Player of the season so far?

Just on Facebook and saw this, so repurposing my response there into here.

Going to say Tonali.

Let?s not forget that we played awful for the first games of this season and scrapped some points and got lucky decisions (Bournemouth) at times.

Since Tonali has come into the starting line up we have been different gravy!

He?s much quicker in transition to get the ball forward and plays his part on that.

He?s protecting the back 4 by superior reading of the game. I know people have put that all down to Dubs, but Tonali has been a massive part of it.

He?s allowing Bruno to do what Bruno does best, instead of trying to do everything (as a Captain he probably thought he had to) and it being average? becasue truth is Bruno was off the boil when trying to do his and Longstaff?s job, but since he?s got the confidence of Tonali protecting the back 4/5 he can stay a bit further up the pitch and be more effective linking up midfield and the front three. Also Bruno and Tonali are building a really impressive understanding on the pitch.

Got to mention most of the rest of the squad? Hall, Burn, Schar, Big Jo, Bruno, Isak, Gordon and Murphy? but when that many people are playing well, and have hit form in the run up to Xmas and maintained it? then this could be a really good season 🙏

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Originally Posted by Nufcian

Just on Facebook and saw this, so repurposing my response there into here.

Going to say Tonali.

Let?s not forget that we played awful for the first games of this season and scrapped some points and got lucky decisions (Bournemouth) at times.

Since Tonali has come into the starting line up we have been different gravy!

He?s much quicker in transition to get the ball forward and plays his part on that.

He?s protecting the back 4 by superior reading of the game. I know people have put that all down to Dubs, but Tonali has been a massive part of it.

He?s allowing Bruno to do what Bruno does best, instead of trying to do everything (as a Captain he probably thought he had to) and it being average? becasue truth is Bruno was off the boil when trying to do his and Longstaff?s job, but since he?s got the confidence of Tonali protecting the back 4/5 he can stay a bit further up the pitch and be more effective linking up midfield and the front three. Also Bruno and Tonali are building a really impressive understanding on the pitch.

Got to mention most of the rest of the squad? Hall, Burn, Schar, Big Jo, Bruno, Isak, Gordon and Murphy? but when that many people are playing well, and have hit form in the run up to Xmas and maintained it? then this could be a really good season 🙏

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It really is difficult to pick one out at the minute? Isak is the obvious choice for me as he?s banging in the goals.

Most underrated? Murphy, Isak wouldn?t be banging in them goals without him. We have a front three at the minute that know where each other are.

Murphy?s assists from the right are all adding up, if Isak misses it, Gordon is behind him? same coming from the other side.

Mind you, if there was one player I could dream of getting in this January? Mbeumo? sorry Murphy XD

Pick one, any one, they have all stood out.

I'd go Isak as he has been consistent all season so far - but that said I would not argue against any of them.

Defensively solid this last month and I'd say Tonali is key to that so wouldn't disagree with you Ian. I said it before, just watch him on and off the ball. A MONSTER.

Also Gordon has picked up where he left off and is a huge threat with goals and assists.

It would cost three quarters of a billion to buy our team right now.

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Originally Posted by Guybrush

It really is difficult to pick one out at the minute? Isak is the obvious choice for me as he?s banging in the goals.

Most underrated? Murphy, Isak wouldn?t be banging in them goals without him. We have a front three at the minute that know where each other are.

Murphy?s assists from the right are all adding up, if Isak misses it, Gordon is behind him? same coming from the other side.

Mind you, if there was one player I could dream of getting in this January? Mbeumo? sorry Murphy XD

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😁 who needs M'beumo now with M'murphy picking up!

I'm tempted to say Dan Burn. He's made the very best of what he's got and was bloody magnificent last night.

Might sound crazy but I'd keep him in ahead of Schar now that Botman is back. I just think Burn is a better defender. I know Schar offers more all-round but Tonali has taken over that passing out from the back role.

But, I digress. I agree, the obvious answer is Isak but, as a catalyst, it could be Tonali.

Great to have so many genuine options when discussing this.

BDB. What a player to have in your squad. is there anywhere he can't play? I reckon he'd make a good fist of no 9 too.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

I'm tempted to say Dan Burn. He's made the very best of what he's got and was bloody magnificent last night.

Might sound crazy but I'd keep him in ahead of Schar now that Botman is back. I just think Burn is a better defender. I know Schar offers more all-round but Tonali has taken over that passing out from the back role.

But, I digress. I agree, the obvious answer is Isak but, as a catalyst, it could be Tonali.

Great to have so many genuine options when discussing this.

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That?s the exact word for me Zip, catalyst, and that?s why I picked him.

Plenty of valid players for players to select based on their individual performances, which is amazing for us and amazing that we have hit our stride at the business part of the season and come out of the typically tricky, congested Xmas period with the best form in the league!

But for me, Tonali has been the player that has enabled it? protected the back 4, enables quicker transitions so so we get up the pitch before teams settle into a low block, and works as hard as anyone on the pitch.

Particularly seen an improvement in Bruno?s game, already mentioned, but he is letting other players play with more confidence, and now that balance we all agreed was missing in midfield is now in place.

We started a run of games with relatively easy three fixtures, but since then have beaten Villa (h), Man Utd (a), Spurs (a), Arsenal (a).

Botman?s back, if we can just bring in a couple of new faces to improve the squad (RCB & RW) and possibly Trafford to replace Dubs if he goes? then if we can keep our core players fit, signs are looking good for a strong second half of the season!

.....Try BDB on RW.😁

The terrible twosome of Tino and Hall are fast becoming stars. Really well balanced together. These two could he international partners for the next decade too.

Not sure I can choose who would be player of the first half of the season as there are a number of contenders:
Isak for his goals and making everybody take notice of him

Tonali for the control he gives our midfield, along with

Guimares for the guile to unlock defences and the work he puts in (run further than anyone else in the Premier League)

Gordon for the threat that he poses and in so doing giving Isak the space to do his thing as we don't just have a single point of attack

Hall for his defending and the calmness he shows with the ball and under pressure which is really impressive for a 20 year old playing essentially his first season as a first choice player

So now that I have sat on the fence and named almost half our regular team there is one more shout out I would like to make. This is a much easier choice. We used to talk about players getting Bruced. Nowadays we can talk about players being Howed, players that have improved from what they used to be. The original winner of this was obviously Joelinton. Last season would be harder to pick but I would probably give it to Krafth. However this season's prize I think should go to Jacob Murphy who now finally seems to be fulfilling the promise that was expected of him when we first bought him and has formed a good relationship with Isak. The fact that we can not only hurt you through the centre with Isak but also from both flanks as well makes us a lot more dangerous and much harder to shut down