28 Aug 2025 20:30:32
Love to hear your teams for Saturday SJR calls you and asks for your first 11, same system. My starting 11
Heaton Yoro De ligt Shaw, Mainoo, Casemero Dorgu, Amad, Bruno, Cunha and Mbeumo.
29 Aug 2025 09:54:37
I'd go with:
Heaton
Yoro, MdL, Shaw
Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu
Bruno, Cunha
Zirkzee
Heaton is our best keeper. Yoro, MdL and Shaw are the best options in defence right now (although Heaven could be up for contention soon if Shaw doesn't start to show more quality in his passing and better positional sense) .
I'd start Mainoo in midfield with Casemiro to give him a chance to show what he can do when he has the first team players around him. Although I'd be concerned about the energy (legs) in midfield. I'd probably plan to bring on Ugarte and Mount around the hour mark.
Bruno I'd play ahead of Mbeumo who while having some bright moments doesn't quite look fully settled and in sync with his teammates yet. I also expect Burnley to sit a little deeper reducing the space the Mbeumo wants to run into. Which means having a passer in Bruno is better than a runner in Mbeumo. Mbeumo is also a great option off the bench later in games when they become more stretched or if you need a goal. While Zirkzee I thought helped us when he came on against Grimsby and he understands what the manager wants and the demands of the league better than Sesko right now. Plus if Burnley are going to sit deeper then his link play could be vital for creating chances in tight spaces. I think Zirkzee might be an important player for us this season, he might surprise a few people.
29 Aug 2025 11:55:51
Holy c*** Shappy. Shaw is 30! If he ain’t got positional sense now then we are royally screwed.
29 Aug 2025 14:14:43
Sesko and Mbeumo dropped?.
29 Aug 2025 15:11:09
Mbeumo doesn't look quite fit one thirdnso might be wiser to play Bruno there I'd start sesko though needs the confidence.
29 Aug 2025 15:48:00
Keefy, Shaw has spent most of his career (masquerading) as a LB (on the treatment table) .
He is now being asked to play as a CB, so he has to learn how to position himself in a new position. So far he's been okay, but has been caught out of position a few times. Which is fair given it's a new position for him. Even so he still needs to improve that if he is going to nail down the position.
Sesko cannot be dropped, he's only started one game. In fairness he is still adapting to the league and the team. He does need easing into the team.
Mbeumo would be rotated out of the team rather than dropped. It's a tactical decision.
30 Aug 2025 03:26:06
Okay let me rephrase it.
Holy c*** Shappy. Shaw is 30 and has played in that position before this season. If he has not got the positional sense already then he will not be getting it any time soon.
It ain’t rocket science playing at the back.
30 Aug 2025 11:15:47
Keefy, he's played there a couple of times but he hasn't really had an extended run there. Hell with his injury record he hasn't even had an extended run at LB.
It might not be rocket science, but we are talking about playing at the elite level here not Sunday league.
At this level the difference between looking good and looking like a fish out of water is a drop in performance by 2 or 3%. It's very, very fine margins at EPL level.
It's the difference between naturally making a move and thinking about what you need to do or where you need to be. That second of hesitation is the difference between making a good block/ tackle/ clearance or giving the opposition the space to get past you, have a shot, or make that killer pass.
It's not surprising that Shaw hasn't developed that muscle memory of a CB. However, he is currently the weak link in the back three and he will be targeted by the opposition because of that. So it's something he needs to get fully to grips with ASAP.
30 Aug 2025 12:11:50
I have played, in my distant youth, at a reasonable level including semi professional, across the back 4 or 5 for 20 years so know full well the requirements of each position. Yes the EPL supposedly a different level but perhaps Grimsby back 4 would argue otherwise eh!
There is very little difference, and yes it’s the small percentages. But we are talking about a professional footballer here. He should be able to operate to within that mythical 2-3% you talk of and if he hasn’t by now at age 30 then he never will……period!
{Ed025's Note - love it KEEFYT..