The College Dropout

Spurs look so bad here. So many touches in build up.

Not sure how true that is. Semenyo, Ndiaye, maybe Minteh, he needs development but Dibling maybe others. And there’s no actual rule stopping us shopping abroad. A big part in why we seemingly wanted Elanga was his PL experience meaning he would hit the ground running and that hasn’t happened.

West Ham is a basket case of a club. West Ham’s other 2 best players play in Kudus best position - RW, AM. Constantly moving position, most often playing on the left had a bigger impact on his performance than anything else. Constantly changing positions, roles and manager isn’t great for any player. Now under a proper gaffer, given a defined role he’s playing well again. Not to mention he’s a much more decorated player already.

What is this based on? You are talking like you have insight into Kudus personality. Kudus has already achieved a lot more in his career than Elanga.

We’ve always played like this mind under Howe.

But he wouldn’t have come. At this point you feel Semenyo, Minteh, Akliouche would’ve been better use but it doesn’t matter anymore. On Elanga - I can’t believe his touch is going to be this bad consistently. He needs confidence.

Crystal Palace Xg of 4.something is crazy. Rarely see Xg above 3.

Woltemade is a great step. And Thiaw. Needs more football from his wingers mind.

I think he needs to play more ball if he’s to challenge for titles.

The only doubt I have with Howe is can he gets us playing enough football to take us to the very top? But we are a long way from that discussion.

I've had this argument with my friend. Glasner winning Europa and FA Cup - had to concede that one, Emery, Slot, Pep. I won't put Arteta above him. With the financial backing Arteta has had and trust through a bad season.. Emery developing Saka, Martinelli & Saliba, Gabriel not being his own signing (maybe Gabriel).

Increasingly the top 4 have incredible depth more so than super star level players. Chelsea started today without their first-choice midfield and won 3-0 away from home. Ange tax aye but still. Starting Lavia, Santos etc. squad is a joke.

Burn has been supreme at CB in Botmans absence. I personally think the team is better with Burn at CB defensively. Burn has intangibles I think Howe recognises which is why he always plays somewhere. Like I said - my main point is I don’t think Burn is about to miss any games of consequence. Id be pleasantly surprised to see Thiaw at LB and Burn on the bench in a big game but it’s not worth speculating for me

I reckon someone like Forest might stump up £60m for Greenwood and then someone from the top 6 might jump on.

I don’t mean rotated the way Bruno might be rotated. I mean - sat down as others are deemed better. Dan Burn is in the Bruno bracket for Howe based on evidence. My main point is I don’t expect Dan Burn to sit on the bench while Tino and Hall are out in the league or CL. He’s playing some form of left back for the foreseeable.

Aye but on the occasions Botman and Livra/Hall have been fit. It’s been Botman on the bench or a back 5. The back 5 is majorly about getting Botman & Burn in the same side plus a proper fullback. The only time we’ve played a back 5 without Botman was Bournemouth I think. There’s zero evidence Howe will drop Burn. Howe didn’t even drop Burn when he was getting toasted week in week out.

Maybe. But to my knowledge he’s never dropped Burn. In 3.5 seasons.

Eddie loves Burn deeply. Burn has never sat on the bench in any meaningful game for Eddie. So far either Burn starts at Cb in an 3 or a 4 or he starts at LB. I don’t believe Howe would sit Burn on the bench and then start Schar, Botman and Thiaw.

I think we agree.

Minteh can actually dribble mind. He’s a top 10 dribbler in European football so far this season. As well as good underlying numbers relating to creativity and finishing.

That proves the point though. Traore was at La Maia at 8. I don’t think Eddie believes he’s going to improve Elanga’s technical ability several levels at 23.

I don’t believe this is true at all tbh - the technique part. Wenger said a long time ago players technique is set pretty early in development. It’s the wider learning of the game, consistency, awareness, decision making, confidence and physicality that can be developed a lot with coaching and experience. Elanga’s touch should improve with confidence mind.

Yeh maybe. For a club with top 6 ambitions and for £55m I expected better

Murphy’s at his ceiling and he’s still not at the overall level we want. Even when he’s been Howe’d - Elanga’s lack of touch and ability will mean his ceiling is closer to Murphy than Isak or even a Gordon.

I have no doubt he will improve. But his lack of basic ability gives him a lower ceiling. He’s a way to go to get to Murphy.