Holmesy

Howay lads, someone figure out a song for this magnificent bastard!

Schar has been unreal all game!

Miggy on the left - revelation!

The Miley overlap on the left has been nice and very effective at times. Clearly something we’ve been working on. Shame about Miley’s left foot mind ?but the movement is great. Mcginn has been impressive for them!

I think we’re at the point where we have to stop putting it down to bad luck.

Maybe we’ll change formation. Oh, wait, scratch that. ?

100%, but I think the wider picture is the bigger concern - where do they fit when everyone is available? Do they get in ahead of Willock, Joelinton, Tonali? Onana might, Billing shouldn't

They obviously identified our CM as an area of weakness, which any team with half a brain in charge will do. Only takes 10 minutes of watching us to realise how gaping the holes in our midfield are.

The goal was an excellent finish, take nothing away from him. But our central midfield is our biggest weakness at the moment and Sean’s lack of composure on the ball cost us possession a number of times tonight. We’re trying to be a team that retains the ball, and watching him on that basis is frustrating.

I was about to post about what a tragic footballer he’s turned into, just before he scored. And then straight after scoring, he reverted to type for the rest of the game. He needs a long spell on the bench.

Really pleased with the result. The less said about the performance, the better. We are absolutely crying out for some quality in midfield - our final ball was schoolboy level tonight.

I think he's a lot better player than most are giving credit for. He hasn't always been the steady type #6 he is now and I reckon Eddie could improve him.

Happy days! Is he close to being fit?

So, is this guy first team material or being signed for the reserves?

£42m plus what they still owe us for Chris Wood could be nearer £50m, which would see them doubling their money, right?

I was literally about to post the same thing. WTF?!

Eddie working with what he’s got. I doubt he came in thinking that’s what he wanted. He inherited Willock, Joelinton, Longstaff and Miley. Tonali was a totally different style of midfielder and a hint and what Eddie is trying to do - change the makeup of our play and the profile our our midfielders.

That's exactly what i think we were trying to do with Tonali - more creativity through the middle.

I think it's a great price for him. He's 29 and very hit & miss. I'd absolutely snap anyone's hand off for that kind of fee, if i was the board

We also have Tonali coming back in, who should soften the blow a bit. But yeah, it’ll be up there with the hardest ones we’ve had to take

100% Or Pedro Neto

Delighted if this goes through. There's no room for sentiment in this game. He's a lovely guy with an infectious attitude but he is one dimensional and nowhere near good enough. Imagine how different we would be with a Gordon equivalent in place of Miggy!

Could it feasibly unlock one permanent transfer and a loan to buy?

Fuck me, I was only in here a minute ago!

Not if we sign a creative midfielder and a right winger with end product, with the money. Just sell him outright and don’t replace him and yeah, we suffer. But I don’t think this lot operate like that. Look at what Tonali gave us in that first game - it was immediately apparent why he had been signed. A perfectly floated assist, a goal resulting from a perfectly timed late run, first time balls releasing players etc. People are worried about Trippier leaving because taking his assists out of our side weakens us. But one or two key additions could mitigate that loss and add even more dimensions. I’m more concerned about what our season could look like if we don’t sell Trippier (or someone else) and get some new additions in.