05 May 2026 23:17:12
I'll be surprised if Issac surpasses the goals and assists of Darwin after the same no of minutes played. Definitely won't beat his defensive contributions nor goals from outside the box.
06 May 2026 00:15:17
Why would you say that? He's had one injury and fitness ravaged season with us in a team that's been poor all over the pitch and has a history of scoring 20+ goals in the Premier League.
He's a class act. I'm really excited to see what he can achieve with us. I certainly don't see the point in expecting the worst before he's even had a chance to get going.
06 May 2026 01:35:51
Would like to see the stats on how many shots on target Nunez had to Isak. Isak hasn't had any service, and I recall Nunez missing open goals!
06 May 2026 05:17:12
Things have gotten pretty reactive when fans are pining for Nunez.
06 May 2026 06:52:21
For some reason, a lot of our fans pine after every player we sell: Diaz, Darwin, Elliott, Morton and Keller, to name a few.
06 May 2026 06:53:59
It's just because Nunez embodied the fight, grit and determination (save for that one game when it was obvious he wasn't playing for Slot) that the team is so sorely missing right now.
Moving him on at the time was obviously the correct decision, but in hindsight, I'd have definitely kept hold of him.
06 May 2026 06:57:36
We could probably bring Nunez back on a free as he's not playing in Saudi as he was removed from the league squad.
From 86 million to not being deemed good enough in a Saudi retirement league paints the picture.
06 May 2026 08:23:59
What Westwood said.
06 May 2026 08:52:16
What JK23 said. Just add a touch more sarcasm, please, if that's ok.
06 May 2026 09:04:34
StockAitkinandJohnston, I don't understand these comparisons. It's just a bit lame. For ex., did Darwin come in with no preseason, unfit to play, got played and broke his leg, all the things that stifled Isak?
If any of the above did not happen with Darwin, then what is the point of the comparison? That would be none, imo.
06 May 2026 09:07:37
He had the right attitude and commitment, but then so do 90% of the lads in the Kop every week.
Their footballing ability is probably not too different either. Sorry Darwin, not enough ability.
06 May 2026 09:27:35
I still think that, when fit and in a team that creates chances for a central striker, Isak is as close to guaranteed goals as almost anyone; probably only behind Haaland and Kane as a "number 9".
My concern is that he goes to the World Cup, still not fully up to real physical condition and picks up another injury that then derails pre-season again.
06 May 2026 09:36:32
Only way that's going to happen is if Isak leaves this summer.
06 May 2026 10:11:08
Slot's style of football absolutely kills strikers. Darwin wasn't even getting any chances to miss, Jota couldn't get involved, Diaz struggled in the false 9 aside from that one game against Spurs, Ekiteke started on fire but then regressed the more he adapted to the system (or lack of), Isak is just another victim of that.
Isolated, seemingly banned from drifting wide or deep like he did at Newcastle, unable to get in behind because we play too slow, getting no service from wide because the wingers don't pass and full backs aren't allowed to overlap.
We could have prime Harry Kane, Benzema, Lewandowski, Ian Rush. They'd all struggle in this team.
06 May 2026 10:14:13
Nunez was given every opportunity to shine in the Premier League and missed most of them from 6 yards out.
06 May 2026 11:25:39
With regards, Isak, perhaps on this occasion we are the dried up grass on the other side.
06 May 2026 13:02:49
Statistically it's a fair point to make; Isak's most impressive season so far was 24/25, Newcastle were at their best, and Isak was in a system that was perfect for his style, receiving lots of service. He got 33 goal contributions.
The season previous, Darwin still wasn't firing on all cylinders, he was receiving lots of criticism and missed a lot of opportunities, but he also managed 33 goal contributions.
I'm not saying Isak isn't capable of surpassing that by any means, he is a class finisher, and there's no doubt about his quality. But based on history, and factoring in his likelihood to miss games due to injury or need for rotation as prevention, the argument is definitely valid.
06 May 2026 14:22:03
@Chewy, so considering your last statement within your last paragraph, the question now becomes: Who's "genius" idea was it to let Isak play games without a proper preseason?
06 May 2026 21:46:32
Don't think I understand the question or how it's relevant, Oli.