Alexander Isak: has a chance to play against Everton (Howe)

[TheGuv]

Can’t wait to see Wilson and Isaak up top together.

 

If teams thought we played well before Xmas….

[STM]

It's great because I'm genuinely as excited to see him as I was when he signed.

[RodneyCisse]

5 minutes ago, TheGuv said:

Can’t wait to see Wilson and Isaak up top together.

 

If teams thought we played well before Xmas….

He could possibly do the Almiron role if he drops out of form.

[madras]

5 minutes ago, RodneyCisse said:

He could possibly do the Almiron role if he drops out of form.

Or needs resting or if he brings something different and creates a new role. With better players we don't have to replicate like for like and play the same way game by game. Look at how we are varying game to game now.

 

 

Edited November 15, 2022 by madras

[cubaricho]

It’s such a weird position to be in, dropping someone from this team ffs.

 

I think in the end he’ll have plenty of time up front on his own but if he’s on the pitch with Wilson it’ll be just behind him and one of the three midfielders will have to get dropped.  

[HaydnNUFC]

He'll start through the middle eventually as Wilson will more than likely get injured at some point given his record.

[Miercoles]

I'm not too worried about it, he's young, Eddie likes to take time to bring new signings in, and we're already winning.

 

Imagine bringing Isak in for the last 30 minutes instead of Chris Wood, sounds fucking great!

[Stottie]

I thought he looked wicked in the glimpse we got, especially for someone just off the plane. The goals against Liverpool were sensational and its only the other crappy narratives about that match that stopped him getting the credit he deserved. The one-on-one he missed against Bournemouth? Palace? was down entirely to him solo pressing. He's got the same languid look about him as Chris Waddle, he doesn't look like he's giving 100% but it is very deceptive. Callum Wilson is extremely sharp but needs goals created for him. Isak looks more capable of doing it on his own.

 

Prem players listed by expected goals per 90, 200 mins minimum to qualify. The offside goal against Liverpool will not count in his xG.

 

 

If you look at non-penalty xG, Isak is still eighth, above Salah, Mitro, Harry Kane etc. Wilson is fifth. Top is Darwin Nunez, I fully understand folks hating on Liverpool, but that lad is a player.

[ExiledGeordie]

11 hours ago, Super Duper Branko Strupar said:

Is there any evidence to this 'He can play on the side of a 3'? Sure when I looked up his stats when he signed he'd played like 50-60 centrally and maybe 1 or 2 on a side. Only ever seen him at euros at CF.

 

 

 

Im sure I heard a Spanish football reporter who’d been interviewed saying he’s flexible and can play across the front 3. Either way he’s in good hands with Howe coaching wise and we’ll get the best out of him. He gives us so many options. Bring Wilson off at 70 and move him inside if he starts right or left or bring him on off the bench. He’ll be great away from home with his lace too. The thing is if Miggy keeps playing the way he is and Isak starts smashing it ASM is going to have to work hard to get back into this side which is what you want.
 

It’s ridiculous but he will be like a new signing ?

 

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by ExiledGeordie

[Coffee_Johnny]

My still snoozing dreamy crystal ball says Eddie refuses to change a winning team in the league. Alex can’t get a start and compensates for this by playing the best football of his career, scoring in every round of the league cup, topped off with a brace to win us the final. I’d be happy keeping £60+ million on the bench in that scenario! 

[Gallowgate Toon]

I think he might be competing with Maxi for the left-sided slot, if Wilson stays fit.

[Unlucky Luque]

A front three doesn't necessarily mean two wingers and a striker, and we see that all the time in Howe's system. In a fluid front two/three I can see Isak as a left forward playing the channels, dropping back, tucking in, all without encroaching on Wilson's position. Think of Henry, he was a centre forward, often playing with a striking partner, but on a heat map he'd classified more as a left inside forward. Drifting wide, cutting in and curling with his right. How many times did we not see that?

I imagine Isak could have a similar role "on the left" and it probably even being his best position, playing to his strengths.

 

Anyway, what a strange feeling to actually have faith in the manager to work it all out

[andyc35i]

26 minutes ago, Unlucky Luque said:

A front three doesn't necessarily mean two wingers and a striker, and we see that all the time in Howe's system. In a fluid front two/three I can see Isak as a left forward playing the channels, dropping back, tucking in, all without encroaching on Wilson's position. Think of Henry, he was a centre forward, often playing with a striking partner, but on a heat map he'd classified more as a left inside forward. Drifting wide, cutting in and curling with his right. How many times did we not see that?

I imagine Isak could have a similar role "on the left" and it probably even being his best position, playing to his strengths.

 

Anyway, what a strange feeling to actually have faith in the manager to work it all out

And to compare one of our players to Henry 

[huss9]

starts in the cup, then away to leicester??

[The College Dropout]

I’ve no doubt he can do the attacking side of a wide attacker role.  But chasing fullbacks? That’s a whole new challenge. 

[Holloway]

from what I read about him at the time he signed, Isak considers himself a 'modern striker', able to play anywhere across the front line. He's not a stranger to the high press either, he seems perfect for Eddie's system and I have no doubt whatsoever he will be a success

[Groundhog63]

17 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I’ve no doubt he can do the attacking side of a wide attacker role.  But chasing fullbacks? That’s a whole new challenge. 

 

2 minutes ago, Holloway said:

from what I read about him at the time he signed, Isak considers himself a 'modern striker', able to play anywhere across the front line. He's not a stranger to the high press either, he seems perfect for Eddie's system and I have no doubt whatsoever he will be a success

Mentioned, elsewhere, I watched the Chelsea game again on their channel. 

Was interesting listening to their two commentators. When they were on about our press and, even, how Wood was putting a shift in they mentioned "you can imagine it being even more difficult for us with Wilson racing in" 

Isak can do it too, no probs, as seen v Liverpool

[Bishops Finger]

3 hours ago, Coffee_Johnny said:

My still snoozing dreamy crystal ball says Eddie refuses to change a winning team in the league. Alex can’t get a start and compensates for this by playing the best football of his career, scoring in every round of the league cup, topped off with a brace to win us the final. I’d be happy keeping £60+ million on the bench in that scenario! 

Yeah but I can't see Isak being too happy with that. Howe will have to fit him in somewhere and I'm sure he will

[The College Dropout]

8 minutes ago, Groundhog63 said:

 

Mentioned, elsewhere, I watched the Chelsea game again on their channel. 

Was interesting listening to their two commentators. When they were on about our press and, even, how Wood was putting a shift in they mentioned "you can imagine it being even more difficult for us with Wilson racing in" 

Isak can do it too, no probs, as seen v Liverpool

There's pressing the GK and CB's and blocking passing lanes into midfield. And then there's running back with the fullback by our defensive corner flag and not being done by basic 1-2's. It's an entirely different thing.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by The College Dropout

[The College Dropout]

Not to say he can't do it. It's that he hasn't and it's a new thing for him from a defensive perspective that involves a lot more running.

 

I think eventually when we have the ball more - that role would be easier for a player like Isak. At the moment, those wide forwards have to do A LOT of defensive work. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

10 minutes ago, Bishops Finger said:

Yeah but I can't see Isak being too happy with that. Howe will have to fit him in somewhere and I'm sure he will

 

He needs to be patient as well though. He'll get a chance, like you say Eddie will have a plan for it. 

[Unbelievable]

I think many underestimate Isak and what he can offer in the centre forward position, assuming it will be Wilson’s to keep. I mean, what he did vs Liverpool in his first game after a few days of training with the team was already pretty special. I really think Wilson will be our super sub going forward, playing depending on what we need to beat the opposition, coming on to see games out, brought on as a second striker when we’re behind, etc. He’ll get plenty of playing time but before long Isak will be a mainstay in the centre forward position. This should hopefully aid Wilson’s longevity too.

[BonesJones]

Seems ideal for the press. Deceptively quick, long legs to pinch the ball, and a brain (not many of them have this).

 

My awful memory can even picture him nicking the ball off people a few times in the minimal time he's had.

 

Talking about this guy is to much for me, never thought my favourite current player would be one that played a few games and hasn't been seen since.

[TRon]

8 hours ago, Stottie said:

I thought he looked wicked in the glimpse we got, especially for someone just off the plane. The goals against Liverpool were sensational and its only the other crappy narratives about that match that stopped him getting the credit he deserved. The one-on-one he missed against Bournemouth? Palace? was down entirely to him solo pressing. He's got the same languid look about him as Chris Waddle, he doesn't look like he's giving 100% but it is very deceptive. Callum Wilson is extremely sharp but needs goals created for him. Isak looks more capable of doing it on his own.

 

Prem players listed by expected goals per 90, 200 mins minimum to qualify. The offside goal against Liverpool will not count in his xG.

 

 

If you look at non-penalty xG, Isak is still eighth, above Salah, Mitro, Harry Kane etc. Wilson is fifth. Top is Darwin Nunez, I fully understand folks hating on Liverpool, but that lad is a player.

 

This is what excites me about him as well. The goals against Liverpool were genuine striker goals, he's not going to be as good as Wilson at holding the ball up necessarily, but there will be games where he can attack the space in behind, especially against the better sides and it looks like he's a very good finisher.

 

[The College Dropout]

From the little i've seen, Wilson has better "box instincts" and movement in the box.

 

Isak seems more a channel runner, not one to hold it up and link up just yet. Wilson is pretty decent at that.