Smal

Maybe. I think we need to see a bit more of him to see if he’s safe enough to play there in the PL. Tbf, am I right in thinking when Bruno first came into the side we had Shelvey as the DM and Bruno as an 8?

I genuinely think that would be his best position tbh, but it’s just not something that seems to exist in football and modern systems anymore. With Bruno I think it could work though because he’s still very good at pressing and winning the ball. We’d need to find another player who can come deep and receive the ball from the GK/CBs though.

just watched the full 90 minutes and really the three times he got caught with the ball all came in the last 25 minutes where he was visibly and understandably a bit knackered. He was pretty immaculate with the ball before that. I think he’s still got some fitness work to do.

Also notable how Trippier looked much more like himself. Getting forward aggressively and going really tight to his man defensively. Commanding those around him and playing out really well. He was unlucky for their goal… actually won the ball but it bounced kindly for Grealish.

couldn’t watch yesterday as I was at work but just watching the game back now. Our press in the opening part of the game was magnificent… the only way City could progress the ball was by going direct into Haaland, but Burn and Schar were giving him absolutely nowt.

Palmer is looking more and more like he can just do what he wants in matches. There’s something Messi-like about him.

we cannot replace him

Qarabag are infuriatingly shit

I’ve said it before this season but he doesn’t look comfortable going to his left at all.

finally getting punished for these performances.

Because Hope is the one that’s framed it this way. new page cunt

who?

I don't trust Hope not to just quote selectively and frame it in the way he wants. Anyone go the full quotes?

Just winning the challenge. He's 98th percentile to be fair. It doesn't really get any better other than the likes of VVD. Sorry, see my edit for extra context: Fabi ranks in the bottom 10% of CBs from the top 5 leagues for it, only winning 49% of aerial challenges. You really have to put someone dominant next to him to compensate for that. imo of course, but I think it's probably why we haven't seen Kelly and Schar play together. We'd also have been asking for trouble if we'd been playing Guehi and Schar together too imo.

he might be tall but he's not great at winning aerial duels. Burn (68.3%) and Botman (69.4%) both win many more aerial duels than Kelly (56.8%). Fabi ranks in the bottom 10% of CBs from the top 5 leagues for it, only winning 49% of aerial challenges. You really have to put someone dominant next to him to compensate for that.

we would get absolutely battered aerially and at set pieces with Kelly and Schar at CB.

11th most progressive passer in the league per 90 so far this season. This is extremely impressive given that we have had poor possession in practically all games so far.

I would like to see him and Trippier in the same team sometimes, btw. Today most of our build up came through Hall but if we had Trips too we could mix it up a bit more. For reference, passes: Hall 77/82 Burn 69/71 Schar 40/47 Tino 16/18 Bruno 32/37 Longstaff 19/21 Joelinton 24/28 We put a lot of responsibility on him with the ball.

He was definitely poor defensively today but I thought Burn gave him unusually poor cover too. Also had a weird defensive shape in general with Tino inverting a lot.

he’s a decent coach imo but man I really despise Gary O’Neil . Whingey little twat.

the captaincy thing is so strange. This guy is a leader, Bruno isn’t there yet.

The way he is playing you have to put him on the left, like. He’s pretty much guaranteed a goal or assist. Gordon isn’t playing well enough to justify dropping Barnes from the team in order to play him on the left.

it’s giving Pardew manager of the season

Is Craig Dawson a toon fan?