Shadow Puppets

WE have managed the injury based on multiple 3rd party specialists advice. Not entirely sure what else people want.

See my post above.

As some of you know, I’m relatively well connected to Sven and his family… they didn’t see this coming at all. All scans in recent months have shown no need for surgery. He had one in Holland around 3 weeks ago that showed no damage and no need for surgery. Obviously the way he landed on Saturday has caused something significant to change, though. And for those saying the medical staff and manager are to blame… well you’re fundamentally 100% incorrect, but you do you. Sven has seen multiple specialists both in the UK and the Netherlands, and has been reassured from every meeting until this point that surgery wasn't necessary. So if you’re desperate to blame someone, blame the specialists for not promoting the idea of surgery. It has had absolutely nothing to do with Howe and his team.

Moron.

No. My source on that is, well, as close to the horses mouth as you can get really. All his scans are absolutely fine. i think it’s a mentality problem.

It’s not a medical team failure. He had a scan 2 weeks ago at the Dutch specialist that confirmed everything looks fine. My personal opinion, and it’s just guesswork, is that he is playing within himself… tentative due to worry of it happening again. He’s had some really poor performances in the last few weeks, but you don’t become a poor player overnight for no reason.

Your general attitude in this forum is all slowly starting to make sense.

Fatigue from 10 games in 30 days over December played a huge part in our form at that time, absolutely. What we're seeing now, in my opinion is a lack of confidence. The fatigue led to more injuries. The midfield has been paperlight for most of January / February. The paperlight midfield leads to goals being conceded for fun. Which breeds a lack of confidence. I think, now that Willock, Isak, Barnes and Anderson are properly back in the picture, we'll see much improved performances within a couple of weeks. A win on Saturday, and all of a sudden we have a lot to play for. Confidence is a huge factor in football... last year we rode that confidence all the way to the Champions League. This year it has been eroded and the glaring weaknesses in our squad have been exposed, and Eddie hasn't found a solution (though I'd argue that if he can't find a solution, then who can). Win at home on Saturday and everything changes, IMO.

You single-handedly make me dislike Obama.

Trying to look at that objectively, that was a cracking cup tie that had a bit of everything. Blackburn put up a really good show, as expected in games like that, and we still blew very hot and cold. The players (and Eddie) for the first time in the last two years, looked genuinely nervous to me. Like they knew it was an absolute must win to get the season back on track. Fingers crossed that winning it will go towards reigniting our season and instilling a bit of confidence / swagger again (because it’s missing badly at the moment).

I maintain it is ALL down to the midfield not functioning properly at all without the legs of Joelinton and Willock.

As disingenuous as lambasting our form without the context of missing goalkeepers and first choice midfielders?

You what? Joelinton, Willock, Pope, Wilson, a half fit Isak.

The issue quite clearly stems from the midfield three.

He had a tough first half… thought he was great second half though. Headed everything away. Would still like to see more Tino though.

Burn had a shocker against Luton, no doubt, but he was great for 65 mins against Villa and the whole Fulham game. I don’t quite buy the overreactions that he’s a massive liability… he’s not at all. Would still prefer Tino to start though.

I will caveat that by saying that is based on info I had two weeks ago, so I'm not sure if anything has changed. I was told two weeks ago that it would likely be early March before we saw him back on the pitch.

They're taking it very carefully with him due to the nature of the injury. So he is training, yes, but nowhere near full intensity. Much like they did with Botman.

I have nothing to report on that one mate. The only injury I can really report on is the Anderson one… still a month away at least last I heard.

Although in reality there probably won’t be any incomings, his exact words were… ”I’d be more than happy if the window shut right now with no incomings or outgoings”

Absolutely fucking brilliant result, and 80 mins of excellent performance. What a night!

Fantastic first half performance. Just need to keep it simple second half. Catch them on the break when it opens up.

He said no war chest meaning we're not going to just go out and spend £200m without selling anyone. But in my opinion, and reading between the lines, he very much expects a busy summer, but it'll hinge on someone significant leaving.

Anderson’s still at least a month away.

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