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Viana

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Everything posted by Viana

  1. Viana

    sunderland

    I felt like we'd do them by two or three the year we finished 5th. Instead we got done over by a ropey decision at their place to draw, and then just didn't show up in the home game to scrape a draw.
  2. Viana

    Anthony Gordon

    I think he had a lot of baggage to get rid of and by the time that was done the season was over. Now he's had a summer of being super fit and Eddie Howe telling him what he wants on the pitch. Watch that first goal again to see what I mean. I think a few months ago he was hesitant, he was over thinking, and he just wasn't being instinctual. Fast forward to yesterday. He's alive to the rebound and recycles the ball. He's then straight on his bike running into space and wanting the ball. When he gets it he's throw in a first time cross rather than trying to beat a man or make it a better chance. It's all quick and decisive decision making. He could easily have had another assist minutes later but Tonali was denied. I read a book once called The Inner Game of Tennis. It talks about quietening the mind to let the body take control. That's what I see with Anthony Gordon right now. He won't be as decisive as this every week, and I'm sure he'll have obstacles to overcome, but whenever he's in that flow state he can be devastating.
  3. I think all the channels have hit F5 on their talent. I also don't think there's many ex-Magpies in the media after Shearer.
  4. We're pressing machines, makes sense we'd want a smaller field.
  5. Interesting. I was probably a shade harsh on him after watching this. Lots of the things I love, he just looked a bit frustrated at points. I think regardless he'll have some real fun in the games where we're touching 60% possession and Tonali can offer another point of focus.
  6. I think he had a rough end to the season with his ankle. Like any player that's of his level he has one or two little foibles to work through, but he's still an outrageously good footballer and a big part of our midfield. I think he wants to be creating more, and Tonali should in time free him up to do that. Yesterday his role was to shield and connect passes at the back.
  7. Viana

    NUFC Transfer Rumours

    Callum Wilson really was the one good thing Steve Bruce did here. Ghosts of his shite summer continue to haunt the place.
  8. I can't remember the last time I saw Sterling have a good game. Man City fleeced them.
  9. I like him, but as you say, not for 107m. He's a much better fit than Jorginho. He can handle being pressed can pick a pass, but 100m for what is essentially a good deep lying playmaker is mad. Chelsea seem quite happy to pay up front for players with potential which I find weird.
  10. John Henry looks like a very cheap George Bush senior lookalike. Chelsea have had the better of it here, but not sure they've quite figured out how to create high quality chances.
  11. Viana

    Football podcasts

    There are quite a few football pods guilty of that. The Guardian love a digression down a one way street, especially when Barney Ronay is on. People like Taylor and Caulkin don’t see podcasting for the skill it is. In reality it’s radio without the pitch markings. Ad libs aren’t outlawed, but they’re like flicks and tricks on a football pitch, there’s a time and a place. When podcasting is done well it’s a structured conversation that looks free flowing. The problem Pod on the Tyne has is that it has none of that structure and it’s host doesn’t know how to use his guests effectively. It means you end up with chat about “waffles” that has more value to HR than it does an audience.
  12. Viana

    Harvey Barnes

    I was glad he got that chance tbh. Went against his instincts with the second chance for Wilson and paid the price.
  13. When you’ve done it in the heat of Houston the Premier League is a breeze.
  14. Viana

    Anthony Gordon

    Nutmegging Kamara was a particular highlight.
  15. All the happy chemicals are flowing inside me right now, so what I'm about to say may seem a bit cheesy. Howe's strategy after leaving Bournemouth is the perfect way to handle a set back; not just as a coach, but in life. His time at Bournemouth was long enough to represent both success and failure. It may have ended on a slightly sour note, but his response; going away and making himself better through reflection and education is what earned him this chance. Even with us, we can't claim he inherited a good ship. We were a fixer upper and there was a perfect chemistry between us and him. We both had a point to prove. I'm not saying this because we've pumped his team 5-1, but I don't think Unai Emery would have worked to be honest. I also don't know how long this journey with Eddie will last, but if he left tomorrow he'd have offers out the door and rightly so.
  16. Viana

    sunderland

    I just caught the highlights from today and it's hilarious they've conceded the same goal twice in two weeks - long range shot deflecting off a player and past the goalkeeper.
  17. Viana

    Anthony Gordon

    A great moment of validation for Howe, Ashworth, and the board. He was just on it today. His running on and off the ball caused problems and his technical quality made the difference in a big way. I can't wait to see him grow this season.
  18. Viana

    Alexander Isak

    Sensational. His first goal showed great movement, his second goal showed his composure.
  19. Viana

    Harvey Barnes

    Quite rare to see a cameo that perfectly encapsulates why someone was bought. The assist was lovely, the runs dynamic, and the finishing crisp. He's the Andy Murray of wingers. He's not flash, he's just effective.
  20. To be fair, Villa in general are better suited to being counter punches I agree though, today was a brutal reality check for them.
  21. I'd say that's a tad harsh. They were in it for the first 60 minutes, and that's without mentioning the injuries to Mings and Buendia that have made this a truly shit week. I'd say this; the data for last year had Villa as a bit more lucky than good. There is always a likelihood they regress this season because of that, but they did drop big money on Diaby and Torres. I agree, they're not contenders for the top four, and I think they'll probably get top 8 if it goes right.
  22. Still settling a bit I think. The six is a different role and it shows.
  23. That's horrible for Mings. I know he's done his knee before, so hopeful it's not as serious and a speedy recovery.
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