Don’t ever worry about pulling me up on anything I’m always there to be shot at As long as it’s reasoned which you have been.
I’m going to stick to my guns on the two high crosses as I feel the pace and trajectory IMO are only ever half chances which is what i feel is maybe really differ on. Maybe I’m too generous to forwards but a goal scoring chance and good goal scoring chance to me are very different.
Elanga has fluffed the only good goal scoring chance we’ve created in two games that I recall. Everything else has been half chances (Gordon’s two headers and his tame shot at Villa from edge of box) along with other scrambles or contested balls (Bruno’s and Osula’s goals). In short stick Isak in the same spot and we are no better off in my eyes. Of course you go further and say different movement or positioning etc but the meat and potatoes of my argument still stands. Whereas Liverpool created 4 clear chances (and nothing else, not even half chances or contested chances) and scored 3 and Pope pushed Wirtz’s shot away fairly comfortably. That’s why I’d like to see a creative attacking midfielder in the team. Maybe Ramsey is they guy once he’s settled in but I’d certainly snap your hands off for another this season.
I hate PSR as much as anyone but the reality is unless we change course then we risk having windows pass us by where we remain inactive I feel until we are in a new stadium. Fee’s and players are being controlled by a select amount of clubs all with their PSR headroom and all these extra clauses that I don’t think should be allowed. There is definitely a concerted effort to keep us in our place with the help of the media. Don’t even think it’s just coincidence.
As for JSL (it is his thread after all!) I might be guilty of judging him when I’ve seen him as not very easy on the eye and I’ve always had a preference when it comes to strikers in teams that create little to have someone quick and reactive (Defoe or even Wilson in their younger days obviously!) than someone from a very small few times I’ve seen him seems steady at everything. Like I say I trust in Howe & Co always but I’d argue because in the previous windows that’s been on his first choices. This is far from it and that is when I worry a bit more because the huge fee doesn’t reflect that and is more than what Chelsea ended up paying for Pedro! A very shallow think back to Bournemouth days and just thinking of that period at the end when they got a bit desperate to replace players (under different circumstances admittedly) you’d have to admit there were a couple of big swing and misses.
Anyway… sounds like £60m gets this done (if Ryder’s tweet is correct!). He’s 3yrs younger than Wissa. No AFCON so extra availability. Scandinavian which should mean he settles comfortably in the North East. Looks better in the air than Wissa and character wise looking through the current lens a much better fit. I’m getting on board with it and taking positives that those who have seen him are convinced he’ll suite our style of play can only be another positive. that and your scouting!
