The College Dropout

I don’t think his performances have been elite for a number of years now. I wouldn’t have an idea what his worth is now tbh. Should he earn more money than Schar or Burn? Not for me. More money than Tino? Not for me. Bruno money? Forget it.

It’s so much fun following Real Madrid. A lot of the fans online have turned on Xavi Alonso already. It’s not even 3 months into the league season But honestly the football is no better than under Carlo with so much investment. And everybody liked Carlo.

I don’t really know about the price. But how much are we realistically going to get for a fullback? 2 years left at the end of the Season too.

For Tino it’s the fact he moonwalks into the City, Liverpool and Man U teams. It’s a common sense £60-70m for City they should’ve done last summer. This Nunes at RB thing doesn’t make sense.

Said in another thread and several times over the years Reece James could be an England midfielder in that more than anything James is a complete baller. Like it’s not just passing, he can handle the ball in tight spaces, back to goal, intelligent. I think Hall is similar although I’m not sure Hall has James’ football IQ. A lot will also depend on how Hall develops physically. Hall has the potential to be almost too good at football to be a fullback for Newcastle (this version). people might point to Trent failing in midfield but Trent is magnificent at passing/crossing. One of the most progressive and creative I’ve seen. But He’s not great at anything else.

We should get both new contracts asap especially Hall. He’s still under the radar. Tino he should’ve got a new contract after his first season tbh. It might already be too late to secure his future at the club as you indicate.

Lewis Hall is excellent. I think fundamentally a fullback in this era is usually a failed CM or Winger back in the day it would be a failed CB. If they were better at football thats where they would play. I think one reason England have struggled a bit in recent times to develop CMs is because our best young talent baller CM types get shifted to fullback or attack because playing CM at a top club is too much responsibility. Think about the best academies in England - they produce relatively few CMs (Chelsea, City specifically).

Aye very weird thing to say.

Seen Reece James get plaudits for his performance in midfield. Always really liked James as a footballer so happy for him he’s playing well and getting credit. Always thought he was the best overall footballer of all those great English RBs and could be very good in midfield for England.

Squads are moving beyond ‘rotation’. You need a legit 18-20 man team of starters and only a few rotation options.

Agreed. Maybe even 10th. The big challenge is I expect to lose Tonali in the summer too.

I said it at the time - I didn’t expect Hall to come in that season and automatically take the first team slot. He was 19 with 12 first team games under his belt. He was less experienced than Lewis Miley is now. It wasn’t a surprise that he wasn’t ready right off the bat. We’ve signed Elanga and Ramsey in part so they can make an immediate impact. Both have played over 120 first team games I believe. Both are much more experienced than Woltemade. While not much younger than them, Woltemade has played far fewer top level minutes in his career. In a weaker league to boot. One thing I do agree is that all the signings will get better. As they understand what’s expected from them. But I have my doubts either player will make the impact they need too over time. A proper step up from Joelinton and Murphy. Elanga in particular could simplify his game more and focus on. Whipping quality balls. That will give him co fidnce

I said Villa did well to get 66 points and go as far as they did in the cups. But their squad was much stronger than ours now. Ultimately we don’t have enough quality and quality in depth. Summer was a nightmare. Probably a weaker first XI than last season when we needed to add 2 more Tonali level players. This season for me is whatever. Bigger problem is carrying the wages and squad cost of a number of middling talents.

Nah. We looked vulnerable first half too. 1-1 isn’t a reason to capitulate that’s weak. This is a weak team that’s not down to a Pope mistake.

Probably more Schar(?) who is ultimately done by Auba. Tino too didn’t stop the cross. To me that was good play more than mistakes. Cross was great.

Best he’s played in years. Good to have you back Mr. Willock

Don’t think he did anything wrong tonight. Didn’t do anything good either.

We look off it physically/mentally away from home. We look so fragile. Second to the ball too often.

Yeh they aren’t it. Nah we were shit.

We’ve had some decent chances here

Decent chance and effort there.

My biggest issue with today is we have the same problems we’ve had in all our away games. Marseille have just been particularly loose defensively and good going forward

Auba’s rolled back the years with this performance

Lots of moaning here. 20 minutes left we can get a result.

I agree with the comms that more than anything Marseille have looked sharper than us physically