1 | James Trafford - 2025/26

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

City's defence was not under pressure against Wolves. We were under pressure against Spurs. With Ederson and Ortega we have generally been able to play through the press; against Spurs, we had more difficulty in doing so. Trafford does not appear as adept as Ortega and Ederson ar playing a short / long passing game against a defence under pressure. Perhaps the goal he conceded unsettled him

I’ve seen Ederson and Ortega make similar mistakes though. Spurs entire team were pressing us and that’s not something we have been used to up until last season.

The seasons prior to that, teams would sit back and defend. Now it’s press or counter attack, which is part of why we are struggling in my opinion - as we can’t deal with it.

It’s still only one game as well. Ederson made a very similar mistake when he first joined - did you write him off as well?

 

[jamielowndes]

Hes not ready.

He looked uncomfortable a lot of the time against Spurs and narrowly avoided a clumsy red card.

Low risk UCL games and the cups are absolutely perfect for him right now. Let him get his feet under him. But against Spurs, even ignoring the 2nd goal, he looked in over his head. He's a long term investment. Treat him like one.

 

[lionheart]

It's being reported that his agent has travelled to Turkey to possibly negotiate a loan deal with Besiktas assuming we get that PSG keeper, whose name I cannot spell.

 

[Blue Hefner]

I’ve changed my mind on Trafford. We aren’t getting close to winning anything this season so might as well run with him. A new 300k a week keeper isn’t going to be a needle mover

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Thought he was good today. Made some brilliant saves to keep us in the game. (One world class). Looked much more confident as well.

It’s a shame the midfield and defence seemed to fall apart as soon as there was any pressure.

We clearly have a very talented young keeper

 

[Ric]

One of the very few positives from today. Thought he made some good saves, and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

He didn’t do much wrong today but him being in net just shows me how far we have fallen. We keep buying players that are levels below what went before them. Things only go one way when you do that. It’s like the club have had enough of winning.

 

[skillman]

Did well today. Made simple saves look exactly that, simple - and that’s a compliment after watching Ederson make the simplest save look difficult for years.

World class claw at the end too before their second.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

He didn’t do much wrong today but him being in net just shows me how far we have fallen. We keep buying players that are levels below what went before them. Things only go one way when you do that. It’s like the club have had enough of winning.

He’s genuinely played well today and made some world class saves that stopped us losing by 4 or 5 and the first thing you do is criticse him?

He was more than good enough today and at the required level. He didn’t do anything wrong!

 

[OrigamiNinja]

He’s genuinely played well today and made some world class saves that stopped us losing by 4 or 5 and the first thing you do is criticse him?

He was more than good enough today and at the required level. He didn’t do anything wrong!

Yeah that’s why I wrote “he didn’t do much wrong today”.

 

[Blue Hefner]

He didn’t do much wrong today but him being in net just shows me how far we have fallen. We keep buying players that are levels below what went before them. Things only go one way when you do that. It’s like the club have had enough of winning.

Imagine we start the season with Donnaruma, Rodrygo and say a. Another proven player - but then again, United bought Varane, Ronaldo and Sancho in one window and it didn’t work out so no guarantees

 

[urban genie]

Good game let down by others in the end

 

[ninjamonkey]

Couple of smart saves but nowhere near the standard we need to play out from the back. We just can't consistently get up the pitch with him in net, if pep doesnt entirely rip up the plan we are fucked. And donnarumma makes us even worse in that regard.

Its clear as day he can't do it so now it is down to pep to stop asking him to do something he can't do and find a way of making it work with what we have.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Yeah that’s why I wrote “he didn’t do much wrong today”.

He didn’t do anything wrong. You then went onto criticise him and basically suggest he’s not the required level and is part of why the club don’t want to win

Today’s performance was excellent. So why be so negative about him

 

[Brewster's millions]

He’s the least of our problems.

I think we’ll still buy Donnaruma and on balance I think that’s still the right thing to do for the fee he’s available for. But I’d much rather see us buy a proper right back and a top class midfielder.

 

[kanovic]

Couple of smart saves but nowhere near the standard we need to play out from the back. We just can't consistently get up the pitch with him in net, if pep doesnt entirely rip up the plan we are fucked. And donnarumma makes us even worse in that regard.

Its clear as day he can't do it so now it is down to pep to stop asking him to do something he can't do and find a way of making it work with what we have.

This playing out of the back crap is annoying.. we don’t need a gk to play out the back we need in to save shots. What’s the point of playing it out the back then we get to our wingers and they just stop and give everyone time to come back on defense.. gk is our last issue. Our defense is in shambles.. any gk will struggle with this teamz

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Couple of smart saves but nowhere near the standard we need to play out from the back. We just can't consistently get up the pitch with him in net, if pep doesnt entirely rip up the plan we are fucked. And donnarumma makes us even worse in that regard.

Its clear as day he can't do it so now it is down to pep to stop asking him to do something he can't do and find a way of making it work with what we have.

Name me a keeper that’s as good as Ederson with the ball at his feet? I don’t think Trafford is poor with his feet either

I agree we need to change our style, but there’s no chance pep will do that. The whole defence and midfield is struggling with our current style

 

[Saddleworth2]

maybe all those that said last week 'he's shit' could come on and say 'he's not shit. he's actually a very good shot stopper'. I wont hold my breath.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Donnarumma would be a very expensive and pointless mistake. There is absolutely nothing he offers that Trafford doesn't already do. And he's far more comfortable in possession.

 

[Rolo]

Thought he was very good today.