Shak

Good contribution.

Never felt like Wood had any chance of scoring once he took it wide there.

Obviously disappointing that Bruno is out but I feel like we'll go out there and give a good account of ourselves every game with the way Howe has transformed us. Expect this might be a tight game, Wolves have only a managed one goal so far in three games and with Bruno and Wilson out we'll presumably be less threatening. Need a big game from ASM again and wouldn't be shocked if we get it. Isak off the bench to win it would be just

Your revolution will be crushed.

I must say I don't know enough about Isak as a player to know if that's something he'd be suited to. From highlights and the like I would have thought he's a striker and if not he might be more suited to ASM's role in the formation I posted? Suppose it depends how the next few weeks go. If he comes in and scores a few and looks dynamite leading the line I'd struggle to move him out of that spot much tbh.

The talk of a more classic DM being signed in order for Bruno to be played in a more advanced role makes me think we're looking for someone to play on the right that isn't really a wide player. Say we did sign a proper destroyer. With him and Joelinton we'd have a lot of physical presence in the middle of the field but we'd be a bit reliant on Bruno in terms of someone who I'd fancy to really pick a pass for Isak to get on the end of. Could see us trying to get Maddison and if we can't going for Pedro instead. While they'd be a RW on the team sheet, in reality they'd play closer to a #10 when we have the ball and allow Trippier to be super advanced and basically a winger. In practice would look more like this. Alvarez* Joe Targett Bruno Trippier Maddison* ASM Isak *Or someone in that mould of player. Bruno, Trips and Maddison* being who most of the play goes through down the right side, drawing teams over to that side and giving ASM lots of space to work in. If teams have the nerve to attempt counter attacks Joe can kill them.

People becoming fanboys of and getting emotionally invested in the reputations of journalists is pretty special, have to say.

It's just a typo or autocorrect, man.

Thanks, legit pleased someone liked it as sad as that is

Yeah if we were to bring in a destroyer DM it would leave us a bit light on players who you really would fancy to pick out a pass. Would be a bit much on Bruno's plate, which is why the idea of a Maddison type appeals to me and leave Bruno deeper. He's not really a destroyer but he's sharp defensively IMO and Joe is the real physical presence in there.

A sentence that starts with "The blue represents the Red" ultimately making complete sense is pretty good going to be fair

And don't forget the hot sauce, cholo.

Gonna make a run for the border We got a hunger only tacos stop I know exactly what we'll order Three tacos, two tostadas and a soda pop.

Imagine it was like 1-1 after 70 minutes and he comes on and looks class and scores two goals. Think half the forum would wank themselves to death

Think it's an interesting question that... what kind of midfielder do you think would be the best to add to Joe and Bruno in the middle? Someone like Maddison would take us up a level in terms of having two players in CM who can pick out passes at an extremely high level. The thoughts of Maddison and Bruno playing through balls for Isak and Wilson, man. You could go for a holding midfielder like Alvarez that would allow Bruno license to get forward more, would help us protect the back four a lot better too. Or someone like Haidara as another all action CM in there. Joelinton and Haidara either side of Bruno would be really hard for teams to play against, the pressing would be akin to Lou Thesz in his prime. Honestly have no idea which I'd prefer, probably a Maddison type.

Assume Kanji meant one of them rather than one of each position?

ASM - Isak - Diaby as a front three would be absolutely fucking hilarious like.

And now the thought of Rich being aroused has me aroused. All kicking off here.

I imagine the plan was to sign Isak next summer and we just moved it forward once the Wilson injury happened and our lot came to realize that he is never gonna be dependable. If so, surely Pedro and Isak being in the same squad eventually was the plan so not sure I see why this would be off unless there really is a cash flow or FFP worry. Part of me expects us to just absolutely drop trou and sign Isak, Pedro, Paqueta and Diaby over the next week and just fucking yao face the whole thing. Bruno Paqueta Joelinton Diaby ASM Isak That as the eventual first choice midfield would be the fucking tits. Wilson, Pedro, Almiron and Willock as the non-useless reserves. Fuck it, let's live a little

Sounds like he's about to cry

Debut off the bench against Wolves perhaps if it's as far along as it sounds.

Jesus Christ monkeyballs.

On the face of it I could see the logic in selling while he's in a bit of form and using the money for a young player with a bit more potential. However, given we're clearly not operating with an unlimited budget and aren't finding it easy to get players in I think selling him now would be madness. He's grown into his role so well and you feel confident he's gonna go out every game and work his huevos off. Ideally we sign someone to ultimately be first choice RW and Almiron isn't part of our strongest eleven, however our squad is super thin and he's shown that he's capable of doing what Howe wants and I'd be confident with him starting on either wing or even in the centre. When he doesn't start he's going to be a great option off and bench with fresh legs, which is the role we're asking Murphy to do and he just hasn't been up to it. Just as much as that though is that he seems to be such a popular guy around the dressing room and club in general. Along with Joelinton, he's a testament to the incredibly united squad that Howe has built and the idea that someone who is completely out of form can work their way back into a key role in the squad. Really does seem like a great group of people we have now and just selling someone off who epitomises it for a quick buck doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

If this does turn out to be something serious then you'd hope the people in charge would be willing to bring in a striker now, assuming one Ashworth and Howe really like is available. Seems inevitable that we'll bring in a big money striker at some point in the next couple of years, I have to believe it's financially feasible to do it now if the desire is really there. Haven't really followed the transfer stuff too closely, anyone able to give me a summary of what the assumed reason is that we're not spending really big this summer?

Any chance this is who we're signing instead of Paqueta/Maddison? Perhaps we see him as the most advanced of our midfield three with Bruno and Joe behind him? My impression was always that we see him as a CF who can play on the wing a bit but sounds like that may not be the case necessarily?