madras

He's nowhere near fit and is playing because there is no one else and is nursing his way through games. I'm not convinced he's a through the middle no9 in a 433 either.

He's given an opportunity every day in training.

Bruno's is when there's more to pass to. Tonali likes to keep the ball moving and rotating positionally, we do that wide to start with, through the middle is the issue and that opens everything.

I wouldn't say they have to earn minutes but they do have to be ready, physically and mindset, that goes for Bruno, Botman et al. Tonali only started the started due to Longstaff and Willock being out. Isak because Wilson was out. Halls a talented kid but's still just getting to terms with what we want/need.

Been there, its the 3rd that the killer.

We aren't but I'm sure Howe has said we need to become one, also as you get better you get more possession naturally as teams drop off you particularly at home.

Also brings up the idea of those who aren't as good for their countries as they are for their clubs. There were many times I saw Beardsley playbit safe for England when he wouldn't have domestically even though we were playing Israel or Bulgaria who weren't as good as what they were facing week in week out. See also Ian Wright, Le Tissier etc.....loads from the 70s.

Pickford is better for England. In the league Pope has been the better keeper for at least 2yrs. I can understand an international manager having faith in someone who constantly performs for them though

True but how would we benefit from a better distributor? Don't know myself bit it's a discussion.

He needs to check reality alright.

Fab FKs Corners will Tino and Gordon.

I wish Joelinton could finish like that when it mattered.

Had to re read that.

H h h howay Girona.

Avoid defeat.......still on Europe. And if Dortmund avoid defeat as well.....Champions league. It's a no lose, even dropping out altogether, we've made from it and have rest to challenge for European places in the league this season.

I'd disagree. You bring the new players in, get them fit enough, used to the group etc, then start changing things like that. In short he hasn't really had the opportunity to try it, when he had the personnel he'd have had to change the whole dymamic. Far better get the newbies up and running, then change the whole thing.

West ham we started slow then were deservedly ahead and should have gone out if sight, again fatigue at the end (shit bench) lead to them getting back in.

We haven't been able to try, that's the point. You gradually change, we haven't been able due to Tonali being out and all the injuries. Didn't you say we could go like a 4231 with Isak playing in the middle of the 3 and the players we'd brought in seemed to point that way ie Tonali, Barnes.

He is......looked suspect yesterday mind ya.

Not many teams with so many out for so long with a run of "big"games would make a success of it.

Because it hasn't had a chance to be tried perhaps?

Wonder why that could be ?

I'm more confident for having players return and there'll be more as we get closer.

We got beat. It's always like this.

FWIW I do think the plan at the start of the season was to change and maybe be less reliant on the press (which still works at home) bit injuries and Tonali put paid to that so far.