The Fish

I have a reputation for using 100 words when 5 would do. Just a little self deprecative humour.

So, those players are playing well because of Howe? Nah, can't be, I read on there that he's shit and only doing well because of the new players. But it can't be that because we're only doing well because of the players that were bought earlier. So those players must be playing better because of Howe? Nah, can't be, I read on there that he's shit and only doing well because of the new players. But it can't be that because we're only doing well because of the players that were bought earlier. So those players must be playing better because of Howe?

Cheers for this Diego, away from why he chose Aston Villa, do you think that; a) he can successfully implement his style with the players they have, b) they will do well in the Premier League?

Not sure, but I think Brentford is the only game where he didn't win 100% of his aerial duels. But it's his composure and reading of the game that's most impressive.

When finally the moment of understanding comes to you, please refer back to this post and re-read the sentence that follows. I forgive you for doubting me.

Mostly Fbref. ASM has averaged 0.35 expected goals or assists per 90 in the 4 seasons he's been at Newcastle. Averages 0.30 goals and assists per 90 in that time. Almiron averages 0.26 in his 5 seasons here. 0.18 goals and assists per 90. ASM averages 0.88 shots on target per 90. Almiron averages 0.55. ASM averages 4.2 Shot Creating Actions per 90. 0.48 Goal Creating Actions per 90. Almiron averages 2.8 SCA. 0.22 GCA per 90. Historically, ASM has been far and away our biggest threat.

With Villa I'd expect them to come in with a bit of confidence after their game against Brentford, and they've definitely got the attacking players who could ask some questions of our defence. I'd start Joelinton to bully their midfield and introduce ASM later in the game. Partly like you say to have an impact on a demoralised Aston Villa, but partly because it's wise to slowly reintroduce players coming back from injury. If he comes through Villa without any complications I'd start him against Southampton and Palace though. For all his faults, he's still our biggest attacking threat and a player who can win tight games with one moment of genius.

But, it's not subjective, I've shown that ASM gets more of the ball than Almiron, Almiron gets more of the ball when ASM isn't playing. So my opening question "I wonder if Almiron's form will dwindle when ASM returns" is a question based on the evidence that shows he will be less of a focal point when the Frenchman gets back into the team.

Bobby, If you win against Arsenal that would take you top of the league for Christmas If's the biggest word in football son, if I had wings I could fly to the moon Sure, but would you like to be there What, the moon?

Is this a prank? Am I being hazed? I'll go along with it because I'm a good egg, but I just need to know.

Don't you bloody start. I genuinely cannot believe that this is even up for debate. ASM comes back, Almiron will see less of the ball.

Played football with Anthony Shandran, Adam Saddler and a couple others who never made it past the youth teams but were way better than everyone else. Shandran was so much better than the rest of us that the plan was just a version of Bruce's "give it to Maxi" strategy. He'd just glide past people, always seemed to have time on the ball and it felt like he had a birds eye view of the pitch. He just knew where everyone was. We were all convinced he'd play in the Prem Years Team Apps (Gls) 1999–2003 Burnley 1 (0) 2002 → St Patrick's Athletic (loan) ? (?) 2002 → Stalybridge Celtic (loan) 7 (?) 2003 → York City (loan) 18 (3) 2003–2004 Spennymoor United 13 (4) 2004 Gateshead 14 (9) 2004–2006 Newcastle Blue Star ? (?) 2006–2007 Newcastle Benfield 1 (?) 2007–2009 Bedlington Terriers ? (?) 2009 Blyth Spartans 7 (3) 2009– Bedlington Terriers 202 (247) We were very wrong.

Matty counts as carry-on, right?

1 or 2 nil, I reckon. Wilson and Botman.

It's awful when someone rambles, wittering on around the topic, stretching their loquaciousness ad infinitum, endlessly droning on, interminably continuing to talk, with verbose, longwinded, voluble, garrulous answers that go nowhere.

Well, if you really want I can go through last season, and discover further evidence that ASM has been the chief attacking outlet for Newcastle United since he joined. I can show that he's consistently received more of the ball, had more touches than Almiron has. But I think we both know that I'll provide that then you'll twist and moan and find another reason to disregard the evidence that backs up that which is self-evident.

To be fair, it's a huge improvement on Gerrard and if nothing else, whoever replaces him in 2 seasons will inherit a really well drilled defence. I'm not sure who would have been a better realistic appointment to get them out of the mud they find themselves in right now.

Well we've got that Kuol coming in in January, we've been signing for the youth team and apparently we're signing some 18yr old from Brazil. Dunno if he'll have sufficient points on his visa to be available for the second half of this season or if he, like Kuol, will be shunted out on loan somewhere European.

He's always struck me as slow, rash, error prone and not even that great in the air.

It was a DFS

You are wrong. With ASM in the team, Almiron is the target of a pass 35.25 times a game and 40.75 without, and again, if you disregard Liverpool it's closer to 45 times a game. That's a 27.7% increase.

Why, in the world, would you cherry pick those two, instead of looking at the overall trend? Given, y'know, that's what we're talking about? with ASM, Almiron averages 7.3% of the teams' touches, without it's 7.5%, leave out the Liverpool game and it's 8%. with ASM, Almiron averages 9.8% as the team's passing target, without it's 9.7%, leave out Liverpool and it's 10.3%. 75% of ASM's games see him as the passing target one in ten times. Almiron is 25% with ASM, without it's 50%. So, in summary. When ASM plays, Almiron has fewer touches and is the passing target less often. Right, now that we've cleared that up you can go ask someone else to explain shit.

No, it shows he's performed well, not that he has usurped ASM as the most dangerous goal threat. I've shown that, per 90, Almiron gets more touches, is the target of more passes, when ASM isn't playing. In terms of possession percentage. In terms of being a target of a pass

How is this still rumbling on. When ASM comes back, Almiron will get less of the ball. Not none of the ball, less of the ball. How is this contentious?

Yeah read that, it's great insight. I swear I heard Wilson or someone else after the game talk about targeting Lloris. But isn't it nice to see an identifiable style/approach, instead of just "rolling up wuh sleeves"?