alexf

My head is still saying he is gone. But in my heart there is still a flicker after seeing we have Barca up first in the CL and just wishing we had Isak back playing and visions of us going toe to toe with them as actual equals having Isak as the 9 and Woltemade tucked in behind. I know it's fantasy and he doesn't deserve to ever wear the shirt again. But we are an Isak apology and reintegration away from having an amazing team this year. Without him our short team ceiling is lower but perhaps long term it's for the best.

had a look through the training pics and can't see Barnes or Elanga in any of them. But yeah hope it's bullshit.

So in one game we lost 4 starters although 2 of which we didn't know about (Elanga and Barnes) and the 2 we thought were out (Tonali and Schar) are actually back in. Fuck me am I back in 23/24? Please lets not be cursed with injuries again.

Should just do media and be a pundit. He's been finished in management for years. Can see him doing the dead pan negative Roy Keane thing as a pundit.

What are people's thoughts on Xavi Simons? Will he be like Coutinho was in the prem or will he struggle with the "pace and physicality of the premier league" as people often say. Think spurs are like us. Have been gazumped a couple of times for the odd player but quietly have picked up alot of really decent players. Probably most worried about them of all our "rivals" overtaking us potentially.

And no club would it effect less than Man U made a loss on pretty much everyone they have signed last few years no?

Love Camavinga. Although haven't seen much of him the last year but last few times I saw him he seemed to have regressed a little? Hadn't quite kicked on and become a starter? Still sounds like one of those ridiculous links but maybe not as far fetched as first appears if he's desperate to play more. However he's more of a 6 isn't he? But we ain't dropping Tonali and if he was to play as an 8 then what was the point of signing Ramsey? I've just talked myself into why the link is completely made up haven't I?

To be fair I think he does have a genuine injury. Was mentioned when he came off in their last league game. Was probably why he only came off the bench in the cup game. Just ask Joe Willock what a sore Achilles is like.

More than fair I think. He's not proven yet and leaves room for performance based increase in the future like Bruno and Gordon had.

Yeah caught that. Think the insta statement with his blatant lies from Isak is possibly what tipped Eddie over the edge and has washed his hands of him since.

He won't want to make more changes than those that are forced by injury/suspension. Especially as the performances have been decent. Will be Ramsey in for Joelinton and Osula in for Gordon. Plus he mentioned Hall still needs some sharpness and sounds like he expects him to be ready to start games after internationals. And as others said, Trippier done nothing to deserve being dropped. Although Gnonto will be a handful.

Actually think it's quite smart. Doesn't need any extra pressure than he will already have and the 9 shirt can be an extra weight. Just look at what it did to the last big money striker signing from Germany who's best position was rumoured to be not necessarily in the 9 position.

Isn't this lad like in his mid 20's by now?

Well on paper yeah but the reality is Isak is refusing to play, and even if he does play he won't be anywhere near the levels he should be.

Judging by the comments we won't see Hall or Botman starting any games until atleast after the internationals.

Not really. The potential injuries just shone a light on the fact we are still abit light in midfield options. Id say if we can afford it we still could do with a other option. Obviously a 2nd striker is still priority though.

Yeah seems a bit of a area for improvement. He got abit of Crouchy about him but hopefully will be considerably better. No offence to the old lanky bean. Also looks a hell of a lot like Gordon with his long hair look this season. Will be funny watching them line up together. Like having his own mini me.

We do need more goals from midfield. Sean used to get a few a few season back but we have been overly reliant on Isak for awhile. Even last year we were an Isak injury away from struggling for goals. So if we did bring another midfielder in, I was hoping they would be more likely to chip with with goals than the current three starters do. Edit* spreading goals around takes the pressure off big Wolte aswell why he develops over the next few years.

Very valid point. There's nothing more disloyal than refusing to play for your team and leaving them striker-less against the team you have done everything you can to try and join. Should be a condition of any sale that he has to forgoe that "loyalty bonus"

Never been more clear from Eddie's press conference that Isak is dead to Eddie now and he's moved on from him. .....in Eddie's classic don't give too much away style ofcourse.

He's better than Gallagher in my opinion, who alot on here wanted us to sign this summer.

Other than the "playing in the premier League" element. If we found it hard to attract certain players this summer then certainly Brentford should trying to take a play from a CL club like Dortmund.

How can you be the same size as Dan Burn and be so much quicker and elegant with the ball. Defies physics.