Mikky

I honestly think Tonali solves a lot of our issues if he’s used correctly Play him in the double pivot (left side) with Bruno - Tonali’s main job being to not only dictate play with the ball - simple passes to keep the ball moving - cover the left for when Hall goes forward - sometimes play as the 3rd CB Something like this Pope Schar. Botman Trippier Bruno. Tonali Hall Gordon Isak. Big Joe Wilson

As a flat 3 it’s costing us yes - the shape has to change to a 1-2. Or a 2-1

Gordon is away better option than Miggy who is too predictable in my view on the left you could play Barnes/Anderson/Joe and Joe

No coincidence Tonali had the best season of his career alongside Kessie (was in a double pivot) Him and Bruno are a perfect pair - just need to settle Bruno down a bit

That straight midfield line is causing us offensive issues too with Isak being isolated We need to change our shape to cover the central areas Pope Trippier. Schar. Botman. Hall Bruno. Tonali Gordon. Isak. Barnes Wilson

This is why you need a 6 - and I don’t mean “we should have bought one” - I mean with what we have - whether it’s Bruno or Tonali playing a double pivot allows you to play Bruno as the 6 - Sandro to the left of centre which then provides cover for Hall who can press higher up

When we defend with a straight midfield 5 it takes just one ball to cut through us

Plus they leave a gap between the midfield and forward line Not their fault - it’s the system

Isak as the 10 could be quite canny - I do think we lack in this regard - someone to be the focal point and link everything up - Isak is the one - was thinking Tonali/Anderson could possibly do this too but I like the Isak and Wilson combo would love Hall in the team aswell - Burn been a good player for us but Hall is the future

This isn’t far off my thinking too with Wilson as the 9 Muphy Isak Gordon Gordon Isak Big Joe Gordon Isak Anderson

No I am saying we have 5 Miley is ready and Anderson isn’t a midfielder - he’s a wide forward So we are 1 short - a proper DM

I’d make 2 personnel changes Hall and Murphy for Burn and Miggy (assumption Botman is fit) Tonali as the single pivot with Joe and Bruno either side

It’s just the lack of tactical thinking that I think we are all frustrated with - we can see it - play with a 3 - but don’t flatten the 3 - it will not work against the better teams this season - it’s stifling us

Teams figure you out

I said all pre season we were short of a DM - we weren’t stacked with midfielders - we have 5 - Bruno - Tonali - Willock - Joe and Longstaff Miley is a kid and Anderson is a wide forward We must be the only team in the league without a 6? Having a 6 gives you so much flexibility - you can’t let opposition run behind the mid time and time again - it exposes the backline way too much For this season you got to go 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-2-3 - just don’t play a stupid flat 3 - on top of this playing a flat 3 leaves you too one dimensional your offensive play with players like Miggy lacking support and suffering - same with Isak The sooner Hall starts the better

Bruno and Tonali until we buy a proper 6

it’s the gap between the defence and mid - it’s killing us - backline getting no protection - when we lose the ball we get exposed in that area you play with a single or double pivot and sort this out If you do play with a pivot - you then need a progressive full back on the left which is where I would play Hall

The flat 3 simply doesn’t work

He’ll be gone by November if not before

Said a few weeks back that Mourinho is all out trying to get sacked Looks like a Mourinho year 3 team this - no fluidity in this Roma team at all - players look lost and just resorting to get AC players sent off

Scenes when the Dortmund fans march through Newcastle

Yeah holding Tripps hand as a mascot - then being ushered back to the touchline after the coin toss

Could we have 10k behind the goal at the San Siro again?

ideally win 1 away

I wouldn’t class Barca as mega elite currently - they are an absolute train wreck