Cronky Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 5 hours ago, 80 said: This comment isn't ageing very well. As someone who was supportive of Gordon in the early days though, it's fair to say Tonali hasn't had an auspicious start with us. He almost looks like he's playing for a different team a lot of the time. It means there's a lot of room for improvement as and when he fully adapts, though. The club's track record with signings is so good over the past two years that I think it would be foolish to sour on this one any sooner than next season. But there are definitely questions to answer. Yeah, I agree. We have to give him more time, but at the moment there are concerns. I was at the game today, so I was able to have a good look at him. He didn't really make things happen, seemed nervous on the ball, didn't tackle well, often passed to a player who was in a worse position than him. I'm not sure if the problem is physical, mental, or a question of getting used to a new playing environment, but there is a problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magvicar Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Tonali has been at the club 5 minutes. Many players take time to bed in and find their feet. I'm sure Tonali will. He's not looking too bad as is but we can all see there's a hell of a lot more in his locker which will come to the fore over the season, I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 (edited) Someone earlier made a good point about the opposition he's faced. Yesterday was probably his "easiest" opposition that he's started against, and they're currently top 7. His other 4 league starts are all against teams in the top 6. I know when you spend £55m people expect him to roll up and stroll this, but it's not like that. Would like to see him start the couple of league games after the break, might do him the world of good playing Palace and Wolves. Edited October 9, 2023 by Optimistic Nut Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 (edited) 17 hours ago, OoOGazOoO said: He's a quality player and I think he is getting better with each game but his attempt to get in the way of their equaliser was reminiscent of that goal we conceded earlier in the season where he was just ambling towards the ball. Certainly could have had more urgency about him and thrown his leg in the way. Didn't watch the game. But I noticed that as well. When he signed, I didn't expect a top passer. The stats bore that out clearly. But I did expect a bit more commitment defensively. It was late game and not a massive mistake. But he needs to sharpen that side of his game up. I was expecting a bit more of a "braveheart" midfielder but plenty of time to come on. Re profile: Bruno is the only progressive *passer* in our midfield/attack. IMO we would benefit from having another passer in midfield or attack - someone that can take us up the pitch through the lines. Tonali is more similar to the Joe's. He progresses more via carrying than passing. I think adjusting to life in Newcastle and the PL is the biggest hurdle for him that affects him on the pitch. On paper - his profile is similar to our existing 8s. Edited October 9, 2023 by The College Dropout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 The only thing that could stop him being a success is if he doesn’t feel settled and wants away after a short time with us. We’ve seen every player improve under Howe, especially when they’ve had a full pre-season and time to bed in. That will be harder for Tonali than most given there’s no Italian speakers in our team and he’s left his boyhood club. If he manages to properly settle and love living here then we’ll see the best of him. There’s clearly a fantastic player in there but we’ve not seen much of it so far Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzza Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 His control of the ball and immediate turn toward the opposition goal is top class, I often thought yesterday that he didn´t have that many great options. He made a few mistakes yesterday but was decent tbf... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiresias Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 (edited) No doubt he will get there, taking time to adapt is normal. Paqueta looked hopeless most of last season for west ham before starting to come good towards end of the season, hopefully Tonali will get there sooner but we know working under Howe is physically demanding we are going to have to get used to players taking time to adapt. Grealish at City too took time, it happens all the time. It's clear he has the talent, hell he was part of the team that put PSG to the sword. Edited October 9, 2023 by Tiresias Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormy Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Why is the end of his chant 'he hates fucking sunderland' as if he'd probably even heard of them before moving here? I like to avoid throwing this accusation out but especially when we haven't played them for seven years it feels so small time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 4 minutes ago, wormy said: Why is the end of his chant 'he hates fucking sunderland' as if he'd probably even heard of them before moving here? I like to avoid throwing this accusation out but especially when we haven't played them for seven years it feels so small time. Aye, it’s rubbish but fans will be fans. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ9 Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 That chant also annoys me that it’s not “he fucking hates Sunderland”. He hates fucking Sunderland sounds silly to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Aye, completely agree. It’s like “hmm, we’ve got spaghetti in there so we’ve covered our bases on character development. What else do we need to include? I tell you what, a reference to hating Sunderland wouldn’t go amiss” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 If we're going the Italian stereotype route for his chant then something like "and drives a Ferrari," would have fit perfect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 31 minutes ago, Tiresias said: No doubt he will get there, taking time to adapt is normal. Paqueta looked hopeless most of last season for west ham before starting to come good towards end of the season, hopefully Tonali will get there sooner but we know working under Howe is physically demanding we are going to have to get used to players taking time to adapt. Grealish at City too took time, it happens all the time. It's clear he has the talent, hell he was part of the team that put PSG to the sword. Paqueta is an odd-fit for Moyes tbf. Tonali should suit our system better. Paqueta is better at more eye-catching things too, Tonali is harder to judge as a player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gawalls Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 34 minutes ago, AJ9 said: That chant also annoys me that it’s not “he fucking hates Sunderland”. He hates fucking Sunderland sounds silly to me. “He’s always arguing with his two sons and getting arrested.” That’s what my old Italian neighbours did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormy Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 39 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said: If we're going the Italian stereotype route for his chant then something like "and drives a Ferrari," would have fit perfect. Fucking hell Wiki says he's from Lodi in Lombardy. If true its tailor-made. Sandro Tonali (Sandro!) Sandro Tonali He comes from Lombardy, he drives a Ferrari He drinks Moretti, he eats spaghetti* He's Sandro Tonaliii 1, 2, 3, 4.. *if we really must Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 14 hours ago, Colos Short and Curlies said: a prime example playing for West Ham today in Bruno’s ex best mate Paqueta? He was quality last season as well tbf. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 1 minute ago, McCormick said: Paqueta? He was quality last season as well tbf. Not for the first half of the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Puppets Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 I thought he was "OK" yesterday, as were most of the team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Puppets Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 3 minutes ago, McCormick said: Paqueta? He was quality last season as well tbf. Ask any West Ham fan and they'll tell you Paqueta has a very poor start to life with them. Started to come good around January / February. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Yeah, agree with that. Was genuinely world class at the back end of last season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteV Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Just now, McCormick said: Yeah, agree with that. Was genuinely world class at the back end of last season. Tbf he’d be playing for Man City now if he wasn’t going to be getting a ban for gambling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 They going to delay the decision until May so Paqueta only has a few months of competitive football off? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Villa game showed us the player we had bought. Give him time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackyboy Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 Some players take a whole season to settle in but I'm convinced Tonali is improving all the time. He has a rather sad looking demeanor sometimes and people read that as he's unhappy. Moving your family to another country to a totally different environment is not easy. It's not like working away from home for a few months it's for 5 years Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myleftboot Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 1 hour ago, duo said: Villa game showed us the player we had bought. Give him time Just watched ‘IN FOCUS The best of Sandro Tonali on his Newcastle debut’. On the Newcastle United YouTube channel. He’s a quality player just needs bedding in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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