Sandro Tonali

[Thumbheed]

5 hours ago, nufc123 said:

Tonali is the main reason for our upturn in form. Credit to him.

 

I'd had it in my mind that he wouldn't be as effective as Bruno in the 6 role because he was far easier to press and couldn't open up the game in the same way that Bruno could with his dribbling, but he's shown he can be just as affective with his quick thinking and first times passes.

 

Ironically he's probably more effective, because he holds his deeper postion because of that fact he's not a dribbler which doesn't leave us exposed to the counter like Bruno did when he'd break the lines with his dribbling, plus his recovery pace is a gamechanger when we are countered. There's a number of times I've seen him recover enough just to hold up play a fraction more to give enough time for other to recover our shape and neutralise a counter that may have caught us out in the previous season. 

 

Fantastic player. 

 

 

Edited January 8 by Thumbheed

[Menace]

I watched him and Rice carefully. We got twice the player for half the price. The way he orchestrates play, he bulldozes the team, runs like he's taken a bump at 80 mins played - he's absolutely scary man. Honestly to think he's nowhere near his peak as well which is terrifying.

 

There is absolutely no guarantee he would've hit the ground running like he has if it wasn't for the ban IMO.

 

 

Edited January 8 by Menace

[ExiledGeordie]

21 minutes ago, Menace said:

I watched him and Rice carefully. We got twice the player for half the price. The way he orchestrates play, he bulldozes the team, runs like he's taken a bump at 80 mins played - he's absolutely scary man. Honestly to think he's nowhere near his peak as well which is terrifying.

 

There is absolutely no guarantee he would've hit the ground running like he has if it wasn't for the ban IMO.

 

 

 

Hes got the power of Ricd but I think he’s a more classy player overall. Hes a match for anyone in midfield right now. Proper, proper player.

[et tu brute]

His body language, the way he is straight in celebrating goals (he celebrated when Jorginho put his shot over the bar), there is no doubt in my mind he is loving it here. I honestly think the way he was treated by the club, his teammates and the fans during his ban, actually overwhelmed him. Top class this lad

 

 

Edited January 8 by et tu brute

[Joelinton7]

Makes me think of this 

 

 

 

Edited January 8 by Joelinton7
Added Tonali

[Roha]

Honestly transformed us since he finally got to play in the DM role. His engine, intelligence and speed is some amazing tools. The guy that compared him to Essien is right on the money.

 

Loving how great he is for us and so glad we stuck by him

[OoOGazOoO]

This guy is just unreal!

 

Absolutely ran his heart out last night.

 

Even when Longstaff, Miggy, Barnes, etc... had come on, it was Sandro who was pressing with intent at 80 minutes despite having been a starter.

 

Absolutely phenomenal player.

[Lotus]

I don’t think he makes Bruno replaceable, Bruno is more creative and cuter with the ball but Tonali is very complimentary to Bruno in midfield. Tonali is also good enough that we can look capable even without Bruno.

[joeyt]

Teams can't counter attack us as easily now as for all of Bruno's amazing qualities, he's slow as fuck compared to Sandro

 

Also I find it amazing that everytime we clear the ball from a corner,  Tonali is always the quickest out to press the opposition on the halfway line

[Jimburst]

One of my favourite things about him is having that player that other teams get sick of pressing. He'll just pop it off to another player, they'll retreat and we'll pass it back to him. He'll turn and make some space and the opposition all just stand there, waiting. Happens so much. Gives us control of the tempo, something we've lost since Trippier lost it.

 

I think teams target Bruno, 'cos as good as he is, he'll give you the ball a few times a game from overplaying, and you're straight in at our incredibly slow CB's. Tonali nullifies this as he's harder to press and doesn't push up or break lines like Bruno does. 

[samptime29]

As previous posters have said, the way the club stood by him and supported him during the ban, has really formed a bond there. He looks like is really enjoying his football and working his balls off. Top player.

[Smal]

19 minutes ago, joeyt said:

 

 

Also I find it amazing that everytime we clear the ball from a corner,  Tonali is always the quickest out to press the opposition on the halfway line

 

yeah, noticed that more than ever last night. He’s a natural leader and I think him coming into the team and finding his place is a big part of why the team looks more energetic and less stale.

 

It’s a clear illustration of why we need to keep adding a player of similar quality each year if we’re to keep moving forward.

 

I actually don’t think Tonali would suit the single pivot role in many other top teams tbh, but because of the way we play he’s invaluable there for us. He covers the full backs when he needs to and as you say has the pace to cover transitions so much better than Bruno ever did.

[Conjo]

Said in the match thread our players will become spoiled by playing with him too much  He was everywhere, and on multiple occasions covered for Livramento, Hall, Joelinton and Willock when they were out of position.

[huss9]

6 hours ago, nufcjb said:

Shame about that shot he had in the 1st half but other than that, absolutely proud we have him at our club.

i think Arteta said in the presser that Tonali would have scored if it it had been a prem ball.

same with Big Joe's shot.

[NG32]

I think he brings a calmness to the team as well, something im not used to as a Newcastle fan. 

[Curva Sud Milano]

Happy for you and for Tonali who finally plays in his natural role... Howay the Lads !!

Sandro per sempre nei nostri cuori !!!

[joeyt]

Love his berating of the referees too

[huss9]

6 minutes ago, joeyt said:

Love his berating of the referees too

wish he'd do a bit more italian hand waving.

 

 

Edited January 8 by huss9

[AJ9]

World class at the moment

[wyn davies]

Wonder if he is able to encourage any decent Ities here 

[Mikky]

People will have a go at me for this - I think it’s imperative we sign another quality CM to add to Bruno and Tonali (with a pathway open for Miley too) - it’s one of the most critical positions in any team wanting to achieve big things - will give us so much dynamism 

 

(In addition to a RW and CB)

[bobbydazzla]

Landlord of the Job Bulman has has just unveiled a statue of Sandro on the bar, supping an ice cold Moretti and eating spaghetti 

[Holloway]

His athleticism has surprised me the most, he's popping up all over the place

[High Five o]

34 minutes ago, Mikky said:

People will have a go at me for this - I think it’s imperative we sign another quality CM to add to Bruno and Tonali (with a pathway open for Miley too) - it’s one of the most critical positions in any team wanting to achieve big things - will give us so much dynamism 

 

(In addition to a RW and CB)

I kind of agree, but in the current situation it’s low on our priority list. I even want a striker to be able rest Isak more before we add a CM. Until we offload either Longstaff or Willock it’s impossible due to PSR I would say.

[nufc123]

1 hour ago, Mikky said:

People will have a go at me for this - I think it’s imperative we sign another quality CM to add to Bruno and Tonali (with a pathway open for Miley too) - it’s one of the most critical positions in any team wanting to achieve big things - will give us so much dynamism 

 

(In addition to a RW and CB)

Dont think anyone will have a go. We already have one of the best midfields in the league. Adding another one in the likes of Bruno/Tonali then we are seeking perfection really. As good as Joelinton was yesterday, he gave the ball away in dangerous positions.