ExiledGeordie

I think we have to. Irrespective of Bruno’s injury it’s quite easy for others to pick up injuries around this time too. We’re just too thin on the ground and another key injury on top of Bruno could derail us completely.

Treated loads, mentioned it above 4-6 weeks usually, people sometimes escape with 2-3 weeks. Can be over 6 if serious/more complex. I’ve had plenty from fell running but I’m not an elite athlete ?

Trippier had a fracture this looks more ligament based given the mechanism of injury. A severe inversion sprain can sometimes include a small fracture where a small part of bone is also pulled away but not often. The thing with ankle injuries they can look very severe initially but people recover quite quickly, it really depends on the grade of I run to the ligaments. I’ve treated plenty in clinic where people recover quickly (not elite level sport though) but some can linger for a while. At a rough guess he’ll be out minimum two weeks (best case scenario) more likely 4-6.

Totally, Spurs look pants and we can cement our place in the top four with a signing or two but Bruno’s injury and possible absence makes it much more important now.

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Would consider starting Isak and starting Wilson in the cup away or vice versa

Midfielder signing essential now if Bruno out for some time

Yep I reckon 3-4 weeks min.

(Physio head on) Looks like ankle ligaments to some degree but let’s hope it’s not too serious. The fact he was able to try and run it off for a bit is a positive sign as opposed to being helped off straight away. Fingers crossed let’s just wait until they re-assess.

Howe will have them prepared.

Liverpool continue to implode as do Chelsea, we can match Man U and we’re better than Spurs. Just wonder whether this helps push through a couple of deals this window to make us stronger and try and cement a top four push.

Maybe I’m feeling a bit more nerves but not as confident now ha. I think it'll be a tough game. I’m intrigued to see what Fulham do tactics wise. Feel ASM and Isak maybe needed to open them up but hopefully Wilson also has his zip back.

Agreed. If you’re to finish top four and in the context of the other fixtures this weekend you kind of have to win this one.

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I don’t think it’s necessarily “break up”. Schar has been quality but is 31. I don’t think it’s unreasonable that next season we’ll look to bring in a young right sided CB who is as good as or better than him to challenge for that position. That gives us depth which we’ll need particularly if we’re in Europe. We aren’t going to be able to play the same 11 week in week out next week and we’ll always plan for the future.

Fwiw I think next season we could see 4 new potential starters - left back, right CB, winger and midfielder.

Haha no worries mate, I think we were/are essentially saying the same thing in agreement ?

I agree with that, I think someone will come in in the summer too which I’ve stated somewhere else possibly this thread. Schar and Burn will become the 3rd and 4th choice CBs I reckon.

If you actually read what else I’ve said I said I didn’t think Lascelles will go unless there’s an appropriate replacement. I don’t think leadership comes into it, we’ve got plenty of those. If they want Neves and selling Lascelles enables that that’s all I mean. I think he’ll go in the summer.

Unless there’s an obvious replacement for Lascelles he’s not going anywhere this January. I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t go in the summer though, perfect time to leave. He’s not going to get any game time and we’ll almost certainly bring in a young right sided CB to challenge Schar.

Yeah leadership isn’t the issue it’s a replacement. I’d imagine they might look at or have a loan option lined up if this went ahead.

Yeah two very solid signings for sure. Squad would immediately go up a notch.

When does his contract run out? They may decide to cut their losses in Jan if it means getting more money now.

Trossard out of favour at Brighton, I wonder if we’ll test the water there this month?

If we play as well as we can with the crowd up for it then I think we’ll win. Wilson will be gradually getting back to his old self after illness as he’s lacked a bit of of an edge recently even if his hold up play has been great. With more training Isak will be chomping at the bit whether he starts or comes on (probably the latter) and ASM is due a performance too. I hope Howe doesn’t start Murphy but for some reason I feel he may play it safe 1st half with Joelinton probably on the bench. Our defence has what’s needed to take care of Mitro I think especially Botman. That said they’re a good side and crucially they’re playing with bags of confidence. There’ll be a few fans who might mistakenly think this will be an easy walkover. Have a feeling Isak may announce his return this weekend.