Smal

it makes even less sense when they have Adeyemi playing tonight who should be doing all of that whilst Nick links play. It's a bit like Liverpool where they feel they have to use Wirtz all the time because he's supposed to be good.

I've watched Germany's last few games and I think it's crazy how they seem to have him playing on the last line, as though he's supposed to be running in behind the opposition defence to get onto long passes and through balls. Nagelsmann seems like a div.

fucked up a sitter

as far as characters go, he'd be at the bottom of the list for who you'd want as a captain, like

I hate international breaks

he's only played against one team of note tbh, more than a bit early to judge either way.

he made 19 progressive passes* yesterday which is probably the most I've noticed before in a game. For context for those who don't look at this sort of stuff, that's pretty much double the premier league leader in this metric has averaged per 90 this season so far - which is also Trippier on 10.6 per 90 (Elliot Anderson and Bruno Fernandes are next with 8.8 and 8.7 respectively). He is still really good at getting us up the pitch. *defined as: Completed passes that move the ball towards the opponent's goal line at least 10 yards from its furthest point in the last six passes, or any completed pass into the penalty area. Excludes passes from the defending 40% of the pitch

77 this week, still top of the NO league

controversial take imo Don't think you do that kind of action unless it's deliberate.

you don't think his goal midweek was on purpose?

I thought he was good outside of his actions for the goals today, actually. Won his duels for the most part, which he hasn't been doing this season.

like most of the team he was poor first half and good second half. We're asking a lot of him and Burn.

terrible attack, but the best (by far) defence in the league so far this season

Murphy’s final ball is so good

we can’t keep playing Burn left back like this

every bit of contact from us today has been a foul, awful refereeing

awe desperately need some composure and quality on the ball. Probably drop Bruno deeper to help with retention and get Miley on for Joelinton.

he hasn’t even looked that fast today

good play by Gordon

it's not even really his touch that's irritated me, the lack of desire to challenge in 50/50s is really frustrating. I don't see how you can function in a Howe team playing like that.

Joelinton needs to get into the box more when Woltemade is leading the line.

probably need a penalty to win

duels are a pretty important skill in a Howe team. He pulls out of every 50/50.

Elanga on 0/8 on duels so far

Need Murphy on for some quality I think.