21 Aug 2025 09:19:09
I know we seem to be pushing for a new dm ( if you believe the media), but my guess is they were probably expecting one to get some time over the season and why they sent collyer on loan. Now one is injured that leaves us thin with just Cass and Ugarte. What about using martinez or shaw in there? Both have good engines and can rotate their time on the treatment table.

1.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 10:17:13
Is this a joke? Shaw in midfield? Good engine? I can’t believe you’ve typed this and sent it and thought it was a good idea.

2.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 10:40:14
Out of all that, this is the only bit you could reply to ?? that bit was tongue in cheek and this should have been on the banter thread but hey ho.

3.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 13:04:33
Have you forgot about Mainoo?

4.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 15:10:16
RA clearly forgotten about Mainoo and don’t rate him

But Shaw or Martinez in there is got to be a joke, neither should even start in there natural positions let alone midfielders!

5.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 16:13:04
If he doesn't rate him then sell him.

6.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 16:50:38
here he is, german. the man who knows better than qualified football coaches.

7.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 19:53:28
So why does the qualified coach RA play him then?

8.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 20:00:39
Mainoo situation seems a bit weird, Amorim says he rates him and has big plans, but it seems he will be an understudy all year to Bruno. Maybe Bruno is being slowly phased out during the year?

9.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 20:25:09
Or, RA intends to use Mainoo as an understudy and replace Bruno when we're ahead in games rather than chasing them, and there's no inconsistency in what RA is saying at all.

10.) 21 Aug 2025
21 Aug 2025 20:34:40
Who is injured.

11.) 22 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025 09:16:52
Mainoo is highly rated by Amorim and the club. The rumoured view inside the coaching staff is that he lacks the stamina and running power in the double pivot. However, this is something that can be worked on and improved, which is what they are doing. He has a specific training program to increase his pace, power and stamina when running.

He already has the vision, reading of the game, and technical skills, all of which are much harder to coach into a player. We have to remember he only turned 20 in April. I think his meteoric rise into the team under EtH has made people forget just how young and inexperienced he is right now.

He had a lot of injuries last season, which is a sign that he might have been over played at his age and level of physical development. Which if you saw the photos of him training during pre-season you'll have noticed how much bigger he is and how he has filled out a lot now compared to his first season. Highlighting how he wasn't fully developed physically when he was playing 180 minutes a week under EtH.

He will get plenty of playing time this season, but it will be as an understudy to Bruno. He isn't really suited to playing as one of the more defensive midfielders, while his relative lack of running power means that he cannot be paired with Casemiro. Meaning the only midfield partner he could play with to form a balanced midfield is Ugarte, which we saw during pre-season.

He is being groomed to be Bruno's replacement. Bruno remember isn't an ideal fit in the double pivot due to his tendency to chase the ball and be out of position. He is also more of a passer than a ball carrier. Which isn't the ideal profile for Amorim. But his leadership, energy, stamina, and his creativity means he has to be in the team more often than not. That said I wouldn't be surprised if Kobbie has started to take his spot by the end of the season. He just needs to improve his stamina and running power.

12.) 22 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025 10:33:17
Shappy - like you said Mainoo looks to have bulked up even more which will surely affect his pace, stamina and his ability to run more.

13.) 22 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025 11:47:00
1 game into the season, I guess Amorim doesn't rate Heaven either?

14.) 22 Aug 2025
22 Aug 2025 15:33:54
Ports,

It’s mad isn’t it some of the nonsense people come out with. OP, you asked 1 question in your post, so yes that’s the bit I responded to.

15.) 23 Aug 2025
23 Aug 2025 10:25:23
Ports, spot on. We have a squad of 31 players, with another 4 first team players already out on loan. At best Amorim can play 16 players in a game (11 starters and 5 off the bench) . Does that mean the other 15 players aren't part of his plans?

Rubbish, the reality is that Mainoo is behind Bruno right now, and the in game situation didn't really suit bringing him on off the bench.

16.) 23 Aug 2025
23 Aug 2025 10:40:01
Sim, not necessarily. Adama Traore is an absolute tank, he looks more like a body builder rather than a footballer (and sometimes he plays like one ? ) . Yet he is absolutely rapid and has the stamina to bomb up and down the pitch all game.

I agree if you bulk up too much or in the wrong way then it can absolutely effect your mobility and stamina. We just have to trust that the coaching staff have a better understanding of how to build strength and muscle in the right way while also improving stamina and pace. It can be done.

I think a big part of Mainoo getting bigger is just him naturally filling out. We have to remember he was just 18 when he started to be a regular for us. Most young men don't fully fill out into their bodies until their early 20's.

Mainoo need to increase his lung and heart strength, I expect he'll be making good use of the new facilities at Carrington. That will increase his stamina. His pace isn't too bad, it's his acceleration that really needs to improve. He needs to be quicker over the first 5 yards or so. That is what Amorim needs from his midfielders so that they can jump to spring a press and win back the ball. The opposition need to feel that they can pass to a player as they aren't closely marked, only for our players to quickly make up that distance and win back the ball.

That's where Kobbie needs to improve. Can he develop that explosive pace over the first 5 yards to enable him to become a better ball winner in Amorim's pressing midfield. That pace is also needed to quickly recover back into position when we lose the ball, especially as we play with a midfield double pivot often up against a midfield three. Our midfielders need to have the stamina and pace to cover a lot of ground quickly.