Our first three substitutions - Poll of the Day (12th Oct)

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 7:11 am

Bearing in mind our first XI more or less picks itself right now, and in a similar situation to the game at The Emirates.

Who would be your first three substitutions?

First team
Trafford
Bogle
Justin
Elvedi
Muharemovic
Gudmundsson
Ampadu
Tanaka
Stach
Okafor
Calvert-Lewin

Carrick Dave · Post by **Carrick Dave** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 8:40 am

Only half a question Leon. Who do I bring them on for, and will they improve things when they get the chance?

I genuinely don’t think any of the subs are better than their equivalent starter at this moment, though Bijol could do the Elvedi job equally well.

That’s the problem - great team, shallow squad for me at present.

If we’re one behind and have to replace a midfielder I’d go for Longstaff, because he’s big and physical, as opposed to Wilson or Aaronson who were ineffective yesterday.

Up front it’d be Bohoya for Okafor, with the hope that Wilson may yet find some form.

Jammy 07 · Post by **Jammy 07** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 8:49 am

Should have gone full Tuchel and brought on Bard, Bijol & Longstaff at 0-1 to us.

Oh and don't take anyone off.

ShaunL · Post by **ShaunL** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 9:03 am

I think Farke has a pre-conceived plan for substitutes and it is hurting us badly.
Every game Tanaka is taken off for Aaronson around the hour mark.
I would have Tanaka in our top 3 players this season so far and Aaronson in our bottom 3.
Could it be possible that the American owners are leaning on Farke to play Aaronson?
There has to be some reason because no manager in their right mind would continue with this ploy.

Tyzy · Post by **Tyzy** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 9:44 am

I like Tanaka but he'd been booked early and he could quite easily have been sent off with that ref ,doesn't explain why he's subbed every game.Bijol needs his place back hes better than Elvedi

Finnatic · Post by **Finnatic** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 9:59 am

I’m presuming the thread title means to make a difference rather than for an injury?

Gruev for one of the midfielders as this is generally the most tiring position so one of them is bound to be substituted anyway.

Wilson needs a run in the team and an assist or goal would be his confidence booster.

Nmecha for DCL depending on the situation ie if he’s tired or having no effect, also he can play wide and help out DCL if it’s another player subbed instead (not over keen on him being there but if needs must)

It’s too early to make a judgement on the new guy as to whether he’s better at this level than Wilson or James, imo.

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:06 am

1964white wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 7:11 am Bearing in mind our first XI more or less picks itself right now, and in a similar situation to the game at The Emirates.

Who would be your first three substitutions?

Well, it'd depend on the game at the time but lets take us winning 1-0 at Arsenal, you don't change the defence (there's no real need to do that anyway unless injury. Your starting 3 in central defence should go the whole 90

So that's Bijol and Bard out (Though Bijol should start for me)

Gruev for Tanaka is an obvious one if your trying to hold onto a result, assuming Tanaka is tiring or having an off day. Aaronson for Tanaka doesn't work and leaves us weak in centre mid, which gives the opposition space, which lets them run at our defence. Aaronson can play the 10 but he's a right winger really. As is James, as is Wilson, albeit a different type of RW..

It's either/or with DCL and Nmecha for me, maybe if we're a couple down and prepared to sacrifice the midfield but two forwards on leaves the midfield light again. We've played a 523 a fair bit this season and we've yet to score in it..

Bahoya needs starts before we can consider him an impact sub but at the very least he doesn't need to playing right wing back atm. He's a direct Okafor replacement.

Longstaff is the Stach replacement, they're way to similar with Longstaff being poorer at everything Stach does, he's very poor under press and doesn't read the game that well, often well out of position. what he can do is get in the box and score. So he's a last throw of the dice type sub for me

I'd not have made any subs on Saturday, I think we probably had more chance at an equaliser with the starters on

as for the poll .. Gruev - Wilson (well we are paying him a lot of money, we're not a club that can afford to be profligate yet) and Bahoya for Okafor assuming Okafor is having a stinker...

Cjay · Post by **Cjay** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:16 pm

If we are assuming we are winning or drawing and our first 2 subs are the same 2 players.

Okafor and Tanaka

Then I'd go Longstaff for Tanaka, not sure on the fitness of Gruev and Longstaff offers energy and a physical side atleast.

If Gruev is fully fit then Gruev.

Bohoya for Okafor because he offers an outlet, lad is lightening fast and really good 1v1 and we really do need to see what he's capable of

3rd change don't know depends on how the game is going.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:35 pm

Carrick Dave wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 8:40 am Only half a question Leon. Who do I bring them on for, and will they improve things when they get the chance?

I genuinely don’t think any of the subs are better than their equivalent starter at this moment, though Bijol could do the Elvedi job equally well.

That’s the problem - great team, shallow squad for me at present.

If we’re one behind and have to replace a midfielder I’d go for Longstaff, because he’s big and physical, as opposed to Wilson or Aaronson who were ineffective yesterday.

Up front it’d be Bohoya for Okafor, with the hope that Wilson may yet find some form.

This is a difficult one for me Dave, even though I posted up this poll.

I know substitutions may differ from game to game.

For Arsenal, bearing in mind their physical strength, Wilson & Aaronson are too weak for this type of game.

I'd have gone for Longstaff for Tanaka, Bohoya for Okafor & Gruev, I'm unsure who'd I'd subbed for Gruev.

I'd have preferred to leave Tanaka on the pitch to be honest, but I understand Farke's reason for substituting Ao.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:38 pm

The Subhuman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 10:06 am I'd not have made any subs on Saturday, I think we probably had more chance at an equaliser with the starters on

That would have been my preference, but I think tiring legs were kicking in, as our shape wasn't as tight as it was in the first 60 minutes.

Cjay · Post by **Cjay** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:42 pm

ShaunL wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 9:03 am I think Farke has a pre-conceived plan for substitutes and it is hurting us badly.
Every game Tanaka is taken off for Aaronson around the hour mark.
I would have Tanaka in our top 3 players this season so far and Aaronson in our bottom 3.
Could it be possible that the American owners are leaning on Farke to play Aaronson?
There has to be some reason because no manager in their right mind would continue with this ploy.

Doubt it.

Our owners need us successful to sell, Aaronson is hardly a massively popular name in America.

Doubt they care if he plays if we do well.

Farke adores Aaronson, I'd bet money in 99% of the games BA has been in the squad and when not dictated by injuries Aaronson is the first sub Farke makes (or at least in the first window of subs if multiple players come on).

He's his Tyler Roberts.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:44 pm

Longstaff has a goal in his locker, which is always important if a team is chasing the game.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 2:50 pm

Finnatic wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2026 9:59 am I’m presuming the thread title means to make a difference rather than for an injury?

Gruev for one of the midfielders as this is generally the most tiring position so one of them is bound to be substituted anyway.

Wilson needs a run in the team and an assist or goal would be his confidence booster.

Nmecha for DCL depending on the situation ie if he’s tired or having no effect, also he can play wide and help out DCL if it’s another player subbed instead (not over keen on him being there but if needs must)

It’s too early to make a judgement on the new guy as to whether he’s better at this level than Wilson or James, imo.

Yes Finn.

Post by **1964white** » Mon Oct 12, 2026 7:33 pm

Bahoya & Longstaff with 44% of the votes.

Post by **1964white** » Tue Oct 13, 2026 4:20 pm

It will be interesting to see who our first three subs are against Manure.

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Tue Oct 13, 2026 4:27 pm

1964white wrote: ↑Tue Oct 13, 2026 4:20 pm It will be interesting to see who our first three subs are against Manure.

Aaronson, Wilson, Nmecha. Unless we have an injury

weasel · Post by **weasel** » Tue Oct 13, 2026 5:29 pm

The Subhuman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 13, 2026 4:27 pm Aaronson, Wilson, Nmecha. Unless we have an injury

Aaronsen did well against MU last year and also in the pre-season friendly.

Post by **1964white** » Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:27 pm

weasel wrote: ↑Tue Oct 13, 2026 5:29 pm Aaronsen did well against MU last year and also in the pre-season friendly.

Scored our goal.

He hasn't been good this season though. In his eight appearances he has an average match rating of 4.7.

The Manure game will suit him more than playing against the Arsenal athletes.

The Subhuman · Post by **The Subhuman** » Tue Oct 13, 2026 6:38 pm

Aaronson plays better as a starter, needs to get into a game so doesn't make a great post 60 minute sub imo...

Post by **Muppet the Cat** » Tue Oct 13, 2026 9:10 pm

I went Nmecha, Gruev and Aaronson