Gallowgate Toon

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.

Exciting. Spoke to an ex-player about Ashworth. Says he has a proper ruthless streak in him/can be a twat, but he's really, really good at what he does.

Have they been playing a back 3 all season? I look at the side they had out on the weekend and I feel a bit more confident. I don't think he'll start Alli or VdB due to lack of gametime but they'll make an appearance, I'm sure. I'd like to think that we can win the midfield battle, tbh.

What a finish.

Forest's right hand side looking very handy.

I only occasionally watch L1 games but it seems much more tactical. You get more time on the ball to make decisions but teams are more disciplined, on the whole, so the space to pass into is less.

You'd like to think in a league that's a bit more open than Ligue 1 that he'll have more space to play those through passes into.