Shearergol Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 2 minutes ago, gbandit said: His profile is perfect, provided you add better passing and touch to it. Not sure who that player is though Rodri Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) 1 hour ago, gbandit said: His profile is perfect, provided you add better passing and touch to it. Not sure who that player is though IMO if you have Bruno & Tonali as your other CMs you would want someone who is primarily a ball player. Either a Zubimendi/Norgaard type from deep or a more attacking creative/playmaking type like Odegaard or Szlob who is an 8/10 hybrid. So you don't have a flat 3 that all have similar roles. Either one that allows the other 2 to push on, or one where the other 2 try to platform more. But I think Howe needs a physical beast in there. McTominay, Gallagher, Ederson, Onana. Think Ederson & McTominay are the most similar in profiles (athletic, win headers, impactful in the final third). I'm sure there are loads more, but these are some we've been linked too in the past, which I think are similar to big Joe. I would want more football in there but I don't think that's the direction Howe wants or needs. Edited January 9 by The College Dropout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Like Ramsey can't do it. I don't see how Tonali - Bruno - Ramsey works in enough games. Ramsey isn't impactful enough on the ball nor physical enough. I guess Ramsey is the Willock replacement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shak Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) Still quite interested to see Tonali in that LCM role at some point. Think he can bring that physicality and being absolutely everywhere energy Eddie wants from that position while being a lot more capable on the ball. Visions of him in that wide left area knocking the ball around the outside of the fullback and absolutely doing him for pace. Bruno back to the 6 and then Miley (with Ramsey providing competition) in the RCM role. Edited January 9 by Shak Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotus Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Think with the way we play Bruno at 6 creates problems for us. Just about every opposition player bar the GK can run the ball past him. Bruno is Jorginho slow. You can’t leave him as the sole protector of the back line. Every transition would be a genuine goal scoring opportunity. Bruno and Tonali as the base pair in a 4231 would be very very useful but EH obvs has an aversion to that formation. JL can’t play there either imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyUtd Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Troy Deeney knows. Which you won't hear said very often. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Geordie Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) Looks back to his 'box-to-box' self, over the last few games. Was excellent tonight, 2nd only to Hall. More please, Jo. Edited January 13 by Big Geordie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lush Vlad Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) He was brilliant. Refs really seem to indulge him when he’s already been booked. Either that or they’re just shit scared of him. He genuinely looked like he wanted to take Silva’s head off. Who can blame him. Horrible little rat of a player. Could easily have had a second yellow. The same as the Leeds match. He was all action again and everywhere from the first minute to the last. A real return to form these last 2-3 weeks. Edited January 13 by Lush Vlad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack j Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 1 minute ago, Lush Vlad said: He was brilliant. Refs really seem to indulge him when he’s already been booked. Either that or they’re just shit scared of him. He genuinely looked like he wanted to take Silva’s head off. Who can blame him. Horrible little rat of a player. Could easily have had a second yellow. The same as the Leeds match. He was all action again and everywhere from the first minute to the last. A real return to form these last 2-3 weeks. If Joelinton could have had a 2nd yellow then Silva should have had least 3 before he finally got one. The little rat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prophet Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 He looks back to his best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginola14 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 as much as I like his.enforcer role I do think he needs to calm down because he seems to be walking a yellow card tightrope almost every time he plays sooner or later it'll be red and it'll cost us Bruno used to do it too but became much more disciplined when he got to 9 yellows and has never looked back Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Checko Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Big Joe hasn't been sent off since the 17/18 season and is at his best fired-up. Not something to worry about particularly IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smal Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) 27 minutes ago, Ginola14 said: s much as I like his.enforcer role I do think he needs to calm down because he seems to be walking a yellow card tightrope almost every time he plays sooner or later it'll be red and it'll cost us he’s always been at his best when he plays on the edge like that though, and he’s never been sent off for us before unless I’m forgetting something. Edited January 13 by Smal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gleebals Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 On 13/01/2026 at 22:59, The Prophet said: He looks back to his best. Really? Is it just me who thinks he is a weak link at the moment? Aside the odd goal and moment of magic, it feels like the ball just bounces off him, he loses the ball alot etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Think he's been class since he came back in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosstef Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 35 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said: Think he's been class since he came back in. He has. We're a much better side with him in the middle of all the action. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lush Vlad Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 42 minutes ago, Dan Gleebals said: Really? Is it just me who thinks he is a weak link at the moment? Aside the odd goal and moment of magic, it feels like the ball just bounces off him, he loses the ball alot etc. His touch and passing can still be wayward, yes. He isn’t a typical centre mid. But the hybrid role he plays works for us and considering Howe doesn’t look like changing any time soon. I think we look a lot better with the 4-3-3 when Big Joe plays. Look at who is usually our only option when we play over a press. Who is basically the only player in our squad capable of holding the ball up back to goal and who is usually the only option on our frankly piss poor throw in routines….. It’s JOEEEELINTON. The song needs work. But you get my point. I also think his passing in general has been a lot better since his return from injury. Especially in transitions when the game opens up. That was often my biggest gripe with him in those situations. Too many touches, a crap pass that would often come too late or too early and overhit. So any promising attacks and counters would break down. I’ve not even mentioned his off the ball work and aerial dominance. Which is invaluable for us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack j Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 52 minutes ago, Dan Gleebals said: Really? Is it just me who thinks he is a weak link at the moment? Aside the odd goal and moment of magic, it feels like the ball just bounces off him, he loses the ball alot etc. A month ago mebbes He has looked after the ball a million times better than Tonali has the last few weeks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloGeordio Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 World is a better place when Joe is out there clotheslining motherfuckers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjb Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 (edited) Beast incarnate...JJJOOEEEE LLLLIIINNNTTOOONNN Edited January 16 by nufcjb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 On 15/01/2026 at 09:52, Dan Gleebals said: Really? Is it just me who thinks he is a weak link at the moment? Aside the odd goal and moment of magic, it feels like the ball just bounces off him, he loses the ball alot etc. No, there's a few who think that, but then who's not guilty of that in our team? Personally I've always thought his footwork is a lot better than he gets credit for, but he has struggled this season without a doubt. Maybe due to carrying an injury, I don't know. But I agree with @The Prophet, he's looked back to his best since his return. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superior Acuña Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 (edited) I don't rememeber a player making me laugh like Big Joe. I piss myself when he gans radge - celebrating or at an opposition player. I also find myself shouting Joe man!! a lot (don't get sent off!) but it's so full of love. Edited January 16 by Superior Acuña Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 3 hours ago, Superior Acuña said: I don't rememeber a player making me laugh like Big Joe. I piss myself when he gans radge - celebrating or at an opposition player. I also find myself shouting Joe man!! a lot (don't get sent off!) but it's so full of love. This is 100 percent how it feels. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superior Acuña Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 2 minutes ago, Mike said: This is 100 percent how it feels. In that Tottenham LC match the guy next to me was shouting KILL 'IM!! KILL 'IIIIM! and I'm going JOE MAN! NO! JOE!. The idea of Joe hearing that encouragement terrified me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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