Swazzdro Tonali

[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. 

[Smal]

Joelinton did create the best chance of the game with a fantastic pass, mind. He is capable.

[TRon]

1 hour 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.

 

Ironic but Tonali would probably be a far better fit for current City than Bruno. But I guess once Rodri is back then that might change. It does show the quality of midfielders we have on our books if we can get the team set up right.

[Tsunami]

Tonali really benefitted from Bruno going off and provided a glimpse of what could be. As much as I love Bruno and his connection with the fans I think there’s a real argument that Tonali is the better player and can offer more in the positions Bruno occupies. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

7 minutes ago, Tsunami said:

Tonali really benefitted from Bruno going off and provided a glimpse of what could be. As much as I love Bruno and his connection with the fans I think there’s a real argument that Tonali is the better player and can offer more in the positions Bruno occupies. 

Hmm, I dunno. He was playing brilliantly while Bruno was on as well. 

[Maggies]

Masterful performance. Love seeing the Wolfpack in midfield led by this man!

[Tsunami]

Don’t disagree but he really stepped up as the man when Bruno went off. For me he’s far more dynamic, more mobile and more of a threat. It’s a really difficult one; if we had to sell one of Bruno, Tonali or Isak, I’d be selling Bruno. My only concern would be Tonali’s commitment to the club.

[GEFAFWISP]

I love him.

[relámpago blanco]

5 minutes ago, Maggies said:

Masterful performance. Love seeing the Wolfpack in midfield led by this man!

Indeed, we need to start him as the main man in midfield. Central. He should be the first name on the teamsheet after hall.  Bruno can play further forward and do it very well. 

[Kanj]

Jsut need to see Tonali become more of a focal point and not allow himself to be played around. He and Bruno need to be on the ball a lot more. 

[Myleftboot]

Wish that bring down and shot had went in.

[McDog]

Just now, Myleftboot said:

Wish that bring down and shot had went in.

 

 

Would have been class.

[Kid Icarus]

It's coming.

[PauloGeordio]

 

[M1tche]

He is the exact definition of a midfield maestro, need him playing in the 6 either as a single or double pivot, but not with Bruno. 

 

He controls the game pace so well, love Bruno and he is class, but he's too forward thinking to control games like Tonali does. 

[Sergio]

Italian elegance 🇮🇹

 

His fist pumping celebration to the Gallowgate for Murphy's opener was pure 🥹

[Gallowgate Toon]

I think it easy to see why he's having a lot more joy in this role. It's less frenetic, less congested, he can be more considered in how he approaches the game.

 

I still think he can have a real part to play as a wider CM in the 3 but it's easy to forget he's adjusting to our league still. 

 

He and Bruno had some nice positional interchanges today. I really hope that continues.

[cubaricho]

3 hours ago, Tsunami said:

Don’t disagree but he really stepped up as the man when Bruno went off. For me he’s far more dynamic, more mobile and more of a threat. It’s a really difficult one; if we had to sell one of Bruno, Tonali or Isak, I’d be selling Bruno. My only concern would be Tonali’s commitment to the club.

Gordon is the purple to sell if absolutely necessary that we have to.