Lotus

Rashford is a very talented player. I think his issues stem from the lack of support from the ‘fans’ tbh….. Same thing happened with Sancho.

Can’t see Ange lasting the season if this form continues. Hardly revelatory stuff but they just look like they have definitive systemic issues. That’s defo on him.

Will be very interesting to see what Mitchell’s strategy is (finances permitting).

Worth his (hopefully low) wages as a squad player. Sets the benchmark for effort and team ethic for whoever comes in. But, a clever player-maker in his position would make us very scary indeed.

If it was obvious to a lot of us that Tonali could be just what we needed at 6 and it would help integrate him into the team than you can bet EH saw it too. Whatever prevented that at the time must have been valid. My guess is it was issues with Tonali himself.

He dropped deep on occasion and was level with Tonali. I think that’s the basis of a very good formation if we ever become a team that wants to control the ball for periods rather than banging it forward at every opportunity. Very press resistant and both players have got the ability to play penetrative passes upfield. Would work well with a roving Willock imo. Especially against Spurs who leave acres of space between midfield and defence.

They really need to take their time with important decisions like that. We should have had 4. Emery would agree.

Bruno F is fantastic player and any team would miss him. I think his petulance is just due to him feeling his career has not gone the way he wanted. He could have done so much more at a competitive club. Still, I’m sure he’s been very well rewarded financially.

Re: Tonali, I think it’s much more likely the issue was with Tonali than EH just not realising he could play him there.

Well, I don’t know the bloke but I imagine it’s born of PTSD of watching us for years pre EH. They do say pessimists are among the happiest of people

Very very glad he tackled sensibly after his yellow. Was a good idea to push him wide left later in the game.

Nothing wrong with @David Edgar seeing the momentum of the game swing to Villa for a bit. I thought so too but wasn’t sure they’d score. Overall I think we’d have won 11 v 11 because I think we had better players in midfield.

I keep wanting to see a bit more of him but every time I do I wish he’d be just a little better. EH will do all he can to develop him but the player has to demonstrate the improvements to their game.

Mega money.

Jair Cunha from Santos. No idea if he’d get a work permit. 19y/o CB. Looks very Schär like in style except he’s a lot taller and (I think) quicker. Sprays it around well and, despite being 6’6” seems like he’s likes to get it front of the attacker and intercept. Brings the ball out nicely and has good feet.

Loans should be used to give players exposure and experience to different types of systems, physicality, pressure and levels of competitiveness. Training with excellent players doesn’t automatically make you an excellent player too anymore than sparring with top rate boxers automatically makes you a top fighter. You’ve got to do it yourself in the environment of serious competition. It Miley is behind JL, Longstaff and Willock (given I expect Bruno & Sandro to start if available) then minutes could be difficult for him.

Archie Gray is a good example of a very talented 18 y/o. Miley needs game time to up his level and develop. If he’s not looking getting many meaningful minutes with us I’d like to see go on loan in Jan.

AG is a clever and analytical guy. I’m sure he’ll figure out a way to improve his finishing. Maybe he needs to work on a particular move/shot and refine it the way Henry did. Anyway, I’m sure there are enough brains in the building to make him better.

More than off the pace. He didn’t look like he knew how to insert himself into the game. Often had poor movement and was ineffectual. Even if he was just asked to occupy a couple of CBs while we attacked from width, he didn’t really manage that. Anyway, hopefully he’s back on the money for Ipswich.

Thought he looked good when he came on despite the state of the game by then. Tbh he’s looked like he can contribute lately so (with Murphy as a bench mark) not sure why he’s not had a chance.

He is our most influential player.

Not remotely surprised Martin’s gone. He seemed to feel he was above having to adapt his ‘style’ to suit the league he was in.

Burn is soooooo slow on the turn it’s just not an option. Sven’s not got great acceleration but he’s got enough not to get caught out unless the attacker does something exceptional.

The timing of it made me think he had something said in his earpiece. Odd thing the AR never waved his flag though. Not too interested in doing a deep dive on it but it was curious

I do agree but I think EH needs to be a bit braver and not wait for massive score lines or the last 5 mins of a game. Isak needs protecting and Osula desperately needs some game time. Isak really seems to fade after 70 minutes anyway so I think we have to bite the bullet and make the sub. For all the training in the world, in the end it’s up to the player and that way we find out if he’s got anything about him.