Anthony Elanga

[Stottie]

5 minutes ago, Hanshithispantz said:

His goals with his feet are evenly split apparently. Someone put a video up yesterday and I think it was 4 each, and 3 with his head.

Understat is very good for this. Link below is for Elanga. Hit the "shot type" button.

 

https://understat.com/player/9524

[Paulinho]

Concern with Elanga is he’s another one who doesn’t offer much against deep lying defences. So much of last season we were aimlessly passing it around the opposition box with no real idea what to do. Don’t see him changing that at all. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Just now, Paulinho said:

Concern with Elanga is he’s another one who doesn’t offer much against deep lying defences. So much of last season we were aimlessly passing it around the opposition box with no real idea what to do. Don’t see him changing that at all. 

 

Yeah, but I don't think those were really the games we struggled in the most. I don't disagree we could do better but I'm not sure if it's realistic to expect or if we just need to embrace Howe-ball and all the pros and cons that come with it. 

 

Midfielder or second striker signing will be interesting. Going after Joao Pedro suggests at least one eye on different ways to play. 

[Stottie]

Against a low block, get Elanga, Gordon or Bruno to draw a foul. Elanga can then put it on BDB's head.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

17 minutes ago, STM said:

 

 

 

 

Surely use the plane emoji for the flight Craig? I mean, come on, raise your game. 

[LFEE]

Surprised he’s flying in. Surely it would be quicker if he ran here? 

[JP]

Is the low block concern justified?

 

We've scored 68/85/68 goals under Howe in his 3 full seasons. It's arguably the other way and goals conceded that's decreasing our chances of a higher league position.

 

A few games last season we did struggle against teams that sat in but I do find as a fanbase we're placing too much emphasis on it. Personal opinion.

 

[Hanshithispantz]

9 minutes ago, Stottie said:

Understat is very good for this. Link below is for Elanga. Hit the "shot type" button.

 

https://understat.com/player/9524

That's really handy like, cheers.

 

 

[TRon]

1 minute ago, JP said:

Is the low block concern justified?

 

We've scored 68/85/68 goals under Howe in his 3 full seasons. It's arguably the other way and goals conceded that's decreasing our chances of a higher league position.

 

A few games last season we did struggle against teams that sat in but I do find as a fanbase we're placing too much emphasis on it. Personal opinion.

 

 

 

To a point it is justified. But the type of players who can genuinely unlock a low block cost a fortune, and all the biggest clubs are after them. You are talking about a Salah or a Yamal really. 

 

I did wonder about Grealish for this, but even he's already on sky high wages so we can't afford it even if we wanted him. 

[Checko]

Low blocks are hard for everyone to break through tbf, that's why teams do it. I actually think one of the best ways to combat it is for a winger to get to the byline, drill a ball into the box and cause some chaos, and Elanga could be great for that.

 

My main concern with the team is that we tend to be quite impatient, usually look to quick transition all the time, and while that can work, it can also lead to dangeros turnovers and counters where players are out of position. Hopefully Elanga's also got the touch and compousure to be able to link & maintain possession under pressure & isn't a mainly guy who just thrives running into space.

[Colos Short and Curlies]

16 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

 

To a point it is justified. But the type of players who can genuinely unlock a low block cost a fortune, and all the biggest clubs are after them. You are talking about a Salah or a Yamal really. 

 

I did wonder about Grealish for this, but even he's already on sky high wages so we can't afford it even if we wanted him. 

 

It's not just the player, its a team style of play. And not just against a low block.

 

Teams who's plan B is to bring on like for like subs will always struggle to change the direction of games and that's been more of an issue that not having the magic to pick a lock.

 

Osula is wildcard who's unpredictability and raw enthusiasm could be used to effect this season, albeit in an individual way and a profile such as DCL (note profile such as, not saying DCL is the answer) where you can switch to a more direct ball to a back tot he goal front man / put it in the mixer early approach would provide a different option.

[TRon]

4 minutes ago, Checko said:

Low blocks are hard for everyone to break through tbf, that's why teams do it. I actually think one of the best ways to combat it is for a winger to get to the byline, drill a ball into the box and cause some chaos, and Elanga could be great for that.

 

My main concern with the team is that we tend to be quite impatient, usually look to quick transition all the time, and while that can work, it can also lead to dangeros turnovers and counters where players are out of position. Hopefully Elanga's also got the touch and compousure to be able to link & maintain possession under pressure & isn't a mainly guy who just thrives running into space.

 

Agree with this. At their best, Man City were very hard to defend against even with a low block because they just kept possession relentlessly. But they also had the best technical players in the world, so they had the skills to work openings even in the tightest of spaces as a team, not necessarily relying on an idividual bit of magic either. 

 

Liverpool under Klopp were very hard to defend against as well, they would just overwhem teams with pace and skill. But again, you do need a few of the world's best players to be a Liverpool or a Man City. You aren't getting these players for £40-50m. 

[Chicken Dancer]

We definitely would need someone who can play in between Isak and the midfield in certain games. Over the last few years we've been heavily linked with Maddison and Pedro - two players many of us questioned where they would fit in our system - but it shows Howe would love for a player who can play that role in certain situations.

 

I think versatility is key. We don't want to sign an out and out '10' as we rarely play with one, but rather someone who can play across the front or perhaps in a midfield 3 too.

[Toon1892]

1 hour ago, JP said:

Is the low block concern justified?

 

We've scored 68/85/68 goals under Howe in his 3 full seasons. It's arguably the other way and goals conceded that's decreasing our chances of a higher league position.

 

A few games last season we did struggle against teams that sat in but I do find as a fanbase we're placing too much emphasis on it. Personal opinion.

 

Completely agree. Don’t think we struggle against low blocks at all. Teams like Forest we normally beat. The teams we struggle against are high pressing teams like Bournemouth and Fulham.

 

No idea where this “struggle against low blocks” comes from? Anyone have any idea?

 

We are so good against teams with low blocks. Think we beat the bottom 6 home and away last year?

[HawK]

12 minutes ago, Toon1892 said:

Completely agree. Don’t think we struggle against low blocks at all. Teams like Forest we normally beat. The teams we struggle against are high pressing teams like Bournemouth and Fulham.

 

No idea where this “struggle against low blocks” comes from? Anyone have any idea?

 

We are so good against teams with low blocks. Think we beat the bottom 6 home and away last year?

 

Replied before in depth a few pages ago. 

 

It's less prevalent now but was a big issue for us for seasons before the previous one.

[Thumbheed]

30 minutes ago, Toon1892 said:

Completely agree. Don’t think we struggle against low blocks at all. Teams like Forest we normally beat. The teams we struggle against are high pressing teams like Bournemouth and Fulham.

 

No idea where this “struggle against low blocks” comes from? Anyone have any idea?

 

We are so good against teams with low blocks. Think we beat the bottom 6 home and away last year?

 

West Ham and Everton too. I dont think there are too many teams that do play with a low block nowadays because of the amount of quality spread across the league but identifying individual teams as ones we struggle against is a bit of a false economy when in reality its x number of points lost. Those lost point become increasingly more significant next year, but on top of that, I imagine more teams might adopt a more defensive approach pending the result of this window and we'll be coming up against faor more organised teams in Europe.

[Cronky]

I've just had a look at his Youtube highlights reel. I was surprised to see how two-footed he is. He's stronger on his right, but he doesn't mind cutting inside and shooting or passing with his left. That's a very significant upgrade on Almiron or Murphy. 

[madras]

19 minutes ago, Cronky said:

I've just had a look at his Youtube highlights reel. I was surprised to see how two-footed he is. He's stronger on his right, but he doesn't mind cutting inside and shooting or passing with his left. That's a very significant upgrade on Almiron or Murphy. 

Not just two footed but effective playing on either side. One stat site even had him playing through the middle on 7 or 8 occasions last season and that's where his best ratings were.

 

Edit.......No idea how accurate like https://www.whoscored.com/players/413211/show/anthony-elanga

 

 

Edited July 8, 2025 by madras

[AyeDubbleYoo]

17 minutes ago, Cronky said:

I've just had a look at his Youtube highlights reel. I was surprised to see how two-footed he is. He's stronger on his right, but he doesn't mind cutting inside and shooting or passing with his left. That's a very significant upgrade on Almiron or Murphy. 

 

Says in an interview for Rising Ballers (I know :lol:) that he spent all of lockdown working on his left foot.

 

Not sure I'd call him completely two-footed but he's definitely comfortable and wants to work on it. 

[Gawalls]

4 hours ago, SteV said:

He used to keep wicket for Sri Lanka

But is probably a bit of a wanker (disclaimer only added it cos it rhymes)

[Doops]

I've seen him take corners with his left foot too, not a lot of players would dare use their weak side like that

[Lush Vlad]

2 hours ago, JP said:

Is the low block concern justified?

 

We've scored 68/85/68 goals under Howe in his 3 full seasons. It's arguably the other way and goals conceded that's decreasing our chances of a higher league position.

 

A few games last season we did struggle against teams that sat in but I do find as a fanbase we're placing too much emphasis on it. Personal opinion.

 

 

I think it is that this more 'technical player' we all crave, is the answer for both the low block and teams that press us.  Depending on game state (urgh, what a statto saying).  We have struggled to break teams down at times when they sit off, most teams do.  But also, as someone else alluded to.  We also struggle against high energy, high pressing teams.  As we don't have players who are comfortable enough receiving the ball under pressure or crisp enough with their passing to work their way out of trouble.  Then the latter also applies to low blocks and not being incisive and sharp enough with our passing to work openings.    

 

The problem is, everyone is after this type of player and if you want to match that with the speed and physicality that Howe wants us to play with.  Then that's going to be a small and very expensive pool of players you're choosing from. 

[madras]

9 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

 

I think it is that this more 'technical player' we all crave, is the answer for both the low block and teams that press us.  Depending on game state (urgh, what a statto saying).  We have struggled to break teams down at times when they sit off, most teams do.  But also, as someone else alluded to.  We also struggle against high energy, high pressing teams.  As we don't have players who are comfortable enough receiving the ball under pressure or crisp enough with their passing to work their way out of trouble.  Then the latter also applies to low blocks and not being incisive and sharp enough with our passing to work openings.    

 

The problem is, everyone is after this type of player and if you want to match that with the speed and physicality that Howe wants us to play with.  Then that's going to be a small and very expensive pool of players you're choosing from. 

That's where Trafford would come in to play. How high a press would you play against Elanga/Isak/Gordon ?

[The Butcher]

Elanga, Isak, Gordon, Murphy, Osula, even Barnes.

 

There's so much pace there.

 

 

[Dr Venkman]

2 minutes ago, The Butcher said:

Elanga, Isak, Gordon, Murphy, Osula, even Barnes.

 

There's so much pace there.