Segun Oluwaniyi

This boy is a such a strange and enjoyable player to watch. He looks like a small child and runs like he is about to fall down with his limbs flailing all over, but somehow manages to be the fastest player on the pitch and have better stamina than anyone. In the 85th or so minute of the match, he was sprinting the entire length of the pitch to push the attack forward and protect Krafth. Brilliant effort. We have been saying this for some time, but it he starts to add the quality I believe he has to his sheer force of will, the player will be special.

Other than Knockaert, I feel as though I would trust all of those players in the Premier League for a strong side that was not collapsing upon itself and conceding 3 to 4 goals per match. It is certainly a better attacking group than Newcastle's.

Are stadiums in England also not showing any replays of VAR incidents to supporters? To me, this was the biggest problem at the World Cup with VAR. For the most part, people in the crowd didn't have any idea what was going on outside of the VAR review notification and the end result. During Argentina-Nigeria, a header by Rojo flicked off his arm in the box (would have been a clear penalty under the new rules I believe), but it wasn't anything noticeable for me, sat closer to the other end. Between our players crowding the ref, the referee having to communicate to the VAR official, and the actual review; there was probably a three-four minute break in the match, during which we received no clear explanation as to what was happening. The experience with it is much worse for people who are actually at the match compared with those watching at home or in the pub, which is not acceptable. If this is the way forward, they need to go full Yankee with this and at least engage the crowd and keep them informed. I would think it would be even worse in the Premier League when an incident we did not see is then adjudicated by some third party we also cannot see. It should be the referee for any judgement based decision. This is pretty reflective of my views of the VAR calls for players offside by a millimetre or two. We are reviewing the position of a minimum of three bodies (two players and a ball) that are in motion and stopping time at the indeterminable point in time that a ball is "passed". The idea that this is an exact science is laughable and ruinous to the game of football. Offside is at its essence a simple rule, now we are using freeze-frame and trying to determine the point where Raheem Sterling's scapula turns into his humerus. This is what replay does in a sport. In the NFL, we are stopping the game to determine if the ball touched one blade of grass, and in the NBA we are stopping the game to see if a player's fingernail contacted the ball. Football will head the same way. It is inevitable.

16 year old Eduardo Camavinga with the winning assist for Rennes against PSG. The Parisiens have been average so far, maybe this is a season where a team like Lyon can push them.

His former sides in the Premier League and the promotion battles (Wigan, Sunderland, Villa, etc.) always seemed to be at least fairly organised and hardworking. His teams have at this level have uniformly been quite rubbish in terms of talent, and his record isn't particularly poor given that. An average manager for below average sides. I really do not understand it. The odd part to me is that they are playing fairly open and "attacking" football despite fielding an excess of defensively oriented players. The result is just poor attacking output and gaps at the back for no reason.

The way they are playing in this formation is not working at all. Joelinton is isolated. Almiron is aimlessly sprinting around at full speed most of the match. What is his position meant to be? Those two are also essentially the only two attackers; the three midfielders seemingly are just taking turns running forward ineffectively. The lack of defensive pressure and workrate is also bizarre in a side starting three principally defensive midfielders and five defenders. From his former work, I have always thought of Bruce as vaguely competent, tbh, so the complete lack of organisation is very surprising to me, it seems like he wants to shoehorn the players into three at the back because it worked last season. It is not working now.

If Jetro moves toward the ball like any normal player, nothing comes of the situation and this thread is on the third page where it belongs. The guy actively moved away from it and then stood still. Maitland-Niles makes up about 15 yards in this time. Dummett is fine defensively and the only centreback with any pace.

The pass by Dummett isn't great, but that is embarrassing for a professional from Willems. He could have easily received the pass or even put in a tackle if he moved at all instead of standing still and backing up for no reason. He needs to play in the reserves until he is fit because he is fat and off the pace.

Long term, Shelvey (or Longstaff) needs to be dropped and replaced with another attacker, as it was under Rafa last season. Miggy has looked headless, but he has no one matching his pace in attack. All three midfielders prefer to remain deep and Joelinton is a true target man, not particular mobile at all. Willems looks a bit fat, imo.

The team are playing quite well, tbh, very much a continuation of last season. The biggest concern still is that the two players who actually scored goals are gone. No idea what Dubravka was thinking there.

40 million is a very reasonable price for a talented and relatively young player with an English passport. It is a good purchase for Everton. I love Iwobi as a person and I really hope he develops further and reaches his full potential, but I can't lie, I am worried. Not sure he'll ever have any outstanding attributes. I like the signing of Saint-Maximin a lot better, and for half the fee at that. Albeit Iwobi is an excellent character with absolutely no concerns on that side of things. But still ... Let us be honest, if Allan was born in Croydon or Woodford rather than the banlieues of Paris he would cost 30 million too, despite his shortcomings. Iwobi will do well, imo, and can be a big player for a club at that level, even if he doesn't develop too much more. He is clearly very skillful, a good passer, and is surprisingly strong/quick. He lacks something around the goal in terms of decision making (his return has never been enough in that area), but this is why the player is going to Everton. I find the popular idea that Iwobi is rubbish to be crazy.

40 million is a very reasonable price for a talented and relatively young player with an English passport. It is a good purchase for Everton.

This position directly contradicts with repeatedly posting about football matters on this forum and harshly criticising those holding those holding position A.

They were still a good side despite that, the team is pretty defensive. Balotelli and Plea left last summer with essentially no replacement, and Saint-Maximin had to play upfront for long stretches of the season. ASM is definitely not a striker, imo, he should play on the left. I like the boy as a player, very entertaining dribbler and physically gifted, but I'm not sure if he will translate to the Premier League and specifically a Steve Bruce side at all, tbh. A big risk for a club that never spends. Everything about his profile makes me think he'll be someone the manager won't fully trust. Based only a highlights video, but he looks like a player who has to try and do something spectacular every time he gets the ball, rather than release it early. Not a team player, basically. I would not disagree with you. He's a dribbler above all else. I have seen him lay some good passes and finish chances, but his game is to beat the man in front of him with skill and run into space. The manager can work with him to play more for the team, but it is also important that team understand what sort of player he is and adjusts. I would interested to watch him and Almiron together. Two players that would scare defenses. There have not been enough of them at Newcastle, recently.

They were still a good side despite that, the team is pretty defensive. Balotelli and Plea left last summer with essentially no replacement, and Saint-Maximin had to play upfront for long stretches of the season. ASM is definitely not a striker, imo, he should play on the left. I like the boy as a player, very entertaining dribbler and physically gifted, but I'm not sure if he will translate to the Premier League and specifically a Steve Bruce side at all, tbh. A big risk for a club that never spends. Everything about his profile makes me think he'll be someone the manager won't fully trust.

I thought James McCarthy already played for Palace, before I realised was thinking of an entirely different "hard-working" midfielder.

Algeria were in our WC qualifying group two years ago and were an embarrassment despite all of the talent at their disposal. Their turnaround has been spectacular. Congratulations to the Desert Foxes! They should not waste him in the crowd, they might have won if he was playing instead of Niang, who has redefined uselessness in this tournament.

The semifinals and final have been rife with ridiculous goals and non-goals. Ekong and Broon own goals, crazy Algeria deflection, two missed penalties in Tunisia-Senegal. The only legitimate goal was Mahrez curling into the empty net while our keeper stood behind his wall. Senegal have been the better side outside of the deflection, I think they'll get a penalty or bundle one in for extra time. I'm supporting Senegal on West African pride, but I have already divorced my football self from this competition, tbh. Nigeria has now won silver or bronze at this thing eight times in my life, so it's hard to care about who wins when it is not us. Only three weeks until I can focus on Newcastle's valiant relegation fight.

I don't know too much about Joelinton outside of Youtube, but this reminds me of the Mitrovic signing, or going back even Obafemi. I'm sure he is a good footballer who will go on to have a good career in big leagues, but he's a young player coming with a big price tag (for Newcastle) that is going to be dumped up front in the Premier League as the only real option and asked to be the savior for a side that will barely create anything and will be struggling. Both those players scored around ten goals in inconsistent seasons, which was enough in a dour 06-07 season and just a bit short in 15-16. The club will be playing the same game again this season.

It is obvious at this point that all Premier League to Premier League transfers are wildly inflated. Outside of Newcastle, no team in this league is going to sell one of its 2 or 3 best players and most valuable assets for anything less than 30 or 40 million. It is just the way of things. If you want value for money, look abroad in the lesser leagues or he lower tiers of English football.

Credit to Algeria, easily deserved win. I hope Senegal rubbish them in the final, but the foxes should be favoured. Senegal have great individuals, but do not play as team and are extraordinarily wasteful in attacking positions. I will be supporting them, but the team is seriously flawed. Very disappointed in the level of performance from the Super Eagles, just extremely poor. Attackers huffed and puffed, but had no cohesion or connection at all, Ndidi and Etebo were unusually sloppy in midfield, and the defense/keeper nervy and shaky all match. Ndidi na my guy, but so many unnecessary fouls including the one for the final goal. Once the freekick was given, I knew Mahrez would score past this idiot of a keeper, who always stands his wall, leaving his side open. The manager has done a good job building something and restoring Nigerian football to the top level of Africa, where it should be by default, but I do not know if he is the one to push it forward. The guy is too defensive and passive for me. Algeria today and Argentina in the WC, the two biggest matches of his tenure, we tired and the other side was beginning to dominate possession and threaten, and the manager just sat and did nothing. No tactical changes or subs and just watching on until they inevitably conceded. He should have brought Mikel on today to add some composure in midfield, or really anything to liven the team. The state of African football is not good enough in 2019. My first memories watching football are seeing my country flash on the world stage at Atlanta 1996 and 1998 World Cup, and it is disturbing that the continent has not advanced since this time (if anything, the players have benefited financially abroad while the general quality has decreased). The culture is still entirely extractive and nothing solid has been built in 20+ years.

All this time you spend running around shrining VAR. It won't love you back, man. Naija are through! Algeria or CIV next. This match was annoying, tbh. It should have been 3 or 4-0. Musa and Ighalo were at their worst tonight. Musa beating players and making the wrong choice every single time, Ighalo too busy tangling with defenders and missing easy chances, just to concede a rubbish undeserved goal. Luckily, Ekong came to the rescue at the death. Starting to enjoy this team, Chukwueze is a star, Ndidi and Etebo are both relentless. If only the Geordies could match the utter apathy of the Egyptians.

I agree that Mane should be considered, but let us be honest, it will have nothing to do with AFCON. The competition is not highly regarded enough. He has not been great in the competition anyway, just good. Also, I do not believe Allsion was particularly spectacular for Liverpool or Brazil, despite the decorated year for both. Messi was once again the best footballer at club level by a distance, but the high profile semifinal failures will prevent him from winning. It'll likely be Van Dijk because of the press. Anyway, the quarterfinals are starting shortly: Senegal Benin Tunisia Madagascar Algeria CIV Nigeria South Africa --------- Senegal up first. Saivet starts again. They have never won the competition and with the talent they have and the position they are in, this is surely the best chance. That side of the draw seems weak. Tunisia and Benin have both yet to win a match and Madagascar is a nice story, but still Madagascar. One of those four will be in the final. Naija-SA later on. We should be favoured but, I am nervous. SA are a good side (physically small, but quick and skillful), and we have only played well in spurts.

Enough to kill any meaningful anger against Ashley, and that is the whole point. Why else would he spend money on compensation for manager with a record of failure in the top division? The geordie leader AKA Stev Bruce is probably the one card up the sleeve Ashley had left, and the perfect way to deflect from Rafa leaving and the fakeover. It's perfect. That is about what I figured. As far as I can Ashley has never paid to bring a manager from another club, it would be an unnecessary expense for him. He nearly let Carver relegate the club to avoid paying out for McClaren, so you figure that there must be a strategic element or ulterior motive behind this.

What percentage of matchday and local supporters do you think will be happy with the appointment just because Bruce is a Geordie and a local boy? Obviously, people who follow football intently enough to post on forums like this will probably look at his managerial record and be ambivalent or worse (depending on their affection for rafa), but this clearly seems a move to placate supporters. It would not have been difficult to find someone from the continent who would have adhered to the "structure".