Gallowgate Toon

Feels like it'll be a 4-2-3-1 with Willock back in playing as an AM. Looking forward to seeing more of Bruno.

Definitely a tough role for him today. Playing in a midfield 2 against a ball-dominant side is a tough shift.

The whole thing is very 'pick me' behaviour, tbh, constantly cycled between a collection of the same journalists. Their followers absolutely lap it up, of course, which feels like pretty much the point of the whole exercise for the journos. That isn't to say the points they make have no validity. The way they make it is a much, much bigger problem for me. In fact, the biggest issue is actually how they respond to people with a nuanced view, imo - you have to meet their expectation completely or you're effectively a twat in their eyes.

He was a futsal player, aye? Got that customary 'roll the foot over the ball' thing going on. It's class to watch.

Styling out wins with a right hand side of Krafth & Murphy against a team who haven't lost at home since September (or something daft). Really looking forward to him having a proper pre-season with the squad.

Brilliant.

Runs about like a spartan. Great header. Chuffed for him, like. Some important bits of play in the last couple of games

All things considered, that's a very decent debut. Some really nice passes & touches. Some not so good bits but it's easy to forget he's not really played much at all for a decent chunk of time now. He'll be absolutely class, once he's up to the pace.

3 points here would be disgustingly good, like.

Absolutely outrageous, man.

Oh my god

Our defensive shape is so good, at the minute. Feels like the first time Howe willingly made us sit back in a match, banking on our organisation. It largely worked but it felt frustrating

Totally professional. Amazing stuff, man.

Our own manager seems pretty happy with his contribution to the cause so far. That'll de for me. He'll go on a streak at some point. Feels like the team is now trying to get into an attacking rhythm since our shape has settled.

Great point on the road.

A draw here would be genuinely excellent to keep momentum.

I don't think this is the game for Joe in the middle, they're sitting back and that requires better technique in tight spots. Get him wide and Bruno on.

That slide tackle stuff is pretty pretentious, imo. Nesta was an absolute master of a well-timed slide and he's one of the best defenders I've ever seen.

I'm at the point of a Bruno-Joelinton double with Willock as a 10 (who drops back in when out of possession). I also thought Bruno looked pretty quick against Everton when he was catching up to ASM & getting in the box after the through ball. He's not going to be an athletic powerhouse or anything but enough to be able to handle the league and let his strengths come through.

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.