Alexander Isak

[Dr Venkman]

Needs to start, this has been going on for months now.

[KaKa]

27 minutes 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.

 

The guy has been out injured a lot of the time, and so it has been stop start with him, as he can't just be thrown straight back in with the longer term injuries he's had as his fitness wasn't up to par.

 

Why are we acting as though he's just been kept on the bench for fun?

[KaKa]

4 minutes ago, Dr Venkman said:

Needs to start, this has been going on for months now.

 

For goodness sake man

 

Have you guys just forgotten he was out injured for long periods? Or am I missing something here?

[Beren]

2 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

The guy has been out injured a lot of the time, and so it has been stop start with him, as he can't just be thrown straight back in with the longer term injuries he's had as his fitness wasn't up to par.

 

Why are we acting as though he's just been kept on the bench for fun?

 

My post said "unless he has a chronic conditioning issue".

[Dr Venkman]

16 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

For goodness sake man

 

Have you guys just forgotten he was out injured for long periods? Or am I missing something here?

Started against Sheff Wed, 7 weeks ago. Meanwhile, Wilson’s been average, and that’s being kind.

[Gallowgate Toon]

It's definitely time for change. Wilson is just annoying at this stage and is a hindrance. Play them together or play Isak.

[Klaus]

If we are being honest. Either of them will struggle in our team due to lack of service. It isn't like they are missing a ton of chances every week. 

[TRon]

Looked decent enough when he came on, but yeah can't really blame the forwards with the service they are getting.

[Newcastle Fan]

Looked sharp when he came on but had to do so much work away from their goal, we need to find a way to bring our strikers in these sort of games.

[Palestoon]

Has so much quality, it jumps off the screen. So elegant moving with the ball, but I don't think Howe has figured out how to best use him. 

 

Think he's looked best coming on to play off Wilson like he did today and when he bagged that winner vs Fulham. Allows him to ghost around, pick up the ball deep and use his pace, and technical ability to create.

 

Playing him as the lone striker asking him to bang around with big strong center halves in the box is a waste of his abilities. 

 

 

[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.