Gallowgate Toon

Played well but I'm not sure he's 100%, his running style seemed a bit awkward at times and he seemed reluctant to open up?

Some absolutely superb movement from him in that cameo.

Played some magical passes (couple of easier ones he just missed) but this was a tough holding fort game for him. They do have some terrific midfielders and could easily rotate in-game.

That was a really tough game for the midfield considering they knew they'd play the full game while Wolves rotated (good) options. Think that's why we sat off a bit to manage legs where we could.

Sensational for about 40 mins and then gassed out a bit. Has so much to his game.

Filled in for Joelinton so well. Energy for days.

Whether he should've started or not is very much up for debate, but the removal as him as a bench option is a blow, like.

Judging by the stats, it looks like Chelsea have been a bit lucky.

We had a very congested fixture list for a while so we might've tried to preserve legs and reduce the press. Does feel like we had the ball a lot in games against the likes of Fulham & Palace too so less natural opportunities to chase.

Can't remember the rules on clip posting from unofficial sources but there's a great little comp on Twitter of his link-up with Odegaard. One touch dreaminess.

Doesn't make sense unless he's picked up another niggle or he feels he's not fit enough for the pressing game. He said after Bournemouth that Isak came through the 90 minutes no problem.

Some really nice stuff in there. Seems like we've been leaving ASM higher and wider to help with isolation on the switch where possible. He's had plenty of touches in games he's started recently but it's not really amounted to much; personally, I just feel like he tries to cut inside to work a shot way too often even when the obvious space is on the outside. I want Targett back in the team but didn't think it was a game changer - on this evidence, having him against 'weaker' sides is a biggie to meet our general gameplan as he has a decent early cross on him. I like the bit about overloads which then give us a natural presence in the box after the switch. Feels like if we had a wide forward on the right side who can attack crosses in the box then that'd be a help.

Watched the Arsenal 21/22 highlights back. Feel like shit, miss him so much.

Eddie's brexit mags.

The stubborn accusation is a bit early imo but there are a couple of recent signs. There've been a few niggly injuries between Bruno, Isak, Wilson, Willock, and then suspensions, over the last couple of months which has limited options and stopped us being able to build momentum trying new things. ASM has actually had a decent run of starts over the last month so it hasn't been same old. The last 2 games there have definitely been some poor/safe choices but it does feel like there's a clearer run for the squad going into the business end and he pretty clearly said in his post-match presser that he feels like he has options to tactically rotate now (midfield aside while Jo's out). I actually think we have some really interesting options to play going forward that can be tweaked nicely in-game as well. Not prolific but quick, decently technical players who can play a couple of different ways and happily swap into other positions. I have a feeling he's trying to mould Gordon into his next Fraser but with more physicality.

Hickey feels like a very Howe player.

I like Brentford but thought they were pretty shit tonight outside the first 5 minutes. They'll fall back a bit, especially once Toney gets banned.

Think we're decently likely to see Almiron-Isak-Gordon start against Wolves. I just can't see Howe moving away from 4-3-3 as it's such a balanced shape for us. I think he'd rather try different personnel as a starting point and change formation in-game if needed. Personally, I'd give Almiron a rest.

As much as Wilson has been doing my head in recently, I do think we should try and keep him in the team and try Isak in & around him for the next couple of games. They're the 2 goalscorers we have in the squad who display natural movement in & around the box and can free up space for one another. I actually think we get really good numbers forward but have few players who make proper runs when we're in the final third. Whether Isak plays as a wide forward or #10, either are decent options & changeable in-game depending on how things are going.

Well deserved. For me, he's undoubtedly our most important & best player - someone we can't replace, who regularly does the work of 2 midfielders, and holds a lot of what we do going forward & back even on off days.

Wouldn't drop Tripps. They'll likely sit deep on us so having quality on the ball from defensive areas could be important. After City, Howe talked about having options to rotate tactically now but I'd be surprised if he started Maxi. I feel like it's one of those games he's that not suited to starting - capable of the unpredictable, yes, but prone to losing the ball against teams that sit back, double on him, and hit the break. I think it'll be 4-3-3 to start with a front 3 between Wilson/Isak/Gordon/Almiron.

Hoping he might take some inspiration from Klopp about how to get goalscorers on the pitch together. Nunez as a fluid wide forward has been very effective recently.

MOTD lot were praising him. I wouldn't go that far but watching back he played a part in our good moments in the first half. Really impressive acceleration for the mishit opening, like. He's shown a nice first touch in short time here too.

Tbh, our lot should take some heart from Liverpool's performance and general uptick. They looked hopeless about 5 weeks ago and were on their own barren run in front of goal.

Kinda surprising that football fans who've watched football presumably for many years make such definitive statements. There's a long, long way to go yet. NUFC Twitter is going to be tragic this week.