Our best starting 11 and squad until Jan?

[Whitestone]

Seems that Palacios has been made the whipping boy after those first two Prem games.
Personally think he's been quite tidy, didn't do much wrong but didn't set the world alight either. Streets ahead (performance wise) of Iwobi and Leno thus far (add in Cuenca after his horror show v CFC).

I've no idea how Berge, Larsson, Charles (and Reed/Iwobi) will fill two spots in the side.
Then there's Angel, Palacios, Bobb, Kevin, King, ESR, Iwobi, Zepa, Sess all vying for 3 spots.
Only clear, nailed on starters I see are Castagne (deserves it, he's in great form), Bassey and Garcia.
Exciting times.

Is not possible for supporters to watch a game and pass judgement without somebody criticising and then accusing you of making a player a scapegoat or whipping boy,
I was at Sunderland and whether you like it or not Palacios was awful, a little boy lost, so far out of his depth,
If he had progressed through the Fulham academy people would be demanding that he was sent to League 1 or League 2 for a season to toughen up and gain experience, Arbeloa at the very least should have taken him off at half time, we've got better players than him to play in that position,
I'm 100% confident that one day he will become a tremendous player, but that "one day" is a little way off yet,
Playing Palacios, King and Bobb in the same side made us a physically weak side, and hopefully it's not repeated against Palace.

Seems that Palacios has been made the whipping boy after those first two Prem games.
Personally think he's been quite tidy, didn't do much wrong but didn't set the world alight either. Streets ahead (performance wise) of Iwobi and Leno thus far (add in Cuenca after his horror show v CFC).

I've no idea how Berge, Larsson, Charles (and Reed/Iwobi) will fill two spots in the side.
Then there's Angel, Palacios, Bobb, Kevin, King, ESR, Iwobi, Zepa, Sess all vying for 3 spots.
Only clear, nailed on starters I see are Castagne (deserves it, he's in great form), Bassey and Garcia.
Exciting times.

Is not possible for supporters to watch a game and pass judgement without somebody criticising and then accusing you of making a player a scapegoat or whipping boy,
I was at Sunderland and whether you like it or not Palacios was awful, a little boy lost, so far out of his depth,
If he had progressed through the Fulham academy people would be demanding that he was sent to League 1 or League 2 for a season to toughen up and gain experience, Arbeloa at the very least should have taken him off at half time, we've got better players than him to play in that position,
I'm 100% confident that one day he will become a tremendous player, but that "one day" is a little way off yet,
Playing Palacios, King and Bobb in the same side made us a physically weak side, and hopefully it's not repeated against Palace.

I appreciate we all have different opinions on players and when at games thing can seem totally different. I have for my sins just sat and watched the full game again, for me Palacios upto the 60 minute was our third best player behind King and Bassey. He only gave the ball away 3 times up to his booking, the first time was on 15 minutes when he tried to drag back the ball and spin in center midfield which would have completely opened up our right wing for a counter attack. He was always looking for the ball and making himself available in good positions. The handball he got penalised for in the Sunderland box wasn't correct it hit above the sleeve line on his shoulder. I'm not here to bash players but Garcia on the other hand had a stinker along with Bobb.

Something I saw on twitter showing his game vs. Sunderland - doesn't look like a little kid or a league 1 level footballer.
https://x.com/newballers7/status/2094305669159518540

Not suggesting he had a good game, but he has 100% been scapegoated. He tries to make things happen whenever he gets on the ball and that's more than I can say for Smith-Rowe.

I think we've got a fantastic player but he hasn't been scapegoated. Some have been critical of his performance but that isn't scapegoating.  The guy has clearly got talent and I'm looking forward to seeing him progress.

[hovewhite]

Seems that Palacios has been made the whipping boy after those first two Prem games.
Personally think he's been quite tidy, didn't do much wrong but didn't set the world alight either. Streets ahead (performance wise) of Iwobi and Leno thus far (add in Cuenca after his horror show v CFC).

I've no idea how Berge, Larsson, Charles (and Reed/Iwobi) will fill two spots in the side.
Then there's Angel, Palacios, Bobb, Kevin, King, ESR, Iwobi, Zepa, Sess all vying for 3 spots.
Only clear, nailed on starters I see are Castagne (deserves it, he's in great form), Bassey and Garcia.
Well from lack of midfielders it's gone the other extreme and feel it's AA most difficult part of his management.so wish him luck for all of us
Exciting times.

[hovewhite]

Seems that Palacios has been made the whipping boy after those first two Prem games.
Personally think he's been quite tidy, didn't do much wrong but didn't set the world alight either. Streets ahead (performance wise) of Iwobi and Leno thus far (add in Cuenca after his horror show v CFC).

I've no idea how Berge, Larsson, Charles (and Reed/Iwobi) will fill two spots in the side.
Then there's Angel, Palacios, Bobb, Kevin, King, ESR, Iwobi, Zepa, Sess all vying for 3 spots.
Only clear, nailed on starters I see are Castagne (deserves it, he's in great form), Bassey and Garcia.
Well from lack of midfielders it's gone the other extreme and feel it's AA most difficult part of his management.so wish him luck for all of us
Exciting times.

[Bassey the warrior]

Whatever happens we clearly need to defend the right wing better, as Castagne doesn't have the recovery speed of Robinson. Doesn't help Bobb doesn't track back.

Charles has decent pace, so could maybe cover him. Affengruber is a complete unknown to me, so hopefully he's got decent pace and agility if he comes in. Though we might miss Andersen's leadership and aerial ability.

In attack the right side is looking very good though. Castagne, Bobb and King are gelling really well.

[Bassey the warrior]

Seems that Palacios has been made the whipping boy after those first two Prem games.
Personally think he's been quite tidy, didn't do much wrong but didn't set the world alight either. Streets ahead (performance wise) of Iwobi and Leno thus far (add in Cuenca after his horror show v CFC).

I've no idea how Berge, Larsson, Charles (and Reed/Iwobi) will fill two spots in the side.
Then there's Angel, Palacios, Bobb, Kevin, King, ESR, Iwobi, Zepa, Sess all vying for 3 spots.
Only clear, nailed on starters I see are Castagne (deserves it, he's in great form), Bassey and Garcia.
Well from lack of midfielders it's gone the other extreme and feel it's AA most difficult part of his management.so wish him luck for all of us
Exciting times.

Really hoping he can resurrect Kevin, as I love that guy.

[hovewhite]

Kevin is a great talent ,is he sulking because he thinks he should be a starter?
The same with ESR?

[C Block]

Unless I missed it (if I have I apologise)
But Palacios was left out on Saturday and yet it's received no comment,
Absolutely the right call, just a shame it didn't happen before the Palace game, we looked a far more balanced side with Iwobi playing further wide,
Hopefully that is now our starting eleven going forward until we can find a way to shoehorn Larsson into the side.
Is there a single person left on the forum that would like to see Palacios start against Manchester United?
As I've said repeatedly, one day he will be a fine player but not for a couple of seasons, I feel he was brought in before Arbeloa had discovered what an incredible talent he already had on his hands with Josh King.

[McGruber]

Even though he isn't as great in the air as he should be, I think Berge is a must start since neither of our CBs are tall. We need his 6'5 frame to get in the way on defensive corners if nothing else...

[General]

Unless I missed it (if I have I apologise)
But Palacios was left out on Saturday and yet it's received no comment,
Absolutely the right call, just a shame it didn't happen before the Palace game, we looked a far more balanced side with Iwobi playing further wide,
Hopefully that is now our starting eleven going forward until we can find a way to shoehorn Larsson into the side.
Is there a single person left on the forum that would like to see Palacios start against Manchester United?
As I've said repeatedly, one day he will be a fine player but not for a couple of seasons, I feel he was brought in before Arbeloa had discovered what an incredible talent he already had on his hands with Josh King.

I think he's more ready than a couple of seasons away. I think he simply needs to get more used to the physicality of the league which can be done this season. He's scored for us in a PL game, show real quality and played a part in high quality performances going forward. I think he's definitely got the potential to break through this season and then step up next. He strikes me as a hard worker.

[McGruber]

Has anyone discussed how Larsson played the 10, and ESR played mostly on the left at the end of the match?

I can see Palacios coming in for King when we need a creative spark for the last 15-20, but hopefully his left wing experiment is done for now.

[Moussa Dembele the 3rd]

Palacios is a 10. He should be competing with King and ESR for his place. I really hope we don't see him on the wing again. He's ineffectual there and leaves us completely exposed defensively because he's too slow to realize when he needs to track back or how he fits in positionally off the ball. 

[General]

Kevin is a great talent ,is he sulking because he thinks he should be a starter?
The same with ESR?

I don't see esr sulking. Getting rid of social media is more to just stop giving fans an irrational level of access to influencing your well-being, which is sensible and healthy.

If he was, and Kevin was (seems more evident he is), then it's not a bad thing unless it's poorly managed and spills over. Kevin doesn't seem to be that case though, post Liverpool game there's footage of a number of players putting an arm around him, seemingly supportive and encouraging. The benefit of having a tightnit squad.

It's a period of strain and hopefully positive growth, which comes with growing pains. Let's be encouraging- it's likely what he needs the most.

[Porthogs FC]

Garcia with Muniz in the wings. Kevin, Iwobi, and Bobb are competing for the starting 11 winger roles. King is first choice 10. Palacios and ESR are on the outside looking in at either the 10 or the LW roll. The other two CM roles have 3 competing (Larsen, Charles, and Berge) with Reed, TC and Angel on the outside looking in. Defensive 4 is pretty straightforward. Lots of competition for starts other than perhaps at CB and LB and GK. Exactly what you want.

[Jim©]

Unless I missed it (if I have I apologise)
But Palacios was left out on Saturday and yet it's received no comment,
Absolutely the right call, just a shame it didn't happen before the Palace game, we looked a far more balanced side with Iwobi playing further wide,
Hopefully that is now our starting eleven going forward until we can find a way to shoehorn Larsson into the side.
Is there a single person left on the forum that would like to see Palacios start against Manchester United?
As I've said repeatedly, one day he will be a fine player but not for a couple of seasons, I feel he was brought in before Arbeloa had discovered what an incredible talent he already had on his hands with Josh King.

I'd love to see Palacios start against Man U personally.

[C Block]

Unless I missed it (if I have I apologise)
But Palacios was left out on Saturday and yet it's received no comment,
Absolutely the right call, just a shame it didn't happen before the Palace game, we looked a far more balanced side with Iwobi playing further wide,
Hopefully that is now our starting eleven going forward until we can find a way to shoehorn Larsson into the side.
Is there a single person left on the forum that would like to see Palacios start against Manchester United?
As I've said repeatedly, one day he will be a fine player but not for a couple of seasons, I feel he was brought in before Arbeloa had discovered what an incredible talent he already had on his hands with Josh King.

I'd love to see Palacios start against Man U personally.

Why would anyone want to change the side that did so well at Liverpool?