The College Dropout

IMO if you have Bruno & Tonali as your other CMs you would want someone who is primarily a ball player. Either a Zubimendi/Norgaard type from deep or a more attacking creative/playmaking type like Odegaard or Szlob who is an 8/10 hybrid. So you don't have a flat 3 that all have similar roles. Either one that allows the other 2 to push on, or one where the other 2 try to platform more. But I think Howe needs a physical beast in there. McTominay, Gallagher, Ederson, Onana. Think Ederson & McTominay are the most similar in profiles (athletic, win headers, impactful in the final third). I'm sure there are loads more, but these are some we've been linked too in the past, which I think are similar to big Joe. I would want more football in there but I don't think that's the direction Howe wants or needs.

lol no we weren’t.

Key to Arsenal being heavy favourites is the competition isn’t that good. I think 82-85 points wins the league for Arsenal. Don’t have to be great to achieve that. Same way we might get into the CL with 60 points.

I thought we needed to move on from his profile but I’m not sure we can.

Yes that’s why I said it

When you accidentally say something you really feel while trying to say something else

Freudian slip.

Maybe I’ve seen him take a penalty before. But I knew the stutter step was coming. Whirlwind of emotions as he stepped up. He’s THE man so he’s definitely scoring. But also - wtf is Bruno doing taking a pen? He’ll miss and cry real tears. No but it’s BRUNO. I literally called the stutter as he ran up to the ball. What a fucking great night man.

Being chinned is painless. Thanks concussion.

I wonder if Gordon would have issues playing on the right for England or Liverpool?

Seemed tactical the closer together thing. It annoyed Hall at points but it worked well. Think Eddie has setup Gordon to be unpopular with the fans with his comments mind

Gordon only passes as a last option. Like he rarely passes at pace unless it’s a crosss - did have some lovely crosses mind. Gordon rarely links well with the fullback because the pass to the fullback is his last option.

Dan Burn is under rated still.

We’ve been on the other end many a time but must be gutting for Leeds players staff and fans. Deserved a point probably. Massive effort by everyone. Very impressed. It’s absolutely brutal being on the other end of a moment like that. The thousand yard death stare Liverpool earlier in the season was like that. Feels so good when it lands in your favour. The last last last moment. 102 minutes. Was that our latest ever winner? Leeds play like that 6 times again they’ll stay up comfortably.

Yeh mad turnaround for time. What time was the winner scored? 9:50? MOTD started at 1030? And they needed to update the analysis and stuff.

He has a strikers instinct. He said in the interview ‘swivel and shoot’ sounds so basic but that’s exactly what was needed. Swivel. Hit it low. And hard. And as far into the corner (and on target) as you can in as smooth a movement as you can. It wasn’t right in the corner but the execution was good enough. He’s one of few players that can do that. Might actually be the only one. Yet to see Wissa have that composure to execute something in a moment like that. Dont get the missed chances angle. Top strikers miss the most chances in terms of volume but they also score the most. The difference between a 20 goal striker and a 10 goal striker isn’t that they both have 50 chances and one scored 20 ans the other scores 10. It’s that 1 gets 95 chances and scores 20 and the other can only get 50 chances and scores 10.

He’s a player that will get better with age and experience.

And he’s full of confidence. I had him in my FPL team for about 10 GWs last season. Watched him closely 4-5 times because of FPL and the constant links. He was awful man. He scored maybe 2 in the opening 6 so I brought him in. The first few games he was decent and was missing chances (a good thing). But as time went he lost confidence, his game shrunk and he was no longer getting chances and missing the few he did get. He ended up losing his place in the starting line up he looked done. Which is why he ended up at a promoted side and not us atleast a midtable side like Fulham. But he’s back to close to his best. He’s getting chances again making sure he’s there on the centre circle to get big chances. Looking big, strong, quick, agile etc. watched Leeds a few times and been impressed with the lot of them tbh. Including DCL. He was great last night and killed Thiaw. I don’t think I or the club were wrong though. At Leeds he’s been given an opportunity to rebuild his career an he’s taken it with both hands. The pressure here would’ve been too much for him. The signing would’ve got negative reaction and he would be on the back foot immediately. His profile really suits Howe in terms is the over powered physicality and penalty box focus.

He’s a cornerstone player. It’s his team.

This period has really seen his presence grow. He’s taking more responsibility. Love to see it.

He was unlikely to get loads of minutes at CM and that’s still the case. Seems like he has Howe’s trust as a utility man at the moment. Which is great.

A lot will depend on if we qualify for Europe. If we do he’ll get good minutes.

I love Schar and want him. To stay another year regardless.

Aye 60 points this season might be enough for 5th and another go at the CL

60 points isn’t usually enough for European football. But it looks like it will be this season potentially