The College Dropout

I think Girona can win la liga. 81-85 points might get it done this season. They are owned by City group.

He needs to go on the Anthony Gordon programme and focus on his fitness through the summer. Isak has the build of a long distance runner but he doesn’t have it in him. Aye.

Agreed. He was coming deep and linking it up v. well. He didn’t get his goal but he had a good game. He was economical in the press too which meant he had some gas towards the end.

Hope it’s not a season ender. Dubs will have to try and play like Pope. He needs to aggressively sweep up and claim crosses more.

The Man City parallels are so bad. Football has moved on. FFP has meant that route is not possible. We cannot have a Robinho phase. We cannot buy up players from our rivals. We have to do things differently. We have to buy talented players who are determined to make it to the top and will fight for it. As they grow we will grow. Same with the manager.

I had full confidence we would beat these. They are not a good team and we are. that club is rotten from the core. It’s the second time in a month they’ve not looked motivated against us. The manager doesn’t know how to foster a team spirit, motivate his players or get the best out of them.

Who knows. It took awhile to get him here. But now he’s taking his time. He’s blowing our mind.

Excellent movement for the goal. So sharp mentally. Was fairly quiet today but showed that bit of class when it mattered most.

I’m not sure what he can do to improve. He’s genuinely excellent.

Aye was really impressed by his touch and agility/balance. And really impressive athleticism. He looks a more talented player than our other midfield academy products. It’s the balance. It gives him better angles when passing and the first touch is butter. Fantastic. Well done lad.

I’ve always thought he’s levels above Dubs.

Dubs is rooted to his line and it causes pressure.

Completed the team of injured players then. Needed a GK. it’s a worrying one. I’m hoping weeks but fearing months.

We’ve played really well. If we can keep it up for the next half we’ll win. Man U look like they’ll take a draw from now.

McNeil is not GREAT. Went like 2 years without a goal or an assist iirc.

@Flip Endrick - what’s his level of talent? As good as Madrid’s signings from Brazil have been they haven’t been Neymar level.

2 big defeats for Cooper.

It’s not having a go man. Get a grip. It’s an observation and not one unique to Tuesday. Every footballer has strengths and weaknesses. Even prior to this latest injury, Isak has struggled with stamina under Howe’s system (AC Milan springs to mind and games last season) at times. And at times he loses the ball too easily and frequently for a player of his quality. This is mostly a physical thing which you would hope could be improved over time with the right diet and training programme. This is it. A lot of times on here Criticism leads to non-stop criticism and x player should be sold/improved on. So there’s no he’s great at x, could be better at y and we love him. It’s Pope can’t kick, let’s upgrade him with Ramsdale. Or Wilson is always injured - let’s replace him with someone that can stay fit. To be the truly elite player I know Isak can be. He’s going to have to get fitter and use his size better.

He was absolutely gassed. He wasn’t able to try and go long after 60 minutes. And when he came deep he wasn’t able to hold the ball or find a team mate with a pass. I don’t get this idea that it’s negative to offer constructive criticism of our best players. Just be objective about every performance good or bad, win or lose. Favourable player or current pariah. That way you don’t get carried away by your emotions.

It’s not an attack or ‘going at him’. He’s coming back from injury and struggles a bit physically with our style and he was totally knackered so there are good reasons for what we saw. But he was poor in that second half. He needs to get to a point where he’s an outlet for us when defending leads. He needs to be a lot fitter to do that. We were robbed of a famous win. But for valid reasons - our performance was far from ‘amazing’ in that second half. The number one thing we could’ve done better is keep the ball and Isak was one of the worst culprits for giving it up again and again. To the point it might have been better to take him off for anyone that could run.

Most jobs wouldn’t find out until you told them or if you were being held in custody.

Being able to keep possession as a striker is key. Whether you're a big man using strength or a false 9-dropping deep to link-up play - it's needed. The ball just can't keep bouncing back to the opposition. Gabriel Jesus is not a classic 9 but he scraps for the ball up top, when it's played into his feet, he gets low, uses his bum to shield the ball and finds a teammate. Or uses his pace to dribble. Alex doesn't do that enough. Too many times the ball is played into his feet/chest, and it doesn't stick. Especially later in games when he's tired. I wouldn't swap Isak for Jesus. Isak is a fantastic player. But he does need to develop that side of his game.

Massive fan of the lad. But his hold-up play in that second half was dreadful. Really needs to get a little stronger physically and with stamina.

Yeh he looked a menace. He was quiet at times but he looked the classiest attacker by far.

Love Jamaal lad but we need a first-choice CB. The 3 of them should compete for a start and Jamaal as a back-up for a few injuries.