Gallowgate Toon

Willock was great today, imo. Bruno will get his chance soon. Scuppered today by the injuries.

He did what he's done in every game so far. Some good, some not good. His work off the ball is excellent though. Seems to be able to keep pressing late in games to good effect and takes up good positions.

Bruno in for Willock to stamp some authority in midfield. Little Joe to come on and do his thing when space opens up in the second half.

They're a dangerous side who are better structured than Leeds/Villa but still have their weak points. It'll be a good test for us and I'd be content with a point, tbh. Their midfield is dynamic and I'd start Bruno to help get a hold of the game. He could easily start in place of Shelvey but I just feel he's got too much quality on the ball to play a restricted role, plus I'd want him winning the ball higher up the pitch. The possession battle will be interesting. 2 sides that prefer to play on the counter.

I keep on watching Trippier's free kick back and laughing. It's just a ridiculous bit of quality.

I think Villa play 4-3-3? Will be interesting to go toe-to-toe. I feel like Everton's shape suited us yesterday, as well as them having a fairly soft midfield. I'd start Bruno. Shelvey will be knackered after that and needs at least a week to recover.

It's a tricky one. I think Howe sees Bruno as someone who is going to help lock teams down in their half, hustling and pressing opponents higher up allowing us to keep momentum, but it definitely feels like the biggest impact he can make on the current midfield is as the DM. That said, we could go to a more fluid 3 with Big Joe & Bruno rotating roles. Feels like Joelinton goes through an unsustainable amount of work in a game, like.

Yeah, I don't agree on the hold up stuff - he's very patchy at it. I do think his build up play is decent though; he keeps the ball moving and looks to get in the box.

I kinda want Bruno to play as an 8. Just got a feeling he's going to be great in this league playing a bit higher up the pitch.

The place is alive again. It's so good to be part of. If we stay up, the next year or two should be the most exciting times of the lot. The hope and tension in building towards something big etc.

His decision-making last night was so much better. If he can consistently add that to his game then he's going to be a real star and not just a very talented maverick. I do think it made a difference that he received the ball in much better areas, as there's now a genuine structure to the team. That's something that should improve as Howe moves towards his preferred style and new players bed in.

Where did this personality come from? Feel like he was barely noticeable before. That's genuinely a fantastic, authentic interview.

I really love his game when he plays like he did in the second half. He's so dynamic and has real assets.

I think some of his flick ons would be pretty decent if others tried to anticipate the space behind a little better. He was an easy out for us today and with the way the midfield set up we could win second balls or look to press them in their half (which worked as they were shit scared of this) if there was a turnover. His game may improve once Bruno is integrated as we should be set higher up the pitch with less emphasis on him doing lots of grunt work. He'll get better for us but he's definitely not the answer or a world beater.

Seems he's creating a really good culture around the club. Top stuff to hear.

Good reader of the game but also really comfortable on the ball. Makes such a difference.

He'll rightly get shit for that shite header but he put in good off the ball work today and had some tidy hold up on a couple of occasions. Kinda wish ASM had squared it at the end for Wood to (hopefully) smash in. He needs some confidence and we need him to have it.

So chuffed for him. He's instilling great fundamentals in the side.

He is absolutely fucking outrageous. I love him. Proper rolls royce.

I don't agree with the decision not to start him at all, but the logic must be about squad morale. The team won its last game and played pretty well etc. He's missed a trick, imo.

Very disappointing.

Meh. Leeds had their tails up before they played us and we did well there. Everton will give us chances and that suits us better. Chance creation against deeper sitting teams is where we're really weak. I'd normally be worried about their threats from out wide but I'm pretty confident in Trippier & Targett will handle their forwards. Digne & Coleman are much bigger worries if we don't cover their runs but I don't think Everton have anyone to consistently aim crosses at while DCL is out. If we can pack the box and minimise getting caught on the turn then I reckon we can shut them out to decent effect. If it's Allan & Gomes starting in midfield then I really feel we can get the better of them. They have some quality but I fancy Big Joe & Bruno to be able to make it physical & come out on top.

Wouldn't read too much into Howe's comments, tbh. He made it sound like Dummett wouldn't start vs. Watford but he did. Hopefully, it's just a ploy to keep Everton guessing as we have the advantage of unpredictability.

Midfield really need to step up on the scoring front. Wood will bag a few, I'm sure, but we've got players capable of finding the back of the net a couple/few times each between now & the end of the season.

Fuck it, let's get Costa in.