TRon

I still like Gordon although I know a lot of fans hated him even before his desire to move became public. He's not got the tricks of the really top wide players, but he's still top level just because of his pace and relentless running. If he was happy here I would want to keep him as part of any front 3. I think he will be hard to replace.

It's one of the reasons why I doubt Howe is the right fit for any change in direction to bringing in younger promising talent rather than tried and tested PL players.

I think all leagues need physicality, it just depends on what the balance is between power and skill. Just take our CL games for example. We overwhelmed the weaker teams with ease in the group stages, but whenever we came up against the best sides, they just passed all around our press and made us chase shadows. It's a difficult one though, because they had really good footballers, and they are probably out of our budget.

He just lacks pace which is kind of paramount in a Howe system, I think that's why he gets sidelined sometimes. Howe is a big fan though tbf.

I'd like to see him with two pacy wide players either side of him with an eye for goal. Someone mentioned Nunez and Osula with Wolte would be a tasty front three, but if you could replace those with finishers it might work. Hard to tell really, from what I've seen Wolte looks lightweight, and I still don't see him working in the PL. Maybe in a more possession based side he would get more involved, but that's not our game.

Can't argue with any of that. I've thought exactly the same that Bruno and Hall are the most technically adept, and you could argue Miley has potential as well, although he is still developing the more attacking side of it. That said, I can appreciate pace and power as much as anyone, but it still relies on outstanding forwards, and we don't have any.

I challenged that concept a year ago.

Doesn't say much for the rest of our squad. Sick of hearing it tbh, we used to worry that we were too reliant on Isak and Bruno even two years ago.

Maybe he'd look better if he played for PSG or Bayern

That is true. They also highlighted the lack of technique and nous we had on the pitch before them.

He did both tbh. He was sublime at times, then he brainfarted or had a heavy touch at others.

Post of the Year.

You just know if the keeper had got the ball then Rice's foul would never have been blown up for a penalty.

He was for 20 mins, then he increasingly started losing the ball or fouling players late.

Wish it was just Joelinton with the poor touch. Saw it from too many other players, and it's not like it's the first time. Pressing relentlessly is not to be sniffed at, but would be nice if we didn't have so many players who treat the ball like a hot potato.

Which is fine as long as he's not going to do an Isak to try to drive the price down.

Would have been a piss take if we qualified tbh.

A relegation team without their best player and who were playing their 3rd game in 6 days.

Stood out all the more because of the shite we'd seen before that. Having a finisher on the end of it helped mind.

Neither will you tbf

What was the different formation? I was expecting 3-5-2 but that would have been with Hall and Murphy as the wing backs.

Or continue to drift into mediocrity, let's be fair. We are going backwards at the moment.

He had more chances than Anderson and failed to hit a decent effort. Anderson had one chance and scored. Not a great result for Bruno on the day.

Thought Bruno was shite where it mattered, when he actually had opportunities to score. His shooting was atrocious.

I really like this set up because it suits the abilities of the players we've got. Murphy doesn't become a liability, and Hall doesn't have to be so on the ball defensively. That said, whenever I have approved a line up previously it usually goes tits up.