The College Dropout

Yes. Yes they are wilfully not understand that point. This is NO after all. Clap.

Maybe i've preempted the negotiations. I'm sure I saw somewhere that he was set to stay and agree terms closer to what Barca wanted but can't seem to find such now.

I don't see that as his role. I see our midfield setup not dissimilar to Liverpool's in that role. The role of Henderson, Milner, Gini etc. is largely a physical role. It's to win the midfield battle through quick, power and hard running and to instigate attacks from the transition. Willock's natural game is to make off the ball runs and get into galscoring positions but his primary role is above. The same can be said for Joelinton - their touch map, position map are very similar and their roles are the same. But Joelinton is going to get on the ball more and carry it on the dribble. And he's not so confident in the box so is in the box a little less, has less touches and shots. But you look at the games or the data and it's not like "you sit and you go forward and attack".

Luiz is more of a deep playmaker than a defensive midfielder isn't he? That's why he's struggled at Villa, they play him as a DM

Im annoyed Frenkie won’t get his money. That wouldn’t have happened in England due to the PFA union putting in clauses to prevent clubs from doing that and then going out and splashing on new players. I’m happy that’s the case. Labour over bosses everyday for me.

Feels like Lampard is finding his zone as a PFM. Not so much this transfer. But others and his approach tactically recently is somehow.

He’s not playing as a 10 either. And as you may have learnt. I do not rate Almiron’s attacking highly at all.

A number 10 that can't spot a pass, create or shoot. Great aye.

Are there not a minimum of 6 Europa league games? He should look to play 2x as much at Man U than he would here. And no doubt he would be proud to play for them at this point in his career trajectory too.

Happy for the lad.

That higher bar for fouls contributed to that ACL imo. Such a rough game. Nobody will care until someone in the top 6 gets a serious injury.

Isak didn’t become available. We played well, Wilson got injured. The Chairman and the leadership team decided to increase what we were willing to pay for our actual top target and sent a delegation to Sociedad the next day to get a deal done. In reality it was a fairly big pivot.

Chris Waugh said the same in The Athletic. Plans changed decisively after the City game. Seeing how good we could be and the massive gulf after Wilson was injured. With the Chairman there they pivoted decisively. You can link all the articles from established journalists or quotes from Howe. People don’t care they want to stick to their opinion. The evidence suggests the plans changed after City. Some won’t accept that.

Someone posted his touches and runs against Barca. Almost exclusively on the right inside channel. The actual positions don’t vary much from the positions Almiron takes up. Think Henry at Arsenal. A lot of time in the channel. it’s not the same as RW In a 433 but you can see how it would work.

But for the fee? It’s a good deal.

I don’t like his lack of athleticism and I assume it’s going to get worse.

Bakayoko is Longstaff with better athleticism.

Gallagher? He started the Leeds game and he was terrible. He looked totally lost in that 2 man pivot. He then starts the next game and gets sent off after 2 poor fouls in about 30 minutes. You’re right in that might be just 100 minutes of football. But he’s looked totally off pace so far.

Good timing. He’s been diabolical for Chelsea. Although Eze’s taken his place and really kicked on after his injury.

Bailey started and looked dangerous against Palace and got an assist I think. Was on the bench in the league cup came off the bench and scored a nice goal. Benched for West Ham. Gerrard has to reward performances ffs.

Almiron also lacks confidence. Even on his left he hesitates and takes unnecessary touches in dangerous areas.

Watching MOTD - the commentator is awful. "Best ever start... since 2011".

Gerrard is not getting enough pressure for my liking. He's forcing this Coutinho thing. Buendia and Bailey are better at this point.

The lack of a right foot is crazy. pass, cross, shot. He won’t do it. The left is hardly a wand either.

He has something of the VVD about him minus the pace. When he’s good he makes it look easy. When he’s not so good he looks too passive.