Palestoon

Big Wolts problem is that he doesnt have the mentality of a poacher/goal getter. Elite #9s don't look for the ball, they look for space. He has more of the mindset of a playmaker. Hes looking to see where the ball is so he can stop and try to recieve it into his feet. Thats why he always looks on his heels and late to react to balls into the box. Going to need to be coached to change the way he thinks if hes going to be a longterm #9 for us

Although both strikers have been sub par, I think the bigger issue is our general approach play. Our wing play is terrible. Especially when teams drop in. Gordon is not a modern inverted left winger. Hes not technically good enough. And pushing Barnes out to the right to accommodate that eliminates all of his best qualities. In midfield, the only player capable of doing something different or dynamic is Bruno. Unsurprising that we look toothless with him out of the side. In order to make up for this lack of creativity we tend to try and overload the wings to create a crossing opportunity, and our CMS try and crash the box. Hence, when we inevitably turn over the ball, our backline is instantly exposed and getting run at time and time again. The balance is not right. I dont think we have the squad to play this style currently

The reality is very simple. This is a team that has been constructed from the very beginning to be a high intensity, fast, physical, pressing team thats creates chances through those avenues. For whatever reason, we've decided we want to be more of a possession/build team this season, and the players are understandably struggling. The question I cant wrap my head around, if this was the plan, why didn't we sign the players to help us evolve into that style in the summer? A creative midfielder? A technical winger who can actually take on a man and breakdown a defense when they sit back? Doesn't make sense

Ive said it before, but hes not suited for how we play currently. Think he'd still be a useful player in a defensive side that's compact. But his lack of mobility in these open style games is glaring.

If the plan is to go back to being a solid compact side defensively, sure. But the open chaotic nature does not suit him. Hes a poor 1v1 defender in space. And the injuries aren't helping. Again. Dont think hes a poor player, just that their are better potential fits IMO

Don't think hes a good fit for our playstyle. He has his qualities, but with the chaotic way we play, his lack of athleticism is going to get exposed regularly. And I felt this way pre-injury, its only gotten worse since. Think hes a good CB, but I think we need a different profile long term personally.

I back Eddie, and think he has more than enough credit in the bank to see out this season at the very least. My frustration is that although I havent always agreed with all of the choices he has made, I could understand the thinking behind it. For the first time, im confused as to what the vision is for the team. I think we have a bit of an identity crisis and Howe is struggling to manage it. We went into this summer with 2 key positions I think everyone knew needed a major upgrade. The Right wing, and the 3rd/4th CM option. We had money to spend. It was a great opportunity to add some variety to the squad. Instead, we spent it on more like for like players in Ramsey and Elanga. Physical prowess over technical ability. Alot of us werent happy with the choice, but assumed Howe wanted to double down on plan A, and was getting the extra bodies necessary to be able to rotate regularly, and keep our intensity high with European football. Instead, we seem to be playing a much more passive style. Trying to play possession to save legs. Expecting players who thrive in an aggressive/transition style to suddenly be adept at a slower style. The results have been predictable. If the plan was to mix up our style, why didnt we go after players that could do that in the summer? We look like a team that doesnt know who they are or what they are good at. And thats something thats never been an issue since hes been here. Quite the opposite, its a hallmark of Eddie's teams since he stepped foot in the door. I think he deserves some patience, but their needs to be some signs of direction. Maybe with the backroom staff sorted, we'll start to see that...

Gordon's issue is that hes very average technically. His best attributes have always been his pace, relentlessness, and energy. We no longer consistnently play in a style that suits that aspect of his game. Its not a coincidence that his best form always dovetails with when our pressing game is at its peak and we're blowing teams away with our intensity. Does he think too highly of himself, and has his intensity dropped since becoming an England regular? Probably, but I think its secondary. I just dont think hes very good outside of when we are going 100 miles an hour. He will never be a great ball possession player.

Howe will get us back on track. We've had a tough start to the season with Isak situation, injuries, and a very difficult fixture list to start. But I do think there are areas of valid criticism. Specifically around our style of play and adaptability. We've heard directly from Howe himself that the team needs to develop a more possession style of play if we want to consistently challenge at the top, especially if we expect to be European regulars. Everyone at the club acknowledged that the 100 mph style isn't sustainable with this current phase of the squad as we continue to build depth and add quality top to bottom. Yet when you watch us on the pitch, in the 2 years since our first champions league campaign, we havent seemed to take a big step forward in that area, and still seem to struggle with the same type of teams. For me, that starts with our recruitment. If you asked any supporter at the end of the season, where are the areas we can make obvious upgrades in improving our possession based style of play, everyone would tell you: an upgrade on pope who can play out the back, a Technical RW who can add flair and technique to the wide areas, and a ball playing CM who can play in the hole and help with ball retention and creativity. Instead, we signed a GK who can play it on the deck, but still probably not good enough to unseat pope. A RW winger who looks exclusively suited to a counter attacking style. And Another midfielder who's strengths are in transition more than in possession. In a vacuum, I dont think those are necessarily bad signings. (I think Ramsey in particular is going to be great once he gets up to speed) But when you watch us, and you see the same issues rearing their heads again and again, and what seems to be an inability/reluctance to adapt our style to counter certain teams, questions on what our long term identity is, are fair.

We shouldn't be suprised, this is who Elanga is. Fantastic pace, solid delivery but lacking in the technical aspects of the game. He will look good when we are in open games or playing on the counter, and will struggle when we face low blocks and need to play possession based. Seems to have a great attitude, and still young, so we can hope Eddie improves him. I think a lot of the frustration here stems from the fact that we know what we've needed from the postion for years, and to spend almost 60 million and still feel like we have the same problem is hard to take. In contrast, look at the Thiaw signing. Schar is a legend, but its been obvious for years we needed his replacement to add pace and physicality to our back line. And just like that, you can see the impact of addressing those weaknesses. Elanga is a solid player, but when you spend 60 mil on the position after years, and it looks like we'll continue to struggle with the same issues it can be frustrating, even if its not really fair on the player

Hate this cunt, but cant help but think an Isak/Woltemade duo would have been footballing perfection. Would have complimentd each other beautifully with Big Wolt behind the rat...

Playing with Tonali is like having an extra man in midfield. Covers absolutely everything and never stops. Key to everything we do

Very pleased with that debut. Great goal obviously but showed alot of glimpses of what's hes going to bring. Also quicker across the ground than I expected for a 6'6 lad. My favorite part was watching him constantly point to his feet asking for the midfielders to play it into him. It's a part of our attack we've sorely been missing. For all of Isaks qualities, he was so weak with his back to goal and we always struggled to get the ball to stick with our front 3. Think hes going to be a star when he gets fully acclimated. Just hope wissa isn't too bad so he has time to adjust properly

Just glad to be done with all of the transfer bollocks and be back to the football. Comfortable 3-0 win. Wissa, Elanga and a late cameo goal for big Nick

That Telegraph article is damning, of really everyone involved minus Howe. One thing that I've felt, and this article helped cement it, Isaks agent is the main driver of all of the turmoil. Not to take any blame away from that rat. He's a grown man and made all of those decisions, but reading that article... Its pretty clear that his small time agent would throw a grenade anytime it looked like the club and Isak were back on good terms. I think his agent decided a long time ago, that Isaks big move would be his big ticket, and he wasn't going to let anything stop it. Fuck them both honestly.