Elma

Seems like Selles out at Sheff Utd.

I was shocked too. Was expecting it to flash wide as he was stretching to get his head round it. Great movement and a great header.

That's true to a degree, but I don't see Bruno getting these types of injuries. My brother was a centre-midfielder at a reasonably high level - he played five games a week sometimes across various teams. A very different era (80s) and he was still in his late-teens but he never got a serious injury in his career. He had a knack for seeing trouble coming and avoiding it, not in a cowardly way but in a smart way. He is only 5'4" though and was super nimble. My point being some players just know how to ride a challenge well and get off the ground when they can't get out of the way.

Playoffs are super tough too. Only the best four second placed teams qualify, then the winner of that represents Africa in another play-off against the other federations for two World Cup places. I presume the AFCON playoff is in the November International window and the wider all conference play-off is in the March International window?

It does. Am not surprised. This is a huge game. DR Congo have only been in the finals once before (as Zaire) in 1974. The winners today will be in the box seat for the World Cup place from Group B.

That's definitely true, but I've just watched Spain absolutely destroy Türkiye 6-0 in Konya. They are so comfortable playing together. Lovely one touch football around the box and a hat-trick for Merino. Nothing like an international team at all. I think they are nailed on for the World Cup. Streets ahead of teams like England and Germany.

I think he'd be great to have in the squad now, but I don't think he'd have gotten the same minutes last season, and hence he may not have developed as well, had we been able to keep him.

Yeah, I live in London and am about to move back to Istanbul. I don't think I could live in a small city, and my other half (who grew up in Istanbul) certainly couldn't. Even Izmir (3 million people) feels small. Love the North-East though and like coming back up to visit (I'm here now). Each to their own I guess.

Watched the game but don't worry about him. I've complete confidence in Eddie and the coaches to come up with a system that elevates both him, and our other new signings, getting the most from them whilst developing them individually as players. Looking at their respective styles it'll probably be easier to integrate Wissa, but Nick will get there too.

He's 20, and was on 1 January this year. He turns 21 on Monday.

Don't forget pigeon carcass removal.

Anyone know if Joelinton has a chance of making this yet?

I'd be very surprised if Wissa doesn't start against Wolves. He doesn't have the match fitness but has been training and will probably get match time for Congo. He's the one with Premier League experience, will understand how we play from playing against us numerous times and being immersed in the Premier League, and is the more senior player. He's probably closer to Isak in style too which will make him easier to drop-in. I'd imagine Woltemade will replace him on or after the 60 minutes mark when he starts to tire, and then Eddie will work with them and evolve things before AFCON.

I'm OK with this. Didn't want to sell Isak to Liverpool, and especially not on the cheap. On the plus side, if the reports are to be believed it seems we've forced Isak to forego bonuses which is what I've been suggesting we insist on for him to be allowed to go. I think we've undersold Isak slightly and overpaid on Wissa, but when I woke up at 07:30 to hear Isak was off it was paramount that we got someone in today and, despite reservations on how he's gone about forcing the move, Wissa was the one I wanted. As others have said we've effectively swapped Isak and Wilson for Woltemade and Wissa, both younger than the players they are replacing (2.5 years and 4.5 years respectively), and with a significantly better injury record - Woltemade has missed two games in two years and Wissa six games in two years. I completely trust Eddie to get the best out of both of them and am looking forward to moving on and seeing how the team develops over the coming season. Generally I think we're one player light in midfield and would rather have picked up Guehi over Thiaw, but we've done much better on outgoings this window and it I'm fairly happy with it, considering the mess Isak left us in.

Thanks for clarifying. A medical takes more than two hours so I'm guessing most of the process needs completing by 7pm anyway.

He was brilliant, and obviously still giving everything for the club he's contracted to.

Was just chatting about this. If not complete by 7pm then a deal sheet is sent in which gives another two hours until 9pm. Is the medical allowed after that, i.e. the next day? What happens if an issue cropped up in a medical once the paperwork was in? Surely medicals have to be complete before 7pm otherwise that's huge jeopardy for the buyer?

Was it that? On the replay it looks like his hamstring went first and that took him down? Incredibly harsh yellow if so.

Absolutely. Along with Eddie, I rate him, Iraola and Frank in the league. They are the most progressive, achieving things beyond their remit/budget.

Definitely two points dropped. I'm wondering whether Emery will come up with a way to reinvent them, working with what he's got? Although he's undoubtedly a very good coach, I still think we lucked out getting Eddie instead of him.

Miley for Ramsey

Cunha off injured.

Dubravka OG Correction, Cullen OG. Nearly a wonder save from Dubs. Thought it had come back off Dubs back at first view without my glasses on 😂

The German Dan Burn in more than just one respect?

Is that Helden as used in the film Jojo Rabbit?