***mcfc vs seville official cl match thread***

[johnny crossan]

bit harsh to say palmer's not ready just because he had an off night. how many off nights has foden had this season, let alone mahrez?? palmer's been class nearly every time he's played for us and has often made our regular starters look poor by comparison. he's earned his place with the 1st team imo.

not just one off-night - don't agree with you - he's taken very few of the many opportunities to impress he's been given this year so far, pity because he's a great prospect.

[Tokyo Blue]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

[john@staustell]

I've said before, over his many recent sub appearances, that Palmer still needs to show something. Last night he had the full chance and he fluffed it big time, both with the shot and with the night. What's more in the second half, playing in a strong team with everything going our way, take the 'youth emotion' out of it and he was piss poor. When he's previously played wide, someone said he should be more central!

I will be really surprised if he gets much more chances, but with Pep you never know.

[Dimples]

We will not get PSG.
UEFA will want both Haaland and Mbappe involved in the latter stages to keep sponsors happy and the cash rolling in.

[nottsblue]

One thing to note re Palmer.

It is very difficult for a player to come into a makeshift team. That midfield had never played together before and he was positioned more centrally than he usually would be used to. Perhaps he should be judged more when he is in a regular starting XI out wide, where Mahrez plays?

I agree he was largely ineffective last night, but he certainly wasn't the only one. He was possibly just coming back from a knock as well.

It's often the same in the Carabao Cup early rounds. We make wholesale changes, bring a few young players in to play alongside fringe players and often it is what is looks - disjointed and it doesn't do any of the players any favours as it looks like they aren't ready for the first team, when in many cases they are if they are in the proper first team with the best players and experience around them to help and guide

[Nick]

Very very harsh on palmer.

Grealish hasn't even been tried central yet. He should have played there, we were just forcing mshrez in.

As with Tokyo- get him in our first 11 on the right wing.

[johnny crossan]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

I simply think he needs to start winning more of his duels, he doesn't have exceptional pace but is tall and strong with great touch and a trick or two. Seems to lack confidence, this also shows up in his u21 international games - not a regular starter in those either which I would have expected by now.

[Nickyboy]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

I simply think he needs to start winning more of his duels, he doesn't have exceptional pace but is tall and strong with great touch and a trick or two. Seems to lack confidence, this also shows up in his u21 international games - not a regular starter in those either which I would have expected by now.

Whenever I've watched him for the England U21s he's been the stand out player. By the very nature of that squad the starting line up chops and changes. Foden often found himself on the bench for the U21s too

[salford city]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

I simply think he needs to start winning more of his duels, he doesn't have exceptional pace but is tall and strong with great touch and a trick or two. Seems to lack confidence, this also shows up in his u21 international games - not a regular starter in those either which I would have expected by now.

Crikey JC you do seem to have an issue with this kid. I do agree with some of your observations in that he seems to be playing within himself. I thought in his last two chumps league appearances that he has looked for the "safe' option to a senior player but saying that, Grealuah did the same all of last seadon and we spunked big money on him.
He divides opinion which is fine - lets see which way he goes from here. Im expecting him to kick on and replace Mahrez - big shoes to fill

[johnny crossan]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

I simply think he needs to start winning more of his duels, he doesn't have exceptional pace but is tall and strong with great touch and a trick or two. Seems to lack confidence, this also shows up in his u21 international games - not a regular starter in those either which I would have expected by now.

Whenever I've watched him for the England U21s he's been the stand out player. By the very nature of that squad the starting line up chops and changes. Foden often found himself on the bench for the U21s too

Only played 6 U-21 games surprisingly, injuries haven't helped, looked good in the last two I agree but was subbed early in both. Still maintain he lacks drive and grit.

[johnny crossan]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

I simply think he needs to start winning more of his duels, he doesn't have exceptional pace but is tall and strong with great touch and a trick or two. Seems to lack confidence, this also shows up in his u21 international games - not a regular starter in those either which I would have expected by now.

Crikey JC you do seem to have an issue with this kid. I do agree with some of your observations in that he seems to be playing within himself. I thought in his last two chumps league appearances that he has looked for the "safe' option to a senior player but saying that, Grealuah did the same all of last seadon and we spunked big money on him.
He divides opinion which is fine - lets see which way he goes from here. Im expecting him to kick on and replace Mahrez - big shoes to fill

Mahrez is an example of a truly gifted footballer who seems happy to play within himself when the team needs him to step up. Very frustrating.

[salford city]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.



Crikey JC you do seem to have an issue with this kid. I do agree with some of your observations in that he seems to be playing within himself. I thought in his last two chumps league appearances that he has looked for the "safe' option to a senior player but saying that, Grealuah did the same all of last seadon and we spunked big money on him.
He divides opinion which is fine - lets see which way he goes from here. Im expecting him to kick on and replace Mahrez - big shoes to fill

Mahrez is an example of a truly gifted footballer who seems happy to play within himself when the team needs him to step up. Very frustrating.

Agrred on Mahrez. Don't know what is up with him. Been poor so far this season.. Not going to WC so maybe that may be a bonus for us and him

[johnny crossan]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.



Crikey JC you do seem to have an issue with this kid. I do agree with some of your observations in that he seems to be playing within himself. I thought in his last two chumps league appearances that he has looked for the "safe' option to a senior player but saying that, Grealuah did the same all of last seadon and we spunked big money on him.
He divides opinion which is fine - lets see which way he goes from here. Im expecting him to kick on and replace Mahrez - big shoes to fill

Mahrez is an example of a truly gifted footballer who seems happy to play within himself when the team needs him to step up. Very frustrating.

Agreed on Mahrez. Don't know what is up with him. Been poor so far this season.. Not going to WC so maybe that may be a bonus for us and him

Contract extensionitis

[john@staustell]

What does he have to do to take those opportunities, Johnny?

The team won. He did a reasonable job towards helping with that. He works hard and has no little skill. He perhaps lacks pace but he can make up for it in other ways. Plenty of time for him yet.

He also has the disadvantage of playing with Mahrez and Grealish rather than with de Bruyne.

I’d also like to see him in different positions. I think he will be better wide right, but he was less effective last night in a more central role.

A front three of Foden, Haaland and Palmer with Rodri, Bernardo and KdB behind has never been tried. I would like to see him in that team.

I simply think he needs to start winning more of his duels, he doesn't have exceptional pace but is tall and strong with great touch and a trick or two. Seems to lack confidence, this also shows up in his u21 international games - not a regular starter in those either which I would have expected by now.

Crikey JC you do seem to have an issue with this kid. I do agree with some of your observations in that he seems to be playing within himself. I thought in his last two chumps league appearances that he has looked for the "safe' option to a senior player but saying that, Grealuah did the same all of last seadon and we spunked big money on him.
He divides opinion which is fine - lets see which way he goes from here. Im expecting him to kick on and replace Mahrez - big shoes to fill

Bottom line is it doesn't matter how good he is elsewhere, if he doesn't play well in the first team games, he's not made it.

It may be harsh but so is football. For decades fans have screamed for various young players, the vast majority of which end up at lower clubs.

You have to look at the player in front of you, not say - aw, ok, its fine because he's a prospect.

Even more apparent as on the night a 17 year old took his chance with both hands