Lotus Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) We’re not winning the ball as high up the pitch recently. A lot of our chances have come from that. Teams have figured out and are trying to mitigate it. We’ll need to evolve a bit to present a different problem. Won’t happen overnight and may need some new players to do it. Good teams find a way. I don’t think we’re there yet but that’ll be the next challenge. Personally I’m not sure top 4 is on this season. It’s inevitable to plateau. No one needs to panic over it either. Wouldn’t be surprised if we slip back a little. Other teams around and below us have far superior squads. Hope I’m wrong. Maybe ASM and Isak can really spark things off. Edited January 22, 2023 by Lotus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Ahmed Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) People are definitely going over the top, I it's quite simplistic to just look at us scoring 1 in 4 games and thinking there is an issue If you breakdown the stats of those games Vs Leeds = xG 2.18 Vs 0.36, 7 big chances Vs 0 big chances, 16 shots Vs 8 shots Vs Arsenal = xG 1.06 Vs 1.12, 2 big chances Vs 0 big chances, 8 shots Vs 17 shots Vs Fulham = xG 2.36 Vs 1.11 (Mitro pen bulk of this), 2 big chances Vs 1 big chance, 20 shots Vs 5 shots, Vs Palace = xG 1.25 Vs 0.30, 2 big chances Vs 0 big chances, 16 shots Vs 6 shots That's a minimum of 2 big chances in each game, overall 13 big chances Vs 1 for the opposition (which was the Mitro penalty) We are creating chances, very good ones, a lot of them are just falling to the likes of Longstaff and Joelinton. This shows Howe has got the balance right, just being let down by some poor finishing or poor passing in the final 3rd. As Shearer often says, the time to be concerned is when you aren't creating chances. Edited January 22, 2023 by Geordie Ahmed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) 11 hours ago, reefatoon said: You missed Joelintons 2 chances in the first half which should have been put away. Botman’s header was close tooo , well struck and could just as easily been the other side of the post. Edited January 22, 2023 by Coffee_Johnny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotus Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 We’ve signed 3 real difference makers (outfield). Botman, Bruno and Isak have and will make us a very different team. We need 3 more, another top defender, another midfielder and another forward. All of similar quality. Add those and we’ll be purring. Tripps is a bit different. He needs an understudy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Done all he can with what he's got. I'd like to see more rotation, but if we did, we may not have seen the results we have. Trippier is playing like he needs a game or two off. Wilson is clearly put of steam as well, but Isak coming back should help with that. Board need to close a couple of signings this week, less faffing, more action or waste the best chance we've had in a decade to qualify for the CL. Even if we don't (I don't think we will) we at least gave it a go and land in the europa with a squad better equipped for it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PauloGeordio Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 ?????????? hopefully the stats of the missed goals opportunities will be put to bed soon enough, just like his old defensive stats! ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interpolic Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Other than Burn playing the whole season ahead of Targett, the biggest surprise in team selection for me at this stage is Longstaff playing every single game. Not that I'm slagging off Longstaff who does a vital amount of running and dirty work for the side. However I'd like to see a midfield of Bruno-Joelinton-Willock at some point, to open up another space in the front 3 for ASM or Isak. Do we think Howe is worried there isn't enough balance in that midfield three? Could it work alright? Obviously ASM or Isak will cover less defensively than Almiron/Joelinton do when they're the wingers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Longstaff has no business being a regular starter for a team with top 4 aspirations mind. They really need to address that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andycap Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 2 minutes ago, Ronaldo said: Longstaff has no business being a regular starter for a team with top 4 aspirations mind. They really need to address that. Yeah I see Longstaff as a come on when we need to see leads out. For his defensive work and workrate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackyboy Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Longstaffe and Joelinton get through an amazing amount of work but sadly they both spurn some really good chances. Compare them to Man Uniteds Fernandez. We do well with the squad we have that's for sure and we are only in our first year of rebuilding so it will take time. Finding players who you would like to sign is not easy. The selling clubs need to be willing to sell also so it's not just about the money. Big money has been paid by clubs on players who just never made the cut and there are plenty of examples at Man U, Liverpool, Everton etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IzzyIsak Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 14 minutes ago, Ronaldo said: Longstaff has no business being a regular starter for a team with top 4 aspirations mind. They really need to address that. He's only playing because Shelvey is injured, that's the reality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaqen Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 23 minutes ago, Interpolic said: Other than Burn playing the whole season ahead of Targett, the biggest surprise in team selection for me at this stage is Longstaff playing every single game. Not that I'm slagging off Longstaff who does a vital amount of running and dirty work for the side. However I'd like to see a midfield of Bruno-Joelinton-Willock at some point, to open up another space in the front 3 for ASM or Isak. Do we think Howe is worried there isn't enough balance in that midfield three? Could it work alright? Obviously ASM or Isak will cover less defensively than Almiron/Joelinton do when they're the wingers. I think because Bruno likes to push on a fair bit more than a traditional 6 you need a more defensive minded player in the three alongside him like Longstaff. He does the job of covering for Trippier quite a bit too allowing him to bomb on, similar to how Liverpool used to use Henderson to drop in and cover for Trent. I think we'll be looking to sign a 6 and move Bruno into the Longstaff position personally. I reckon that would give the best balance with either of the Joe's on the left of the three depending on the opposition. I ri think Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 31 minutes ago, IzzyIsak said: He's only playing because Shelvey is injured, that's the reality. Do you think Shelvey would play as well as Bruno? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRaspberryJam Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, Coffee_Johnny said: Do you think Shelvey would play as well as Bruno? Are you asking would Shelveys performances be as good as Brunos, or would Shelvey start alongside Bruno? If the latter then yeah Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, MrRaspberryJam said: Are you asking would Shelveys performances be as good as Brunos, or would Shelvey start alongside Bruno? If the latter then yeah Yep, that’s what I meant. Not sure myself that is the reason Longstaff is playing. I wouldn’t mind seeing how Shelvey and Bruno might work—assume Bruno would move to 8 role— for a few games at least, but guessing JJ is seen now as cover for Bruno in the main. Edited January 22, 2023 by Coffee_Johnny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRaspberryJam Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Just now, Coffee_Johnny said: Yep, that’s what I meant. Not sure myself, wouldn’t mind seeing how that might work—assume Bruno would move to 8 role— for a few games at least, but assumed JJ is seen now as cover for Bruno in the main. Joelinton, Shelvey and Bruno was our midfield 3 last season when available IIRC. Shelvey sat deep Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IzzyIsak Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 21 minutes ago, Coffee_Johnny said: Do you think Shelvey would play as well as Bruno? Yes. He already was, Shelvey Bruno Joelinton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffee_Johnny Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 9 minutes ago, MrRaspberryJam said: Joelinton, Shelvey and Bruno was our midfield 3 last season when available IIRC. Shelvey sat deep You’re bang on. They’ve played more together than I recalled, 13 games. Two this season (Southampton away win and Palace 3rd round cup win). Interesting looking at who he’s played with and who has played with who! https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jonjo-shelvey/gemeinsamespiele/spieler/71292 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gawalls Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Ronaldo said: Longstaff has no business being a regular starter for a team with top 4 aspirations mind. They really need to address that. I’m sure my wife thinks he’s called fucksake longstaff as that’s all I seem to shout when we’re on Tv Edited January 22, 2023 by Gawalls Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyn davies Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Ronaldo said: Longstaff has no business being a regular starter for a team with top 4 aspirations mind. They really need to address that. Do we think if an offer came in this window we would accept ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
relámpago blanco Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 41 minutes ago, wyn davies said: Do we think if an offer came in this window we would accept ? No, we don't have enough midfielders as it is. Unless you get a silly offer, 25M+ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 I’d say Longstaff is in the top 3 players most likely to still be here in three seasons time. He won’t be a starter, but he will be here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Icarus Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 That makes little sense. We've only just signed Bruno, Botman, Isak, Pope. That's 4 already Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubaricho Posted January 22, 2023 Share Posted January 22, 2023 3 hours ago, Jaqen said: I think because Bruno likes to push on a fair bit more than a traditional 6 you need a more defensive minded player in the three alongside him This is a myth that keeps getting peddled on this forum. The elusive DM that’s the missing cog, that will unleash the “real” Bruno. The reality is that our style of play doesn’t require a more defensive minded player in the middle of the park. We keep possession by pressing and recycling better and faster than almost any other club in the PL. Every one of our midfielders has legs and cleans up their area of the pitch with ease, a traditional DM or more defensive minded player will bring nothing to our set up and, I believe, actually hinder the way we are playing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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