Tom Colborne
@tomcolborne.bsky.social
But that gives us 2 summer windows to find 3 top class replacements, rather than rush it in January. In an ideal world we would have replaced at least one of Konate and Gomez last summer, but we already had to replace Matip and had so many other priorities that I get it.
January 19, 2026 at 4:31 PM
But that gives us 2 summer windows to find 3 top class replacements, rather than rush it in January. In an ideal world we would have replaced at least one of Konate and Gomez last summer, but we already had to replace Matip and had so many other priorities that I get it.
We wouldn’t be a man down from last year if Wirtz is playing in the front line. 3 new forwards, Frimpong replacing Trent, Leoni/ Matip and Kerkez/Tsimikas.
The policy of not signing players to replace injuries, even in key positions and even with injury-prone players, long pre-dates Hughes.
The policy of not signing players to replace injuries, even in key positions and even with injury-prone players, long pre-dates Hughes.
January 19, 2026 at 2:48 PM
We wouldn’t be a man down from last year if Wirtz is playing in the front line. 3 new forwards, Frimpong replacing Trent, Leoni/ Matip and Kerkez/Tsimikas.
The policy of not signing players to replace injuries, even in key positions and even with injury-prone players, long pre-dates Hughes.
The policy of not signing players to replace injuries, even in key positions and even with injury-prone players, long pre-dates Hughes.
I’m not sure I’d go that far. If Leoni hadn’t got injured (and is good enough) and we’d signed say Semenyo instead of Isak it’d look so much better. Mistakes made, but mitigating circumstances and hard to pinpoint blame.
Hughes absolutely should turn up for the odd presser though.
Hughes absolutely should turn up for the odd presser though.
January 19, 2026 at 2:24 PM
I’m not sure I’d go that far. If Leoni hadn’t got injured (and is good enough) and we’d signed say Semenyo instead of Isak it’d look so much better. Mistakes made, but mitigating circumstances and hard to pinpoint blame.
Hughes absolutely should turn up for the odd presser though.
Hughes absolutely should turn up for the odd presser though.
What’s most amazing about this absurd season is that despite everything if we had someone that could take corners we’d probably be in the title race.
We need to learn from what went wrong, but also realise we’re not that far from fixing it. Some clubs take 10 years to fix it.
We need to learn from what went wrong, but also realise we’re not that far from fixing it. Some clubs take 10 years to fix it.
January 19, 2026 at 7:45 AM
What’s most amazing about this absurd season is that despite everything if we had someone that could take corners we’d probably be in the title race.
We need to learn from what went wrong, but also realise we’re not that far from fixing it. Some clubs take 10 years to fix it.
We need to learn from what went wrong, but also realise we’re not that far from fixing it. Some clubs take 10 years to fix it.
Yep, the Big 6 now seems to always have at least 4 clubs in some sort of transition crisis in any one season, with 2 or 3 smaller clubs riding a wave. And last season the unintended consequence of an easier Europa League meant Spurs and United simply chucked the second half of the PL season.
January 18, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Yep, the Big 6 now seems to always have at least 4 clubs in some sort of transition crisis in any one season, with 2 or 3 smaller clubs riding a wave. And last season the unintended consequence of an easier Europa League meant Spurs and United simply chucked the second half of the PL season.
Thanks. Mad that we’re only a few years on from runners up getting 98 points.
January 18, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Thanks. Mad that we’re only a few years on from runners up getting 98 points.
Is this the sign of a strong league or a weak league? Can’t work it out. And what’s the lowest second place points total in the PL era pls?
January 18, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Is this the sign of a strong league or a weak league? Can’t work it out. And what’s the lowest second place points total in the PL era pls?
I know - but that only leaves Hogan above Hughes at LFC and he’s basically a commercial guy who also moved to a hybrid role with FSG in the restructure. If it’s Edwards deciding which of Hughes/Slot carries the can when things go wrong, the risk is he backs his mate.
January 17, 2026 at 11:15 PM
I know - but that only leaves Hogan above Hughes at LFC and he’s basically a commercial guy who also moved to a hybrid role with FSG in the restructure. If it’s Edwards deciding which of Hughes/Slot carries the can when things go wrong, the risk is he backs his mate.
Allowing Edwards to hand pick his best mates is definitely a concern accountability-wise, especially since Hogan effectively went part time. Who does Hughes answer to? How much of the transfer planning is even him vs Edwards or the others? All a bit murky.
January 17, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Allowing Edwards to hand pick his best mates is definitely a concern accountability-wise, especially since Hogan effectively went part time. Who does Hughes answer to? How much of the transfer planning is even him vs Edwards or the others? All a bit murky.
I’m on team Slot - but dropping from 90pt pace last season to 60pt pace this does hurt, especially given the spend and when energy and entertainment has been lacking too (less so today). Underlying numbers reassure the brain but not the gut. And I quite often just miss Diaz.
January 17, 2026 at 9:19 PM
I’m on team Slot - but dropping from 90pt pace last season to 60pt pace this does hurt, especially given the spend and when energy and entertainment has been lacking too (less so today). Underlying numbers reassure the brain but not the gut. And I quite often just miss Diaz.
With FSG/Edwards there’s always a plan, we just might not like it. Seems to include a hard policy that we will always rather risk being under-staffed in key areas due to injury than sign someone who isn’t deemed the perfect long term fit. We’ll get a cb in the summer and he’ll need to be immense
January 16, 2026 at 7:19 PM
With FSG/Edwards there’s always a plan, we just might not like it. Seems to include a hard policy that we will always rather risk being under-staffed in key areas due to injury than sign someone who isn’t deemed the perfect long term fit. We’ll get a cb in the summer and he’ll need to be immense
Height was my main worry about signing Guehi tbh, especially if you have Frimpong at rb. It’s all a bit odd and you’re right to flag Ramadan but I’m not sure this was Hughes asleep at the wheel. I suspect City just threw cash at the player and we moved on.
January 16, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Height was my main worry about signing Guehi tbh, especially if you have Frimpong at rb. It’s all a bit odd and you’re right to flag Ramadan but I’m not sure this was Hughes asleep at the wheel. I suspect City just threw cash at the player and we moved on.
And once the icecaps melt it’ll be easier to get all the oil out!
January 16, 2026 at 8:40 AM
And once the icecaps melt it’ll be easier to get all the oil out!
I wonder if frame selection is part of the semi-auto offside tech, or if we’re still totally comfortable with that absolutely critical part of every offside decision being cloaked in subjectivity.
January 15, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I wonder if frame selection is part of the semi-auto offside tech, or if we’re still totally comfortable with that absolutely critical part of every offside decision being cloaked in subjectivity.
General dissatisfaction with the establishment status quo is a huge factor both then and now. But so vital to critically analyse non-traditional parties with the same rigour. If you’re fed up of self-interested public schoolboy career politicians how can you trust Farage and his former-Tories?
January 14, 2026 at 8:50 AM
General dissatisfaction with the establishment status quo is a huge factor both then and now. But so vital to critically analyse non-traditional parties with the same rigour. If you’re fed up of self-interested public schoolboy career politicians how can you trust Farage and his former-Tories?
Also the former head of Reform Wales is literally doing 10 years for being on Putin’s payroll.
January 14, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Also the former head of Reform Wales is literally doing 10 years for being on Putin’s payroll.
Imagine if it’s Ole at the wheel and there’s just enough improvement from moving to a back 4 and getting some players back to convince Radcliffe to give him a 5 year deal…
January 11, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Imagine if it’s Ole at the wheel and there’s just enough improvement from moving to a back 4 and getting some players back to convince Radcliffe to give him a 5 year deal…
My guess: we had a shortlist of Hugo and Isak to replace Nunez, either of which would have been a manageable physical drop off, more than cancelled out by the technical upgrade. But then because of Jota we decided to sign both, creating an imbalance compounded by Diaz and Mac.
January 10, 2026 at 11:59 AM
My guess: we had a shortlist of Hugo and Isak to replace Nunez, either of which would have been a manageable physical drop off, more than cancelled out by the technical upgrade. But then because of Jota we decided to sign both, creating an imbalance compounded by Diaz and Mac.
He’s got quality. But I’m less sure he’s the complete physical package we need and paid for. It’s the combination of those physical dropoffs - Wirtz/Hugo/Isak vs Diaz/Jota/Nunez, Dom at rb and Mac becoming a tired version of Jay Spearing all in one go that made us limp. Some of those were a choice.
January 10, 2026 at 11:05 AM
He’s got quality. But I’m less sure he’s the complete physical package we need and paid for. It’s the combination of those physical dropoffs - Wirtz/Hugo/Isak vs Diaz/Jota/Nunez, Dom at rb and Mac becoming a tired version of Jay Spearing all in one go that made us limp. Some of those were a choice.
Yes this needs to be added to the national alert SMS system
January 10, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Yes this needs to be added to the national alert SMS system
Yep, I agree, or at least hope that’s the idea. Buy the quality, teach the intensity.
But does that apply to Isak aswell?
And moving Dom to right back was a decision with inevitable consequences for workrate further forward. Need to resist that.
But does that apply to Isak aswell?
And moving Dom to right back was a decision with inevitable consequences for workrate further forward. Need to resist that.
January 10, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Yep, I agree, or at least hope that’s the idea. Buy the quality, teach the intensity.
But does that apply to Isak aswell?
And moving Dom to right back was a decision with inevitable consequences for workrate further forward. Need to resist that.
But does that apply to Isak aswell?
And moving Dom to right back was a decision with inevitable consequences for workrate further forward. Need to resist that.
On workrate, my question is why we chose to replace those 3 insane workrate players with Wirtz, Isak and Hugo. That speaks to an intentional lower workrate strategy, unless the plan is to upskill those 3 new players in that area. I’m not sure a lower workrate strategy is the way to go.
January 10, 2026 at 9:25 AM
On workrate, my question is why we chose to replace those 3 insane workrate players with Wirtz, Isak and Hugo. That speaks to an intentional lower workrate strategy, unless the plan is to upskill those 3 new players in that area. I’m not sure a lower workrate strategy is the way to go.
I’m pretty sure standing off Sunderland was a tactic rather than the players just not being at it. And I get why, because of our failure to win second balls. But it is very difficult to watch and risks losing the crowd. I’m not blaming Slot for that decision, but it does have an obvious downside
January 10, 2026 at 9:22 AM
I’m pretty sure standing off Sunderland was a tactic rather than the players just not being at it. And I get why, because of our failure to win second balls. But it is very difficult to watch and risks losing the crowd. I’m not blaming Slot for that decision, but it does have an obvious downside
I know they’re different - but the explanation for the issue Slot is describing is that playing slower possession-based football with minimal off the ball intensity at anfield at 0-0 against Leeds and Sunderland is always going to be a difficult sell, regardless of gegenpressing expectations
January 10, 2026 at 9:16 AM
I know they’re different - but the explanation for the issue Slot is describing is that playing slower possession-based football with minimal off the ball intensity at anfield at 0-0 against Leeds and Sunderland is always going to be a difficult sell, regardless of gegenpressing expectations
Yep I see that, but there is a fair question of whether a transition to lower intensity football is the right idea, as well as the question of whether it’s being executed well (yet). Or is the plan to get the new signings to learn intensity, which Slot sometimes describes?
January 10, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Yep I see that, but there is a fair question of whether a transition to lower intensity football is the right idea, as well as the question of whether it’s being executed well (yet). Or is the plan to get the new signings to learn intensity, which Slot sometimes describes?