Lotus

A few things surprised me about Khusanov. It wasn’t his timing or his mistakes, people can get flustered, yeah he flapped a bit a player can overcome that. He really doesn’t look tall enough to play CB. Unless he’s got an incredible jump on him I think that’s going to be an issue. Also, for a player that’s a bit on the short side he didn’t look nearly quick enough to make up for it. The only thing I saw that I thought was impressive is that he looks like he strikes the ball very well. You can see it in his passes. No matter to whom those passes went…

Watched Frankfurt last week. Ekitike looked like an Isak lite. Can see why we were interested and I think it would be a good project signing for Arsenal too. Wouldn’t break the bank and in a year or 2 he could be the striker they need. Also, if rumours are true then Frankfurt are looking at signing Wahi so they might be open to Ekitike leaving for the right price.

You could absolutely drop Burn after Bournemouth. His timing was off and I put it down to fatigue. Still, Botman must not be quite ready so Schar - Burn is good enough until he is.

Seeds of that performance were sprouting against Wolves. I had a tiny thought in the back of my mind that Gordon might go off the boil a bit as soon as Barnes was injured. Shame coz I’d brought Barnes on for both games. Think we were leggy. If you’re a fraction behind at this level you like mugs. I honestly think we could learn a thing or 2 off Bournemouth. They’re very very well coached. Chin up, everyone. We might be having a dip but we’ll bounce back. Got a week to R&R and get some patterns back into our play.

Put them under sustained pressure and they will make a mistake. Whether we capitalise though…..

He’s been half asleep so far.

Signs were there against Wolves tbh. As he’s not pacy he needs to be a bit more sympathetic with his positioning.

Looks like Daniel De Rossi in those videos (if anyone here remembers him).

I know a guy who played with Tindall at Senrab.

He’s doing great. So happy for him (and us).

Didn’t think it was his best game either. In some ways quite a few of the players seemed a little off last night. Probs a bit of fatigue and a tiny bit of complacency.

Not for me. Reckon Burn needs a rest. But Eddie will know best.

He hit a couple of nice passes with his right iirc

I thought a couple of his passes were not good. Really don’t think he has that ‘magic’ to drift in and play as an occasional 10. The difference with Bruno’s pass to Isak was stark. Still, his athleticism and work/team ethic is exceptional. Glad he scored.

Tbh I thought he gave up some chances by diving in and missing. Actually thought he was caught on his heels too much, especially compared to Botman. Put it down to fatigue. I’d rest him next game if Schar is fit.

Tbh, I thought he’d be a good squad player here on a shortish contract, e.g. 2 years. Seems like he can do better though so good luck to him. Very useful player imo and one that Wolves will miss.

Think Lemina is a good player for them. Seems under rated to me. I've read he's not certain to play because he might want away.

As with all our players, if we can sell them and buyer a player of at least the same impact, preferably more, for less money and enhance the dressing room togetherness than I’m all for it. I think Willock when firing on all cylinders is a rare combination of attributes. He’s had a rough 18 months. If we’re still still waiting for him to get a good run of games in the next 12 months I’d understand planning to replace him.

Willock is a talented footballer with great athleticism. If he’s having an unlucky period with injuries I think we wait it out. Cast our minds back to the outside of the foot pass to Isak, dreamy stuff. Also can’t forget him constantly busting his gut to get back for one box to the other and nick the ball off an opposing attacker. So, skill, speed, stamina and a great attitude. These are top drawer attributes. He’s having a rough patch for sure. He’s worth waiting for though.

I’d put it in a plaster cast if I was his manager.

Really hate that thing he does with his hands whenever he’s about to put some effort into a pass or tackle. Drives me nuts. Seems to be especially the right.

He wasn’t as awful as some are saying but he didn’t influence the game much in any which way. Was surprised to his occasional poor touch and he seemed slow on the ball again. I would say he neither added or took away from us today, given that I would’ve liked to have seen a youngster try out but there you go. We will face teams this season where SL’s willingness to run will help us out. As for next year, depends on where we’re at.

If Alfie Harrison can’t offer more than that then he’s a dud as well.

Is there a risk to building a stadium by the river? Does the Tyne flood? Is a risk area with rising sea levels?

I think Wandsworth has a bigger population than Newcastle…. I mean, Wandsworth isn’t a particularly massive borough but I’m sure it has more people than the entire city of Newcastle (I did look this up once, long ago..). That kind of disparity in population density is clearly a problem for any football club trying to recruit as many talented youngsters as possible. If NUFC continues to seriously invest in and develop its academy until it’s viewed as absolutely top tier then I think it becomes a threat to all other academies throughout the North of England. The big 5 of Liv, Eve, Manc x 2 and Leeds will hoover up lots but even they will miss some. We need it to become 1st choice for lads from Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Tees, N. Yorks, Cumbria, etc.