Matt1892

If we signed someone like Paqueta to play on the right we could switch formation between 4-3-3 and wingbacks with a box midfield mid game which would be a nightmare for the opposition to try and stop.

I think the 21/22 season falls off for FFP too where we spent over £100 million net.

Over 50% of our XG came in 2 games this season so it isn’t an indicator that you would want to use on its own, in the same way it could be said that we have had a tough start so it was to be expected that we would struggle with XG in the more competitive games. My issue with the midfield is that from a defensive point of view that we can be exploited in the hole we leave between defence and midfield, then from an attacking point Isak can become isolated as nobody is pushing up to link with him or run beyond. I think this is a role that Willock can play by the way and with a calmer head could have easily got half a dozen goals from midfield last season. The other issue with the midfield is that again the club has failed to bring anyone in that can cover the role of Bruno when he inevitably misses games, so we are still going to have to invest there.

I agree and I see it as the natural evolution of our tactics but I’m not sure Howe does. The other issue with doing that is we arguably have Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton and Tonali batting it out for one position, unless Bruno can play the DM role without the support of team mates.

Targett and Murphy possibly.

We should be spending money buying players to improving the first team and not wasting it on squad players.

Right forward.

That’s pretty much the same thing; Burn isn’t going to be back up centre back if he is first choice left back.

I am not sure if Howe sees Burn in that role any more since he went with Lascelles.

Nico Williams is still showing as out of contract in the summer too.

Lloyd Kelly is out of contract in the summer, I would have thought Howe would be after him as a squad player.

The club have emailed me to say they have availability in the Wings hospitality area at £250+ VAT for the Palace game.

Pope’s positioning isn’t too bad at all here, the ball has been chipped over and he is ready to smother the ball when Emerson takes a touch towards goal. He didn’t expect Emerson to take the ball down the line which is what did him; however from a percentage point of view a player is more likely to shoot from that position once they are passed the last man than not. Sometimes as a keeper you have to make the decision to commit, in the same way Areola did when Isak went around him before it hit the post. It looks worse for Pope in that he stayed on his feet and tried to run back. EDIT - Watching it back I don’t think Emerson meant to play it wide, it looks more like he fails to control it properly which puts it down the line.

Anderson out wide reminds me of Milner out wide, everyone can see he is better through the middle. He has also changed his body composition to have more impact through the middle than out in the wide areas.

You could see why he came out that far, he just got done by the touch which left him stranded.

The timing of Wilson coming on was bizarre and made absolutely no difference to the team, he should have either come on earlier when we were pushing for a goal or not at all. 2 points dropped.

The wall shuffling forward about a yard.?

Tonali playing much better this half.

Beautiful ball by Trippier.

West Ham have not tried to go forward so it will be hard for them to build momentum now. We can win this.

Great goal.

West Ham sitting back and we can’t break them down. We haven’t even had a shot on target yet.

Tonali one of our best players?

It’s not even being the thread police, the only thing that happens when posting in an individual players thread mid game to criticise is that players become scapegoats.

Good shout with Hall coming on for Burn, that extra threat down the left would help.