Sibierski

Can only go off personally playing the game, but when I’ve been running hard, when I’ve then had a one on one chance, my legs always feel that bit heavier than normal to strike the ball/make the right decision. So not sure if that’s a similar factor for Gordon? Where he’s emptying the tank, on the high limit, and when he breaks through just a bit too gassed to execute the finish. Main thing for now, he’s making those runs and getting those chances. Hopefully as we progress as a side, he’s not needing to empty his tank and can be fresher when going through one on one.

I thought he was unlucky to be dropped for Tonali start of season, we looked better when he came in (mostly because we went back to last seasons personnel) and he would be an outside chance of England squad as that donkey CM that Gallagher currently occupies. But just hasn’t kicked on. Still feel he’s a useful squad player, but considering we need to generate some funds in summer, he’s got to be up there to be sold. Potentially him or Anderson for the CM to be moved on, and I suspect it will come down to who generates the interest and the fee we’d want.

The main part I just don’t understand now, is why he can’t be used in PL2 matches. Get him playing games, dealing with defensive situations if that’s the concern. At the moment, it’s just training, which will help technical and fitness, but not that in game experience. Last season when not playing for first team at Chelsea it was PL2, mostly CM. Is it in deal he can’t play PL2? Or does that also count towards any trigger? £30m next season for someone who’s essentially had 750 mins of prem football over 2 seasons. You are paying big amounts for a huge talent if that’s the view, but then if such a huge talent, they can surely play good minutes now?

Tino over Trippier. Gordon more disciplined role deeper to support Burn. Whilst we can then minimise threat of Neto (even Trippier over Burn if needed), having Tino on right will give Ait Nouri something more to think about. Biggest worry I have is Wolves ability to dribble though the lines, nice compact midfield please and force them to move ball wide constantly. Sort of game where Joelinton will be missed. I’m going nervy 2-1 win.

Just spitballing long term, but all top sides essentially play a 3-2 shape defensively. Having Tino starting means we couldn’t do that, but that’s where we could be different and you have the LB basically be a LCB, faster RCB, then two CMs for the shape. So in attack when Tino goes on a run, it’s like this. RCB - Botman - LB Tonali - Bruno Tino - IF - Willock - Gordon Isak Out of possesion, the IF can be wide, Tino goes on a dribble, they can go inside to receive or outside. Willock runs into box to support Isak, Gordon on opposite wing providing width, like Grealish does for Man City. In a bit of a gloomy season, but you can see the potential the squad could have moving forward, and one that’s exciting to watch. Edit: And this is where the Hall situation comes into it. I rate him highly, but that set up wouldn’t fit him, so it’s £30m for back up, rarely used. So depending on Howe sees the evolution of the side, could be playing a big part in reluctance to use him and potentially activating the deal, when that could be spent elsewhere.

Being able to dribble with the ball at pace, from deep, is such a key asset. Just breaks the lines, commits players and opens up space. Yes he’ll lose some, buts it’s no different to the high risk low percentage passes. Just we need to be better in shape to cover when he goes because of the lack of recovery pace in our back line. Probably the only like for like change in a position we’ve got, where our style of play changes and importantly forcing opposition needing to adapt.

Trippier into midfield almost felt like a last option, I’m out of ideas so trying what others are doing, approach. Looked horrendous, and hopefully something we don’t see again as we don’t have the personnel to do that. Think that and a 4-2-3-1 we tried earlier in season (can’t remember who against) have both been made during 2nd half’s and both been shocking. Certainly doesn’t feel like things players have trained on and it’s just on the fly change. I keep flicking between what I want to see moving forward. Just what I do know for certain, the same approach as last season isn’t it. Even if it’s a subtle change, something needs changing because it’s clearly not working with teams more knowledgable to expose the weaknesses within it. If we get back to making SJP a fortress again, the points tally for rest of season I have as a top aim of 28 out of 36. That would give 65 points which is a strong season IMO and on par for what would’ve been anticipated at start of season. 2 points from last 4 home games been so damaging though for our current position and means we have no choice but to hit that required form now. Having had 6 more points at this stage would’ve changed the narrative tenfold.

Almiron in for Murphy, and maybe Botman for Lascelles? That’s the changes I can see happening. Just can’t see how the XI changes that much moving forward. It’s more Howe can make changes at the 60 mark onwards now, but the actual XI to not vary that much.

Finishing aside in ET, he was superb. His constant movement and runs made us more threatening, and his energy levels are just insane.

If he’s going to be playing as IF, then we probably need the LB to be providing the width then, otherwise it ends up easier to mark him. Feels we’re stuck between two places. Don’t play with full backs hitting byline, so go centrally, but then we don’t have the players to move the ball around quickly centrally except Bruno. Ends up in stodgy stuff like last night. Feels we’ve got the personal to change it though, which would help with Barnes. Off topic, but felt Gordon was good through middle (finishing aside). Constant great movement and run, which enabled space for Barnes who just needed to hit the back post more instead of staying safe outside.

Think just like Botman, he needs surgery. Just not been full speed all season since that groin injury in what October?

Hoping it’s just match sharpness, and still getting to know team due to missing large periods, but not only was he poor tonight, I’ve not been sold on him yet. Seems more a moment player so far rather then out right performance. Which at £40m isn’t ideal. Hopefully by end of season we start to see more as both of the points highlighted at start improve.

Lack of changes and doubling down again on formation during game. Got over line, but same issues persist. Now more players are coming back, we should be seeing different things moving forward, as clearly our way from last season has lost its edge, which is fair, it peaked with players like Longstaff/Almiron etc. so it’s time to evolve the style. Need to work on better patterns of play IMO. Tino at RB was great, as he had the individualistic ability to just drive with the ball, which then creates space. Just does leave us exposed on turnover as we have no recovery pace in midfield/defence, so something to work on structure wise to mitigate it to allow that extra dimension in attack. Showed with corners that others can take them too.

Dubs only one that deserves credit, since we did try and chuck it

Dilemmas when the trigger clause is if we win a cup.

Anyone at home please. Just rather we fucked it on our turf if we did, not away.

PAPER OVER THOSE CRACKS BABY

RELIF

Saving 5th for Longstaff?

Schar is literally only player on pitch for us who can kick a ball properly?

That sums up his sub performance. Crap.

Miss all three pens and get it over with.

He fell over and just happened to bring him down.

Longstaff Just a comedy club this.

We can make 6 subs, and Hall still won’t come on. So laughable the situation. Fuck me.