Anyone think that partnership would be a good one if we stick with 5-3-2 from the last few games? ASM gives us an outlet and carries the ball up the field for us but either floats out wide when we are in possession or seems to be dropping into the #10 hole rather than looking at stretching defences with runs in behind when out of possession. Might be part of Bruce's tactics so when defending we are going 5-4-1 with a diamond in midfield shielding the back 5 but Gayle has that natural instinct to run in behind and give defenders more to think about going back towards their own goal which will open up more space for the midfielders as the opposition defence will have to be a bit deeper. Not sure Gayle has the pace for it anymore but he is a natural forward who will spot opportunities to run in behind at stretch teams. Wilson will benefit with him being next to him dragging defenders away leaving him 1v1 attacking the ball.
If I was manager, I'd accept Gayle is a useful player but too injury prone to ever enter into my planning and strategy. He's useful cover, that's it
Wilson does well up front by himself, does really need a partner, makes space for himself and takes the chances. Gayle isn't an option as he's injured so much that he won't be able to be a consistent partner to Wilson. The only options to partner Wilson are Carroll who's dreadful, and Joelinton who's far better in the no.10 role, thus just play Wilson up front by himself.
Seriously, is anyone bothered about Gayle anymore? Haven't most people forgetten about him? He's out of contract in the summer and it'll be a case of good riddance; apart from one good season in the championship (which he was injured for half of anyway!), he's been **** and played maybe 2 good games a season. A modern day Kieron Dyer.
I like Gayle in that he is a useful striker when fit. People call him ****, but I just can't go with it in terms of what I've seen when he plays for us. He's very tidy and his hold up play has surprised me massively, he's tenacious when trying to retain possession. His running off the ball is incredibly intelligent and I can see why Rafa liked his tireless chasing and running channels - basically very useful in a counter attack style. He can score goals too. The problem is - and its a ****ing massive one when you also have Andy Carroll - he's hardly ever fit. Like never. He plays 3 games and then pulls his hammy or hurts his ankle etc. Misses weeks or months at a time, then rinse repeat. I don't know what his life away from football is like, but generally players who struggle with fitness like this lack professionalism away from the game, or have at least at some point in their career. I wouldn't be shocked to learn Gayle likes a night out put it that way. I'd offload him and Carroll end of this season 100%. You'd be better off with a couple of young strikers. There's a couple doing well in the Championship called Toney and Armstrong...
Posed that very question the other day who'd you rather Wilson, Carroll, Gayle or Wilson Armstrong, Toney? Easy answer really.
Obviously I was very against the lack of opportunity and the decision to sell them at the time, so you're preaching to the converted. I still don't understand to this day why Arma never got a chance when we went down. I actually thought him buzzing around Mitro would have seen a lot of goals. We never played Mitro and Gayle bar that one game against I think Norwich, and they tore them a new arsehole. It was like we didn't want to score goals that season we came up.
