Shak

Think Rafa was unlucky looking at their points per game there.

Willock is weird, seems to have really quick feet until the moment comes to actually release the ball at which point it seems to take him an age. Might be why he looks so much better later in games, just that bit more time to get the pass or shot away.

Aye, was gonna post something to that effect @Phoenix711. I'm sure he could do a better job than Shelvey in that role but I do wonder if we'd get more out of him in Willock's place today. We all know Shelvey has considerable shortcomings but he can pick a pass. Stick Bruno and Joe either side of him and let them wreck cunts and you've got a decent little midfield IMO. Willock might do better from the bench, seems to flourish when the game gets a bit stretched.

Only thing I regret about that post is not going into more detail.

On a side note, my fiance is utterly fucking sickened by this takeover and me caring about football again

Actually had a feeling he was gonna score that free kick as he was lining it up. The few minutes before that he'd been fucking everywhere, you could see through the TV that the guy was fucking feeling it and fancied the shot. Fucking class.

Given how badly we did bringing in other attackers in the window, can't be too upset that we have him. As others have said, he's at least someone who knows how to play the position. He does look a bit shite and we paid too much but if he stays fit and can at least provide a focal point for the rest of the year and grab two or three goals and we stay up it'll be a distant memory very soon.

I must have him inside me. But first, I must clean myself. I will be clean for him.

Lascelles is such a bucket of shite.

Lovely goal that.

Not gonna lie, just burst out laughing.

Quite mental that this is our first choice front three for the rest of the season. Wood and Fraser are such plodders and ASM is a complete wildcard.

It's such an awful game

Willock is so slow to do anything with the ball.

God we really need to stay up and sign a team of superstars. I've no patience for shite football anymore.

Kill these cunts!!

Obviously I really hope he plays but it's important to remember we don't have access to the amount of info about the situation that Howe does. If he's on the bench I'm sure there'll be a good reason for it.

I hope we lose now. That'll show us.

I can never love you JNK my heart belongs to Flip forever.

Aye, would have been such a nice addition. We've got Ryan Fraser starting games FFS. Would have pissed off some of the thicker members of our fanbase too, as a bonus.

@Yorkie is there something to be said for Willock in midfield and then Joelinton in Fraser's spot in the team you posted? I remember when Joe was signed seeing people say how his best spot was probably just off a striker rather than leading the line. I know he's found form in CM but might be worth trying him in a more advanced role. Could be interesting seeing him link up with Trippier, might allow Trippier to get forward a lot more with Joe there to cover for him?

I wonder if we'll see Joelinton possibly moved to a more advanced role? Left side of a front three perhaps? Bruno G Shelvey ASM Almiron Joelinton Wood Wouldn't mind seeing that as a front 6. (Don't really have a preference for who partners Bruno in CM, went for Shelvey by default) I'd want Almiron and ASM to be quite interchangeable there, basically Almiron on the right in defense and central in attack. Don't ask much of ASM defensively, let him float and be a threat on the counter. If Wood starts to play well I wonder if Howe has plans for him and Wilson to be on the field at the same time. Could actually see them being a decent pairing.

6 We've signed a couple of genuinely top players in Trippier and Bruno G and added three others who'll play a lot over the next few months. Feel like we desperately needed at least one more attacking midfielder or winger though, probably two. It's basically just ASM in the squad who I have any faith to produce a moment of quality. Gotta hope the additions at the back and in the middle will help us be more solid and control games a bit better.

Aye, the fact that we've got 4 points from 2 games isn't a coincidence like. Just having an actual striker on the pitch as some sort of focal point is really important and Wood has given us that, even if he's not doing anything spectacular it allows the likes of ASM to actually play in their correct position.