no resemblance to them together in midfield last season.

Under the new system, I'm happy with any 2 from 4 for the centre mid slots.

I must admit to being a tad confused this season with where some players will actually play? Are Desmond and Schon wingers or defenders, or even midfielders? Is Warren a winger or a forward and is CMG a winger or No10 and what exactly is a No10 these days, an attacker (inside forward of old) or a forward midfielder? I’m sure SS knows but it confuses the hell out of me, not difficult I know! 😁

Tutu and schon for me are traditional wingers in a 4 across the midfield type formation.

IE tried to shoehorn them in to being wing backs.

Genuinely no idea what CMG is supposed to be. He's not fast enough to be a winger and not creative enough to be a 10. So fuck knows.

A proper no 10 for me is in behind the striker, controlling the attacks and slipping balls through the defence or out wide and driving in. Like Bruno Fernandez.

JOT and Schon would probably have been moved on if we could, I think

Failing that, it seems JOT will be back-up RB and I think Schon will be an option on the right wing but will likely struggle for minutes

Warren is also an option wide right (possibly also wide left), and probably ahead of Schon

CMG can play as a No.10 or a winger but is likely to be considered a winger first and foremost

2 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Tutu and schon for me are traditional wingers in a 4 across the midfield type formation.

So, why have all Tutu’s pre-season appearances been at right back?

if you are correct, who is the backup for right back?

14 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

So, why have all Tutu’s pre-season appearances been at right back?

if you are correct, who is the backup for right back?

Maybe he's trying to mould him that way pal for cover, who knows?

Surely his biggest attribute is driving at defenders, his best game ever was v Brum doing just that.

I've never had him down as a proper defender. Maybe he could be like.

No place for Schon or Tutu, Gomes or Sheehan.....They are not players who will fit into Schumacher way of setting a team up. Are they bad players no, certainly not Sheehan..... but the only reason they are here is they are under contract.

I would imagine there are others

Edited August 1, 2025Aug 1 by masi 51

18 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

So, why have all Tutu’s pre-season appearances been at right back?

if you are correct, who is the backup for right back?

My view is Tutu is covering right back because we have no other back up option for Cogley, and I'm hoping Cogley doesn't get injured as Tutu at RB would be a massive gamble.

If we can get a proper back up he can get back to competing with the other wingers for a spot out wide. Although with 5 wingers (and possibly Warren) competing for 2 spots I could also see a couple being sold - most likely Tutu and Schon.

I'm a little surprised Schon hasn't gone yet. He's was pretty much frozen out as soon as Schumacher landed. 

Does anyone know when the squad numbers are announced?

First, cards on table, I like both Schön and Tutu.

But I doubt that Schumacher would have brought them in. Another example of 'wtf were the recruiters thinking' over the past couple of years.

The constant, almost all failed, attempted to sign wingers with a plan to convert them to wing-backs has made victims of many players, these two merely being the latest. Now SS has brought in full-on, in yer face, wingers I don't see how these two will get much starting time which, tbf, is a shame. 

There's still a lot of potential for outward movements between now and the end of the window, I wouldn't be surprised to see that drag on till the last day or two of it, if we've played 5 or 6 games by then, SS is settling on his first choices for positions and some see the writing on the wall in terms of game time they're going to get. 

I've no big issue for now with Schon and Tutu being cover for the apparent first pick wingers, though Tutu as a cover full back would be a big concern, unless SS and co can intensively coach the defensive aspects into him. Not really sure about CMG, a cover winger maybe, otherwise about 3rd or 4th in line as a no10.

Then there are the likes of Dan and Lolos who are nowhere near any position. Those two will most likely go out this window, maybe also CMG, Schon and Tutu will be in the mix at least till Jan, if they're not playing much by then and not happy they may go out somewhere for the rest of the season.

All ifs buts and maybes but not bad problems for SS to deal with 

 

11 minutes ago, L/H White said:

I'm a little surprised Schon hasn't gone yet. He's was pretty much frozen out as soon as Schumacher landed. 

He was injured 

I think this is my problem, there doesn’t seem to be a definitive role for any of them which is a worry. I just don’t see Tutu as a defender, just very good winger on his day, which sadly isn’t very often. For Szabi, I just don’t see anywhere for him now and likewise CMG, neither a winger or a No10. We know where Sheehan is but with Simons and Erhahon presumably being the mainstays of midfield and Morley and Randall being at the top I’m not sure he’ll be anywhere but the bench and then there’s young Warren. I think he’s good enough to stay here and I think he’ll make a better No10 than McAtee because he can not only tackle and head the ball but has proved he can score too. In fact I wonder if that’s where he’ll be best suited and if so do we need Kenny? It’s going to be an exciting season and I still think a busy window for exits.

Edited August 1, 2025Aug 1 by Whitesince63

4 minutes ago, Big E said:

He was injured 

Fell off McAtee's back in training

2 minutes ago, Whitesince63 said:

I think this is my problem, there doesn’t seem to be a definitive role for any of them which is a worry. I just don’t see Tutu as a defender, just very good winger on his day, which sadly isn’t very often. For Szabi, I just don’t see anywhere for him now and likewise CMG, neither a winger or a No10. We know where Sheehan is but with Simons and Erhahon presumably being the mainstays of midfield and Morley and Randall being at the top I’m not sure he’ll be anywhere but the bench and then yours young Warren. I think he’s good enough to stay here and I think he’ll make a better No10 than McAtee because he can not only tackle and head the ball but has proved he can score too. In fact I wonder if that’s where he’ll be best suited and if do do we need Kenny? It’s going to be an exciting season and I still think a busy window for exits.

You’re doing it again 😁

Morley is not an advanced MF and SS isn’t going to play him in that role.

1 minute ago, Steejay said:

You’re doing it again 😁

Morley is not an advanced MF and SS isn’t going to play him in that role.

Maybe but I think there will be lots of changed roles in the new set up and I can’t see Simons and Erhahon not being the two anchors. Tough one for SS I suppose?

That's absolutely no way Simons doesn't start every game when fit

Ooh this thread has got 'hot topic' on. Has the Celtic lad signed?  That's another few minutes I won't get back.  I realise I'm adding to the problem with this post.

25 minutes ago, Big E said:

He was injured 

got dropped, bit of an injury, then didnt get back in?

sure that was the timeline 

54 minutes ago, SalCity Biggie said:

Does anyone know when the squad numbers are announced?

Today 

as with the Captain 

Squad numbers announced, largely irrelevant but Forino as #3 hurts my soul. 

I also notice 24, Johnny Kenny's number, is available. 

Edited August 1, 2025Aug 1 by meanderson93

3 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

Squad numbers announced, largely irrelevant but Forino as #3 hurts my soul. 

I also notice 24, Johnny Kenny's number, is available. 

Dan and Lolos should be out soon 

27 minutes ago, L/H White said:

got dropped, bit of an injury, then didnt get back in?

sure that was the timeline 

I was under the impression it was injury. Especially when he wasn’t in the squad at all 

5 minutes ago, meanderson93 said:

Squad numbers announced, largely irrelevant but Forino as #3 hurts my soul. 

I also notice 24, Johnny Kenny's number, is available. 

Forino as 3 is all sorts of wrong.

As is Vic having number 9