David Edgar

This Fabio Silva lad is bobbins.

Fwiw, I do think that DM with a pair in front is the strongest formation you can play currently. It is no surprise that Liverpool and Man City use it. I think it has loads more flexibility than a midfield pair with an AM. But yeah, Paqueta could play AM very well.

Cos he can play from the right and that would be where he fits our system the best? At least in the short run. Probably could do a good job in a pair in front of a DM in a dominant team. Not sure if he can do that for us.

Yeah, he's averaged 1 goal every 3 games in the two seasons at Lyon. Passes the eye test too.

Even talking about the first half in isolation, that's just silly

The editor of that website putting the finishing touches to that article

Striker Joelinton Paqueta LCM Bruno RCM Please.

Harsh and unfair much?

Yeah, that's bang on. You'd think Howe and the coaches are aware and will do all they can go coach it out of him.

You're a fast typer.

But Joelinton wouldn't be playing the same role as at striker. And whilst he does the cm destroyer stuff well, he is slow and limited when passing. That's less of an issue playing out wide. ASMs goals and assists have dried up a lot in recent weeks. That has coincided with the team really developing its system and not having to rely on moment of genius. It also means ASM is expected to do more off the ball. I honestly think ASMs goal and assist output would always be much lower when more is asked of him in defence. I think Joelinton is naturally suited to play from wide. You're right, his composure isn't great. But he wouldn't need to be a focal point goalscorer from wide. He'd get 6/7 goals a year and that would be fine. Cos he offers so much more in defence and transition. He'd add so much extra control to our left side cos he has the physicality and effort to do a lot of work with the fullback and LCM. Way more than ASM would ever do.

It's the same for why Hatem - who I adore more than any footballer in the world - never locked down a consistent place at an elite club. Couldn't play the team sport in both attack and defence. Too much of a maveric. The modern game hasn't got time for them at the very top level.

Long term, yeah. We'll be able to replace him with a better player. I honestly can't see him being able to maintain his effort and play to a system that needs him to be more of a team player and carry out defensive duties. That's what we need to progress. Gone are the Bruce days where he got plenty of leniency so he could produce a moment of magic. We've got a competent coach now who will expect everyone to play to a system. It is sad, but I doubt ASM will be able to do that consistently. Like, he did much better second half today. But that was a huge contrast to the first half. And he's been patchy for some time now. I'd really welcome it if he could improve and play a more rounded game in attack and defence. I really would. But I honestly can't see him doing it. Would be amazing if he did.

No, based on watching them both play for a couple of years.

Yeah, I think he would be over the course of next season. Would be more reliable, do more defensive work and be able to offer more of a presence in the box. I'm assuming Howe is looking to add a CM who can do the physical work that Joelinton offers, whilst also being better in possession.

He scored both goals after being moved to the left wing...

Does anyone else remember the time when every other club had a professional twitter account posting a similar, if less developed, offering to today's accounts and ours just pumped out loads of sports direct offers?

That can't be a real quote? It is too on the nose and has to be a parody.

I worry that we capitulate like the Spurs second half. Liverpool will be able to plan to play around our defensive structure. It'll be a matter of time before one of their drilled approaches gets through. Then it'll be about us being able to maintain our heads. One thing we used to do brilliantly under Rafa was go down against big, much better sides and yet not give in. Didn't mean we would always get a positive result, but we never got proper embarrassed. Plus we did pick up some lovely draws and wins now and then.

Can't let Bruce's crimes be forgotten. Embrace the contrast.

Did not expect this! Still have Everton as "too good on paper to go down."

I remember on an older FM, he was rated as having bang average attributes in every area. I see why they had to make him like that on the game now They just got his ability wrong.

And there is loads more to come from Bruno once he is surrounded by better players. Absolutely lush.

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