The College Dropout

Southampton lost the owner that made it all possible. As long as Bloom is around. They will be ok.

They didn’t get minutes because they were not trusted. Tonali will get minutes because he’s trusted. Whoever drops out the team for him will get minutes because they are also trusted. On another note. I don’t rate Burn much at CB. He’s prone to lapses in concentration and at CB they are more fatal.

Liverpool in for Barella. It is making me a little sick that Liverpool are able to sign what would be our number one targets.

Factually in 90 minutes of football, ASM is going to create more chances, make more progressive passes and shot creating actions than Barnes. All ‘frustrations’ aside, he’s a more creative and involved footballer. The aim is for Barnes to get to his spots and finish chances. Make great runs etc. but he’s not going to get on the ball and create. That’s not his game. He’s not cute of pass, he’s not going to beat a man, he’s not got excellent delivery.

The last 2 don’t count. Rarely trusted with minutes. Joelinton May start at LM So you’re starting 4 out of your 5 CM choices. We need at least 1 CM or another winger (to make Joe a full time CM).

Hopefully by the end of the window he has a squad fully in his own image. Im finding his squad building and observing his tactics an interesting watch. I think he’s really doubling down on Plan A. Really physical signings, maybe not as technical as I would like. But Howe’s way has nearly always worked for us so I’m optimistic overall. I’d like to see him incorporate Tino in the first XI and to see what that means tactically.

It’s better to look at stats for the last 2 seasons and per 90 minutes. Because ASM has missed a lot of games last season and until Howe came, had been playing in one of the least attacking teams in the league. Barnes has always played in a strong attacking team. When Barnes comes, I expect it’s going to become clear that the creativity gap between him and ASM is not ‘negligible’. But I’m hoping he continues his excellent finishing and in a better team he could even get to Mo Salah type numbers of goals.

You have to watch football with your eyes and use stats in context. ASM progressive passes, expected assists, shot creating actions, passes into the penalty area, key passes per 90 mins are as good as you’re going to find. ASM is a dream for people attacking the box, he’s a chance creating force. The tweet is last journalism based on stereotypes. Barnes is damn near an elite finisher and gets to his spots. Far more end product in terms of goals that can’t be contested. But providing chances for team mates? That’s a weakness in his game and far inferior to ASM in that regard.

This is lazy journalism. ASM is a far more creative player than Barnes. He created far more chances than Barnes does. Barnes is far better in end product in terms of goals. But the final pass? Easily ASM.

Think we’ll play give him minutes at LB anyway.

Aye. I’ve been saying, if SA take Fulham’s best player and a Villa target - that sends a message. In any case, I think they will still be in for players at that level. And that’s where the PL separates itself from other leagues. International football might end up being a massive saving Grace for teams like Fulham, Villa, Us. Diaby scored 15 Pl goals next season he’s going to the Euros.

Was a massive fan of the lad. But a £30m 20 yo fullback is steep. I do think he’s a top talent though.

Fair. But it's still kind of "meh" isn't it? I don't think that's true. Tonali, Botman, Bruno & Isak are the type of players the elite were looking at.

Unbelievable?

Nah. Stay or take a pay cut.

Didn’t mean to quote Kanji

£80m on English wingers that don’t make the England squad.

I didn’t even think he was that good when I saw him play.

Aye. Earn £120k a week at West Ham or earn £400k in Saudi? Theres not that many teams in the PL with global appeal. The reason Fulham have Brazilian internationals is money. If there’s more money elsewhere, many players will follow. Our takeover came at that right time.

Btw Mahrez is rumoured to be on less than £180k. A lot of clubs could get near that.

… Telles would absolutely play for a midtable team or go to a Europa level European side. Same with ASM and perhaps Neves too. Neither ASM or Neves are an astronomical wages. Mitrovic, Zaha and Diaby might go to Saudi too. Generally any player that would go to clubs below the top 6 might consider Saudi. Especially those who are not from Western Europe and even many will be tempted.

Alex Telles, ASM. That’s the way they will build out their league. Sign a bunch of players that could do a good job for an upper mid table team + some older established stars. Even Mahrez is only 32.

Aye the first touch is butter. What a baller.

The Saudi stuff is definitely not like the China thing. The mid table could be gutted

Thanks for sharing. Particularly the cultural element at the end. That style of football suits ballers.