The College Dropout

Let’s run that back!

First away win in the CL since???

It’s not a harsh one. He slaps the ball.

Excellent cross and excellent pen

Aye. I hope he’s keen to sign that new contract. 4-5 year deal £15-20m guaranteed set him up for life.

Ok relieved for his career. 2 ACLs in the same leg within 5 years of proper professional football - I would have concerns for his entire career and longevity in the game. And his ability to recover and return to the top echelon. This doesn’t sound half as bad. We do need another fullback however. I don’t think Tino’s knees can survive being flogged like he was set to be. I love Krafth but he’s not at the level. He’s like Lascelles, he needs to be 5th choice FB not 4th.

I was close. Big relief that. Delighted for him.

That's where we are losing late. Our bench is better than it was. But it's still not of the level of the top 4. The big 3 have to do 90 minutes when the game is close. Only Rice is in that position for Arsenal, the rest can be moved around. PSR and the lack of creativity to subvert it I guess.

Then Merino & Odegaard off the bench. It's a super team.

It's a cuck nation Think Isak was good when he did drop deep and off a defender but not so great at a battle. The staying right up there was tactical. People say he and Wilson weren't similar but I think the ask was similar. Typically stay right up there to stretch teams, try to get in behind. Only come deep so often. Wolte is a big change in the way we play no doubt. But he's been a killer with his head when needed and plays his game well. I don't think we have the team or setup to get the best out of him and the team in a 4-3-3. A 4-4-1-1 or similar with Wissa hits.

Schar & Burn until it stops working for me. Is Schar even back? I'm genuinely worried for the guy. I'd leave him out until after the internationals. Give him a month off from any aerial stuff.

It looked like a leg break. His leg was at a weird angle. That leg was super injured. He was clapping off like he was in delirious pain. Tino proper English lad. Just sat motionless with a thousand-mile stare and the odd shake of his head. Probably had a wee cry while he was being carried out poor lad. Bet he's ok. 4-6 weeks and he's back.

Barnes head has dropped. He needs a pearler off the bench to kick start his season.

I guess the parallel is Andy Cole? Left to guarantee success. Won a truckload of trophies and was a key player, no doubt, but never reached the personal heights. I don't think Cole is one that personally cares tremendously about how he's remembered and I guess Isak is the same. But also weirdly Cole is chippy so maybe that's just him. For me it's not a safety point/post. I genuinely do think hes' too good to be a proper flop. Etikite might be a major issue though. He's looked great. His touch on the run and ability to shift the ball quickly is... Isakesque. SO many attackers constantly fail at getting their feet sorted - balance, coordination, rhythm. He would've fit our system supremely.

He was a cheat code for quick ball progression, key passes etc. Isak would’ve feasted off that quick direct play.

Yeh that’s bad. I love Mane mind. If he took penalties he would have multiple 25+ goal seasons. You don’t get 22 goals from open play as a winger without being a bit selfish at times.

Agree with this. I think Isak has a hugely talented. But he’s not a Zlatan type cash money striker wherever he goes. His record shows he’s capable of a prolonged stinker. But he’s also clearly a proper player too. Howe unlocked that and there’s no guarantee Slot will. He was clearly over arrogant. To destroy your reputation at a club like Newcastle so easily you must be super arrogant that you’ll make a bigger reputation elsewhere. He’s thrown away a lot of love.

The 54 goals in 84 PL appearances purple patch aye.

Yes it is lol

The injuries had already started to catch up to Torres by the time he joined Chelsea. He had scored 9 goals in 26 in that season he joined Chelsea. He got worse but there was already a drop off in motion. Not the case with Isak.

Salah has been supreme in terms of creation in the last few years. He’s not doing the greedy thing anymore. The issue is - will the wider team and setup be optimised for him. Even if they aren’t - he’ll be good for a decent amount of goals anyway.

Isak has always had trouble with his stamina with us. Not being involved in full pre season training will have impacted him. Also Eddie’s tactical and coaching style requires real sharpness that suited Isak’s performances. I don’t know if Slot has him as focussed or sharp mentally and physically. His carry on hasn’t helped him. But I think he’s too good to be a massive flop and im Not invested in how he does at all because I respect him to do well in the end. Now FLORIAN WIRTZ? I felt it from the jump - he’s giving Kai Havertz & Mario Goetze vibes. I never thought he was as great as being made out. For the money they’ve paid he has to be close to KDB good. Is he Mesut Ozil good? I’m not convinced.

I don’t doubt it’s true though. From the clubs consistent in the top 7 these last few years I would expect we have the lowest possession by some distance.

Aye the very bottom of the playoffs and a super tough tie. Let’s have a little more ambition pls This is more like it.

There isn't evidence of this btw. Both pass completion % is low for wingers. A lot of it is down to the style of play of Howe/Nuno. Interestingly, Longstaff said at Leeds they do a lot more training in possession/with the ball and that was a change for him. Sounded like a dig tbh.