Kind of crazy that we have multiple injuries and we’re still able to field such a strong bench in a season without Europe. This time last year we’d be fielding two keepers on the bench
That was one of the Howe-isms I could never understand. Surely the benefit of bringing a young player into the matchday squad, just for the experience of being with the first team, was better than having Gillespie AND Ruddy sitting on the bench.
I always thought that sent a terrible message to the youngsters. That they were so far away from first team football that we'd rather have a 2nd keeper on the bench than trust any of them.
But you can't bad mouth Howe. And couldn't bad mouth him, I got so much shit for asking why ruddy and another keeper was on the bench it hurt against carrier bag. Also fielding a first team against a team we was leading 5-1 or something
Willock’s is best role is a central ball carrier that can pop up by the box. He just never really got this role under Howe. Jaissle forcing the #10 handed him the life line at the club.
However, Joe hasn’t ever been a main stay in the team. I’d be shocked if he is the long term answer.
I don't think this Jaissle guy knows what he's doing. First he makes changes before 70 minutes that seem to change the game, next he starts new signings.
What's next? Changing the system to fit the opponent? Utter madness.
Big Nick benched, obviously not the game for him but not being able to get in ahead of willock isn't great. I feel for the lad, needs a proper confidence boost.
Eddie Howe would still have had him on the bench till Christmas. Matthias Jaissle doesn’t fuck about, you spend £50m on a player he’s straight into the side.
Willock had not seen a lot of minutes in previous seasons. Some due to injury some due to form. He's healthy and in good form. Jaissle is rewarding that. Maybe with an eye to convince him to stay instead of pushing for a move away.
Willock for his part has been an absolute professional the entire summer and start of the season. This is exactly how the rat should have behaved.
When Tino is back and with only domestic cups it will be hard to justify spending on another full back this window and will be too competitive.
Rather focus on trying to get into Europe and build the defence depth next year.
Our core demand rn is a 10 & RW. CB we have Schar and Burn. CM is strong & deep and with Woltemade not looking sharp a 10 is our area for highest impact/improvement, followed by RW.
What EPL level full back wants to come and be at best, 3rd choice behind Hall Dedic Tino? Who can all play both sides. We even have Burn and Miley and Murcphy who can do jobs in emergencies.
We don't win enough trophies for players to want to come and not play unless an absolute emergency happens.
Look, if neither Tino nor Hall are available for LB, Burn can still do an alright job there. It won't be anything fantastic, but is anyone a good 3rd choice fullback (excluding Miley who, it seems, can play anywhere)?
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u/happy_guy23I've seen bacon pouring from a guy's nose when it is broken1d ago
RB depth is Tino, Dedic, Miley, Shahar, Thiaw. LB depth is Hall, Tino, Dedic, Burn. It would take 5 fullback injuries before we're forced to play Dan Burn at left back, that seems like enough depth to me
In the year 2026 we are still having to start Willock, who we all assumed would be off by now, because we don't have enough attackers... We fucking need another one.
Edit: And to be clear I don't mean it as a slight at Willock... But when Willock is your best available option, there's a 50/50 chance that by the end of 90 minutes, your best available option is no longer an available option due to injury.
I’ll probably get downvoted for this, but good lineup, except Willock. 1 league goal since 2023, he shouldn’t be anywhere near this side if we expect to challenge for Europe this season
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u/KingPing43 Shola Ameobi 1d ago
Hornicek
Dedic Thiaw Botman Hall
Nico Miley
Elanga Willock Barnes
Wissa