Gallowgate Toon

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.

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.