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

[et tu brute]

If you look at all the training sessions, he has a strapping just above the calf area. He's carrying an injury, but Howe isn't going to come out and say this. I'm certain he will though when the season is over. 

 

 

Edited May 11 by et tu brute

[Myleftboot]

He loves playing Arsenal. 

[Conjo]

Genuinely wouldn't mind if he didn't play for the remainder of the season if his injury persists. Rest of the team is carrying him on their shoulders atm in the hope that they can provide him with an easy tap in or a penalty.

 

Or, I would mind since it would mean Wilson starts instead. I wouldn't mind if it was Osula or Gordon up top for the last two games.

[Alberto2005]

Just now, Conjo said:

Genuinely wouldn't mind if he didn't play for the remainder of the season if his injury persists. Rest of the team is carrying him on their shoulders atm in the hope that they can provide him with an easy tap in or a penalty.

 

Or, I would mind since it would mean Wilson starts instead. I wouldn't mind if it was Osula or Gordon up top for the last two games.

I agree he's been way off, I just wouldn't feel confident with either Osula or Wilson coming in until we've confirmed CL.

 

Imagine going into the Everton game needing a win with Wilson upfront, would put me on edge.

[Conjo]

Just now, Alberto2005 said:

I agree he's been way off, I just wouldn't feel confident with either Osula or Wilson coming in until we've confirmed CL.

 

Imagine going into the Everton game needing a win with Wilson upfront, would put me on edge.

 

A one legged Isak is preferred ahead of May 2025 version of Wilson.

 

I don't think his name alone is enough to get an automatic start. He is a passenger right now just like Wilson would be.

 

I know Howe would never do it, but I'd be way more confident in getting results with someone that can run up top i.e Gordon or Osula.

[relámpago blanco]

8 minutes ago, Conjo said:

Genuinely wouldn't mind if he didn't play for the remainder of the season if his injury persists. Rest of the team is carrying him on their shoulders atm in the hope that they can provide him with an easy tap in or a penalty.

 

Or, I would mind since it would mean Wilson starts instead. I wouldn't mind if it was Osula or Gordon up top for the last two games.

I think he has to start against Arsenal as their defence is terrified of him, but I do agree.

[Displayname]

Think we should also take into account that Isak probably free up space for our other players. The defenders will have an extra focus on him.

[The Butcher]

A few 'ITKs' saying he's having an operation at the end of the season.

[Ikon]

1 minute ago, The Butcher said:

A few 'ITKs' saying he's having an operation at the end of the season.

Sounds likely. Not that 99% of the itk’s would know. 

[SUPERTOON]

14 minutes ago, The Butcher said:

A few 'ITKs' saying he's having an operation at the end of the season.

Wonder if the Arsenal doctor will be doing it. 

[nemtizz]

Brain surgery?

[Fak]

Might be the same one James Rodriguez had. 

 

 

[alexf]

Has definitely not been right ever since missing that Liverpool game in the league. I know it's easy to make excuses but you can tell he isn't right.

 

Probably the same nagging groin issue he had last year. Been snatching at chances, not able to sprint at full speed and generally just lacking shaprness.

 

But as others have said, it's still more worthwhile having him in the team than the current version of Wilson and Eddie still doesn't trust Osula. 

 

Really do think Osula coming on for him in a few games would have helped the team however. 

 

Fingers crossed he can keep going two more games and hopefully get a couple of tap ins.

[Mazzy]

This surgery (if true) will only force the point further that we need another ST to fill his boots/take the load off him. 

 

That's obviously not Wilson and it's unlikely to be Osula next season. 

[80]

Yeah, there's no point in getting on him about it. He definitely wouldn't choose to play this badly, he's just doing what he can and we clearly feel he's still the best option we have.

[elbee909]

Remember when players could have a bit of bad form and tiredness? Not possible these days apparently, must be aliens or big pharma etc.

[80]

3 hours ago, elbee909 said:

Remember when players could have a bit of bad form and tiredness? Not possible these days apparently, must be aliens or big pharma etc.

It was more the standing and walking around like he didn't give a shit at various points in the match when he should've been doing other things etc. Strictly speaking I had him down as our worst performer. But I really don't believe in the slightest that was down to a lack of effort, though. Having a bad touch, yeah fair enough that happens.

[Yorkie]

His face on the match cam after Bruno skies one.

[Geogaddi]

I think it's pretty obvious he has some sort of injury . He has been poor for a while now and he's simply too good to be playing this badly without being injured .

[SUPERTOON]

He can have the Everton game off, after his hattrick against Arsenal on Sunday.

[Lush Vlad]

5 hours ago, elbee909 said:

Remember when players could have a bit of bad form and tiredness? Not possible these days apparently, must be aliens or big pharma etc.

Not really a conspiracy to suggest he might be playing through an injury. When he has done so numerous times since arriving here and has had groin and knee/hip (I think) troubles that have seem him miss games. 
 

It’s quite easy if you watch him in games. To see that acceleration isn’t there, he is fairly immobile by his standards. He’s usually razor sharp with his reactions and on the ball. But you’re not seeing any of that. He often seems on his heels. 
 

Strikers go through barren spells and bad runs of form. But it’s not about the lack of goals or the snatching at chances for me. It’s because he clearly doesn’t look fit. 

 

 

Edited May 13 by Lush Vlad

[500bhp]

Open to a move to Arsenal per 'well placed sources', according to the BBC live Transfer Q&A page. 

 

They won't leave it alone will they. 

[PauloGeordio]

11 minutes ago, 500bhp said:

Open to a move to Arsenal per 'well placed sources', according to the BBC live Transfer Q&A page. 

 

They won't leave it alone will they. 

Especially before a match v Arsenal 

 

[Nucasol]

3 hours ago, SUPERTOON said:

He can have the Everton game off, after his hattrick against Arsenal on Sunday.

Never. All in for 2nd place and then he can bin the absolute meaningless shite off that is Sweden’s qualifiers. Get Gyokores to do the lifting given he’s been farmers leaguing all season.

[southernmag]

If we're right that Isak is carrying, and has previously carried, injuries, then the club has a real responsibility - not least to Isak himself - to ensure he has a highly capable deputy next season.