Assuming we get everyone fit at some stage before the world cup, I'm thinking this - Isak------------Wilson-------------ASM ---Joelinton--------------Shelvey----------- **(Shelvey and Bruno could alternate) ------------------Bruno------------------- Targett---Botman---Schar-----Trippier --------------------Pope-------------------- The sooner we get Almiron, Fraser, Murphy out the team the better, and I think Willock's days are numbered. I didn't expect Willock to go on a scoring spree like he did at the end of Bruce's last full season, but I expected him to pop up with more goals than he has, his finishing has been awful this season, he's had plenty of good chances and not put them away. He's a decent engine to fill in now and again, but we cannot rely on him for goals and creativity. I personally think when Shelvey gets back that this may allow Bruno to push up field and become more of a goal scorer and creator he was last season, rather than a deep lying CDM. Either that or we can put Shelvey where Willock is and despite people not liking him, he does provide some level of creativity and goal threat from time to time. Isak can play winger which part of the reason I think we were desperate to get him. When Wilson is fit, surely he's better than anyone at LW besides ASM? ASM is a scorer and creator so even though he may be better at LW, he could still do better than Almiron.
This will probably never happen because injuries will always be at play. Howe has to pick from what's actually available not what he wishes was available. I'll be amazed if we ever see gamereas, Trippier, max, Isak and Wilson all on the pitch at the same time because two of those are always injured and it won't be long before the others get knocks or worse. The depth of quality in all positions is literally zero... The injury crisis will get worse not better.
Longstaff and Willock are even more ****. At least Shelvey can pass the ball about and score the odd goal from range.
You'll be delighted to know that many fans are saying they've learned to appreciate shelvey after yesterday. Everything is falling into place for another season of jonjo dictating everything.
Wilock has had some good games this season and last... OK he wasnt great yesterday but who was? Shelvey got 1 assist last year despite taking free kicks and corners every game. It's a myth that he creates anything
He was the deep lying midfielder most of the time though, which Bruno benefited from as he played RCM and was given freedom to get up the pitch. The deep lying midfielder in a 4-3-3 often doesn't score/assist much because they assist the assister so to speak. Willock is a harder worker, but cannot be relied upon for many goals or assists, and cannot play the deeper lying role.
Shelvey is a passenger. He’s a lazy and angry human being who must have been a small man in a previous life as he still harbours that bitterness.
How many assists did baldy get last season? 1 mate despite taking about 100 set pieces. Wilock will get better through playing whereas shelvey will only get even worse I don't think the midfielders are the issue though personally.. It's the crap playing on the right and left
Like I said though, he was playing the deep lying CM in a 4-3-3. Bruno hasn't assisted or scored so far, nor looked liked doing so because he's deep lying and spreading the play. Yet last season he looked like scoring in most of the games we played.
When did jonjo play with gamereas other than away at Southampton? I remember shelvey mot playing vs arsenal which was our best performance in years
I'd like to know where this idea has come from that Isak is a wide player? He's played his entire life as a CF. He's our starting CF, Wilson is backup. Assuming Howe sticks rigidly to 4-3-3, ASM is LW and Fraser is his backup. Almiron is RW with now probably Anderson as backup (Murphy probably the worst player this season, again). Joelinton, Bruno, Shelvey may well be the starting midfield, Willock, Longstaff backup. Back four picks itself, Burn, Lascelles, Krafth and Lewis backup.
That's my only real issue.. I'm happy enough having a mediocre season, pretty sure we will be fine and survive and progress.. But chucking our record signing young striker into a position he doesn't play goes against a lot of the things I've appreciated about Howe Tbh the next few windows will be focused on adding creative talent to the team so I'm not too bothered. Pretty sure Isak will understand the situation and try his hardest regardless. We seem to be intent on buying players of strong character so it's all going to work out very nicely
