Ikon

Thing with us is that we have some top quality but not enough. One thing that has got us to the extra level at times is our hard work and intensity. With Champions League it’s hard to keep up that extra 20% of hard work when we are at our best. A bit of fatigue and a slight lack of technical ability in many areas will make it tougher for us to control games better. For example look at Bruno, it’s easy to see that he is a level above our other midfielders when it comes to technical ability and football IQ. Trippier was poor yesterday but he’s another one who usually makes the correct decisions and has the technical ability and quick head and great awareness. We make simple things wrong too often due to not having that extra level of technical ability. Especially when slightly tired it’s easier to see technical errors. last season we took many steps forward but it was always likely that we might take a step or two backwards due to the extra games. Not the end of the world if we don’t reach the CL this season. Top 6/7 would still be a good season and allow us to regroup and build on from the solid foundations we’ve laid so far. However going forward now what we MUST do is to go for top top quality and strengthen the 1st team. Quality over quantity. Let some of current starting players become backup. We can’t afford to spend big money on backups that we don’t use. I was a bit surprised that we still haven’t signed a right sided attacker but got Barnes for example.

We can also bring back Saivet.

Joelinton has looked like he has been wearing conrete boots.

Easy to see that his natural talent and technical ability is levels above all our other midfielders bar Bruno. Players with this technical ability is what we need to get to the “next level”. Too bad he barely had time to get going for whatever reasons before his suspension now. I see people saying we don’t need this and that for our CM. I rate all our midfielders and mostl of all love/like them. But to grow as a team and club we can’t afford to stand still. There is improvement to be made in many areas. Insane how much Howe has got out of the current team so far. Credit to him and the players.

We have been sloppy today like. A lack of technical ability at times. Weather doesn’t help.

It’s not that far to Philadelphia tbh.

Massive if he can train. Have a feeling he will be one hell of a player once he's back next season. Even better than he would be if this didn't happen.

To get to the "next level" i think we need more players with next level technical ability and end product. Hopefully without missing out on mentality and and physical ability too much. It will allow us being even more in control of games as well. Balance is key. Most important of all is the character and hunger too, like players that don't go missing. Consistency.

2-1 loss I reckon.

Laughed more at this than I should

Do you mean keeping Tonali fit? If so, keeping him fit ain’t the problem imo.

For sure, can’t see it any other way. I just think that not being involved in rather normal everyday stuff like training will have a massive negative effect. Would be extremely surprised if it didn’t. He is used to play football every day and has done so since he was a kid. Never mind in a new environment. Not being forced to stay away from that would be a massive massive step away from entering a much deeper depression. I’m sure it will be tough enough anyway.

I’m sure Liverpool and Tottenham will be in FA’s ear to make sure he isn’t allowed to train. Not that I have an idea what the FA can and can not do.

I’m ok with 10 months if allowed to train. Otherwise it’s fucking stupid in every way.

Definitely. The fitness part isn’t the problem really. It’s more the mental side of if. Social side, feeling a part of something, team mates and the support and everyday things that makes it easier to come through strongly. Totally different struggle otherwise, especially in a new country and culture.

“We want you to go to rehab but in your spare time we want you to suffer and feel isolated” Idiotic if not allowed to train.

Always nice to score against your old team. Especially one where you didn’t really play much.

Obviously CL would be massive. Having said that I think it’s still been a very very good season if we end up in the top 6 as well as progressing from our CL group. Add 2-3 proper top quality players next summer and it would be looking very very good going forward. Not that I think top 4 is impossible. Will depend on consistency between us Spurs and Villa I reckon, as well as luck with injuries obviously. I think Brighton will fall off slightly towards the end of the season. I also think that Isak can reach yet another level. Hopefully this season. (In general play mostly)

Have a feeling that it’s gonna be a massive kick in the bollocks and a ban like 14-20 months or similar. Hope to god my gut feeling is wrong like.

I hope this is true. He works hard, pace and acceleration, end product, technical ability, strong. He also keeps it simple when required. Can go both inside and on the outside. Would be THE perfect player for us. Different player obviously but he would be a similar signing to VVD/Mane when they went to Liverpool.

Anyone checked the teams above us and their fixtures so far? How does the difficulty compare to our games so far? I know our start was very tough but I imagine that it has even out slightly now.

I’ve mentioned him before. I think we should break the bank to get him if that is what I takes. He would take us to the next level. Has everything Howe would love for a player in his team. And will only get better in a better team and under Howe’s coaching. Imagine him Isak and Gordon. No matter who we go for in the future I hope it’s top top quality players before quantity. Players that transform us that extra level. But players that are hungry with the right mentality and that fit into the TEAM. Not names for the sake of it. As of now we already have decent depth as well as massive potential in players like Tino and Hall to name two. We don’t need big numbers now with the squad we have. Sign 1-2 players at most in each coming windows. Unless it’s youngsters for the long term.

Footballing IQ. He’s on a different level regarding this. Has the talent to make the most of it too.

Think Neto would be a perfect player for Howe. Not sure about his injuries but I’d easily pay 50m+. Would be my dream signing for that right hand side. The thought of him and Trippier interchanging makes me drool.

Fair. You probably are right.