Pre-season 2026

11 changes again.
Yates at CB again. No sign of Morato or Bakwa.

I was starting to think about switching over when we won 4 quick corners. I think the deflection from Dominguez's header that was tipped over is the only effort on target apart from the goals.
At least Yates - having exchanged passes with Sels - then doesn't try to pass through the lines and lumps it towards Taiwo instead.
Though he offsets that with his barge through the back of the opponent fouls being somewhat nearer the goal than when he's in midfield.

Kind of Leverkusen to spare us Boniface until now.

Woot!
Netz free kick from wide right, Kalimuendo gets a touch and it goes in!

Looked like he played a bit of the Will Hughes role at Palace. Left-footed, too.

Full time. Nice to win. After nothing much happened for 15 minutes the 2nd half XI got to grips with it and looked better than v Udinese, although without threatening that much. A lot of the attacking passing - in both halves - was rather on the ambitious side. But of course it's fine to try things in pre-season.
Felt there was some throwbacks to last season at points - giving the ball away deep first half reminded me of Ange. Uncertain what to do on the edge of the box reminded me of Dyche. But the general shape and fitness look good. I feel reasonably confident that we will be well drilled under Glasner. Though I won't be rushing to put any of our defenders in my fantasy team for the first few months of the season at least.

I thought Moriera gave it a proper go last night. Nicely aggressively attacking. Would need cover behind but as for making a statement to the manager, couldnt do much more.
Kalimuemdo got the goal but seemed a bit lackadaisical for the pressing 10 role.

I really don't know what to do about Kali. He seems to have the goal scoring knack, but everything else about his game doesn't seem to fit what we'll need from someone in that position. But goals are gold dust.

Hardest job in the game, Jim.

I suspect in the first few weeks we are going to concede some goals and lose some points because the defence aren't quite joined up in their respective responsibilities and gaps will result. I hope that the fans are understanding but also that, when they aren't, Marinakis holds his nerve.

Without having any great analysis, I feel reasonably confident about the defence. Bold to stick Diomande straight in. But everyone else familiar with each other
Some concern over the midfield 2 of course but Schlager has brought more comfort than expected. And the team seems to be working hard, which covers some sins.

The middle two are surely going to be Sangare and Dominguez to begin with? Shlagger will come in when necessary, and if we sign another midfielder Yatesy might as well head over Trent. The first 11 looks strong except the number 9 and, if we're going to be playing games in our own box, possibly the keeper.

This was exactly my take watching on the TV last night. We've now got three excellent centre-halves but playing with wing-backs high up the pitch will take time to get right.

We are going to concede a few goals as a result to being with and you're right that everyone (including the big man) needs to be OK with that.

I only saw the highlights, but Ndoye looked very busy and involved.

I think he wants a better passer in there than either of those two are and wants a left/right combination. I expect it's currently between McAtee and Schlager to partner Sangare v Leeds. Unlikely to be McAtee at Anfield and may pick Dominguez for his workrate.

Seems like he sees Yates as backup central defender, rather than a CM. Cooper tried him there for a bit before he had a disasterous 20 minutes in a home game (in the championship, I think?) and abandoned the experiment.