17 May 2026 23:31:52
I made one prediction at the beginning of the year and that was that we would score 65+ goals.
We actually let in fewer goals than last season despite shipping 50 this time around. Still too many, but all in all it's a 26 goal difference swing. It's clear where we need to improve if we want to be title contenders.
Obviously plaudits go to Cas and Bruno, but outside those two my player of the season is Luke Shaw. He's taken a lot of stick for being injured, which you can hardly blame him for - I doubt that was his preference - but this year he's come back.
He's started every EPL game. What he's been lacking is a good left wing in front of him. In the last few games he's shown what he can brings to the attack. Two of his crosses led to goals v Liverpool, and he scored today. He needs back up next year, but I'm pleased he seems to have put his injury woes behind him.
18 May 2026 00:22:01
I think Shaw has been poor this year, and he needed to get forward more to overlap Cunha.
I am not a fan of his, and so I accept that maybe I am being a little harsh. But I think he is very overrated by some fans.
I started the season frustrated by both Shaw and Dalot.
Dalot has won me over a little more than Shaw. We will need a lot of money spent in cm this summer, and we need a backup striker. I don't see much money left for fbs, although they are 2 areas we need to improve to challenge.
18 May 2026 08:12:36
Shaw, imo, is average at best.
Just not mobile or quick enough. Ok defensively, but awful in final third.
His contribution offensively is negligible. If he is one of our neatest crossers of a ball, we are in real trouble.
Dalot is the dame. 2 average Joe's.
18 May 2026 10:59:22
They need to be backup, at best.
18 May 2026 11:10:30
I am not mad on Luke Shaw, but I would take him over Dalot any day of the week.
18 May 2026 11:13:34
Can't disagree, but... they're not the priority.
Centre midfield needs a team and squad upgrade, and at least one centre back has to come first if the club are working on a set budget.
Ederson and Anderson (or Tonali or Bruno G) would be incredible, plus drafting in a younger player either from within or elsewhere to make up the squad.
Rogers as a mobile forward would be outstanding business - can we leverage Rashford if Barca are not coughing up the dough?
Centre back I'm less clear on options!
18 May 2026 12:55:12
If we want to close the gap on the top teams, we need to be ruthless. The full back positions don't just need depth, they need players who can start.
Shaw has had little to no competition since he arrived. He's had Telles, Williams, Malacia and Dorgu, none of whom pushed the envelope.
Same with Dalot. We've had a year with Valencia, Darmain, Wan Bissaka and Mouzroui.
Dalot even went to Milan for a year.
These lads are 6 out of 10, and not bad in a pinch, but they are definitely upgradable, and, if we're being honest, full backs need to be more than solid at the back. An assist from either is rare, and top teams have full backs that can do damage further up the pitch.
18 May 2026 13:56:12
Midfield and full back should def be our priorities. Get upgrades in those areas, and this team will be a lot better imo.
18 May 2026 14:50:01
Playing LCB in Amorim's system, Shaw had no remit to go forward, and was playing a new position. Even in a 4 at the back system, he's had no regular LW to work with. Cunha can play on the left, but he's not an out and out winger, more of an adapted second striker or #10. Nor do we know what his instructions were.
To sum up, both managers thought so little of him that they started him every game. I'm not saying there aren't better LBs out there, but we don't have one in our squad. For the year as a whole, he's shown himself to be a consistent and absolute professional.
18 May 2026 18:02:54
He has been consistent, no doubt about it. A consistent aberration. In the last 11 years, we have not mounted 1 league challenge.
Not blaming Shaw alone for that, but he has been a constant in the squad. Like Maguire, they will take you so far, but not to the top level.