As was pointed out, the recruitment we hoped to see happen at Newcastle - Mitoma, Estupinan, Caicedo, Cucurella - is all down to Bloom and his system & scouts. Ashworth is a youth guy. I think where we've gone wrong is Howe's opinion of his starting XI. I think he believes Burn, Almiron, Schar in particular are all good enough, hence where I think it's gone wrong. We should've bought - if budgets were THAT tight - 3 first team players, including Tonali. One should have been a RW, one should have been a LB. The lure of CL should've been enough to tempt someone like Kudus of Ajax, Bakayoko from PSV or again Diaby. Any of those should have seen someone like Almiron or Murphy offloaded because you just don't need 3 RW when you also have Gordon, Willock and Anderson. Neither Murphy nor Almiron are good enough, as has been demonstrated for years. We simply didn't really need to trade Barnes for ASM - that felt far too safe and the kind of move you make to avoid a relegation battle. It just didn't feel like it worked. For the first XI, the priorities were simple, really: 1. LB 2. RW 3. RCB 4. DM Hall might work out, but they ignored 2 and 3, plus aren't really playing Tonali where he should be. I mean why did we sign Ashby, then Livramento? It was just a **** window.
The Ashby signing to then send him on loan and then sign an identical aged lad in the same position for 35m more is baffling. Hall should be in the 11. I refuse the believe he is worse than Burn and Targett at LB
I agree with the why Ashby and then Liveramento (sp). I would hope Hall gets more and more time in the coming months at either left back or left wingback/midfield. Time will tell. Presently, I think EH will be getting him fitter before playing him. I also think EH likes the defending Burn gives especially as it allows Tripps to go forward and his size. Also bear in mind he’s not the ‘lump’ some are making him out to be otherwise our defence would not have been the joint best last season.
It’s all context though. What’s the record with or without Willock, with or without Bruno, who were the opponents and the most telling thing is Sean isn’t a DM (maybe he should be?) so his contribution further up the pitch is far too low.
Yep. All his best work is defending. We’d be better off with him sitting and putting Tonali/Bruno ahead to get the ball off him and get us up the pitch. Again Joelinton could easily be LW behind Gordon, which then makes you look at Harvey Barnes and the continued inclusion of Almiron and scratch your head.
I'm sure that if we beat the relegation fodder in the coming games we will be back on track to have a decent season. Still would imagine 9th is our target for now.
Not really a dilemma imo. Longstaff/Bruno-Tonali-Joelinton should be the starting CM. Bruno is so far off the pace yet is the only one not being subbed currently? Maybe Eddie is trying to get him to sign new contract but he's costing us with his subs atm. Vs Brighton, as the 6, you have one job - mark the CAM, Pedro was his to mark but he didn't get close to him at any point. Seems he's being asked to push in front of the 2 wide CM's to press the holding mid receiving the ball from the back but the spaces between the CB's and midfield were huge vs Brighton - so something for the staff to sort out aswell but players need to be responsible on the pitch and make decisions for themselves. Maybe Bruno in the "8" role instead but needs to change and Tonali need's to be the holding role for me. Also on a side note not being dramatic but if Tonali is subbed next weekend that's a sackable offense for me (ok maybe a tad dramatic). Also showed how vunerable we are without Botman - Burn and Schar were scared to step out of the line or made silly fouls when doing so.
If you’re not careful we’ll close the borders and cut off your haggis supplies, mate. Or should I say, Jock.
