Sandrotastico

Missing some guile... Isak and Bruno are the only two players we have that can unlock the door.

Good line up, more importantly, Botman fit is huge. Be interesting to see how the front three click.

Can't stomach that plum!

This. + Hall.

I agree vs Maxi, I actually think Barnes is the better wide forward in regards to goals and finishing. But Gordon seems the better fit in terms of covering back for Burn. Hopefully, we can find the right balance and get a few wins, once the fixture list is a little kinder. What are your thoughts on Hall starting? Personally, I'd be starting him asap. It's an exciting thought, him and Gordon combining. What I remember of him at Chelsea, he had a tremendous cross on him.

Totally agree, it never felt like we needed another left winger tbh. Right yes, but anyway we have what we have and hopefully we'll turn the corner against Brentford and gain some confidence.

Starting to think Joelinton is better on the left tbh, but. much of that was how he linked with Willock and covers Burn. And we have about 4 potential left-wingers right now in Isak, Barnes, Gordon, Anderson, and Big Joe. To the point raised, maybe a double pivot with Tonali and Bruno and then Gordon or Isak in the 10 role behind Wilson?. Barnes/Joelinton left. I trust Eddie will sort it out, Anyone wanting him out needs a word.

Interesting data from today. Bruno lost possession 8 times, Tonali 9, and Joe 6 (obviously only played 50-odd mins) Clearly, Bruno was the single pivot and Tonali was far more advanced. Joe doing a bit of everything. No real conclusion to this other than, is Tonali doing enough defensively?

Let's see, hopefully that's the case.

Agree, usually despise the bloke but agree with a lot of the points he makes there. But hey ho, everything is fucking magic because he said otherwise. The Midfield balance is completely imbalanced - in my opinion course - It's neither supporting the attack nor shielding the defense. Villa also had a hateful of chances btw. Like I said I don't want Eddie out and I love both Bruno and Tonali but it's not working in the middle, it needs a rethink or a change in tactics.

Well, they can't seem to in the current setup. But I guess the midfield is not the problem...

On the money in my opinion. Sorry if already posted.

Has to play with Wilson.

Average, not the quality needed now. Good lad but very limited, far from an athlete also.

The last person I'd be dropping would be Trippier. As a stand-alone window 7. What we actually needed (in my eyes) 3. But still with Eddie and the boys!

FFS.

He has zero recovery pace in that position and now we're being picked off in the pocket every game. Last year, we had Sean Longstaff and Joelinton chasing back to cover. To my point, Tonali seemed to be asked to not concentrate on coming back as much and Big Joe was not there physically today to bail him out. Someone has to sit. For me, Tonali should, at least he has a turn of pace! Feels like it's impossible to criticize a few of our players on here, yes I love Bruno, but he's been 6/10 since last Christmas and very very slow.

Said from day one, an amazing footballer but not an athlete. Asking him to be your deepest MF is not working, once a player gets the wrong side he will never catch them. None of our three today wanted to run back, unusual for Big Joe, Tonali seemed to be the most attacking and Joe was fucked, so why play him. The mix is all to pot! That's Howe - and no I don't want him gone. This season is not a reward to last year's team, it's a new season. Earn it! Maybe all the Champions League and Amazon talk, and a few have dropped their levels.

I'll recap what I said in a few of the other posts. Missing Willock or a player that can break the lines and connect midfield to attack. He used to bridge Joelnton, the wing, Isak, and everything we are not doing right now. Not sure Bruno and Tonali are that greatly suited, feels like Bruno wants to dictate the ball, but he has to be the deepest. He's also the least mobile of the three when we are countered. Tonali as a more orthodox six? We've been quite pedestrian and very predictable, our patterns of play are obvious. Prefer Isak to be more involved in the game and he's isolated up top with this midfield. Miggy is on borrowed time, as is Burn, who was Sunday league level today, and I love the bloke. Lastly, I do question our business this summer, not sure we are/were in a position to be blowing money on subs. The first 11 should be strengthened and the relegated guys make the bench. Fingers crossed Eddie gets to the bottom of this, Some of the players look a little lost with what's being asked of them and the intensity has definitely dropped off. Onwards and upwards!

The worrying thing is the 150 million we spent, only one starter, and still have not solved the issues we had. Starting Left Back, right wing upgrade. No DM either.

He looks lost. But so do the other 2. Feels like it's being forced right now. All too static and one-dimensional.

Get Isak wide left, agree. Wilson on. Anyone else on the right and Anderson on for Joe. Tell Tonali to sit.

totally agree. Feels very similar to Bruno to me.

Going forward, I agree. He's a little soft and slow in running back though. Half arsed blocking the shot and not busting a gut to get back a few times. No idea who is being asked to do what here in our midfield. Their all cancelling each other out.

Pretty poor. the midfield is too linear and pedestrian. Missing Willock BIG time. Gets some of the younger lads on. Bruno and Joe have been poor again. I love Burn but he's shaky. Bang average.