Sandro Tonali

[JonBez comesock]

1 minute ago, mush said:

 

It's tough to pick MOTM between Tonali, Hall and Isak for me today

Hall - 100%

[Ikon]

So much technical ability as well as intelligence. The athleticism on top of that too 

[Shak]

I'll be very interested to see Tonali as DM with Bruno to his right and Willock to his left.

 

You'd presume that will be change with Joelinton suspended.

[Ronson333]

5 minutes ago, cubaricho said:

His first time passes are fucking sexual. He just keeps things moving at pace rather than letting the moves slow/break down. 

 

 

 

It breaks through the opposition press every time 

[Andy]

He's top class and actually plays with positional discipline over the full 90, unlike any of our other midfielders. Should be the second name on the team sheet after Isak. 

[KaKa]

Just now, TRon said:

 

So hard to defend against as well. Imagine a few more doing the same thing and you are Barcelona of Messi's time. Minus Messi admittedly.

 

Yeah, as good as Bruno is at holding onto the ball and moving away from pressure, I always felt he would sometimes over indulge in that when in that deeper position.

 

Really like the way Tonali moves the ball so quickly.

[TRon]

Just now, KaKa said:

 

Yeah, as good as Bruno is at holding onto the ball and moving away from pressure, I always felt he would sometimes over indulge in that when in that deeper position.

 

Really like the way Tonali moves the ball so quickly.

 

 

Yep, was thinking exactly that. Bruno is such a good player but he does like to hold the ball rather than move it quickly. Which is great in many ways, but defences probably prefer that to the lightning incisions that Tonali provides.

[Lush Vlad]

7 minutes ago, Shak said:

Adds so much him being the base of the midfield.

 

He does everything so quickly, really helps the tempo of our whole team in attack.

Great shout. As brilliant as Bruno is. When he plays deepest. He does often want to have a few touches before shifting the ball. Or invite a tackle so he can roll them or win a free kick. 
 

Ironically. In the Liverpool game and again today. Bruno is quicker on the ball when he is in the other team’s half. 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 17:20 by Lush Vlad

[pubteam]

We look a lot better with tonali as he constantly shows for the ball and his ball retention is superb. Knows when to play it simple and when to go for that killer ball.

[SUPERTOON]

He’s wanting to move the ball much quicker than most of the side. So evident how good he is.

[STM]

If it wasn't for Isak and Hall being SO amazing, he wasn't far behind.

[Bally21]

Tonali is class, hall superb. Hall for me with tonali close second. 

[Gallowgate Toon]

Covers ground so efficiently and keeps it quick & simple most of the time, but it was also nice to see him opening up his passing range on occasion too. Fantastic.

[KaKa]

Wonder where we'd be if he had been in midfield from the outset.

 

Still hard to believe he was playing behind Longstaff early on, considering his quality.

 

Even up until recently, there was still support for that.

[cubaricho]

11 minutes ago, Gallowgate Toon said:

but it was also nice to see him opening up his passing range on occasion too

 

I know the game was gone by this point, but his long cross field pass that Tripper just killed dead on his toe was  

[David Edgar]

I won't be worried if/when Bruno is sold now. This guy is just gonna step up and maybe take us even further.

[KaKa]

2 minutes ago, David Edgar said:

I won't be worried if/when Bruno is sold now. This guy is just gonna step up and maybe take us even further.

 

Yeah, if that ever happens, we can actually target more of a goal scoring/creative third midfielder.

 

Tonali at the 6 position is certainly the way to go.

[Newcastle Fan]

Just play him every game until the end of the season, he is now our best midfielder.

 

Keith Gillespie was the guest at wings and post match he said he was his man of the match.

[BonesJones]

11 minutes ago, David Edgar said:

I won't be worried if/when Bruno is sold now. This guy is just gonna step up and maybe take us even further.

 

I think he's better tbh. Bruno has his loveable side and is very good but Tonali is a midfield monster!

[KaKa]

On the Isak one on one where he should have scored, the through ball from Joelinton is brilliant, but it all comes from the early ball from Tonali to Joelinton high up the pitch in space to thread the pass.

 

Perfect example of how his quicker play will put us in position to open up teams more often.

[Kanj]

The 6 role is sorted. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

FWIW I never had any doubt that he would become a key player, it was inevitable. Howe might like Longstaff but no manager with a brain is going to overlook Tonali. 

[Kanj]

1 minute ago, KaKa said:

On the Isak one on one where he should have scored, the through ball from Joelinton is brilliant, but it all comes from the early ball from Tonali to Joelinton high up the pitch in space to thread the pass.

 

Perfect example of how his quicker play will put us in position to open up teams more often.

ya I’ve been banging this drum for ages but Tonali’s quickness on the ball is light years ahead of the rest of the squad. He goes first time, or back to his teammate or moves it on. Towards the end he was gesturing to the defense to keep moving the ball. He clearly HATES when people just hold the ball and don’t even move it. 

[nufc123]

The last time I write this.....doesnt fit the team

[Oregon_Geordie]

Slow slow start but starting to show more signs of the player he really is. Was saying to my mate at the match today, he just dictates the game and pace, his passing can be aggressive and sharp or slow and safe. Really is an intelligent all round Rolls Royce of a midfielder. Hope he can stay on form in that 6 role for months and years to come. Great game today!