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

[LiquidAK]

Would have to think he'd get a run in the team now. There's an argument to be made with sticking with Wilson in the run-up to the final, playing the team that got us there etc., but Wilson looks shot now and needs a rest as much as anything.

[chronicfc]

Definitely needs a run, unfortunately looks better off the striker and Wilson is not that man.

[nufc123]

Best player for us in the second half. Wilson didnt get any help, but Isak is better on his own. Isak should start every match from now on either for Wilson or somebody else. 

[Ronaldo]

1 hour ago, Beren said:

Not calling for Howe's head, or anything close to that, but his approach to bedding Isak into the team has objectively been proved wrong IMO. Unless Isak has a chronic conditioning issue.

 

Mistakes are as serious as the results they cause, and it feels like we've missed an opportunity to get Isak to gel in a new attack by persisting with Wilson when it just wasn't working or even showing signs of turning around.

Well said. Time to persevere with him.

[Nobody]

Pretty sure this is the game that changes the Isak/Wilson dynamic for Howe. Isak will be first choice from now, and Wilson be the one having to fight for his way back into the team. 

[Sima]

I don’t think he’s physical enough to play as a one man up top so either we play two up front or he’s converted into a 10 or a winger.

 

He’s a very good footballer so he needs to be in the team 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by Sima

[Klaus]

I don't see this guy as a number 9 striker. He showed today he is better at picking the ball up in a deeper position. He would be just as isolated as Wilson the way we are currently performing.

[toon25]

Was pretty deep today, I thought 

[Coffee_Johnny]

Should have started. 100%.

[Nobody]

1 minute ago, toon25 said:

Was pretty deep today, I thought 

Quite clearly came on to play as a number 10 in a 4231. 

[80]

1 hour ago, The College Dropout said:

I don’t think he’s ready to lead the line by himself but maybe it’s worth trying it now. 
 

Maybe I’m being knee jerk. But if he was still here I would be tempted to play Isak with Wood. As it is, Wilson offers nothing so might as well go Isak yo top by himself. 

Agreed re Isak and Wood. But Isak has looked pretty uninspiring on his own, too. I think we need to rework a large part of our approach right now.

 

Hoping every game for the rest of the season is treated as a cup final now, with us trying whatever we think will work on the day, tactically-speaking.

[Jaqen]

Was a tough call for Eddie with it being a final. I'm sure Isak will play a lot more going forward now. 

 

He started Bournemouth away and played like Shola wearing Berens shoes. He was awful. 

 

Clearly massively talented but the front three are on completely different wavelengths regardless of who starts in the middle. I'd be tempted to try Gordon out left and Maxi behind Isak. We need something different. Swapping out one striker for another alone won't do a whole lot imo. 

 

 

[Sempiternal]

Yeah up front as a classic 9 is not the way for him.  

[Decky]

This man cost us £65m and he simply has to find his place in the team. Sick of this Wilson starting over him craic now. Wilson’s been off it since he got his spot in the World Cup team. Isak is our future and it’s Howe’s job to be getting a tune out of him now. 

[Andy]

He isn't a number 9, so I don't think the answer is to drop Wilson for him. I want to see him, Wilson, Max, Joelinton and Bruno all on the pitch together. That would give teams something to think about, I reckon, as we're too predictable at the moment.

[80]

5 minutes ago, Andy said:

He isn't a number 9, so I don't think the answer is to drop Wilson for him. I want to see him, Wilson, Max, Joelinton and Bruno all on the pitch together. That would give teams something to think about, I reckon, as we're too predictable at the moment.

Agreed, and then Wilson really needs to start pulling his weight in that arrangement. If he doesn't, I don't know what to say about him.

[Jesse Pinkman]

Would like to see a front 3 of Almirion, Gordon, Isak. Could very tasty. 

[chronicfc]

We need a new number 9 next season Isak to play off him it's the only way forward.

[Guest reefatoon]

33 minutes ago, Jesse Pinkman said:

Would like to see a front 3 of Almirion, Gordon, Isak. Could very tasty. 

Don’t think Almiron is offering anything at the moment. That amazing form earlier in the season has deserted him. Think he needs a rest out of the team personally. ASM was the much more positive player out of the two of them the last couple of games.

[Kanj]

Isak has been an amazing #9 when he has proper wingers around him. 

[Guest reefatoon]

5 minutes ago, Kanji said:

Isak has been an amazing #9 when he has proper wingers around him. 

Think when we get a proper striker in, Isak and Gordon floating around a strong cf will work wonders.

[Guest]

I thought Isak was a striker? He should be our main forward. 

[Mr Pups]

31 minutes ago, reefatoon said:

Don’t think Almiron is offering anything at the moment. That amazing form earlier in the season has deserted him. Think he needs a rest out of the team personally. ASM was the much more positive player out of the two of them the last couple of games.

today he offered nothing going forward, looked a huge step up for him. Problem is that he's our top scorer, which on paper would make him a controversial one to drop. 

[NWMag]

Can the lad has real quality, think we will see it more when we surround him with players of similar quality

[Dr Jinx]

Even though Wilson needs to be dropped, Isak isn’t the answer there.

 

Those saying Gordon, Isak and Miggy should be up front, how lightweight do you want a front line?