Solitude20

The rule of thumb for a handball is whether or not the ball enlarged his body. Wilson’s hand seemed to me in a natural position, so I really don’t get the decision.

Yeah, in the previous games when ASM was injured, Joelinton played as the left winger and Willock played in midfield, as was the case in the 1st half today. But in the second half they switched, J7 was in midfield and Willock was the winger. That turned out much better.

For the Isak goal, it him to won the ball back and then passes it to Joelinton -> Wilson -> Isak. Bruno is actually standing at the 90th percentile for tackles per game, and 72nd percentile for tackles won per game. I think he’s doing alright when it comes to winning the ball. But I do agree that we need another DM as Bruno is just phenomenal near the opponent’s box if we play 4-3-3. After today’s match, I am starting to think Eddie might try the 4-4-2 more often with Bruno and J7 as the central midfielders.

Man Bruno knows how to weigh his passes pretty well

When we play with a lone striker who drops deep and takes part in the build-up such as Isak, then it is crucial for one of the midfielders or the inverted wingers to have good goalscoring abilities and exploit the spaces and chances created by Isak dropping deep. Someone has to push forward when Isak leaves that space upfront, and they better have a good eye for the goal. Players such as Maddison can fill that role perfectly in the midfield. I mean he scored 12 league goals last season. But I agree with those who pointed out how his injury record could really bite us, since our style of play just increases the likelihood of injuries just for anyone. I don’t know what Eddie and Ashworth think of that.

Alright then, tell you what guys. Let’s see if we make it to UCL next season and he is still our starter, then all of your drinks for the 1st Champions League match are on me.

And so are Murphy and Longstaff. Come on now. No transfers are needed in the summer then.

I don’t get why you guys are surprised by me pointing out that Willock isn’t a starter material for a top 4 team. I am actually surprised that you guys think otherwise. He is a starter for an 8th-12th team for sure though. Actually saying that he terrorised the Man Utd defence today is just a stretch IMO. I mean, even though he scored a goal, he still got the lowest score among our midfielders today in Safascore and such algorithms. Arsenal let him go because he wasn’t good enough for them even when they weren’t as good as they are now. He joined us in the Ashley days when the ambition was to become a mid table team. Probably the most important skill a midfielder should have in a top 4 team is excellent decision making, and that is something that he really lacks. His passes and vision are also average for an EPL player. He can carry the ball forward in a straight line and an empty space, but then place him in a crowded area and suddenly he does not add much or he would simple lose the ball. He presses well and wins the ball back, but again that’s more of the way Eddie plays than anything else. Even Isak presses all the time now, and any midfielder who will join in the summer will do that for sure. His finishing leaves much to be desired this season. Anyway I look at it, he is simply a mid table player. Having played well for the last three games does not mean much in the big picture, even Murphy did that. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts for our team right now. let’s not be biased folks, go tell any neutral EPL fan that Willock should be a starter for a top 4 team and they would probably laugh. He would probably lose his starting position now once Joelinton is back.

Flying all over the pitch = worthy starter for a top 4 EPL team. Is that rational to you? murphy and Longstaff were as involved as he was today, does that mean we should keep them for UCL next season. Go check the transfer thread, most of the players we have been linked with are players that could easily be snatched by the top 6 or top European clubs. Can you say the same about Willock? Can you even imagine Liverpool or Chelsea being interested in Willock? The difference in technical ability and overall play between their midfielders and Willock is HUGE. The future backbone of our team: Bruno, Isak, and Botman. They all players who could play in top teams if theh keep improving. If we officially make it to UCL next season, then you would expect our owners would want us to stay there every season. The starting midfield would probably be: Bruno + Joelinton + a new player. In a couple of years it would be: Bruno + 2 new players. I don’t get why you are getting worked up for just saying our ambition for next season should be above what Willock could offer. This is like saying Wilson should start for us next season. We are a different team now with different ambitions.

If we are going for UCL next season, him and Longstaff will definitely lose their places next season. They are just not UCL materials IMO. I think he will even lose his starting position once Joe is back. Other than the easy goals he missed today, he did a lot of questionable decisions with the ball today. I said it before, he is good as a decent sub for the last 30 mins or so. I would personally be disappointed if we make it to UCL next season and he still starts for us.

Man we could have been 4-0 by now.

I think we will get a new badge to mark the beginning of a new era for the club in a way.

Now Sheikh Mansour is officially named the Vice President of UAE. Let’s see how that goes with Man City.

I mean, I like that the funs are consulted for the club crest, but what’s with club name and home shirt colours?

I vote they all go for bulging eye celebration Almiron did against Wolves.

For me, I would hope for West ham or Leicester to get relegated this season out of the bunch. Their great players would just be more likely to leave for a lower price. We can then do some sweet shopping in the summer.

Longstaff allows Bruno to move forward since he can stay at the back and play the holding midfielder role. Basically Bruno and Longstaff alternate at playing that role, and one of the two will just sit at the back while the other one moves freely. Now if you play Bruno, Joelinton, and Willock, then it just means you will have Bruno play less attacking roles. Willock and Longstaff perform completely different roles. Playing as a holding midfielder is something Willock cannot do, but Longstaff can.

I am not sure any of our players need rest. We have been playing a single match per week for months now.

When you pay for a player of his age, you don’t pay for his current ability. You pay for his potential. I am personally unsure of how much further he can develop, but I guess Howe saw that he can still improve, hence the fees.

It looks like Eddie instructed Trippier to not run forward. He’s been sitting at the back the entire game.

So a 3-3-4 with a single center back and four forwards. Eddie should try that out against City

LOL ASM

Yep, the ball wasn’t going in until Botman deflected it. So it isn’t a Rashford goal.

Casimiro showing Joe what it takes to be the main ball winning midfielder of the Brazilian national team.

Oh I agreed with your last paragraph in my post. We all have the right to speak up, and we should. My only issue is when our moral standards are called into question if we didn’t take an action (In this case it’s Eddie signing that letter).