We went 4231, but not sure how effective it was. We really needed to get Maddison, I think. Isak is a really decent player, the PL is just a more physical challenge. Most strikers take a year to settle in the PL, Nunez is proving the point but there’s been loads of similar examples. I’d be tempted to play Isak as the 10, Gordon in for either ASM or Almiron, he’s just more useful.
Isak is a fine balancing act.....needs a lot of steak dinners whilst keeping his pace and balance which is no easy fix. Reminds me of a very raw Andy Cole without the skill and experience of a Peter Beardsley to feed him and guide him.
Hmm, it's Eddie Howe, he'll likely stick with his usual 11. So I've booked Winston in case it gets messy when your head explodes.
January window was evidently a big let down for the entire club. We sold an asset and signed a replacement and nothing more, there are huge gaps in our squad. Black holes. So far, not the biggest fan of Ashworth. Felt we were doing better when Amandas husband was in charge.
If anything, I was expecting us to nab a couple of relative unknowns from overseas, with Ashworth coming in. I know we got Kuol, but I mean a couple who were ready to come straight into the squad. The kind of gems Beighton have picked for just a few £million. Now wondering how much was actually down to Ashworth vs their scouting team, as they've added a couple more since he left them. Hopefully it was irons he already had in the fire while he was at Brighton, because I think these are the kind of signings we might need in the next couple of windows, due to FFP. Yes some big name signings would be nice, but until we significantly increase revenue streams we might need to be very smart in the transfer market.
I think I've realised Ashworth is not the scouting guy; sadly I think we're still being run by that Nickson, who I have big reservations over. Ashworth's roles have always been 'top to bottom' culture. He instilled that at the FA with an emphasis on the individual over the team, then took the same stuff to Brighton. He creates an ethos, he's actually not the guy finding the players. I've always had the feeling at Newcastle that our approach to scouting is far too narrow and we're ponderous when we move. At times, it's worked - Bruno and Botman being great examples - but the squad is REALLY weak to the point where we currently don't even have 11 top 6 players, let alone subs to bring in. Top 6 players; Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Joelinton, Bruno, Almiron (pre-World Cup), Wilson, Isak, Gordon. Top half players; Longstaff, Willock, ASM, Burn (at LCB), Targett. On balance our current level is 7th or 8th, nowhere near the depth of the usual 6 and even then we'd be in a shoot out with Brighton, with Brentford and Villa close. We've got to see an improvement over the Summer surely.
Only losers Liverpool and sw have beaten us this season, despite the fact that a lot of fans have written us of.
Has everyone lost the plot ? Everything is great overall. Not been great the last month but the hive of negativity I'm confused over.
I've not indicated one ounce of negativity I've repeatedly been saying I'm happy with things even if they finish 10th . Overall everything is great and I keep saying it . All I've done is also highlight that I expect a decline on the miracle 1st half of this season which is based on what I'm seeing... the word rot was a poor choice of word though.
No it's just my expectation is lower than yours I guess and you interpret that as negative. Surely its OK to be happy ?
