ExiledGeordie

I agree on Isak as he can play anywhere across the front 3. Saint-Max really does seem to lack durability, maybe it’s the way he plays with reliance on speed but his hamstrings are often going. I can see us signing another wing option who can challenge/play in his place next season.

Bugger

Assuming we add say one attacker in Jan, come the summer we’ll really be beefing up the squad and potency. I’d imagine a solid number 2 keeper, another left back (maybe more attacking in nature) to compete with Targett, sitting/defensive midfielder, a young forward (Wood will probably go), a new starting right sided CB

As well as Willock has been playing i think beefing up the midfield with Joelinton while allowing Bruno to move forwards means keeping Longstaff in that sitting role. Probs bring Targett in at left back too. I think Murphy will start, ASM will get 30 mins.

I think we’re probably safe next season at least. He’s young enough to not have to worry about the “big move” just yet and he seems to be genuinely happy here right now. What’s more there’s a project and progression which he can see and we obviously have no desire to sell unlike years gone by. Next summer we’ll see major recruitment again and we may well be in Europe. I can see why they didn’t sign Paqueta with the way Bruno is playing.

Maddison would be an excellent signing. Not quite sure where exactly he’d play but nevertheless absolute quality. I still think they’ll be looking for another wide forward goal option in the Diaby mould (Bayer Leverkausen are really struggling this season, or were). I have a player like Maddison playing with Bruno too, blimey.

Wins everything in the air, reads the game well, great first time passing, rolls Royce of a player

Yeah if he’s on the bench I think he’ll get 20-25 mins second half.

?

Lascelles? Agree on the others

Yes this is why I think he might keep Longstaff in. We’ve struggled to break teams down at home.

Unbelievable how this knacker keeps getting work

Yes I’d be amazed if they let him go in Jan. if they’re still looking in dire straights I’d imagine he’d want to stay to help them before leaving next summer too.

Just having Wilson playing on Saturday I’m confident of beating Brentford

Great news. Even if his minutes decrease in coming seasons he’ll still be huge for the team and dressing room. I hope he stays fit and gets a solid run in the team over the next couple months. Be great seeing us play Man U, Spurs etc with a proper first 11.

1-2 attacking signings in Jan and we could really kick in second half of the season. Maddison and a winger ?

I think we’ll be well up for Brentford, the crowd and players after the flatness of Bournemouth. If we can get ASM back in the squad, even on the bench we’ll be getting back to close to our strongest team. I’d imagine Joelinton will start. Maybe even Isak makes it back. ?

Well said. Isak can play anywhere across a front 3 and might benefit from getting the chance to run at people more. He doesn’t need to operate as an out and out winger though. I think Howe will play him as part of a 3 with Wilson central (god forbid Almiron on the right again Christ)

Yeah I think a younger right footed CB will come in next summer. Agree with the others

I had some bloke next to me v Palace who stated Botman, Isak were both shite and a waste of money? God only knows what we would’ve been like yesterday……unbearable

Yeah I get the feeling he’ll be better picking the ball up and running at people as he’s good with his feet. Move him right of a 3 when Wilson is back.

We clearly tried but it’s a real shame we weren’t able to upgrade RW in the summer as we’re crying out for that to be sorted. Moving Isak there when Wilson is back seems like the best option in the short term at least because he can play anywhere across a front 3. Miggy won’t score, doesn’t cross the ball and annoyingly yesterday wasn’t taking people on = what’s the point?

I think the break helps us to reset things and refocus. We need to get Wilson back fit and I’d hope for something like Isak, Wilson and Anderson v Fulham if ASM is out (he’ll probs still go with Miggy however)

All solid points and I think this was always going to be a transitional season. With everyone fit we’ll give anyone a game but injuries continue to highlight our lack of depth and the hangover from Ashley. I also think Howe has used these first two windows to really focus on solidifying the defence and the next two windows will be used to fully address the attacking 3rd (new right winger, attacking midfielder etc)

Get him in the side, offers something different and far more than Fraser and Almiron.