01 Mar 2026 23:06:00
anyone at the game today have an opinion about how good or bad Wharton was.
02 Mar 2026 06:22:53
He didn't have a good game, imo, hooked early, and tbh, I've never seen too much in him personally.
Good player, but vastly overrated and massively overpriced, imo.
Mind you, he was better than Mainoo yester who had a below average game.
02 Mar 2026 07:06:42
Tbf most of Utds players in the first half were miles off it, especially Dalot, who had a shocker.
Thought Palace's number 7 (Sarr, I think) was brilliant, rather buy him at half the price.
02 Mar 2026 08:02:22
I'm not a fan of Wharton. Mainoo winds me up the way he strolls about the park.
A bad day at the office, especially the first half, which was shockingly awful. But three points are massive, and I'll take them every day.
02 Mar 2026 10:16:59
Poor from him, but I've seen some of his games where he has been very impressive. Hard to tell with these lads how they would do. I like both him and Anderson. But Wharton is a high price, and it will be interesting to see, if we go for him, how much we may get him for.
A lot of our team today weren't at it, barring maybe one or two, cough, cough, Bruno. ?? But they seem to be finding a way regardless. Big game on Wednesday, would be fantastic if another 3 points went on the board.
02 Mar 2026 10:38:04
Wharton is an excellent passer of the ball, but he cannot tackle and has no real pace. Surely we have Kobbie, who fills that place in the squad!
This summer, we need to be looking for more dynamic midfielders. We certainly need to be buying 2. We most certainly will also be bringing in a new 2nd keeper, as Onana and Bayindir will be moving on.
That's going to take a fair chunk of the summer budget. I would also like to see an attacking full back (right or left side) come in.
What else we can achieve may well be influenced by departures. It's going to be an interesting time.
02 Mar 2026 11:04:58
Iwotb, I completely agree. Wharton is no better than Mainoo.
I definitely think we need 2 midfielders in the summer transfer window, as I can't see Ugarte staying, and Casemiro won't be there.
My picks would be Anderson from Forest, and I like Stiller from VfB Stuttgart.
70-80 pounds million for Anderson, and 40-50 EUR for Stiller.
02 Mar 2026 12:12:39
Scholesy rates Wharton above the usual names being linked to us (Baleba, Wharton, Anderson). But I got to agree, he doesn't seem a player we should be blowing a budget on.
02 Mar 2026 12:58:55
Baleba will happen. And it'll be one more from the names above.
Wharton could do the Casemiro role, though I think he is better than Anderson.
02 Mar 2026 16:27:51
I would have had Baleba as pretty much nailed on had R.A. still been with us. Seemingly, he was the prime driver for him; he thought he was the perfect midfielder and ticked every box.
We shall have to see whether the current incumbents retain that belief.
Have to say, I like Anderson; he is succeeding in the Premier League, in a struggling side. Buying EPL players worked for us last summer, so maybe it is a good idea to continue. There is much talk that we are looking at Guimaraes and Tonali at Newcastle; both are playing very well. But would the Geordies sell? Maybe so if there is no European football next summer.
I haven't seen a lot of Stiller, but whenever I have, he looks very impressive.
Also, I think Ederson at Atalanta would be a good shout. He has been delivering strong performances for quite some time.
I am really glad we did not go for Conor Gallagher in January. He did not inspire then, and certainly has not done much at Villa.
On a slightly separate issue, I am very happy to see that Sesko is seeming to be settling in. 7 goals in his last 9 appearances (mainly as a sub) is a very impressive return; he certainly is beginning to look the part. I think next season, when fully settled and with a new quality midfield, he will be a 25+ goals a season man.
02 Mar 2026 17:14:03
Iwotb, I'm not surprised you haven't been impressed by Gallagher at Villa.
02 Mar 2026 19:02:26
Eric,
I agree, Baleba will happen, plus one more. Baleba is the best out of all the names being mentioned imo.
02 Mar 2026 19:15:17
Baleba is my 1st choice too, ideally paired with Tonali or Anderson. But I'd be happy with Gomes or Andre if Anderson is a bit rich.
Can a new coach make an lb out of Dorgu?
We desperately need an rb and an lb, along with a pair of midfielders.
de Ligt, as predicted, is on the sidelines too much.
Yoro and Heaven will have a season behind them, so should improve, but a top cb that stays fit would be ideal.
{Ed025's Note - Yoro and Heaven are poor for me Ken, i forecast they will be working for McDonalds within 2 years mate.. :)
02 Mar 2026 20:13:56
Ed025 I don't think they are poor.
They are 19 and 20 and are learning on the job. There are very few cb their age with that amount of games and experience under their belt.
Its a position like no other in terms of strength and positioning and very few ecel until 23 and beyond. I think both will improve a lot over time they have not filled out physically yet.
It takes time to mature in that position particularly you know that. How good did Branthwaite look at 19? Raw weak and a bit gangly and needed time to mature same as rio and pallister for example. Will they become as good? I don't know but I doubt very much either will be in the scapheap in 2 years time.
They are too young to be 1st choice pair at cb imo.
Ill bet you now that less than 10% of starting cbs will be 20 or younger in the world cup. Because at that age they are not mature or experienced enough to play in that position.
Its way too early to judge a cb. Its no wonder the 1st thing Carrick did was to take them out of the firing line. Even fergie didn't put kids in at cb. Who were the cbs in the class of 92?
Lots of cbs who start too young suffer injury after injury.
{Ed025's Note - it was a bit tongue in cheek Ken...hence the .. :) they are very young and it will take time with them thats for sure, they are very green though mate and i think at this stage their time should be limited as much as possible..