TheBrownBottle

They have to make believe playing AC Milan in the Champions League …

I hope that agent of his is the manager there

Ekitike

‘Double his true value’ Based on what?

His value was £60m, then

In all honesty I think most atmosphere-based memories are rose tinted. Just like most football games are unmemorable, so are most atmosphere. There never was a time where there was a broiling atmosphere all the time.

He’s worth what a club is willing to pay - stats don’t necessarily determine value. For what it’s worth, the lad has always looked pretty good to me

Like the Viz, football crowds are not as good as they used to be The atmosphere at SJP hasn’t been great for a long time. As someone who no longer goes, I have to say that I actually think there’s been a clear marked improvement over the last couple of years. But the real atmosphere went with all-seater stadiums and the ticket prices going through the roof three decades ago. Our average crowds doubled between 1991 and 1993 - and they weren’t bringing an atmosphere with them Watching a game from behind a phone makes my teeth itch, mind. Put the fucking thing down and enjoy the experience, you soppy cunts - literally no-one cares about the footage you’re recording

Nah, he’ll end up at Liverpool or Man Utd now. The lad is a quality CB, nothing to do with the Euros - where he was the best player for one of the teams who reached the final The Euros has no history at all of inflating transfer fees. Past World Cups did, though that trend has died in recent years

Sheff Wed - while obviously a big club, but a big club in the doldrums - were third tier as well. It is a trophy and we should take as few chances with it as possible

I think we have been - this is what I’ve been trying to say (though admittedly not that well).

Joelinton’s ability to read those passes - and control it quickly - is excellent. Though I’d argue he does this better when played further forward

Interesting, cheers - the heat maps look pretty similar to me tbf. And neither are the heat map of a midfielder. With us playing 4-3-3, and Bruno lying so deep, the two other midfielders tuck in a lot. I just don’t think Joelinton is the player to do that. I’m honestly not saying that I think he’s a bad footballer, he’s a really good PL footballer - but he needs to be played where his strengths are. I don’t think his current position in the side gets anything like the best performances out of him

Only players who should be rotated out should be those carrying knocks or with fatigue issues. And Pope should be in nets.

Agreed, but they’d always switch back, and without Willock he doesn’t look anything like the same player. He doesn’t look good behind Gordon

There was, Joelinton played LW and Willock LCM - and they were both intelligent enough to switch occasionally to cause maximum carnage. But Joelinton was LW I think the lad is at his best when he’s got a technically more able footballer behind him. Watching Joelinton driving forward with the ball is great - and he’s got a cracking first touch. I don’t think his strengths work in midfield.

He played midfield seven times when we finished 4th. He played the vast majority of games much further forward.

I think he’s a good player at PL level. I just don’t think he’s a good midfielder. As an attacking midfielder or left winger? I think he’s very good. I’m not saying the lad is a bad player generally

You have been telling us everything is ok in Casa Trippier too, mind 😉

Eddie Howe pretty much came out and said it had been. Gordon isn’t likely to say ‘yeah, when I was touted to my boyhood club, who are also English football’s most successful one, it never entered my head that I’d fancy the move’. That also doesn’t mean that he isn’t happy here. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

I’m willing to bet that most football fans view Leeds as the biggest / most glamourous club in that division

While I know the history of ‘COWIES’ on the Sunderland shirt (and you’d think they wouldn’t want that man’s name on the shirt), that word meant transport in the ‘80s but meant something very different in the NE from the ‘90s on … … I’d have got it changed to ‘Speckled Mitzis’ or something

I’d happily see him given a go there, but there will be a reason he hasn’t been - I know Howe likes inverted wingers edit: it would be great if he did work out there - he’s clearly a better footballer than Almiron or Murphy

I wouldn’t start him there either, because we’ve got so many good LW options. But my starting midfield (assuming a three) would be Willock-Bruno-Tonali

Agreed, he often dropped back - and it was great when they were together- also, Willock is a better midfielder than Joelinton, so that helped