Oh yeah, not debating, last night worked out well for us. Problem is/will be when we need the pace or a bit more directness, or just a change, and it's still McNeil playing for 85 minutes.
kenada_blue
Welcome to Barcelonaton FC
Hes started 6 games in all comps. Been subbed by half time in 2 of them (Brentford and Palace). Subbed just after half time in 1 (Wolves cup). Had a shocker in the FA Cup.
The only 2 he played 90mins was a 0.0 away to Burnley and the 2.0 win away at Forest...which McNeil got an assist. So McNeil stayed in.
Aznou for example played 34mins in the FA cup out of position and won a penalty and did more than Dibbers has done in those 320mins.
Too many excuses for a lad who is our 3rd most expensive ever signing.
Vaughan
Player Valuation: £35m
he got done by buendia on multiple occasions
….he did but just challenging and being in the space stops him having the freedom ‘between the lines’. McNeil also got caught a couple of times out wide early in the game but he and Patterson got their act together better as the game went on.
I noticed McNeil checking & communicating with Patterson when he was switching inside. Moyes had clearly given McNeil that responsibility and from what was said, the team had worked on their shape and responsibilities all week.
I like Buendia, clever player.
Vaughan
Player Valuation: £35m
fair points, i just don’t think he has the physicality to even challenge or disrupt, but i guess sometimes when options are limited you have to choose what your willing to compromise on
shame because dibling looks really strong for a young lad and winger when hes on the ball, so youd hope that would translate into his off the ball work, but tactically and attitude wise he isnt up to standard yet
I’ve heard moyes is very very big on players being able to follow instructions, which is why he liked the likes of say rodwell, vaughan, victor and gosling coming through and gave them opportunities, but was/is less sure on barkley, aznou and dibling
Marcus Kendall
Player Valuation: £35m
It wasn't powderpuff
Vagner Love
Player Valuation: £950k
It was a bit tbf, their keeper made a right mess of it
BigDuncTributeBand
Player Valuation: £25m
Just seemed to have dropped right off after injury last season. That was really the first game he’s had since where I’ve thought he did well and was at his level. He’s no N’Diaye, obviously but if he could play like that he’s a decent squad option.
Thanks for your efforts Dwight but you're not needed now. Good luck at your next club.
Southern Yankee toffee
Born not Manufactured
Dibling hid from the ball his last game. He looked scared played backwards or when he tried to take on his man he did the same side step, step-over move over and over again losing it every time.
He is one for the future, McNeil is this season.
I very much disagree, but appreciate your opinion.
This will enforce the "he's not ready" paradox - Dibling will never learn how to assert himself and get in games if he doesn't play in games, he won't learn next year if he doesn't play either. We've had many situations where Dwight offers the square root of F.A. but remains on the pitch because he's experienced, not touching the ball - he offers that or a backwards pass 99% of the time (I know about his good assist for Garner etc., that's the 1%, the other day we had the 99% of passing it back without even trying despite the win). So by saying "he's for next year" what happens is that next year he comes in, having not played at all, and is once again "not ready", and we're back to square 1.
A very Moyes line of thinking, that "he hid/did bad in 1 game, so he must be benched for the next 10". Take a look at just about any other team in the PL if you wanna see how to nurture youth - you let them play and learn, knowing they'll occasionally have crap games or make the odd mistake. We'll never have that with Moyes as it's just not who he is or will be, but this was also known from the start as he's been this way for 20 years. Yes, experience is perceived as important, but to stifle youth and progress because we overvalue it is amazing to see, in 2026, and then go "why can't we find youth players like *insert team here*?" - because even if they had potential and were here they wouldn't play for months at a time, which is also why most of them would likely go to other teams given the chance. Last night Brighton fielded a balanced side with good experience among 18-21 year olds in their first or second season and looked not bad at all, but we can't give more than 20 minutes every 2-3 weeks to a highly rated player (or 2 if you count Aznou). Sunderland also intermix them well and give young players full games, despite risking a lot more than most in doing so, Leeds, Brentford, Bournemouth also have 19-21 year olds playing regularly - I know it's not the best examples but it's all teams around us, and yet, we can't give time to anyone and absolutely HAVE to play Dwight McSlug.
Turned into a bit of a rant I guess, sorry.
…done a decent job for the team and showed himself a very useful squad player, we’ll need him and Moyes won’t hesitate to use him to manage games this season. He’s earned his game time.
I’d expect Ndiaye to come straight back if he’s fit to play as we struggle to break teams down at home without our most creative players.
I’d expect Ndiaye to come straight back if he’s fit to play as we struggle to break teams down at home without our most creative players.
