I think both did. If we had Bruno in the dying stages at Tottenham and especially Newcastle it would likely have made a huge difference.
We got smashed in midfield those games.
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I still thought we should’ve bagged a Wijnaldum loan in January (When those rumours were circulating) if we didn’t want to make a commitment.
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So every top 6 team should be kicking themselves they didn’t go harder for this guy.
Don’t you think he gets a bit overhyped though?
He isn’t the only Newcastle performing extremely well. Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson(when fit) and many others are arguably on the form of their careers.
More praise should be given to Eddie really.
All above you mentioned should be getting praised.
But Bruno absolutely should have been on our radar in January, he’d start at every top 6 side bar Manchester City.
I don’t think so tbh, he’s been a catalyst there in terms of the players
Howe has been getting his praise too
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He was. And we weren’t the only ones following him.
He was gonna go in the summer but Newcastle jumped ahead and paid 40-45m for him. I assume he got a big contract out of it too.
Guy made his bed. He better sleep on it. If his expectation was to use Newcastle as a stepping stone he made a big mistake. Newcastle will probably become a powerhouse eventually so I reckon he won’t dream of leaving for long unless it’s for a move abroad, specifically to Barca/Madrid.
Standout performer for me has been Joelinton. It’s just insane every time I see him he’s so dominant and looks a completely different player than the one they bought and originally flopped. I don’t think he ever loses a duel, absolute tank in midfield.
Certainly deserves a callup but it’s probably too late for the WC.
So, where are all the people who thought him coming back would sort their issues out?
Newcastle’s drop off started before his red card. Think a lot of their players have been found out recently. Almiron, ASM, Wilson, Burn, etc.
They had their run like West Ham and Leicester did but they’re now showing their true level.
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Well they haven’t got a true level though. Been consistent relegation candidates. They are doing okay and moving in the right direction.
Top 6 would be a very good start for the ownership.
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They’ve hit a brick wall but plenty to be encouraged about for them going forward. FFP compliance makes this a much longer term project but their signings have been sensible so far. Think they’ve got another 4/5 years before we start to see a goliath of a squad form there.
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Really hope we beat them at their ground. Do we play them anytime soon?
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Think the true level of that squad is mid-table, perhaps just above.
For me they were definitely underachieving when they were flirting with relegation. I think getting Top 4 is just too much for them at this time.
Under normal circumstances (Liverpool being more consistent and Chelsea getting their shit together) they wouldn’t be strong candidates for CL/EL.
Getting a EL spot at the very least will be very important for them now. Should allow them to spend a bit more. Squad still needs work.
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May.
It’s been 1 game and it was against one of the best teams in the world based on form. 5 game feels like the minimum number of the games. I wouldn’t rush to judgement until then personally speaking.
They’ve been on the down since NYE.
Credit to @Stroller tbf. Think he called it first. @DavidHillier was another one.
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Still a really small sample size since NYE with Bruno. Their record since NYE (with Bruno) is really no different to that of Tottenham or Brighton who are just a couple of the teams fighting for that 4th position.
Think this loss is significantly big for them. Never had enough for a top 4.
Plus never really been able to use Isak properly yet
they’ve barely started on the journey so they have been overachieving all season, they are way higher right now then expected
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