Sandrotastico

My point was more about the ability of players not necessarily being maximised. Not just positionally but by our approach, style of play, set up etc. We have a few players who clearly have more ability than they are allowed to show - consistently not being maximised by our chase and hurry style of play where we'd rather fight to get the ball back than maintain it. Tonali has become a recovery player, chasing back 60 yards to get the ball, more about what he does off the ball than on it. To my point, I feel there is more to come from Hall, Ramsey, Nick, Tonali, should be adopt a more football-first mentality - that was my point. Just an opinion Let's sell them all.

Must have missed the first time, sorry. Well he's not really a right back for starters. And he's spent a fair bit of time behind a centre halve or Tino to get in the team. I also think he has more to offer higher up the pitch, linking up with the above players, as one of a limited few who enjoys the ball at his feet.

A waste of his true talent when he's basically used as a simple recovery robot. File along with Hall and Woltemade (although I'm unconvinced on him) as players not being maximised. On a side note: I love Bruno but at times watching games, it feels like everything creatively must transition through him 100% of the time he's on the field. I often look at Tonali and Ramsey and think they have more to offer but need to work to this strategy of 'Bruno leads'. And when he does'nt play, it all looks kinda crap because that's all we know.

Gutted - sending strength to Special K. Legend!

Great post!

Everything is so dramatised these days lol

He's like a little, loud, out of sync and angry Tom Cruise singing here.

File along with Murphy.

Arguably are most talented footballer. Being played at right back to accomedate a 6.7 centre halve to play in his position - disgraceful! I'm no fan of Woltemade but him, Hall, Bruno and maybe Ramsey are the only 3/4 guys we have who want a football at their feet. We're stuck in style, between the aggressive but lacking composure running of Osula and Joelinton and the ball players of above.

Iraola available is a no brainer and a kickstart that we seem to need right now. Feels like the perfect time to build fresh.

Not good enough. But better than the guy we paid 55m for. A mess.

Always had a feeling this would end in a major slump. In my opinion, a lot of what Howe built relied on momentum, a strong leadership core, and a style of football that overwhelmed teams through intensity, physicality, and sheer work rate. That formula only works when everyone is fully bought in and physically capable of sustaining it. Once a few of those key characters start to fade - whether it’s Pope, Trippier, Joelinton, Murphy, Dan Burn, or Gordon mentally checking out or legs beginning to go - the momentum becomes impossible to maintain, especially in a champions league season. What’s made it worse, along with some utter shocking signings, is the reluctance to evolve. Crowbarring certain players into the starting XI at the expense of talent, combined with an unwillingness to drop favourites or adapt tactically, has left the wheels truly coming off. Honestly, I think we’ve gone past the point where this group can repair itself. Hope I'm wrong, but today showed little to provide confidence.

That 6 points we handed them on a plate paid for their trip to Europe.

What's this formation, version 6...Desperation?

Should be fairly easy to upgrade on all of those going off this season.

Walking football final.

haha get in!

Wissa has as much fight and desire as....Woltemade.

An elite pass by Ramsey. Barnes the best striker we have. Simples!

Rather play Hall or Bruno as a 10 tbh.

If anything this performance vindicates the manager's decision not to play him - he should be dictating the game in a free role, but he's slower than Ian Rush when he played for us.

Sell and buy a proper 9 or a number 10 if that's what he is. I've nee idea anymore. Agree - too slow, too casual, weak as fuck.

What was elite about it? lol He ran onto the back four and tapped it wide to a striker. I get he's technical but nothing about him is elite. Let's be honest.

With you, totally luxury - and a slow one at that. He's playing as a 10 today and doing very very little....so far. Sorry if I upset the Woltemade baller brigade who think he's Zidane.