The College Dropout

Would've much preferred to keep him than Darlow. But being 1 injury away from playing for Man Utd at this stage in his career is probably better than the same for us. If he wants it, I hope it happens for him.

Yeh tbf. Currently he's first CM off the bench. If we add another CM this window, Shelvey comes back... he's 1 further signing away from not making the squad. That's likely 12-18 months away.

He's too close to starting games for my liking.

I do think the medical team / club know more about Wilson's body. Whether he has a mental block or they expect hamstring issues to continue. If we have enough depth so that he only plays 30-60 minutes per game but is available more often, that would be great. They said the same thing about Hargreaves, Bale and Sturridge. They thought they had injuries when the medical team couldn't find anything. At a certain point, a player just feels it. Tbf to Wilson he's had 2 ACL's, another serious knee injury, 2 big hamstring injuries and a big calf injury. He's done well to still be this good after all of that.

Aye me too. They've done what I wanted all summer. A marquee signing that sends a message throughout Europe. The profile of player is excellent (young, seems a good lad, quick, skilful etc.). Show we can identify a top target and push the boat out to get him. Well chuffed. Although for the money, I would've preferred Tammy. He's more similar to Wilson in style and would be a direct replacement.

Aye Arteta too. Why are the English legends clearly the inferior managers? The best 2 English managers in the division don't come from footballing aristocracy.

Playing up top in a 2 is very different to playing wide in a 3. In a 3 you will have far more defensive responsibility or a big tactical decision to not chase fullbacks. You are also much more likely to be 1v1 against a fullback wide in a 3 than central in a 2. And the player typically starts further away from another attacker. I mean.. it's literally not the same position and requires different skillsets. I haven't seen enough of Isak's game to know whether he likes to run the channels or those outside - in runs like a Lukaku enjoys. Lukaku has played well wide in a 3 several times under Martinez. He likes to face goal and run that way, make runs between fullback and CB and isolate a fullback at the far post. Don't get arsey with me fella. I'm just pointing out what i've seen/read. Someone said he played RW in a season which according to transfermarkt is not true (it might be in practice). You've suggested RW and playing CF is 80% the same role... and most of the time.. it's not. Not to say he can't be a massive success at RW, I just haven't seen the evidence to suggest that's what he's been brought in for.

That's playing CF - not RW. Interesting. Do you know why that is? i mean 6 goals last season is a poor return.

I think we looked at the market and thought "£60m for Isak is pretty good actually". Must be better than £50-60m for Maddison whose value has likely peaked is the logic I guess.

Forgot he played. Based on yesterday's performance - wor Jamaal doesn't deserve to be mentioned in that company. I don't think any of the others would be standout players in the Championship.

ASlso Howe eases big signings into his teams. Gerrard - ok new guy in. Old guy out. Oh and give me your armband too. Let me give it to.... John McGinn

It is when we only play with 1. 3 is enough.

Was bad. Looked worse than Ritchie.

Needs to up his aggression in the English game.

Interesting if we've pursued both of them when we might only want one. Unless we plan to play JP wide right, I don't think we need him and Isak. Isak has played RW 3 times in his career according to transfermarkt.

I thought of all the players on the fringes of the starting XI - he looked the best. Longstaff, Dummett in particular looked a long way off. If they had to play 5 games back-to-back we would be significantly weaken

Deserves to have his thread bumped. He was really good. Committed. Battled well. Held the defence together. His distribution was pretty good from what I remember too. No signs of rust, sulking or nerves. He played like a man determined to be a part of this project.

Aye he doesn’t have that composure on the ball. He’s a great athlete and was very committed yesterday. I think his ceiling could be high but he needs to rebuild.

Palace tough tie. But at home.

Eddie giving Lascelles his props. Paulie D was awful.

Hard game to come into. He’s not been aggressive enough though. Lascelles was big bollocksing Tranmere.

Trippier’s foot man. I’m scared.

We’ve gone to shit after the substitutes.

Lascelles has had an excellent game. He’s a handsome lad and it should end that way. Get him off please.

Also i think we sounded out the transfer a long time ago. We knew the region Sociedad would consider and the type of wages he demanded. But I don't expect we spent the last several weeks on it. That leg work was done some time ago. Thinking further - I think the leadership has decided that the £60m odd we were quoted in May, is actually pretty good value considering the price of other transfers in the market.