alexf

It's inevitable. A bit like Isak in someways. Not saying he will kick up a fuss like Isak did this year and we could get another season after this one but I think he gave us a bonus year for sticking by him through the gambling shit. Whether that bonus year is this one or next I don't know but if we don't get champions league again next year then the vultures will be circling and, unlike Isak, I can see alot more clubs than just one coming for him

Isn't Endrick a massive flop? I've only seen snippets of him at Real but sometimes he barely looked like a footballer and seems abit or an odd character aswell. Must have something about him to get the move in the first place. Also, separately, any rumours of any big names like Camavinga or whatever coming in to midfield, in my opinion has to be coupled with the likely scenario that Tonali will be off for a big move elsewhere next summer.

Some good runs forward and more importantly some good passes into him by Gordon. Need them to build an understanding and lock down that left side together for the foreseeable.

Still seen nothing to change my original opinion that he is a fairly average player but with explosive pace. He'll score the odd goal or get an assist here and there but it's going to take some impressive Howe magic to make him a game changer or even to become an improvement on Murphy. I feel at the moment like we got the worst of the £50m+ right wingers that all moved this summer but time will tell I suppose. Was expecting to see more from him against lower League opposition last night than we did.

Yeah clearly our two form defenders at the minute are Burn and Botman. Just a shame they are both lefties. But great to see Sven coming through two games back to back with no problems.

Found it odd we played Joelinton for the full 90 last night and kept Willock on the bench. Surely Willock isn't starting against Arsenal instead of big Joe? Or does it mean we are likely going back 5 again.

Yeah there was a tinge of disappointment last night thinking he really needs more game time to help that development and iron out any of the little mistakes. It's just a shame that he won't get that here due to the importance of the games we mostly have and unfortunately our squad depth is too low to let him go out on loan.

Can finally have a well earned rest for the cup game you would hope.

Haaland has pretty easily shut up the "who's the leagues best striker?" debate which was inevitable once Isak was at Liverpool. Been back to his freakish best so far this season. Quite a sight when he powers through like that.

Interesting that Tonali never gets a rest despite covering the most distance in the league. Shows how much he is now seen as our most important player aswell as probably our fittest.

would have prefered to give Burn a rest and gone with one more attacker like Elanga but I can understand the thinking. Keep it tight stop their strength down the sides and then bring on pace towards the end. Having said that, we tried it at Leeds and it didn't work. Maybe having Nick upfront instead of Osula might make the difference but I think we will really struggle going forward atleast first half.

Would like to see a fresh lineup today, especially as it always feels like we play shit there anyway so may as well give some a chance who aren't knackered. Likes of Hall, Botman, Thiaw, possibly Willock or Miley.

Garnacho's time to shine

Farcical as usual to the benefit of Israel FC.

Yeah said to the Mrs. When the ref was asking him to step off the pitch he looked like he didn't know where he was. That was evidence enough to me that he needed to be off immediately. The goal could have happened anyways but it was possible that his bizarre decision to leave Rashford unmarked on the penalty spot was related. But the goal is irrelevant. The wellbeing of your players should take priority.

Needed to score early for our tactics to work. The longer it dragged on the less threatening we looked and inevitably if they got the lead they were always going to keep the ball and suck the life out of us. Real shame Wissa was injured as we missed a striker first half and game probably would have suited him more than Wolte anyways. Also Having Ramsey as he alternative to Joelinton would have been handy. Tonali looked like he belonged but Bruno and Big Joe unfortunately looked a level below tonight. Still though, that's our hardest home game and theoretically the rest of them should be "easier".

Just not his sort of game. He lacks the technical ability to compete against their level. Also can't pick a pass that we need to release the forwards. Bruno was the same unfortunately. Both looked a level below tonight. Tonali I thought was the only one that didn't look out of place.

Jesus Atletico look atrocious. Feared for them when I saw Alvarez missing etc. but they just sat in deep immediately and given up two goals already

Superb cross. Said before the game I thought he'd start for this reason. Think he has that knack of picking out strikers really well as he showed last year. More than our other wingers. For certain games and obviously as we get more used to Woltemade and getting runners in behind, then obvious Elanga and Gordon will hopefully become more productive. But for now it's hard to deny that Murphy isn't our best assister in the squad currently.

I'd love to see Yamal playing at st.james'. That's kind of what the champions league should all be about and why it's exciting to be in it. However for the sake of our best chance of getting something from the game, it's better that he doesn't play.

Felt it last season even with Isak that he was becoming our most important player. Pretty comfortable now Isak is gone that he's our best player. Said the same in the Bruno thread though. We need to find a way to get him some rest occasionally this season or we're gonna burn him out.

Surprised they didn't look to give Tino or Tripps some rest ahead of Thursday.

Needs a goal.

Was clearly tired today. Was alright first half but felt like he gave the ball the way ever single time he had it 2nd. We are going to need to find a way to win whilst resting Bruno and Tonali at various points this season else they are both going to end up fucked saying every minute every game.

Means more of Gordon down the middle at times which isn't ideal. Osula added nothing today and don't know if it was a coincidence with Joelinton also going off but we lost all control of the game after.