[Pogue Mahone]

But penalties are goals, and we're comparing goal tallies. To remove them is actually to compare apples and oranges. Plus being absolutely lethal and ice cool under pressure from the spot is a really important tool that Bruno brings to the side. He's scored some very important high pressure penalties, so removing them as a point of comparison makes no sense. You're doing it because you want the comparison to be a little more even than it would otherwise.

I’m ok with removing penalties but ignoring a player’s resistance to injury is fecking daft. I think there’s a good argument to be made that being injury resistant is the single most important attribute in any footballer. Because they are all literally useless when they’re not available for selection.

Whether that’s because they work harder at staying in peak condition, genetically blessed (see also quick footballers) or braver than the average player, or a combination of all of the above, it’s a massive upside. Trying to ignore that by insisting on contributions per minute - and ignoring totals for the season - can only be a cynical attempt to pretend that upside doesn’t exist.

 

[Mike Smalling]

I’m ok with removing penalties but ignoring a player’s resistance to injury is fecking daft. I think there’s a good argument to be made that being injury resistant is the single most important attribute in any footballer. Because they are all literally useless when they’re not available for selection.

Whether that’s because they’re genetically blessed (see also quick footballers) or braver than the average player, or a combination of both, it’s a massive upside. Trying to ignore that by insisting on contributions per minute - and ignoring totals for the season - can only be a cynical attempt to pretend that upside doesn’t exist.

So true. Imagine if we were without Bruno for 15-20 games a season or something like that. We'd be screwed.

The guy has literally only missed two matchdays this season and both have been for suspensions. It's an insane quality to have as a player.

 

[Scandi Red]

I’m ok with removing penalties but ignoring a player’s resistance to injury is fecking daft. I think there’s a good argument to be made that being injury resistant is the single most important attribute in any footballer. Because they are all literally useless when they’re not available for selection.

Whether that’s because they’re genetically blessed (see also quick footballers) or braver than the average player, or a combination of both, it’s a massive upside. Trying to ignore that by insisting on contributions per minute - and ignoring totals for the season - can only be a cynical attempt to pretend that upside doesn’t exist.

100%.

Also, it's easier to have a good G/A ratio when you have less playtime. I'm pretty sure Hernandez had the best goal ratio in the PL at one point. What's truly impressive is to consistently play 90 minutes and still have a good ratio.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

100%.

Also, it's easier to have a good G/A ratio when you have less playtime. I'm pretty sure Hernandez had the best goal ratio in the PL at one point. What's truly impressive is to consistently play 90 minutes and still have a good ratio.

Yeah if everyone was as obsessed by per minute stats back in the day I’m sure Ole would have been talked up by some as the best striker in Europe.

 

[Pickle85]

I’m ok with removing penalties but ignoring a player’s resistance to injury is fecking daft. I think there’s a good argument to be made that being injury resistant is the single most important attribute in any footballer. Because they are all literally useless when they’re not available for selection.

Whether that’s because they work harder at staying in peak condition, genetically blessed (see also quick footballers) or braver than the average player, or a combination of all of the above, it’s a massive upside. Trying to ignore that by insisting on contributions per minute - and ignoring totals for the season - can only be a cynical attempt to pretend that upside doesn’t exist.

Agree with the second point 100% - Bruno's fitness and availability is an ENORMOUS asset. And I take the point re penalties - for sure they're easier to score than most open play goals - but I do think that his reliability on this front really is a huge asset as well, and wiping pens from his record ignores this.

 

[V.O.]

We genuinely can't get the ball out of our half without him on the pitch.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Lovely cross for Maguire's marginal offside goal. As always, he was relied upon to kick-start most of our attacks but, as usual, the players in front of him let him down.

 

[Fenômeno]

Going off form at the wrong time.

 

[Scandi Red]

We genuinely can't get the ball out of our half without him on the pitch.

It was painful to watch. We can't string two passes together without him.

 

[Pickle85]

Going off form at the wrong time.

The whole team was dreadful today, let's not look for things to confirm our own biases.

 

[Fenômeno]

The whole team was dreadful today, let's not look for things to confirm our own biases.

It's the truth, Bruno has been bailing us out recently so if he doesn't play well we likely lose. It's not fair to just rely on one player but it's the situation we find ourselves in.

 

[Pickle85]

It's the truth, Bruno has been bailing us out recently so if he doesn't play well we likely lose. It's not fair to just rely on one player but it's the situation we find ourselves in.

But I wouldn't see a middling performance when the entire team was very subpar as evidence of him going off form.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The whole team was dreadful today, let's not look for things to confirm our own biases.

It’s a fair observation. I’m also worried that the insane amount of football he’s played might be catching up with him. It’s been a very long season for him and he’s definitely looked a bit flat in the last few games. Which is shitty timing.

 

[beck7]

Don’t let him go. Even if we get 150m+ for him, there is a chance we will get more Antonys and hojlunds for that price.

 

[Idxomer]

This game shows why he can't be part of a two-man midfield long term. He was physically bullied all game, and his position awareness was poor. He progresses the ball well when he has time, but he's still best as a 10 behind two central midfielders. He's having too many responsibilities playing deep. He has played as well as he could in the last few months, but I think he's another victim of Amorim's setup.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

This game shows why he can't be part of a two-man midfield long term. He was physically bullied all game, and his position awareness was poor. He progresses the ball well when he has time, but he's still best as a 10 behind two central midfielders. He's having too many responsibilities playing deep. He has played as well as he could in the last few months, but I think he's another victim of Amorim's setup.

I don't think the 2 man midfield will work in the Premier League full stop. Every week we're getting overran by the opposition. It's admirable that Bruno has done so well this season despite him and his teammates being set up to fail by their manager.

 

[harms]

This game shows why he can't be part of a two-man midfield long term. He was physically bullied all game, and his position awareness was poor. He progresses the ball well when he has time, but he's still best as a 10 behind two central midfielders. He's having too many responsibilities playing deep. He has played as well as he could in the last few months, but I think he's another victim of Amorim's setup.

Probably. But he was also paired with Casemiro, who has the same issues (times two), so it’s really not a game that you want to base your judgement on the long-term validity of this idea. If you add someone like Carrick (or even Caicedo, who’s going to solve the same issue in a different manner), it’s a very different equation.

 

[Garethw]

Don’t let him go. Even if we get 150m+ for him, there is a chance we will get more Antonys and hojlunds for that price.

If we are keeping Amorim then we probably need to spend £400-£500 million on players for his 434 formation. If £150 million bid comes in for 31 year old Fernandes then he will be gone in a heart beat.

 

[Garethw]

I don't think the 2 man midfield will work in the Premier League full stop. Every week we're getting overran by the opposition. It's admirable that Bruno has done so well this season despite him and his teammates being set up to fail by their manager.

I wish our stubborn manager could see this. Remove one CB and replace with an extra midfielder and we’d look so much more solid.

 

[Marwood]

Probably. But he was also paired with Casemiro, who has the same issues (times two), so it’s really not a game that you want to base your judgement on the long-term validity of this idea. If you add someone like Carrick (or even Caicedo, who’s going to solve the same issue in a different manner), it’s a very different equation.

And three athletically challenged CB's behind him.

I think Bruno can work as a CM, I like him there. But like all good teams, you need that blend of players to compliment each other. We go the other way, we like to stick players with the same negatives together.

 

[Ollie Derbyshire]

Going off form at the wrong time.

I’d argue he’s our only in form player.

I’ve been on his back the last couple of years but this season he’s got his head down and acted more like a captain on the pitch and still managed to be our creative force.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Cup player and counter player extraordinaire. But not a midfielder. He's been amazing since January but the club can't move forward with him still being the best attacker.

 

[Pickle85]

Cup player and counter player extraordinaire. But not a midfielder. He's been amazing since January but the club can't move forward with him still being the best attacker.

Why not? His numbers are elite and he's the best in his position in the PL. If he had even a 6/10 supporting a cast then we'd be 'moving forward', but as it is he's surrounded by shite.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Why not? His numbers are elite and he's the best in his position in the PL. If he had even a 6/10 supporting a cast then we'd be 'moving forward', but as it is he's surrounded by shite.

Name 1 top team or even decent team whose best player is a slow, weak 30 plus year old that can't protect the ball.

He's a good player and is a legend here. But he's an icing on the cake player or talisman for a counter attacking team.

 

[Pickle85]

Name 1 top team or even decent team whose best player is a slow, weak 30 plus year old that can't protect the ball.

He's a good player and is a legend here. But he's an icing on the cake player or talisman for a counter attacking team.

KdB was city's at 30. And I firmly dispute Bruno not being able to protect the ball. As for the last bit, you're doing him a massive disservice.

 

[LeonDion]

But penalties are goals, and we're comparing goal tallies. To remove them is actually to compare apples and oranges. Plus being absolutely lethal and ice cool under pressure from the spot is a really important tool that Bruno brings to the side. He's scored some very important high pressure penalties, so removing them as a point of comparison makes no sense. You're doing it because you want the comparison to be a little more even than it would otherwise.

It absolutely is. Bruno is fantastic penalty taker. However only one player takes penalty which skews statistic.

The comparison is even enough with them included. Is quite uneven in Amad favour without. Also includes Bruno taking free kicks and corners, so all Amads work is in open play.

 

[romufc]

Name 1 top team or even decent team whose best player is a slow, weak 30 plus year old that can't protect the ball.

He's a good player and is a legend here. But he's an icing on the cake player or talisman for a counter attacking team.

Tell me you dislike a player without saying it.

Kroos, Modric, KDB were all doing really well past 30, none which were quick.

This Bruno can't protect the ball is nonsense... making it seem like he loses the ball 60-70% of the time he has it.

You have mis profiled Bruno completely, thinking he can only play in a counter attacking team... clearly not watched his creativity. Bruno is one of our best creators, look at the ball he put in for Maguire v Chelsea... he has different ways of creating goals.. long range through ball is just one of his assets.

 

[JJ12]

Name 1 top team or even decent team whose best player is a slow, weak 30 plus year old that can't protect the ball.

He's a good player and is a legend here. But he's an icing on the cake player or talisman for a counter attacking team.

What the feck is this

 

[VP89]

What the feck is this

 

[Scandi Red]

What the feck is this

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

 

[Mmm-Qatarian]

An absolute gem of a player, and by all accounts an absolute gem of a man too.

Bruno's honestly my biggest hope for tomorrow's match. I think Spurs' side generally is a bit stronger than ours but, even with everyone fit, I don't think they have a player who even comes close to him. If he's on it, he very much could be the guy who wins us the match.

 

[Freak]

Love Bruno. Hope he can inspire the team to victory tomorrow. He and Amad are the only genuinely top quality players we have in the team capable of winning games for us.

 

[Rustyspider13]

All my hopes are on him and Casemiro for the final. We shouldn't be this reliant on two players, but it is where we are. Come on Bruno, one last great game for the season!

 

[Erics_Collar]

Soooo.....about that Saudi offer....

 

[Godfather]

Never performs in big games

 

[Skills]

Christ that was so, so, so fecking bad. Literally one of the worst performances you'll ever see from a captain in a cup final

 

[Based Adnan]

Epitomized hit and hope football today. Occasion got to him which isn't exactly what you want from your captain....

 

[Red the Bear]

Should have been subbed off.

 

[Quagmaguire]

Shit today but so was every other player. It was all Amorim's fault.

If Bruno got us out of that performance & tactics then he would be superman.