Sandro Tonali

[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

[Sandrotastico]

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!

[STM]

The issue seems to have been Bruno, not Longstaff. Howe was sticking with Bruno as a 6 through hell and highwater, despite his lacking in pace on the transition.

 

Tonali in at 8 wasn't really working. Now the balance looks so much better and it's Joelinton who's place is at risk.

 

Against Ipswich, I suspect Bruno might play LCM and Longstaff RCM, rather than Willock coming back in.

[Jaqen]

49 minutes ago, KaKa said:

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.

 

Think the problem was more Bruno as a 6 benefitted far more from Longstaff alongside him. 

 

Tonali doesn't really need a grafter alongside him when he's playing that role. 

[Heron]

👀

[KaKa]

7 minutes ago, Kanj said:

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. 

 

Absolutely. He's a true orchestrator and conductor. Love that he urges and directs the rest of the team too.

 

Bruno tends to want to take more risks on the ball and with the ball, and has always said he prefers to play further forward, and so it's good to have finally arrived here with both.

[duo]

Playing in his best position and it shows

[Lush Vlad]

32 minutes ago, STM said:

The issue seems to have been Bruno, not Longstaff. Howe was sticking with Bruno as a 6 through hell and highwater, despite his lacking in pace on the transition.

 

Tonali in at 8 wasn't really working. Now the balance looks so much better and it's Joelinton who's place is at risk.

 

Against Ipswich, I suspect Bruno might play LCM and Longstaff RCM, rather than Willock coming back in.

I think that will be most likely. My issues with that is then the trio on the right are again all massively lacking on the ball. We won’t retain possession or create much. 
 

Then on the left. Hall is not going to

be offered the protection and legs that the Joes offer. 
 

Gordon was noticeably tracking back a bit more today, I thought. But it has seemed like for a while, he stays high. Plus Hall is often up there supporting. So I reckon we’d get murdered for pace that side. Especially if Hutchinson plays there. 

[Solitude20]

33 minutes ago, STM said:

The issue seems to have been Bruno, not Longstaff. Howe was sticking with Bruno as a 6 through hell and highwater, despite his lacking in pace on the transition.

 

Tonali in at 8 wasn't really working. Now the balance looks so much better and it's Joelinton who's place is at risk.

 

Against Ipswich, I suspect Bruno might play LCM and Longstaff RCM, rather than Willock coming back in.

I definitely agree with the Joelinton part. if we are to change our style to rely more on quick passing and short plays, then Joelinton may not offer much. His role was more influential when we were more physical in our style, and it’s been a while since we played high pressure football IMO.  

[Scoot]

Really happy to see Tonali playing that 6 role and playing it fantastically.  That's his position now, Bruno can play further up the field where he himself has said he prefers to play.