The College Dropout

Found the gatekeeper talk offensive and he’s put that to bed. He’s a club legend now. The Howe era is a success. Doesn’t matter what happens from here.

Wish he was a part of the celebrations

These are players that technically might not be the greatest. But their character is at an elite level. They bring something that cannot be measured. An intangible quality that is difficult to replicate. I said in BDBs thread - someone said he’s not a top 8 player. But he has been. He’s played damn near every game. Same with Big Joe. I think Joe can be improved on in many regards but he has something special and he showed it today. He won everything from start to finish.

Eyes welled up watching this. I will always love you Big Joe

He was a colossus today

Facts.

Grafted today

Bossed.

BOSSSSS

Immense

He was brilliant

Not bad for a gatekeeper!

Legend.

Went for a walk in Wembley this morning with my daughter. 90% toon army walk around. Buzzing.

I reckon City get it. But they are not very good.

Such a great feeling this.

Think it will become a 3 horse race for the last 2 CL spots. Forest will qualify for the CL. They might not finish 3rd but they will finish top 5. 2 from us, Chelsea and City. City have the best fixtures iirc.

Then they'll say this squad should finish in Europe. But also.. classifying players as ABCD etc. is reductive.

To have a top team, you need your immediate backup CM close to the level of the starters. When Szob or MacAllister have been injured I didn’t notice a crazy dip. When 1 of our 3 are not playing the gap to Willock or Longstaff is too severe. We need another player better or levels with Joelinton. Miley isn’t ready to be the immediate backup imo. Similar at CB and the forward line. Dan Burn has been that. Botman is our best CB this season but the drop to Burn hasn’t been crazy. Schar’s drop in level is a much bigger problem. If playing 2 CBs Burn probably deserves to start over Schar. So many CL games. You need to be able to lose 2 starters and not miss a step.

Yeh they are all good players. None are elite. I would have them all competing with Joelinton. I’m not convinced any are CLEAR of Joelinton though. Don’t think any of them are Bruno or Tonali level. Perhaps they could talk to a prime Cabaye.

Agree. None of the Liverpool CMs are elite but neither were the CMs the last time they won the league and CL (Fabinho aside maybe). But good all rounders. The PSG midfielders showed another level of baller.

And Angel Gomes and Connor Gallagher are levels above? Loads on here would’ve had a meltdown if we signed Gallagher for £34m. Or whatever Napoli paid for McTominay.

Jones is the profile id like to bring in and compete with Joelinton. Can do a bit of everything. With good scouting you can pick up that kind of player for <30m. All those options Gomes, Wharton etc. - great pickups at the right time for the right price. Not worth megabucks. I like Gomes on a free. But you can’t have 3 Howe CMs being Bruno, Miley and Gomes. Think you need more athletic Choices.

Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham aside - none of the England options at CM are elite. I’m excluding MGW I rarely see him play CM. The rest are much of a muchness - including Jones. Good players, not elite (yet). I don’t get why Jones being in there is such a crime, they are all on the same level atm. Jones is athletic and string. Gets around the pitch and closes down well and gets stuck in. He has quick feet, press resistant and carries the ball very well. Can get in the box and score a goal. Seems trusted to carry out tactical instructions. Rarely loses the ball. His only weakness imo is that he’s not a progressive passer. Just a good all-round footballer. It’s all much of a muchness. At international level being press resistant and keeping the ball is of more value than what Gallagher brings. Need to see more of Wharton to judge. Gomes - maybe - rated him from early - just don’t think he’s proven to be better than Jones.

His G/A is of a solid B. Does he not have more G/A than Murphy in less minutes? Off the ball he's great too. But often - it's clear he's not a top PL player. Maybe not a PL player at all. He's like Pope - we should avoid passing to him in our own half unless on a break. Him, Longstaff and Tino on the right hand side is so painful to experience.