The College Dropout

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.

Aye also don’t try to play through a high press. Whoever’s on the ball will play it into the channels or for the striker to win. It’s a team built for the transition except for who looks like our best attacker.

Brentford are similar. Not great at keeping possession but they create and can score. I think Wissa suits the old style a lot. The squad is weirdly designed. Our CBs are great on the ball. But a CM and wingers aren’t. So we are setup for defenders to setup attackers to run into space or for the transition with a high press. Eddie would’ve seen how Barca controlled injury time against us and said ‘we do not do that’. It’s proper Atleti ball.

We’ve never been that side under Howe. At times we might horse shoe but usually we either attack properly or give it away.

USG (a) Atheltic (h) Marseille (a) leverkusen (a) Benfica (h) PSV (h) PSG (a) To qualify we need to win our remaining home games. 1 win against USG, Marseille or Leverkusen. On paper this is our best bet at an away win. Anything less then the Athletic game becomes a must win Playing PSG last might be a blessing in disguise. They may play a heavily rotated team - probably wont.

He’s a visibly emotional player. You can literally see his head drop when things don’t go his way. And then it impacts his performance. And he carries that into following games. Bruno is emotional but you can see he’s mentally tough. He continues to play his game his way with maximum effort. Even if it doesn’t come off. Gordon gets so frustrated with himself he forgets to track back or press at times. He’s in his head. It’s not uncommon for wingers and attackers. It’s a high effort low reward job. The best keep on going. It’s particularly tough with wingers that aren’t technically great. They can’t lean into their ball striking or touch as much.

Chris Wood won his headers but was isolated. IMO our team is setup for a pacey main striker.

If we are to qualify for any next stage we need to beat these & Marseille away.

The technique is entirely different from what i've seen. The right footed crosses look flat and overly fast. The left foot crosses have a nice loop at decent pace. Dinked with pace.

Aye he’s not mentally tough at all

I thought Grealish was done but he’s looked good for Everton.

KDH and Freamish looked bigger threats than my boy Ndiaye

Agree with this.

His delivery is better off his left too.

Dan Burn has started every match of significance he's been fit for. I don't think that's going to change. A lot of games for Botman, he'll get benched imo.

Murphy didn't cost £55m and everyone knows his overall ability is not at the level we aspire too.. hence being replaced... his replacement having questionable touch and such is more alarming. I agree that we trust Howe and believe Elanga will come good. Elanga seems a top lad too that will dedicate himself. But it's the Botman, Bruno, Tonali, Isak type signings that I really wanted. I don't rate Gordon technically that highly but his touch is the best out of our wingers and probably the best 1v1

He's scored 2 in 3. Who is writing him off? The old Bayern guy doesn't count.

Elite wingers are a dying breed. Who are the best top 5 LW in the league?

I agree his crossing for Wolt we need to see that in action. But his first touch and close control is his own ability and has been up and down from what i've seen.

Really wanetd Bruno to score that penalty. Paper over the cracks and give me my FPL points. Amorim is ETH status. He'll never be good enough. I want him to do well enough to survive like a season 1 ETH.

He goes from looking a genuine crazy threat with his pace and crossing... to looking like he's playing in Timbaland boots

Agree with this. Transition, fast counter attacks, direct verical football. That's why you get Elanga and Ramsey.