Gallowgate Toon

I'm glad this is over, like. The window is way too long.

He shares some attributes with Wilson but they seem to have vastly different styles - I think they'll ultimately be able to play together from an attacking perspective. Wilson is like a traditional hybrid striker/CF. Often sticks to the central spaces of the pitch to find gaps to get in behind, he likes getting into battles with centre halves, and is adept at linking up but really only to progress play for attacks quickly. Isak seems to be a player who roams for space and likes to get the ball in front of defence as much as trying to get in behind to help build. If we think less about Isak playing RW and him being able to buzz around & off Wilson, typically in central and right areas, then I think that could work. If the midfield stays as it is, I think this will naturally push Willock out wider as well, similar to how Joelinton often overlaps Maxi and he moves in. Howe also might go for some sort of 4-4-fucking-2 hybrid as well but can't see that happening as having a midfield 3 is pretty imperative to our defensive structure.

Maddison and, depending on how Watford's campaign is going, JP. Got a feeling Leicester are going to replace Rodgers with an absolute div and JMadz will be hating life by the turn of the year.

8. One more addition of quality would've made it 10, a stop gap loan a 9. It's been fucking great, though. Botman and Isak now play for us, man. Some of the brightest talents in Europe FFS.

Window opens back up again in 13 matches.

I think Pope might be the signing of the summer, btw he's absolutely fucking quality for the price we got him for.

The squad is always going to need more players or have higher priorities. It's going to be incredibly rare we ever go into a window without needing something else. I also think we'll look to keep building incrementally in January too so this isn't really our lot for the season per se. If we can keep Bruno, ASM, Wilson & Maxi fit for a good chunk between now and the WC then I think we'll be in a very good position to keep momentum during Jan.

There's actual video evidence he's very quick but he doesn't seem the type to bomb around at full pelt all the time.

Moura's really versatile, is solid in general play, works hard, and does have generally decent output. Averaged a goal or assist every 2.5 games for Spurs. Would be a fantastic option for the squad.

Seems to be quite a mixed perception of what we 'need' in relation to what our aims are this season. Personally, I think our squad is strong enough to finish top 10 and have a good run in the cups this year which would be a good transition season for us. It's also harder for us to bring new blood in when we can't shift some of the deadwood. This will be a challenge for another year or so, imo.

It feels like he's got a lot worse. He's never been great, obviously, but he'd show these flashes of ability or pace that made you think he might have *something*. This year, though, it's like he's barely able to pass a ball or do the most basic of things.

What a debut. The best thing about him is that he should be extremely effective playing a number of ways. Palace will be a different match for him with more of the space locked down but I think he has the technique on the ball to keep possession moving in the final third as well as the ability to create his own room. Really looking forward to seeing him play in person.

I like him and think he has the ability to nab quite a few goals over a season against weaker opposition. Ideally, though, we have J Madz in that slot with Little Joe coming off the bench

If it's Lascelles & Burn then we're going to be sitting deeper.

Wouldn't be shocked to see Howe go for the unpredictable factor and go 4-4-2 with a devilish Isak-Wood combo.

We don't really play with wingers so I expect we'll put Isak on the right when everyone is fit, until the next window. Considering how we typically use Trippier for width on the right, and a combination of Targett and Joelinton to stretch the pitch on the left; there'll likely be a lot of license for positional rotation between the front 3. We've seen this in patches anyway between Maxi and Almiron making runs across the pitch to help build attacks towards the opposite flank. With Isak, I reckon we'd see Wilson rotating in & our of central spots as well.

Saw a thread on Twitter which highlighted that the team shape has been more like a 343 in possession the last few games with Burn dropping in but back to a 433/451 out of possession.

Howe is definitely just trying to keep expectations in check, just in case nothing comes off. In fact, I think a lot of the comms and 'leaked' info this summer has been for that exact reason. I don't think the budget murmurs have been anything to do with perception to other clubs - that's something that'd be handled within club and agent circles as elite sport isn't very big.

Didn't Paqueta have a poor second half of the season? If you combine that with the scrutiny over his time at Milan, you can see why there might be some reluctance by bigger teams to take the risk.

Parker's gone.

The players who started yesterday won't have properly trained today, surely? It'll have been recovery, some light work, and probs a tactical review session.

Lovely interplay to win that free kick. Looks a good footballer.

Stats aren't everything blah blah blah but imagine saying a year ago that a midfield containing Longstaff and Joelinton would clearly contribute to outpossession-ing Neves & Moutinho? This man's a freak, tbh.

I think he'll start Isak. Wood has had a lot of minutes over the last week and I generally get the impression that Howe is more wary about dropping players in who have more defensive responsibility due to the pace change of the league. Of course, our forwards have pressing duties but that shouldn't be too hard to give basics on for Wednesday.

Just watched it. Thought it was a solid performance, tbh, considering we were missing 2 of our best players. Our play in 2/3s of the pitch was generally great - lovely structure and some nice patterns of possession. A few good interchanges in the final third too but we're not great at breaking down sides who are sat deep as it is. What a moment from Maxi. Solid point against some good players (but seemingly not a good team). I was surprised at how passive their midfield was.