Gallowgate Toon

xA is interesting but I found some of his assists and checked the xA against them and it seems ropey with the variables. E.g. he had 2 assists against Burnley in 2019 from an xA of .18 but the first assist is a fantastic left-foot cross onto the 6-yard line for a Vardy header.

Quite a lot made about his lack of take-on success from last season but it seemed to be down a lot from his previous seasons which were closely aligned to the league average. Did Leicester change LBs or something?

Really looking forward to seeing what Howe can get out of him. He seems very coachable.

ASM was never consistently great against deeper sides which is where we became unstuck more often last season. There was the argument that he'd maybe create more space for others in those situations but having sides with good movement is already an alternative to that. However, losing him reduces one of our better weapons over the last few years against the 'bigger' sides who gave us more space.

Woof that fee isn't great. Think with the heat about our 'unfair links' to Saudi clubs that there might be some canny add-ons in there that come out in a couple of years. Minteh and Kuol to totally fill the ASM gap in 24/25.

If we continue last season's tactic of right side build up to then quickly switch to LW then that really suits Barnes, like.

If Isak stays fit, which is a risk in itself, then he brings the alternative skillset we lack against certain sides. While I think it's the right time to sell him, I feel sad that he's off to Saudi in his prime. He could be doing his thing in Europe for a while yet.

It'd be a shame, if true, but this is the business end we're now in as a competitive club.

Some lovely left footed cross assists in his comps too.

Drury makes me feel a bit sick Was really surprised that people were so positive about him joining Sky. Loads seemed to love his Roma spiel but I had to mute the tele when it happened.

City have been good at moving players on at the right time and we should do the same, we can't rely wholly on commercial improvement. I love Wilson and want to see him do his thing in Europe but I imagine if Pep was in charge he'd be looking to max his value now and bring in someone else.

I reckon Isak falls into that bracket as well, tbf.

I doubt he'll have much of a break as he didn't play huge amounts last season and will probably want to capitalise on the feels now. Reckon he'll check in for preseason in a week.

We know that Howe is big on competition, positional flexibility, and having rotation options in games both in terms of fluid positioning (Willock/Joelinton) and subs. We're really past the point of being as linear as Barnes in = Maxi out. Howe won't be afraid to play Barnes wherever he sees fit, just like he's been happy to have Isak as a winger or Gordon play a central midfield role. Really wouldn't be shocked to see Barnes RW or Maxi out there etc.

But he doesn't just score goals... Before last season, he was getting plenty of assists. He's proven himself to be a very effective final third player in the PL. That much is obvious.

Watching a comp and he has a decent left foot cross on him.

Barnes has a really canny weapon for deep sitting teams... A good long shot. Feels like we don't currently have many who're good at it.

Think there was a post on here when the Tierney links were going on that showed ASM had missed as many days as him over the last few seasons due to injury. His overall appearances don't look bad but I can't remember the Bruce days and if he had a bunch of sub apps due to returning from layoffs.

Wonder if Vardy being finished buggered up Barnes' assists. He got 20+ across the 3 prior seasons.

Ffs definitely sour grapes after relegation. Still, just can't see a player who bags all types of goals and assists is one trick. Sure, he probs cuts inside a lot, but so does Maxi.

Sorry, what is Barnes' one trick? He's bagged loads of assists as well as goals Think we've got some FBRef merchants. https://twitter.com/nufcsanjay/status/1677392398614142979?t=Uy25iustKchbXmsloGjf2w&s=19

Also worth saying Barnes has been productive in different Leicester eras and that bodes very well. They were a good pressing side a couple of years too.

Barnes would be a very good signing for our squad, like. If we go for him and Chiesa then you'd think some would have to make way...

The rest of the article is pretty good as well. No idea why they let that shite through.

Feels like we're on a fucking loop every transfer window under the new ownership