Happinesstan

Aye. I can forgive picking Maquire and Pickford, because they've never really let him down, but Mount is the opposite. Done nowt of any note for England but was performing for Chelsea. Dunno what his current club form is like but Mount has had plenty of chances for England.

Actually, in my argument, Shelvey wasn't fit so Bruno plays that role with Almiron in the 8/10/ACM role, doing pretty much what he has been doing, when we attack down the right, with the freedom to join in attacks down the left. No need to slot Isak out wide at all. Trippier plays RB but spent most of the game yesterday in the RW position. Do you honestly think people expect Isak just to get in his way? Or do you not understand the concept that a player can move from his starting position.

Are they using football manager 2001 tactic generator?

They were our alternate defensive partnership, in pre season, but I don't think they've started a competitive game together. Never been on the pitch together in a competitive game.

Lascelles scored from a corner.

No, he was just missing yesterday.

Another player bought to suit our counter attacking style [as if]. Did well with out backs against the wall last season, but lacks the skills to dominate the game.

Without a doubt.

Like I said [I think] in the Isak thread, it's not about shoving players forward its about drawibg the defence out. When Isak drops deep he brings everybody forward by association, leaving the back four looking at, Fraser, Joelinton, Willock, Almiron and Trippier. And look who has the ball with all those options ahead of him. It's Bruno TBH though, we need a left footer getting early crosses from that side, like Trippier on the right. Targett seemed rather subdued in that respect.

"Surprise!"

Mitro could be problematic for Schar and Trippier if they get crosses in from the right. Hopefully Targett is back.

I'm agreeing with you. Just saying that those spaces have been limited in a lot of our games because the striker [whoever it is] is occupied by both CBs because there is nobody else drawing attention. Nowhere in the Isak videos I watched did he look like a similar striker to Wilson, which iss why it was strange to see him succumb in the same way. But when he did drop deep he created problems. The first time he did it he played a lovely ball into the right channel with the defence stepping out a bit. Tiny fractions like that make all the difference.

Looking at some of the posts it's clear some people haven't got a clue. Their only solution [to a problem they've invented just to justify their solution]i s to go out and buy 6 top class players because we have infinite funds. We just didn't spend enough.

That goes without saying. But it's not the point I was making.

Yep. In comparison to where our fitness levels were, the improved training schedules must have taken their toll.

His goal against forest was the only sniff he got all game, but it was created by Joelinton's overlap creating the space for him to attack.

Need some of the home fans to recognise this or it could turn toxic pretty soon.

Obviously it's a balance but today was the day to do it more often.

When Wilson is fit Isak will be the right sided forward. Trippier himself said e has the skills to play anywhere so you can stick your statistics up your arse. As if the history of a 22 year old determines their future.

We've missed the ability to drop Willock. Somebody somewhere asked how the hell Willocj ever managed to be a scorer and I just remembered it came not long after Willock had a little whinge about not starting. Think he needs a little encouragement again.

While Isak was preparing to take the pen you could see Trippier in the background, not looking. Tried my best not to read into it as he might have turned around when the penalty was taken. Unfortunately At the point that the penalty was taken, Amelie snapped my aerial and through it in the gutter, so I didn't even see it hit the net, or anything after.

Precisely. Willock is our weak link, he fails to take any advantage of the hard work of others. Difficult to say he hides as his enthusiasm is clear to see. I just don't think he's the man for that role. I'd rather play Bruno there and Longstaff in the Shelvey role.

one shot saved from 8 yards one shot hit the post from 10 yards and a header over from 7 yards Who did more in and around the box?

ASM last season, would have got little joy today but the Maxi we witnessed before injury could have unlocked them.

There was a lack of movement and showing for passes today. I'm not sure Botman changes that.