Solitude20

Liverpool, Chelsea, and Spurs are all having a bad season, and this makes the CL target easier than your regular season. They might bounce back next season and make the CL qualification more difficult even if we get new players in. That’s why IMO this season is such a golden opportunity to get back to CL football, and I hope we see some great additions to the squad before the end of the window.

As Eddie said, Targett hasn’t been playing due to pain that he has been experiencing for the last few months. Even when he did come in as a substitute in a few matches, he was on pain killers. I am pretty sure he would be starting over Burn had he been fit. He offers the same level of defensive solidity as Burn does AND he adds a lot to our left flanks from an attacking point of view.

I was suspecting Eddie was waiting to try out the 4-4-2 before making any major investments in this window. If that formation works out, our activity in the transfer window would completely change. Having two central midfielders who constantly keep moving around with a lot of stamina like we do, and having a second striker who is technically sound and can drop deeper like Isak, that would make a very potent 4-4-2. Just like how Simeone made Atletico a very strong Champions League team for the last decade.

His positioning for that goal was excellent. You can see he sprinted in once the ball bounced off the back of that defender. He anticipated the ball coming to that spot. Wood would never.

Most of the money comes from the knockout stage. Real Madrid and Liverpool each got more than 80 millions in rewards for their entire UCL run last season. Let’s assume we make it to the group stage next season, and we win only one game, draw two, and lose three. That would be 20 millions only for rewards.

“The 32 teams who have qualified for the 2022-23 Champions League group stage will all receive a starting fee of €15.64 million, while group stage performance bonuses will also be paid for each match - €2.8 million for a win and €930,000 for a draw.” source: https://en.as.com/soccer/champions-league-prize-money-2022-23-how-much-will-the-ucl-winners-receive-n/?outputType=amp The indirect income would be higher though. Reaching the UCL consistently means more income from sponsors and match tickets/merchandise.

The usual Joe. A monster when we don’t have the ball, and then he manages to make you angry when we get the ball: bad first touch, bad decisions, etc.

Except Murphy, even the penalty was on him.

That cross from Murphy was literally hilarious

They are really knocking on the door. Can we hold it for 15 mins?

Wilock, what was he doing there.

Eddie might be playing for a draw. Almiron looked tired, and he needs more tracking back.

Don’t get it.

Yep, Eddie said Targett has been in pain for a couple of months. Let’s not forget the injury he had at the beginning of the season where he missed a few games. This Explains why Burn has been playing in his place source: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/23222310.newcastle-united-matt-targett-facing-lay-off-heel-injury/

Actually, it turned out Targett didn’t play due to heel injury, so Burn playing as a a fullback may not be a tactical decision after all.

I used Sofascore as a polite way instead of saying I am right and you are wrong about the positioning of our defenders, since it is based on data and all. Since we were all watching the same game, give me an example of when Burn’s positioning has helped Trippier get forward in the way you guys claim. Burn has spent the entirety of the game touching the line as you would expect from a traditional fullback.

Not according to Sofascore if you check their positions in the Leeds game. Burn played as a leftback who rarely crossed the middle of the park. This had nothing to do with freeing Trippier.

Did you see how the entire game we had to build from the right flank only until ASM came on? one reason has to be we are not playing with a proper left back. It feels as we are playing with three center backs and one fullback on the right. Compare what Trippier is doing on the right when we have the ball vs what happens on the left side with Burn. I trust Howe, but can someone please make me understand why we are not playing with a left fullback? I mean someone who can overlap effectively and add more to the game than just simple passes in the middle of the park?

Wasn’t he sick during the world cup? It’s only been a couple of weeks.

That’s the ASM we know.

Can we say Botman has been our best player so far?

Was Miggy trying to pass it?

What did we just miss?

Playing without a real left winger or a real left fullback makes us look very weak on that side.

Willock was offside. Frustrating because he could have just left it for Wilson.