Preseason 2025

[SB]

Trey & Rio really link up well on the left side. Man I’m so impressed with both these lads. Rio is 17 in a month so I’m hoping the contract is ready & just the amount to agree on.

I was actually surprised how well Timmy looked at CB especially his distribution. Robbo seemed to be under instructions to stay back which was a good tactic & allowed Frimpong to get forward at will. I’m starting to wonder if we will see 2 CB’s come in or just the one with Endo & Timmy emergency options?

We really improved when Macca came on & it’s great to see him back.

Harvey offered nothing & I’m sure we’ll be looking for offers ASAP which is a shame but sell while his value is up after the 21’s result.

[Harv]

Trey & Rio really link up well on the left side. Man I’m so impressed with both these lads. Rio is 17 in a month so I’m hoping the contract is ready & just the amount to agree on.

I was actually surprised how well Timmy looked at CB especially his distribution. Robbo seemed to be under instructions to stay back which was a good tactic & allowed Frimpong to get forward at will. I’m starting to wonder if we will see 2 CB’s come in or just the one with Endo & Timmy emergency options?

We really improved when Macca came on & it’s great to see him back.

Harvey offered nothing & I’m sure we’ll be looking for offers ASAP which is a shame but sell while his value is up after the 21’s result.

Yeah, he just looks completely lost out there. Hit and hope passes galore and lots of running around, but it just hasn't clicked for him. Genuinely surprised he hasn't left already, for his own good. He's just not going to get the games with us now barring injuries to a few players.

[DerKrampus]

John Barnes had everything. Pace, power, stride and technique, the touch of an angel or the boot of a monster and he was also pretty unselfish. I think the only thing he didn't get was the admiration of the rest of England, who pretty much wasted him in his England career, basically because the rest of the England team was still playing hit and hope football. LFC had a sublime team in the late 1980s and Barnes was pivotal in it. It was pure joy sometimes. I feel really sorry for people who didn't see him in his pomp. One of the greatest players to play for LFC ever.

I truly hope Ngumoha gets somewhere close, but at this point I think a comparison is void. The kid likes to dribble. I mean, most kids do that!

Much like Glen Hoddle then.

[RedReet]

John Barnes had everything. Pace, power, stride and technique, the touch of an angel or the boot of a monster and he was also pretty unselfish. I think the only thing he didn't get was the admiration of the rest of England, who pretty much wasted him in his England career, basically because the rest of the England team was still playing hit and hope football. LFC had a sublime team in the late 1980s and Barnes was pivotal in it. It was pure joy sometimes. I feel really sorry for people who didn't see him in his pomp. One of the greatest players to play for LFC ever.

I truly hope Ngumoha gets somewhere close, but at this point I think a comparison is void. The kid likes to dribble. I mean, most kids do that!

Did you watch yesterday's game?

Not having a go, but you've been quite vocal about Ngumoha not being good enough (yet), but have also mentioned that you haven't watched preseason, so genuinely wondering. My opinion is he just looks better every game and it's hard not to get excited.

Yes it's only preseason and can't read too much into it, but equally you have formed a strong opinion on him based on one cup game last year, saying he slows play down too much. If that is a genuine concern, watch yesterday's game. First half we had close to our first team on and were pedestrian at times and disjointed. With Ngumoha and Frimpong on though, it's was a completely different story, we were electric going forward, almost PSG like at times with our quick breaks. Admittedly we were playing their reserve team by then, but same can be said about us.

[Harv]

He's got loads of talent - he's got pace, a very quick step and change of direction and can go either left or right, which is going to turn defenders inside out and he seems to have his head up looking for options. A lot of the time these wonderkids are all 'head down' and try do it all themselves, which tbh he did a lot last season any time I saw clips of him, but he's clearly learning he needs to look for others at this level.

Theres a hell of a lot to work with there and I can see why the clubs so excited by him.

[SB]

Yeah, he just looks completely lost out there. Hit and hope passes galore and lots of running around, but it just hasn't clicked for him. Genuinely surprised he hasn't left already, for his own good. He's just not going to get the games with us now barring injuries to a few players.

Yeah I think our reported £50m price tag might be putting off WH & Spurs.

He's got loads of talent - he's got pace, a very quick step and change of direction and can go either left or right, which is going to turn defenders inside out and he seems to have his head up looking for options. A lot of the time these wonderkids are all 'head down' and try do it all themselves, which tbh he did a lot last season any time I saw clips of him, but he's clearly learning he needs to look for others at this level.

Theres a hell of a lot to work with there and I can see why the clubs so excited by him.

I was worried the **** pitch might really affect his dribbling game as no one else in the 1st half had any joy but he came on & carved them up like he was playing on a bowling green. Exceptional talent.

[SB]

He's got loads of talent - he's got pace, a very quick step and change of direction and can go either left or right, which is going to turn defenders inside out and he seems to have his head up looking for options. A lot of the time these wonderkids are all 'head down' and try do it all themselves, which tbh he did a lot last season any time I saw clips of him, but he's clearly learning he needs to look for others at this level.

Theres a hell of a lot to work with there and I can see why the clubs so excited by him.

Ben Doak springs to mind there. Looked promising when he first appeared but there’s been no end product or improvement in that side of his game seemingly.

[SB]

Preseason goals scored update

Darwin x 4
Gakpo x 2
Rio x 2
Trey x 1
Wirtz x 1
Dom x 1
Chiesa x 1
Bradley x 1

[Tatterdemalion]

Did you watch yesterday's game?

Not having a go, but you've been quite vocal about Ngumoha not being good enough (yet), but have also mentioned that you haven't watched preseason, so genuinely wondering. My opinion is he just looks better every game and it's hard not to get excited.

Yes it's only preseason and can't read too much into it, but equally you have formed a strong opinion on him based on one cup game last year, saying he slows play down too much. If that is a genuine concern, watch yesterday's game. First half we had close to our first team on and were pedestrian at times and disjointed. With Ngumoha and Frimpong on though, it's was a completely different story, we were electric going forward, almost PSG like at times with our quick breaks. Admittedly we were playing their reserve team by then, but same can be said about us.

I think you might be reading a little too much into my comments. So you are directionally right in that I haven't watched pre-season and am making my comments on the basis of one game last season (which I have been up front about), but I wouldn't say I've been particularly vocal - I think I've posted about four or five times on him. I wouldn't say I had a strong opinion on him slowing down the game either - I just observed that's what I thought after that game and asked if it had changed. I also said he's too young to be a back up - I think that's fair. Lastly, I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say comparing a 16 year old to peak Barnes is a little too much...

I will take your advice and watch the game, though. You are correct that it is not fair to form strong opinions about anyone, especially a developing player, after watching one game.

[baitman]

John Barnes had everything. Pace, power, stride and technique, the touch of an angel or the boot of a monster and he was also pretty unselfish. I think the only thing he didn't get was the admiration of the rest of England, who pretty much wasted him in his England career, basically because the rest of the England team was still playing hit and hope football. LFC had a sublime team in the late 1980s and Barnes was pivotal in it. It was pure joy sometimes. I feel really sorry for people who didn't see him in his pomp. One of the greatest players to play for LFC ever.

A good write up on the great John Barnes.
He's really on a level with Luis Suarez as the most talented players to have ever played for LFC.

[Doc_Piptorious]

A good write up on the great John Barnes.
He's really on a level with Luis Suarez as the most talented players to have ever played for LFC.

Would have Barnes a level above Suarez tbh.

They both shared amazing skill, close control, goal scoring and creating abilities but Barnes was a threat no matter where he picked up a ball thanks to his pace and strength.


Can still remember getting excited every time a ball went to Barnes on the half way line or even in our own half because you never knew when one of his long beating players for fun runs would happen.


Suarez was a world class attacker. Brilliant as anyone in the final third. Barnes was just as brilliant in the final third but his ability to play make and attack with pace from deep positions makes him the far more rounded player for me.

Plus Barnes did it in an era where hard tackles and **** pitches were common along with racist ignorance being directed at him from the stands. The man was grace under pressure and abuse. No for no reason is that picture of him backheeling the banana so iconic.

[Scratch]

Preseason goals scored update

Darwin x 4
Gakpo x 2
Rio x 2
Trey x 1
Wirtz x 1
Dom x 1
Chiesa x 1
Bradley x 1

Hopefully Salah is saving all his for the season proper

[SB]

Hopefully Salah is saving all his for the season proper

Interesting that predominantly our goals have come from central & the left side & assists from the right side.

[peterbread]

He's got loads of talent - he's got pace, a very quick step and change of direction and can go either left or right, which is going to turn defenders inside out and he seems to have his head up looking for options. A lot of the time these wonderkids are all 'head down' and try do it all themselves, which tbh he did a lot last season any time I saw clips of him, but he's clearly learning he needs to look for others at this level.

Theres a hell of a lot to work with there and I can see why the clubs so excited by him.

The games I saw of him last season he looked like he wanted to do it all himself but so far in preseason he looks to have made big improvements in this area. He already looks so much better getting involved rather than doing it himself. Nice to see a change in such a short time, shows he’s learning and listening to what he’s being taught.

[Le Chef]

Yeah, he just looks completely lost out there. Hit and hope passes galore and lots of running around, but it just hasn't clicked for him. Genuinely surprised he hasn't left already, for his own good. He's just not going to get the games with us now barring injuries to a few players.

Makeweight to the barcodes maybe