18 Jan 2026 16:43:35
A great fighting draw for the reds yesterday and a marker in the sand. Demonstrating the togetherness of the squad.
There is a dilemma for SD this week with the European game. Does he play the‘ First half Wrexham side ‘ or the whole match Arsenal. Some might day it’s obvious however you don’t want to wear your first team out and then fluff the Brentford game.
MGW could do with his batteries recharging.
I would keep Sels and of course Aina and bring in Savona. Maybe the Serbinator and Cunha. Midfield Yates for a half with his and Luiz guidance alongside McAtee. Then Bakma Ndoye with Jesus.
It’s a difficult one and a good banter thread.
18 Jan 2026 17:29:20
We've got 6 games to play in 21 days
Jesus will have to be rested as our only available striker
I think aina and Williams plus MGW abd Anderson need resting and focus on brentford
Goalkeepers don't really need resting cuhna and Hutchinson can't play as not in the squad
I think he'll go
Sels
Savona
Milenkovic
Murillo
Aina
Yates
Luiz
Macatee
Bakwa
Ndoye
Jesus but not for 90 mins.
18 Jan 2026 18:20:15
It’s a tough one Nuno because I don’t know much about Braga except they are 5th in the Portuguese League way off in points to the top 2. They are playing a team 2nd bottom as I type this.
They are above us in the Europa having won 4 drawn 1 and lost 1.
Unlike SD who will have them scouted they’re a mystery to me so I wouldn’t know what team to put out mate.
18 Jan 2026 18:41:10
Didn’t we play them in pre season last year or recently? It’s a tough one team selection wise because Europa is a back door to European Cgampions football so SD will want to give it a fair crack but Brentford is a tough away fixture and priority atm I think.
I’d probably have Sels in there, and a run out for Savona. Yates, Luiz, Ndoye, Cubiano Hutch and McAteer but rest the likes of Murillo, Anderson, MGW, Sanghere, CHO and Jesus. But who knows the strengths of the opposition?
18 Jan 2026 18:51:41
Cant play Hutchinson, cuhna, cubiano.
18 Jan 2026 19:26:02
Of course, I forgot that DTP. Just had a look at their line up tonight. I remember Moutinho when he played for Wolves, ( 39 now) and thought it was our Moussa Niakhate at centre back ( but it isn’t). So, still non the wiser as to what to expect or what team to put out.
18 Jan 2026 19:27:58
Could start strong and pull “ first teamers “ off early if and when we get a good lead. But that would be reckless in my opinion.
Having said that, the reverse didn’t work against Wrexham did it?
18 Jan 2026 19:39:30
Don't think dyche will risk that tbh
Bakwa, mcatee, ndoye, luiz all have something to prove to dyche now, they've had a public dressing down and maybe they will respond to that?
18 Jan 2026 20:35:50
When Zinchenko was amitted from the squad to make way for Aina, might have been wiser to include Awoniyi instead, might have had better luck against lesser?, teams. Braga's coach learnt his trade at man city's under 18's teams for 7 years, so should know everything about McAtee, Braga's his first crack at head coach.
18 Jan 2026 21:04:09
Doesn't work like that mossey mate
Aina was originally on the squad but was replaced by zinchenko through injury, now he's fit again he's allowed back, you can't swap players about till the next phase.
18 Jan 2026 21:40:37
Didn't know that DTP, the cunumdrum of finding a solution to playing Jesus every game still stands?.
18 Jan 2026 21:50:55
Yep he gets injured and we are well and truly screwed as it stands.