Anthony Elanga

[Yorkie]

It is quite difficult to argue to the contrary. The only thing to say in his defence is that he's played well twice, against Barcelona (where he genuinely looked lethal for a half) and Union SG - which is obviously caveated by the poor opponent - but he was still good. Then the mitigation is in how the whole attacking unit feels deficient at the moment. 

 

Beyond that, it's impossible to deny he's looked very ropey and - worse - totally unsuited. That's where my faith in the manager comes in, though. Surely there must be some method to the madness...

 

The avatar stays until he scores.

[HawK]

4 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

It is quite difficult to argue to the contrary. The only thing to say in his defence is that he's played well twice, against Barcelona (where he genuinely looked lethal for a half) and Union SG - which is obviously caveated by the poor opponent - but he was still good. Then the mitigation is in how the whole attacking unit feels deficient at the moment. 

 

Beyond that, it's impossible to deny he's looked very ropey and - worse - totally unsuited. That's where my faith in the manager comes in, though. Surely there must be some method to the madness...

 

The avatar stays until he scores.

 

Narrator : He didn't score

 

 

[Wallsendmag]

Appears to be turning into a bit of a figure of fun if those sat around me last night are anything to go by. People just laughing and saying "he's absolutely terrible" was the general reaction.

 

Better than booing him amd getting on his back I suppose.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He didn't really have any chance last night, he was moved into CF so quickly. He's never going to play himself into a better zone doing that. 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2025 by AyeDubbleYoo

[Roids]

52 minutes ago, Yorkie said:

It is quite difficult to argue to the contrary. The only thing to say in his defence is that he's played well twice, against Barcelona (where he genuinely looked lethal for a half) and Union SG - which is obviously caveated by the poor opponent - but he was still good. Then the mitigation is in how the whole attacking unit feels deficient at the moment. 

 

Beyond that, it's impossible to deny he's looked very ropey and - worse - totally unsuited. That's where my faith in the manager comes in, though. Surely there must be some method to the madness...

 

The avatar stays until he scores.

Because he had loads of space to run into.

Both he and Gordon, being limited as they are, need that otherwise they are practically passengers.

We saw more on ball acumen from Hall in 30mins last night that the pair collectively have shown over the last month.

Taking a positive outlook, if we we were to upgrade on either one of the two, ideally both, this team would easily go up a level. Big if though.

[Sibierski]

Put it in the tactics thread, but I’d like to see him as CF with Wolte off him. What he’s great at is runs behind, what Wolte is great at is linking up play.

 

If we want to play Wissa / Wolte together, we should be trying it now with Wolte / Elanga whilst we have all wingers fit. I think that could see something different from him and a stumble into position that excels over time.

[Sibierski]

Because the one thing that’s hurting us is an inability to stretch the opposition, so they can push up more and close off space, even more so when Wolte drops. Push up if you want, but then we’ve got option of clipping it over for Elanga through the middle.

 

Wouldn’t expect him to turn into some lethal finisher, but by number of chances generated, he’d score more, and importantly, it just gives space to our other players to make an impact with the ball.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2025 by Sibierski

[KaKa]

34 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

He didn't really have any chance last night, he was moved into CF so quickly. He's never going to play himself into a better zone doing that. 

 

 

 

 

At some point he's also going to have to start games and play his way into some form.

 

Not starting over the weekend and then yesterday was a bit strange I thought.

 

He's looked worse with the less games he's started.

[Shadow Puppets]

I still think he'll come good. What won't help, though, is fans getting on his back. Lots of noticeable groans in the stadium last night which just doesn't help anyone.

[KaKa]

5 minutes ago, Shadow Puppets said:

I still think he'll come good. What won't help, though, is fans getting on his back. Lots of noticeable groans in the stadium last night which just doesn't help anyone.

 

Probably better starting him in away games for the meantime if it was that noticeable.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2025 by KaKa

[HaydnNUFC]

Big fan of the corner singing his name. He needs support.

[Froggy]

Would take him on a 2 month loan as AFCON cover.

[Hanshithispantz]

He seems very much a confidence player like, he needs to get on whatever Murphy has been on the past couple of seasons.

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, Rich said:

He’s been fucking bobbins, genuinely struggling to recall a poorer start from a new signing, let alone one of that sort of level price-wise. Technically woeful, doesn’t makes the right runs, pulls out of 50/50s, doesn’t press well, next to no goal threat, can’t beat a man, takes too many touches, plays head-down, and I could go on.

 

He’s here now, though, and he can only get better. We have to back him, because he seems a great lad, and back Howe to help him do a Miggy and become a key part of our style/new style. As a combination I’d be surprised if they can’t make it work between them, though there is a mountain to climb.

Agree with all of this. I believe in Howe and he does have some good attributes. I will support him with everything.

 

 

(he does look absolute bobbins mind)

[The College Dropout]

AT some point he needs a run of games in 1 position.

 

This moving him about stuff is killing him too.

 

You can tell he's not the best tactically/doesn't have the greatest understanding of the game. So asking him to do different things isn't going to help.

 

Get him doing 2 or 3 things very well and go from there. Run down the outside - cross. Cut in, cross or shoot. Make these 2 or 3 runs constantly. Run after your fullback. 

 

We actually need to win games now so it might be a consistent 20-30 minutes off the bench instead.

[Bellis80]

19 minutes ago, Shadow Puppets said:

I still think he'll come good. What won't help, though, is fans getting on his back. Lots of noticeable groans in the stadium last night which just doesn't help anyone.

He was so bad it was impossible not to. As a poster said above people were laughing as much as groaning.

[Parsley]

2 hours ago, Yorkie said:

It is quite difficult to argue to the contrary. The only thing to say in his defence is that he's played well twice, against Barcelona (where he genuinely looked lethal for a half) and Union SG - which is obviously caveated by the poor opponent - but he was still good. Then the mitigation is in how the whole attacking unit feels deficient at the moment. 

 

Beyond that, it's impossible to deny he's looked very ropey and - worse - totally unsuited. That's where my faith in the manager comes in, though. Surely there must be some method to the madness...

 

The avatar stays until he scores.

He was good against Villa and Liverpool also. 

[LFEE]

5 hours ago, Rich said:

He’s been fucking bobbins, genuinely struggling to recall a poorer start from a new signing, let alone one of that sort of level price-wise. Technically woeful, doesn’t makes the right runs, pulls out of 50/50s, doesn’t press well, next to no goal threat, can’t beat a man, takes too many touches, plays head-down, and I could go on.

 

He’s here now, though, and he can only get better. We have to back him, because he seems a great lad, and back Howe to help him do a Miggy and become a key part of our style/new style. As a combination I’d be surprised if they can’t make it work between them, though there is a mountain to climb.

Gary Speed was worse for longer… Just saying 

[Sergi1970]

On 06/07/2025 at 10:34, Sergi1970 said:

How many players in history of football moved for 55M or more?  He is a good player but he is not a game changer that justify that fee. Mbeumo for that matter worth easily 60M+ imo. 

 

Malick Fofana for example for 30-35M would be by far smarter signing, especially with PSR in mind.

 

As I said, I hope he proved me wrong but I have my doubts

And people laughed at me how I dare to question spending 55M on him.. 

[JT24]

Just now, Sergi1970 said:

And people laughed at me how I dare to question spending 55M on him.. 

Would you like a medal?

[Sergi1970]

2 minutes ago, JT24 said:

Would you like a medal?

No, I just want the lads to win football matches again because the current form is not good for my mental health (I am serious)

[Shearergol]

5 minutes ago, JT24 said:

Would you like a medal?

More chance than Elanga winning one tbf 

[Pilko]

2-3 years of knowing we need a RW upgrade to spend £55m on this lad is an absolute disgrace by Howe and the club, like. Murphy isn't playing overly well and he still isn't trusted with more than the scrag end of matches.

[J7]

1 hour ago, Sergi1970 said:

And people laughed at me how I dare to question spending 55M on him.. 

Gold star to you ⭐️

[The Prophet]

I'd say one thing this signing shows is that it's futile paying a premium for a "PL ready" signing. I still think he'll be useful for us medium to long term, but he's struggling at the moment.