Bruno has been good for most of this season, some people think he's playing while not completely fit. He's obviously a massive player for us, and we haven't won a game without him. But I'm wondering, should we really be considering buying someone in his position, and then moving him further up the pitch to like a right CM position? Lets just say we signed Rice, Caicdeo or seasoned, experienced deep lying CDM/CM, something like this? Isak-------------Wilson/New CF------------Diaby/New RW ---Joelinton---------------------------Bruno----------- --------------------Caicedo/Rice----------------- Estupinian----Botman-----Schar------Trippier ---------------------------Pope--------------------------- That would be a very strong central midfield, where Bruno and Joelinton would have a lot more space to run around. Bruno is a class player, but if he's ever a liability, it's when he's in a deep position and trying McGeady spins of death and getting pick pocketed in critical areas. It's a classic case of a European or South American skillster wanting a half second extra on the ball, and I sense teams are sensing vulnerability in him. I know he's only had a few bad games, but the way I see it as this - Strengths - Offensive Distribution Passing is great Wins great fouls In good areas Can create chances If moved forward, he can sometimes pop up with a good goal when getting in good positions. Defensive - He is aggressive in a calculated way. He dispossess players very well in critical areas Vulnerabilities - (I'm saying vulnerabilities instead of weaknesses, because I don't think he has any stand out weakness, I'm just saying these are the areas of his game that cause the most issue) On the ball - He's often very good on the ball, showing great skill, but if a team pressures him, he can get dispossessed at an alarming amount at times. In summary - I'm thinking maybe it would be best just to buy someone else for the CM position, and let Bruno move further forward. Bruno, I think, would be better as a box to box RCM. Imagine how powerful we would be in midfield with an enforcer at the back AND Joelinton and Bruno on either side? It would be superb protection for the back four, and every 3 of the midfield would be able to dispossess a player and help us dominate possession. People say we need more creativity in the centre, but creativity can come from the wings also, and I'm assuming we'll acquire a winger in the summer.
While I agree that we need someone which allows us to rotate Bruno either for a rest or into Longstaff's position for some tactical flexibility (we are more than covered on the left) Bruno is there in the middle deliberately to take chances with the ball in possession. This is why it will get pinched every now and then but he, takes the ball of the defence, breaks the lines and allows us to attack quickly. Personally I really think we would lose something if we perm put a straight up CDM in there.
I’ve said this a few times and I think it’s true. Without Longstaff who covers a lot of ground and frees up Bruno he isn’t as effective. It’s weird but I honestly think they just work together. Against Arsenal Bruno was terrible. And I think it is because he missed having the legs of Longstaff.
The other game Longstaff missed recently was away to Villa, just saying. I think more than most teams we've played a lot of the same players repeatedly this season and I think some are now struggling. Need a few more quality players to be able to rotate otherwise they'll burn out earlier next year.
He is a deep lying midfielder. It’s the role he prefers and he gets more time there than he would further forward. He is a great player but the better teams are working out how to nullify him. It’s noticeable that against the teams where are our high press is less effective is when he is getting less time on the ball and tends to get caught in possession more. He and Longstaff work effectively together because they provide each other with a short ball option when they are being pressed. Don’t see any need for a positional change. If other teams are concentrating on him it gives our other players more time and space anyway.
Fat sam will have his boys kicking lumps out of Bruno and trying to wind him up, so he either hobbles off injured, or gets sent off.
He's arguably been player of the season again, most people seem to think so, although my pick would probably be Almiron.
Personally thought their first goal came from Bruno being a bit riled up/emotional over the penalty denial - he is by far the most emotional player I've seen at the club, which can be great but can lead to errors - he lost the ball and rugby tackled Jesus, led to the freekick , led to corner, led to shocking marking and goal. I mean how do you give their best player that much time and space on the edge of the box to get a shot off? Was so poor. Think Joelinton and Willock should have played their interchanging LW/LCM role on Sunday (easy to say in hindsight), Wilson and Isak didn't work at all but against Arsenal it was always a risk to play them both and while worth a go it just didn't work.
Knew someone would mention this! Was a bit of a one off, and yeah he was a bit emotional/aggressive but would he have cried coming off with an ankle injury?
It's our inability to properly rotate the squad. Howe talks a big game about people earning their spots, but who can he possibly swap in if we need to drop Joe or Bruno, or god forbid they receive long term injuries? There just isn't anyone. If Leicester drop, which looks extremely likely at this point; we need to go all out and grab Maddison. I would even consider Ward-Prowse for a cheap transfer that could do a job for us off the bench or cover positions when we have tired legs or injuries. We are linked with both those players and I think they're very realistic. Then we have the issues on the RW, a CB to back up Botman and Schär, a LB to take over from Burn. We are looking at upwards of £100m needing to be spent before we are anywhere near a regular CL team.
It has to be honestly, we have had a fantastic season but I would like to avoid finishing 15th next season because our players are ****ing exhausted. We need massive recruitment and CL would mean a massive amount of money suddenly coming into the club.
Exactly - I think the budget was probably £100m before European qualification due to TV money next year. If we make CL I wouldn't be surprised to see them splash out £200m in the summer.
Unless longstaff start Scoring goal... he's now a useful player... fair play to him I know I wrote him off years ago.
