ExiledGeordie

His ability to shut down even the best attackers is phenomenal and it’s no wonder someone like City is interested. BrownBottle summed our situation up pretty well regarding our top players though. We will be at the mercy of top players leaving if we don’t get CL and related to higher wages. I do think with Wilson in position there’s a chance with the right signings that the team and particularly first 11 goes up another notch after next summer which might be enough to keep them around for a bit longer yet.

I’m the same mate, glad he fucked off

His ability to move the ball around the pitch comfortably was real noticeable yesterday, classy in the ball with first rate passing.

Agreed. It could be a bizarre situation where he looks to move back to us but we can’t afford the asking price or we had to sell to buy (Joelinton etc)

He’ll probably end up at Man U on a massive contract though you’d think he’d love to come back. Agree though I think we’re priced out now which is a shame because there’s a “chance” Tonali might go next summer if we don’t get champions league. If Miley fully grasps his chance then we at least we’ll have one local lad in the midfield but it would’ve been great to have two.

Clearly just a good bloke (Thiaw too), what a breath of fresh air after the rat

Better, hope his confidence improves from here

Looks like Woodgate before he got injured

Looks like a Carrick type player, controls the game so well

His composure in the ball and range of passing really helps

Great spirit from Sunderland but that was an epic collapse from Bournemouth

I think Ramsdale will be in at some point and we’ll move Pope on at the end of the season and go for a new number 1.

He’s never been a striker, never will be. I get why he played him tonight though.

Woltemade has played almost every match and we can’t risk burnt out or injury with him as we’d be royally screwed. Osula is out injured and Wissa hasn’t kicked a ball yet. What other options did he have?

Getting Wissa playing would certainly be a massive shot in the arm for him

Fullback cover particularly left back has to be a priority. Some kind of forward “if” Wissa is out even longer than planned.

That’s probably how I see it, age will catch up with Burn (as brilliant as he has been)

The worrying thing is he just looks completely and utterly off it like his head has gone, confidence gone or some underlying issue.

Been a terrible signing so far and appears a complete waste of money in a position we desperately needed to strengthen. I suppose if you compare Elanga with a Semenyo type player who will impact the game in every phase and score goals, that’s what we needed. It’ll be interesting to see how Howe manages this and hopefully turns it around because right now it only looks like him eventually being offloaded. That miss v Villa on the opening day almost feels critical now.

Outrageous player

Causing problems but have to take your chances lads

That would be an excellent signing, kind of just what we need

Yeah he’s clearly a finisher isn’t he, we just need to get the bloody ball to him, end of.

Yeah he’s dropping deep to get the ball and lay it off but then doesn’t have the pace to get back into the box after that. Howe will obviously have to tweak things tactically in terms of his position and what the wingers do to sort this. He’s still going to have to start games when Wissa comes back so this needs sorting.

Ah I see, so finances are essentially being unlocked with a slap on the wrist fine