TommyD68

I was having a little think to myself last night and for the first time in a while I think the squad actually has multiple players for each position, making it quite hard to pick a starting 11! 

I also wonder if Weimann plays a bit better without the armband.. might be slightly harsh, but I wouldn’t mind seeing James captain next season and Vyner vice captain (provided he signs new deal). 
 

I think playing Scott and Weimann gives a bit of flexibility as they could both play either out wide or in the CAM role allowing them to interchange. Assuming Scott stays of course..  Which he might not, wishful thinking putting him in I think
 

That team would leave players like Wells, Mccorie, Roberts, Atkinson, Benarous, Cornick, Mehmeti, Williams etc all fighting it out to make the bench. Shaping up nicely! 

It’s quite an important decision for Zak, he’s coming into his prime now and arguably the next contract he signs will be the most important as that’s where he’s most likely to be at his peak. Like others have said he’s coming off the back of his best ever season and deserves an improved contract offer..  I imagine City have offered either the same terms or a slight increase, however given the minutes he’s played and performances from him this season I think that would be slightly naive from City to expect him to sign. I personally think it would make more sense to let Kalas go which will free up some wages and offer Zak a better long term contract. We could be looking at the next club captain there once Weimann and James move on, it would be a real shame to let him go in my opinion. It wouldn’t surprise me if a couple championship clubs make an offer towards the end of the window if City and Zak make a good start to the season. 

By the sounds of things looks to be a very solid signing, always good to get business done early! However I don’t think he’ll walk into the team, Vyner and Tanner both cemented their places in the team last season, Vyner especially being an ever present and leader in the defence. Will be interesting to see where Nige looks to play him.. anyway a couple more signings through the door and the squad looks as though it’s already looking to take quite a nice shape! 

It’s going to be extremely competitive next season, with the likes of Southampton, two of Leeds, Forest, Everton or Leicester joining them.. West Brom, Norwich, Watford etc. Teams with big budgets that we will struggle to compete with. Top half finish would be punching above our weight in my opinion, either way I’m intrigued to see what happens! Saying that Luton have punched well above their weight for the last two seasons, so who knows  

What a fickle sport football is, Max was motm only a few days ago at Luton and stopped it from potentially being an embarrassing result at Luton. That’s not the first time he’s managed to save it from being an embarrassing score line either.. I think the short answer here is no we won’t be seeing Haikin anytime soon, like others have said unless Max picks up an injury Max is our deserved number one moving forward and will quite literally have the no1 shirt next season. 

Great news, you don’t get many old school right backs anymore but he is one. Vyner next please

Zak didn’t have a bad game at all last night, nothing to be ashamed of. Was brave on the ball and the couple of times he did lose possession was down to lack of options. Thought Kalas was exceptional and did cover for him extremely well on the occasions where Zak did lose possession. 
 

This thread is about how well Zak has played this season, and I agree he is the stand out player for me. Says a lot about some fans that straight after the game they jump on here to criticise after he doesn’t produce a 10/10 performance against arguably the best team in the world! 

Sad to see Bents go but great business all round, great move for him and ready made replacement in MOL. Wish him all the best! 

Give him a new contract and the armband for next season. Most consistent player this season, leader at the back, came through the academy and always gives 110%.
 

Zak Vyner is taking us to the premier league Sha La La La La La La!  

Thrilled for Cam! Has had to be patient this year but since he’s come in has been brilliant! It’s nice to see a lot of our better performers this season have come through the academy 

Future captain for me, really stepped up this season and leads by example 

22 minutes ago, phantom said:

Is he match fit though?

I have only been aware of him in the training videos for a short period of time, I would assume he would have to do the normal full pre season training schedule before being anywhere near getting him on the pitch?

Assumedly we will see him getting minutes for the U23s first?

You are probably right yes! Although it wouldn’t surprise me if they chuck him in too soon and he’s injured again in a couple of weeks knowing his luck. If he does get back to fitness though it’s a tough decision for Pearson to make. You’d think Kalas will be off in the summer and will want to play well to try earn a contract elsewhere 

Looks like Kalas is back fit and training again. Where does he fit into the current starting 11, if at all? I think a lot of people would have said he should play instead of Vyner at the start of the season.. but for me Vyner has been the most consistent player in that defence and arguably player of the season so far. Maybe a back 5 of Tanner-Kalas-Vyner-Atkinson/Naismith-Pring? Will be interesting to see! 

If the second half of the season follows the same pattern as the first I’d like to see Vyner get player of the year and Conway get young player of the year.

I personally think Vyner deserves it more for the turn around and the attitude he’s shown when it looked like he was going to be out the door in the summer. TC has been great though and there would be no complaints if he got it. All of the above have been very solid this season tbf to them! 

Disappointing result, they never really looked like scoring. Shame about the goal, looks like it shouldn’t have stood for a push in the back and offside.

I thought Alex Scott was brilliant tonight, they didn’t want to go near him or put a tackle in at times. Vyner was excellent again in the first half, hes really come into his own this season and looks assured in near enough every game at the moment. 

We rely heavily on Semenyo and Weimann being on form, if those two get back firing we’ll be just fine. I think the break coming up in a couple of weeks can only be a positive, recharge and go again in the new year

Brilliant again today! I’ve noticed throughout the season he’s been one of the more vocal players in the side. If he's still at the club in a couple years time and carries on performing and improving the way he is I could actually see him captaining the side when the older crop of players move on. 
 

Thought both Tanner and Pring were excellent as well. Considering the form Swansea have been on and the changes we had to make I see it as a point gained rather than two dropped. Well done lads! 

I’m over the moon for him, as well as clearly being one of the top performers this year he’s also one of the more vocal players on the pitch. I think his role in the squad is undermined by a lot of fans

Completely on Kalas.. O’Leary commits and makes the call, if he listens Max makes an easy catch. We could hear him in the stands, Scott clearly hears him and follows instruction, Kalas decided to ignore and caused the collision. 
 

Ive always thought Kalas is erratic and doesn’t hold the shape very well, not sure why we’re giving him the minutes when he’s going to be leaving on a free this summer. He certainly doesn’t deserve his place ahead of Vyner or Atkinson and Naismith/Klose offer a lot more leadership than he does. 
 

Shame we didn’t get at least a point, but the most positive I’ve felt about city in many years. The attacking options we’ve got give us a chance against any team, onwards and upwards! 

9 minutes ago, Spike said:

In all honesty I think we all knew this was coming, it's the difference between Pukki and not so clinical finishers. Vyner has been exposed today again, he's just unable to play against top quality Championship players and this defensive system cannot deal with this level of opponent because we can't pass it around at the back as we do far too often. I want to be positive but this could end up being a cricket score

What game are you watching? This Vyner slander is so boring and tiresome, been one of our better players over the last 5/6 games. Naismith at fault for both, Vyner could do nothing about either. It would actually be 3-0 if it wasn’t for his great block early on, you probably decided to turn a blind eye to that one though. 

I can see the argument for both making changes and trying to keep it the same. Think I’d sway towards keeping the core of the team the same and maybe rotating the wide players. I think giving Weimann and Scott a rest would be sensible, they’ve played a lot of football over the last however many months. Would be good to see Wilson and Pring get some minutes! Can always make changes in the second half if needed, feeling confident COYR! 

After being unsure at the start of the season I think these 3 are really starting to look like a good combination at the back. I think they all bring a different elements to that back line and compliment each other very well. Only going to get better over time!

I’ve been particularly impressed with how Atkinson turns defence into attack this season, reminds me of Adam Webster on occasions when he brings the ball out. he’s looked good defensively too which is of course the main thing.

After a couple shaky moments from Naismith this season I can definitely see why we’ve brought him in, I think he’s been outstanding last couple of games and is a real leader in the back line. 
 

And finally praise for Vyner as people are so quick to jump on him if he makes a mistake I’d like the praise to be as loud as the criticism. He’s also looked great last couple of games and has that ability to play a cutting edge ball and start attacks. Did it against Luton and also yesterday through to Wilson at the end which should have ended in a goal. Also seems to have a bit of an edge to him last couple of games that I like to see.

Will be great to have Kalas back fit again but IMO opinion no reason to change as long as the wins and clean sheets keep coming. Keep it up lads

Great goal! Really do look a better team with Wells and Conway, their link up play is great! 

2 minutes ago, bris red said:

Vyner switching off again there

Was a mix up with the whole defensive line, stop trying to force the Vyner narrative. Had a decent game so far. 

Looks as though Palace are thinking about making a 12 million bid for Antoine. I think with the need to strengthen in other areas and the likes of Conway coming through would be hard for City to reject it. I personally can’t see him staying beyond this season regardless of where City finish so I think would make sense to cash in.