Sandro Tonali

[Newcastle Fan]

Immense today, so much energy and honestly feels like we've got the best midfielder in the league recently,.

[Lush Vlad]

I actually thought some of his forward passing was a bit sloppy and potentially could have gotten us into bother at times. Sometimes loose from him. Other times players not being on the same wavelength, on their heels, getting themselves marked by spinning off too early etc. 

 

However, it has hard to complain about it too much. As it is so refreshing to see someone try forward passes into feet off their first or second touch. 

He was also everywhere as per usual. The balance of the midfield and the wider team in general looks so much better. All from him sitting deeper. 
 

What a player. 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2024 by Lush Vlad

[wormy]

4 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

That's the thing. He's yet to peak..

 

And when he does peak, you'll know. Because he's gonna peak so hard that everybody in Newcastle's gonna feel it.

[Whitley mag]

Not wanting to get carried away but starting to look like a player who leads a club to trophies. 

[PauloGeordio]

1 minute ago, wormy said:

 

And when he does peak, you'll know. Because he's gonna peak so hard that everybody in Newcastle's gonna feel it.

and be so hard. Like a disturbance in the force.

[wormy]

He's going to captain us sooner or later. At the very least he'll be in the leadership group soon. I love the responsibility he seems to take on, just little things to calm things down and directing others where to go. 

[Wallsendmag]

Tell you what mind, when you're sat up in Level 7 it really hits home how good he is.

[Smal]

I thought he was good and it’s really transformative having him playing there, but sometimes he was a bit slack with the ball today which was always my concern with him playing as a 6. He’s not been like that in recent games so hopefully it’s just a one off. He has to be really sure with his passing in the position he plays.

[Joelintons leg the 3rd]

23 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

That's the thing. He's yet to peak..

He hasn't even begun to peak

[geordie_b]

Don’t think I’ve seen another NUFC player as fluid on the ball as him. The way he receives, controls and plays the ball without breaking a stride is a joy to watch. 

[geordie_b]

2 minutes ago, Joelintons leg the 3rd said:

He hasn't even begun to peak

A few times today I almost peaked…

[PauloGeordio]

Just now, geordie_b said:

Don’t think I’ve seen another NUFC player as fluid on the ball as him. The way he receives, controls and plays the ball without breaking a stride is a joy to watch. 

He's elite. 

[ExiledGeordie]

Bloke is ridiculously good and a full on leader and he’s already taken the team up a notch. He gives the side so much more control, balance and the defence must feel so good with him in front of them. But the thing is he initiates attacks too, absolutely class. Bruno is benefitting from the change too👍

[STM]

21 minutes ago, Whitley mag said:

Not wanting to get carried away but starting to look like a player who leads a club to trophies. 

 

I know exactly what you mean. He's got winner written all over him.

[PauloGeordio]

1 minute ago, ExiledGeordie said:

Bloke is ridiculously good and a full on leader and he’s already taken the team up a notch. He gives the side so much more control, balance and the defence must feel so good with him in front of them. But the thing is he initiates attacks too, absolutely class. Bruno is benefitting from the change too👍

It's going to get better for him when Botman is back.

 

 

Edited December 26, 2024 by PauloGeordio

[STM]

BTW, he's given the ball away once or twice in every game he's played so far. 

 

It's worth remembering that he's not Bruno, he's going to play more risky passes in riskier areas.

[Tiresias]

It's also worth pointing out that Howe's style isn't possession focused, high press and aggression comes at a cost of misplaced passes and the types of players howe wants and we have arent metronomes. I have advocated bringing in players to enable us to play more likek that purely as a plan b, and arguably the players if coached to do so could be less risky but I think it's a conscious choice. The players just need to be fit and hunt in packs to get it back, if we're short like we were at start of season we give the ball away and dont win it back

 

 

Edited December 26, 2024 by Tiresias

[Andy]

One of the best aspects of his game is the way he drops into defense to cover btw. At times today he found himself at centre half covering Schar who'd pushed forward, and in both full back positions at various points. 

 

Genuine game intelligence and he has the engine and athleticism to do it seamlessly. 

[PauloGeordio]

Just now, Andy said:

One of the best aspects of his game is the way he drops into defense to cover btw. At times today he found himself at centre half covering Schar who'd pushed forward, and in both full back positions at various points. 

 

Genuine game intelligence and he has the engine and athleticism to do it seamlessly. 

He's everything I hoped he would be and more. So pleased for him and us. What a midfield we have developing there.

[Tsunami]

His mobility and athleticism at a 6 is different level to Bruno. I still feel there is a little “clash” between the 2 as Bruno sees himself as a 6.

 

If and when they click and become comfortable in the system, we’ll have a midfield to be reckoned with.

 

Add a top RW option and we’ll cause all kinds of problems.

[SUPERTOON]

1 minute ago, Tsunami said:

His mobility and athleticism at a 6 is different level to Bruno. I still feel there is a little “clash” between the 2 as Bruno sees himself as a 6.

 

If and when they click and become comfortable in the system, we’ll have a midfield to be reckoned with.

 

Add a top RW option and we’ll cause all kinds of problems.

A clash in what way ? Bruno prefers playing higher imo.

[LFEE]

Clear upgrade on Longstaff except his short passing. Can be sloppy but he’ll improve under EH.

[Jackie Broon]

1 minute ago, Tsunami said:

His mobility and athleticism at a 6 is different level to Bruno. I still feel there is a little “clash” between the 2 as Bruno sees himself as a 6.

 

If and when they click and become comfortable in the system, we’ll have a midfield to be reckoned with.

 

Add a top RW option and we’ll cause all kinds of problems.

 

I don't think Bruno sees himself as a 6, I think they both see themselves ideally as 8s.

[TBG]

'Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, 'Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, 'Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, 'Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, Ole, 'Ole, 

[STM]

Just now, LFEE said:

Clear upgrade on Longstaff except his short passing. Can be sloppy but he’ll improve under EH.

 

He's a clear upgrade on Bruno and Bruno is a gargantuan upgrade on Longstaff.