Lotus

After Bruno came on I thought Shelley made a couple of positional errors. Twice I think he was resting a bit, nothing wrong with that per se, but you have to rest in position and he wasn’t. He was not central where he has to rest as the deep CM. He was on the left and given the ball was with Brentford on the right I thought that was the 1st time I’ve noticed him make a definite tactical error since Bruno showed up. He was slow to react and just kind of ambled more to the middle. Up to now I think he’s been pretty good tbh (last 6 games) but those couple of little lapses made me wonder if that’s the crack that Bruno squeezes through to start a game.

His 1st touch is a caress.

Very very good performance. Both with and without the ball.

Our organisation and work ethic over the past 5 or 6 games makes us a very stubborn opponent. It’s so different from what we’re used to. I think we’ll get at least a point. All 3 if ASM is playing and on form.

Not sure what Almiron would do though….. doesn’t carry the ball forward, no defence split passes and no crosses, especially if he’s on the right. if both ASM and Fraser are out I think you have to look at a formation change tbh

I get that point and I’m not saying I’m right, it’s just a feeling I’ve got. Thing is, Vieira and Petit did actually contribute at either end as well. That’s what I think JL needs to bring to his game. I’m not saying he can’t. Just that right now, he isn’t. Vieira and Petit also had the benefit of Bergkamp dropping from deep but seeing as we’re not playing with a 10 I think both CMs, i.e. JL and JW have to show some stats in one box or the other. JW is tbf. That’s why I have a gut feeling, once Bruno has made the physical adaptation he’ll replace JL in that position. I would hope JL proves very effective in a new position, perhaps in Fraser’s spot but slightly deeper and more central, proving cover for when Trips is back and making bombing runs down the right. JL might also do better exerting his physicality against a fullback rather than a CB. Guess we’ll see.

Why would the owners of one of world’s richest clubs have to put their own money in? Also, even if the club has paid its owners £100ms it still had enough to spunk a £billion net and still not be the level of competitiveness that outlay demands. Every team buys a player or 2 that doesn’t work out. Can’t always be the players. Must be the fans tbqph.

I was genuinely thinking of Jenas!!!! A muscular Jenas. But tbh, Jenas had a few assists irc. Kroos was absolutely great at pinging the ball around.

I realise this will be an unpopular opinion and I could be in for a flaming here but I think needs to do more at one end of the pitch or the other. I'm not sure he can legitimately play as a top 10 (of the table, not the world) 6 or DM in neuspeak. I think if EH had seen the tactical discipline he would be there already. He's good enough at getting a foot in, is strong and has a good engine so it must be his positioning and anticipation of tracking the late runners. That's the defensive end of the pitch. As for the other end, I don't think he carries the ball well enough, nor dribble effectively and he doesn't he play regular defence splitting passes/assists. He doesn't arrive late in the box and score either. He's good bang in the middle, throwing himself about and disrupting the opposition and then laying the ball off if he gets it. I like him, I love his effort and everyone loves a redemption story but I don't see him as a Makele or Pirlo and at the other end he's not a Kaka or Rui Costa. I think ultimately he will have to consistently produce in one of those roles if he stays a CM. Personally I think from a tactical POV, he's most at risk from Bruno's arrival. I

Would like Moussa Diaby from Leverkusen. Speedy winger. Scoring goals this season too as well as assists. So far in 20 starts he has 10 goals and 6 assists. He was from the PSG academy I think. Stick him on the right or left, he's great.

Of the 3 'roaming' midfielders you mention, I reckon only 1 of them has there nous and tool set to play the holding role though. And that's Bruno. May not be the best utilisation of his full talents but I reckon he could do it. Not advocating it just saying I reckon he could do it. Might need to time to acclimatise which I'm sure is what EH is doing right now with him.

The very fact he’s on the bench is making our other midfield 3 raise their game. He’s had that galvanising affect too. Competition for your place from a top rated Brazilian will certainly bring more focus to your efforts!

Well, he clearly said yesterday he sees him as ana attacker who’s defensive side of the game is very good. I think we’ll see him in Willock’s role. Of the mid 3, the one tasked with getting closer to the striker and also the one who presses the highest.

Incidentally I thought Gordon like a good player in the making. Good physicality, good feet and plenty of bite in him too. Wish Newcastle could develop players like him.

Not sure that's fair re: the Everton game. I watched the whole game again but just focused on the middle 3. Sometimes Shelvey would close down higher up the pitch but if he did the other 2 would hang back. Anyway, EH said he was a 6 in the Villa pre game talk and I guess it's the best place to use him for now. I would replace him asap with a better player if we can in the summer. Interestingly EH called JL an attacking player. JL for Willock and Bruno in JL's old spot. Shelvey to stay is my bet.

Rewatched the Everton game. Shelvey made quite a few interceptions, knicking the ball from in front of his man too. From what I could see he did more of that than Joelinton (who I thought looked a little less sharp than usual - EH has said he didn't train much recently). Shelvey's got good close control and his passing, even first touch, was very assured. He also ran quite a bit, he's just a bit slow. He has got strength of the ball though. His positioning was pretty disciplined. What caught him out a bit was quick midfielders running off his shoulder. He just hasn't got the pace to get back. Based on the Everton game I wouldn't be looking to drop him. I think Willock rather than Shelvey is most at risk of losing his place to Bruno.

As he had a goal and an assist he clearly had an effect on the game. However, apart from energy I can’t really see that he’s offering much if I’m judging the season so far rather than just the 1 game. Seems a great guy but he’s the most droppable player for me atm.

I’d be surprised if he’s here next season but it’s way too early to conclude he won’t play a role in this one. im sure EH will keep working with him and hopefully he’ll find a useful role in our survival.

I'd be surprised if EH didn't want to see if he can slowly revert JL to an attacker. Doesn't have to be as a striker, but at least someone who is tasked with affecting the game a little further up the pitch. I think ideally Bruno plays in JL's role. The 2 issues with that are; 1) Shelvey isn't anywhere good enough as a DM and maybe Bruno could do that very well but then he couldn't do the other stuff he clearly does extremely well, and 2) what do you do with JL?

Personally I think Bruno will start against Villa.. I think Howe may want to see if JL can be a little more effective a bit further up the pitch. Reckon Bruno for JL in the middle and JL instead of Fraser but not quite playing the same role. Aim to help team press higher up the pitch.

Tbf he may have thought the Everton player was gonna knock it past him and set up something decent so he just decided to chop him, take a yellow and allow us to reset. If so, nothing wrong with the decision making process there. Just that the tackle ended being a bit heavy for my liking. Was expecting a red.

I think he’ll get some match sharpness and familiarity with his teammates and look better.

Very good defensive positioning. Keeps that up I guess it may give Trippier a bit more license to bomb forward. He’s not great going forward but at least he’s very good at his primary job. Very happy to have him.

Could he have handed in his notice a while ago and worked through some of it but BHA have decided the remaining will be on gardening leave?