DC Magpie

What I suppose baffles me is that Eddie has seemingly thrown Nick to the trash heap in favor of a 'striker' who has four EPL goals this year, three of which are on pens. To me, that's a sign of stubborn orthodoxy to the 4-3-3. Eddie would have played Peter Crouch at wing if that's what it took to stay 4-3-3, but that would have been dumb, wouldn't it? I'd love to think Eddie has some Ted Lasso "Total Football" scheme up his sleeve for Nick, but he doesn't. Benching Nick in favor or Osula is probably the death knell for Nick's time with us. I really hate to say it but unless we change formations, Nick moving on is probably the best scenario for all involved. I really like the kid and think he can thrive in a system that is suited to his skills (he thrived quite well early on with us as I recall). I agree with others who say that injury and circumstance led to playing him in midfield, but that's not where he belongs, and not where he'll thrive. These goals seem like an eternity ago, but I have total faith he'll regain his earlier form - just wish it would be with us.

For whatever it's worth ESPN here in the States has us in a 4-2-3-1 formation thusly. I like the experiment: Osula Elanga Woltemade Barnes Willock Tonali Hall Thiaw Botman Trippier Ramsdale

I think the time away will do him good honestly. As well as we played in a 4-4-1 yesterday in the second half, I'd love to see Nick and Gordon up top in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1.

If Maguire continues to close down on Osula on the touch line instead of floating back to the center, it's an easy tackle for him. Malacia looked like he was on roller skates. Fernandes jogged back like he didn't have a care in the world. A whole lot went right for us in that last exchange. But I'll f**kig take it.

I have faith his hearty German constitution will fight off whatever bug he's got in time.

Blah (Pick one) Burn Thiaw Trippier Hall Tonali Joelinton Murphy Barnes Woltemade Gordon

It's not to suit "a" player though. The team is worn down, we are missing key players to fill their usual roles, and rather than make even the most minor of tweaks that might play to the strengths of those players he does have available (to include Nick, but others as well), he remains steadfast in the 4-3-3 high press (which is usually just Gordon chasing the goalkeeper around and hopefully not getting red cards in the process). Maybe I'm ignorant as to how much of a difference a shift to a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-4-2 would be, but it's clear the team is tired, hurt, and/or playing out of their natural position more times than not. (For the record, I'd argue that beyond pulling Nick for Wissa, moving him to midfield was another massive case of mismanagement.)

I really want him to succeed here. I fear he's going back to the bench though (even if healthy), which will zap whatever is left of his confidence. I do think Eddie has mismanaged Woltemade to the point that, just for Nick's sake, I hope Eddie is not his coach next year. Take that to mean whatever you like, but Eddie seems incapable of adapting his formation or style to fit the strengths of his players - no matter how injury plagued and overworked they are. If Nick leaves (as may be best for him if Eddie is still coach, I'll follow his career wishing him the best. Seems like a great kid doing his best in a new country while getting shat on by a bunch of armchair savants for crap that's largely beyond his control. PS - Craig Hope is a douchebag, as we like to say here.

Indeed. Life is fickle. Not too long before that, Woltemade was the next coming of Shearer. I truly believe Nick will turn it around if given the chance. I'm not as confident about this season turning around though - at least not enough to matter for Europe. Too many dogshit losses along the way.

Eddie's next master stroke will be to put Woltemade in goal.

I hate the way he sips his water bottle. There. I said it.

This trollop seems quite certain of things. Let's put this up in the locker room for the boys to see, shall we?

You can't teach speed but he has the frame to add some muscle.

He's very versatile and his pace is top notch, but wish he would stay on his feet - he flops around like an Italian. The refs don't seem impressed with his falling down all the time (PK against the Azerbaijanis notwithstanding).

I can name one such team. 11 Appearances, 1 Goal, 1 Assist, and 1 Broken Leg. Had almost the exact time in preseason as Nick did (as I recall). Course Liverpool can afford these mistakes and to be patient.

He lost a few more balls last night than we've seen him do in the past. The frustration on his face after he blew a cross out of bounds was evident and may actually be feeding some of the sentiment on these boards, methinks. That said, his ball to Burn (a smooth as you like one-touch) unlocked the defense for the first goal, his pass to Barnes unlocked the defense two minutes later. Never mind the beauty he threaded to Murphy. If Murphy doesn't crap his pants, that's all we're talking about today. We need to get Nick in the weight room this offseason. No reason he can't add some strength to stay on the ball better and to fight his way into the box for crosses. He'll play a big part for us going forward. Just can't ruin his psyche in the meantime.

He had the pass that broke down the defense on our first two goals. Also put Murphy through beautifully before Murphy made a mess of it. I don't like Nick in midfield either, but he's creative enough. But it's not what he's been asked to do all his life, either. I do hope we can put him in a system next year to be effective up top though. When he goes out and gets the golden boot for Germany as a true 9 this summer, I'm gonna scream.