30 Apr 2026 15:21:47
Anyone think in hindsight we should have bought Julien Alvarez instead of Isak? The amount of money we've spent on him means we now have to adapt our entire team and style of play to get the most out of Isak. We haven't set up around a 'goal-poacher' for years, and I can't think that any of the other top teams in Europe play like this, preferring a more fluid front three.
Realistically, will going back to flying wingers putting crosses into the box be likely to put us back on our perch?
{Ed001's Note - Alvarez didn't want to return to England.}
30 Apr 2026 15:35:25
Isak will be great for us. His goal the other day and the West Ham goal just shows his class... We just need a manager to set up in a way that feeds him chances.
Any striker would look bad in our team with the lack of service.
30 Apr 2026 15:42:29
If you do it well enough, there is no reason why it couldn't, @stoneage. You don't want to just play a certain way, because everybody else does. If everybody plays the same, teams start to learn how to easily play against it, and it is the teams that do things a little differently that have an advantage.
I don't care if we play with a fluid front 3 or a target man, as long as it is effective and entertaining. I'd like to think that we would have the quality of players to play either way, as and when required.
30 Apr 2026 15:44:52
Honestly, Stone, no is the answer to that question. I thought Alvarez was good last night, but certainly nothing special. I certainly don't think he's better than Hugo, so honestly no.
30 Apr 2026 15:51:25
Isak is not really a poacher. He can run the channels and assist others too.
The issue is 1) he's not been fit all season, and 2) we cannot progress the ball quickly enough to utilise him or Wirtz.
30 Apr 2026 17:02:39
If Newcastle can get 54 goals in 86 games, with the players they have, there is no reason why we cannot see similar numbers.
The man thrives on crosses and through balls. We need to supply him with both, it's vital he builds up an understanding with Wirtz.
He simply cost too much money to not know how to get the best from him.
30 Apr 2026 17:24:12
I'd return him, (Isak), Frimpong too, and I'll give Wirtz benefit of the doubt til January.
30 Apr 2026 17:25:45
I wanted Alvarez over Isak at the time, he was certainly better suited to our system. I still think Isak can produce provided we get the right manager/wingers/system and he stays fit. I have no doubt in his quality, that's not up for debate. He'll net his fair share next season, especially if Wirtz finds form.
Hopefully all the pieces fall into place and he hits 25+. Hopefully.
Fly, he might not be a traditional poacher but if you watch his goals, 90% of them are close range "tap-ins" heavily dependant on delivery. And he's only had 11 assists IAC in the last 3 years.
30 Apr 2026 17:44:05
No top footballer will want to play this kind of football. This season has probably damaged us massively.
30 Apr 2026 17:46:01
Isak needs to get fit and stay fit next season. There is massive quality there, but he is a shadow of himself this season. He has no power whatsoever this season.
Even at his fittest and lethal best, he will not pull up any trees defensively, and that's putting it lightly. That's why we need 10 hard working players supporting him.
Wirtz is a hard worker and will be 10. Need 2 fast hard working wingers.
Of course, for Isak to justify his place in the team, he needs to be at his best and scoring goals. I think it is purely fitness with him. He needs to get fit.
I'm still excited to see fit Isak. I hope we get that version from next season onwards.
30 Apr 2026 18:22:44
@Scouse John, I'd reserve judgement on both Isak and Wirtz until they play in a set up that suits their attributes. Wirtz, so far, is a disappointment, and Isak, as we all know, hasn't been fit. As for Frimpong, he can go and go now. No system changes would make him successful whatsoever. imo.
30 Apr 2026 18:30:13
Wait till you see him with Yan Diamanda next season! And, if we also get proper pace on left wing, also he'll be a shoe in for top scorer next season, fitness allowing! Well, that's the dream but I just remembered who managed us.
30 Apr 2026 19:50:33
Who will want to play Slotball, I'd be going out of my way to avoid it.
30 Apr 2026 21:36:46
Pelican has it nailed on. Nothing else to add.
As for Wirtz, no player can function in the Slot system. How do we know that? There is no player that has gotten better playing under him this season.
So if that is the case, why are people saying Wirtz is a disappointment when not a soul in the squad has played anywhere up to their potential this season?
And if people are saying that just cos he cost x amount of money then, that is just lazy analysis.
If you put Cherki in this system, he will drown like everyone else, so again, where is the disappointment?
01 May 2026 07:06:11
I get all that about the team and so on so on, but I'm just saying, that for me, he is an actual disappointment, Oli, I'm sorry! My expectations for him were quite high indeed and up to now, unfortunately, I cannot find another description for him TBH.
Hopefully he'll prove his reputation and worth next season. Onwards and upwards, I say! Have a good weekend, Oli.