The College Dropout

It was in our own half no? Obviously Bruno is at fault. Kelly and Joelinton too.

We need more from Tino. And Howe needs more from that right flank.

Well he was pants.

If willoxk was injured would’ve liked to have seen him on in his place but swapping roles with Bruno like they did previously.

Thiago was signed to give them more control and creativity in midfield. And when fit, he started regularly. And this is Thiago replacing PL and CL winners. If Tonali is as good as we are led to believe. The coach should find a system where he’s not behind all 3 of Longstaff Willock and Joelinton

It’s his team - he gets credit for all the good and all the bad. But I think it might partially explain why we’ve found it difficult to evolve the team with more talented players that can’t function to the same level. In ability alone Howe shouldn’t think we start with Longstaff Joelinton and Willock. But they fit the system and have the best relationships.

I would assume he’s earning more money than Dan though.

Agreed. I think a lot of what made that first side great was organic to the group. Joe and Joe. Joe and Isak. Bruno and Longstaff. Bruno Longstaff Almiron into Trippier. Few of the newer players have great partnerships or combos.

I thought Tonali played in a double pivot.

He’s meant to be an upgrade though surely? I don’t see it.

Thought he looked really good more central in the last 2 games. Better than he’s ever looked at RCM. I didn’t think he would. He looks lost out there at RCM

Tino Tonali + whoever at RW - I don’t want to see it. Put Bruno there - he can at least find an interesting pass or switch play quickly.

But with City you know they aim to control games. And they have several ways to break a low block. I agree that it’s key for any team - you are right. But I think at this level, it shouldn’t be the primary path a team wins games. Or not to the extent we do. I think Pardews management style was 98% that and most clogger managers. Even with Pep it’s 90% but I dunno. I hope you get what I mean.

For a Howe player you would expect at least the aggression.

I agree with this. I wasn’t high on the signing. Nothing from the eye test or stats excited me and he’s been worse than I even expected. They play different positions but this guy is meant to be the Lascelles/Krafth replacement right? Couldn’t lace their boots on his performances so far.

Agree with this. Howe ball requires a lot of confidence, momentum and motivation far more than tactics or setup.

That RCM shit doesn’t work and I’m tired of seeing him there.

Last year we weren’t great at the attritional attacking either. But the lads could always score. Isak and particularly Gordon are not as devastating. Wilson scored when he was fit too.

Tonali is 100% a Howe signing. He is a Howe player in style. He just doesn’t fit the team at RCM. The more I see him the more I think Gordon isn’t well suited to the team either. He was just individually excellent. I don’t think he has any good relationships with other players.

Having nothing left to give 0-2 down at home to West Ham after 60 mins can’t be used in defence of the manager.

I get this. But that’s the intensity and such. But from a pass and move view, how do we plan on breaking down that low block? I see Tino get into positions high and wide and I just know an awful cross is coming. Do we expect to score from those? He keeps moving wide forwards around - are there particular things they are meant to do in each position?

One of the reasons I say we look a poorly coached team is that we run out of ideas visibly. I think most well coached teams keep trying what they’ve been coached to do even if it’s not working well. We play with a lot of energy and impetus. But when that faded we don’t know what to do.

It would for most of this season.

One of those players that needs to be at it mentally 100%.

Scores that chance in the first half last season.