When you Wissa upon a star

[Don Sholeone]

Club have played a blinder with the Wissa interview whilst Isak made himself look an even bigger t*** then he already looked.

Dedicated a significant portion of Wissa interview to talk about Brentford and what happened behind the scenes and got him to talk about his best memories and favourite things about the club.

I think he’ll be a great signing and will ease the departure of he who shall not be named. But I do have mixed feelings as he’s also behaved poorly to get his move. Players shouldn’t be rewarded for their poor conduct.

It’s a dog eat dog world I guess.

I don't like it but I understand it, he was running out of time for a big move and to play in the CL, he has a much better footballing reason than Isak Ball-sak had, it still doesn't justify it but I can better understand his position than a man who was about to play his second CL campaign with us, coming off the back of a trophy, from a club that just put heavy investment in to try to progress us further.

[Toon Ireland]

We could get 6 or 7 years out of him, I'm chuffed with this signing. Every PL to PL transfer was over priced, this was never gonna be any different. Plus Brentford has us by the bollocks
It's gonna be interesting to see how we line up in the next game, I'd imagine Wissa will go straight into the starting 11, Wolty on the bench.

Soz mate just typed a full reply to your post then tried to post it but a sign came up checking if I was human then my post disappeared and no way am typing all that again

Same thing happened me yesterday, mine was only 2 sentences and wasn't arsed to write it again! I get it

[Cal]

I've toned down the "are you human?" checks again - had to do something to keep the place running yesterday, but not ideal if they're challenging twice in a session like that.

[Murphy's Marvellous Grin]

I've toned down the "are you human?" checks again - had to do something to keep the place running yesterday, but not ideal if they're challenging twice in a session like that.

Do they ask if we are dancers instead?

I must admit whilst I see the need to take an aggressive stance against the bot invasion recently, being questioned about my humanity so many times in a day was making me begin to question it myself

[Toon Ireland]

I was getting them every time I opened the forum yesterday but it ticked the box itself! No checks at all today

[overseasTOON]

I've toned down the "are you human?" checks again - had to do something to keep the place running yesterday, but not ideal if they're challenging twice in a session like that.

I had to keep watching YouTube videos of the Hindenburg crash to see if I was human.

[Colback's Orange Tufts]

Not going to AFCON. Feel he'll be a big contributer over December especially in away games

[originallad]

Not going to AFCON. Feel he'll be a big contributer over December especially in away games

Fantastic news!

[Slim999]

Great news- well have him fit & likely on bench vs makems

If we win tomorrow we could jump 4 or 5 spots . Could be just 3 points behind Villa if they lose at Brighton.

Actually a draw would be better - keep them both in reach

And we could be 1 point off Sunlun

[beatski]

Not going to AFCON. Feel he'll be a big contributer over December especially in away games

apparently played a behind closed doors match on Sat too, so an appearance could be imminent!

[Sanchino]

Heard he might even make the bench on Sat. Would be a very big boost. Will make a difference in the final third with his experience, pace, movement and skill. Versatile too can play anywhere across the front 3/4 (LW, ST, SS/AM, RW). Can't wait. He will hit the ground running for sure.

[Over The Line]

What do we think will happen to Wissa then?

Not even getting a look in off the bench, Osula ahead of him in the pecking order and apparently didn't even make the team photo yetsterday.

Howe claims he's fit. The £55m seemed like an overpay at the start of the season, now it's seeming to be a horrible deal.

Ship him out to Saudi to try and recoup the money?
He'll come good eventually, just taking a while to learn the plays/system?

[Colly]

Apparently he was in the photo, he's just little and near the back...

I suppose it comes down to whether having a proper preseason would help him get back on track, but he isn't getting any younger. I'd probably say keep for now, the fee you'd get from Saudi isn't likely to change whether it's this summer or next.

[overseasTOON]

Star light, star bright
First star I've seen tonight
Wish I may, wish I might,
Aw f***. It's a satellite.

He came in late to the squad and missed pre-season, then screwed his knee up and had to work back to match fitness and we've seen that disruption affect his performances on the pitch to the extent that he's now a bench warmer but you have to also look at the service he's had when he does play and that's also been seriously under par.

He's not rubbish so I hope that he's still got support from the squad and back room so they can look at next season and try and get the best out of him again.

If Saudi did offer £40 million then I'd think it would be considered but if we don't get our scouting network up to scratch, we'll have no-one up front with his experience.

[Sanchino]

What do we think will happen to Wissa then?

Not even getting a look in off the bench, Osula ahead of him in the pecking order and apparently didn't even make the team photo yetsterday.

Howe claims he's fit. The £55m seemed like an overpay at the start of the season, now it's seeming to be a horrible deal.

Ship him out to Saudi to try and recoup the money?
He'll come good eventually, just taking a while to learn the plays/system?

Feel like we should give him a full pre-season to see what he's really about and transition fully into HoweBall but from what I've seen of him nowhere near worth the 50m+add ons deal we paid for him.. 25/30m was more his value so we definitely vastly overpaid. Best bet is to wait and see next season but not getting any younger is he? and how much could we recoup from him realistically + his wages? Say 20-25m summer 2027 if he doesn't come good? In two minds but feel there's a player there but looking like a poor deal all-round so far.

[Murphy's Marvellous Grin]

What do we think will happen to Wissa then?

Not even getting a look in off the bench, Osula ahead of him in the pecking order and apparently didn't even make the team photo yetsterday.

Howe claims he's fit. The £55m seemed like an overpay at the start of the season, now it's seeming to be a horrible deal.

Ship him out to Saudi to try and recoup the money?
He'll come good eventually, just taking a while to learn the plays/system?

Feel like we should give him a full pre-season to see what he's really about and transition fully into HoweBall but from what I've seen of him nowhere near worth the 50m+add ons deal we paid for him.. 25/30m was more his value so we definitely vastly overpaid. Best bet is to wait and see next season but not getting any younger is he? and how much could we recoup from him realistically + his wages? Say 20-25m summer 2027 if he doesn't come good? In two minds but feel there's a player there but looking like a poor deal all-round so far.

Value is decided by a lot of things, not just ability. Notably in this case how much someone (us) was willing to pay, and how much the sellers (Brentford) wanted in order to sell. We were desperate for a striker with PL experience, so that added to the value. We got the the rat money, so that gave us more wiggle room. Brentford had lost several key players already, plus staff (not that it's effected them this season...) so that added more value on their side, because how much more they would need this player.

Yes we overpaid, but that's what the circumstances merited. We got unlucky with his immediate injury, as we overpaid because of his relatively clean record, and for our need to get someone in to be able to start now. Regardless of that though, there is no way on gods green earth a forward with 18 premier league goals the season before is going for 25/30m.

As a quick example, Ben Doak went from Liverpool to Bmouth last summer for 25m. The previous season he was on loan at boro in the championship, playing 24 times, with 3 goals and a respectable 7 assists. Yes he's younger and you could argue paying for potential (4 league appearances this season) but that's what 25m get's you in this market. There will be other examples, that's the first one I came across.

The converse example is Calvert-Lewin, which has turned out better than most expected. The risk was too great there which is why plenty of clubs, ourselves included, didn't go for it. Keeping Wilson was obviously seen as a back up plan as well, but it's clear he wanted more first team football.

[Remember Colo]

My frustration with both of our striker purchases is that we don't seem to have plans for how to play to either of their strengths. And I appreciate that maybe we didn't expect to lose the rat when we did, and then it's argued we couldn't buy our first choices. And yet Wissa seemed like our preferred target from before the rat was even sold, and we're clearly not getting the best from him. I get the missed pre-season and then the injury, but I want to see signs of improvement as the season goes on - rather than continued regression.

[bodacious benny]

My frustration with both of our striker purchases is that we don't seem to have plans for how to play to either of their strengths. And I appreciate that maybe we didn't expect to lose the rat when we did, and then it's argued we couldn't buy our first choices. And yet Wissa seemed like our preferred target from before the rat was even sold, and we're clearly not getting the best from him. I get the missed pre-season and then the injury, but I want to see signs of improvement as the season goes on - rather than continued regression.

I've heard various podcasts claiming Wissa is similar in style to the rat, or 'the closest to...'....how?! the rat could score worldies from range and beat multiple players. Wissa is/was a Wilson replacement as a fox in the box type forward.

I think part of the issue is that neither Woltemade or Wissa have been good enough (or available enough) to justify changing how the entire team plays. Had one of them been banging in 20+ goals you could argue it's worth changing the approach of the entire team - but they're not. That's why we've seen Gordon playing CF (and Osula on occassion) as they'll both give that energy and press that the team is used to.

I think Gordon struggled earlier in the season but does actually seem to be transitioning into a good centre forward to lead from the front. Leaves him in a slight quandary for England tho as he wouldn't even be second choice CF for them and could find his spot on the left under threat as he's not been playing there.

[TJR]

My frustration with both of our striker purchases is that we don't seem to have plans for how to play to either of their strengths. And I appreciate that maybe we didn't expect to lose the rat when we did, and then it's argued we couldn't buy our first choices. And yet Wissa seemed like our preferred target from before the rat was even sold, and we're clearly not getting the best from him. I get the missed pre-season and then the injury, but I want to see signs of improvement as the season goes on - rather than continued regression.

I've heard various podcasts claiming Wissa is similar in style to the rat, or 'the closest to...'....how?! the rat could score worldies from range and beat multiple players. Wissa is/was a Wilson replacement as a fox in the box type forward.

I think part of the issue is that neither Woltemade or Wissa have been good enough (or available enough) to justify changing how the entire team plays. Had one of them been banging in 20+ goals you could argue it's worth changing the approach of the entire team - but they're not. That's why we've seen Gordon playing CF (and Osula on occassion) as they'll both give that energy and press that the team is used to.

I think Gordon struggled earlier in the season but does actually seem to be transitioning into a good centre forward to lead from the front. Leaves him in a slight quandary for England tho as he wouldn't even be second choice CF for them and could find his spot on the left under threat as he's not been playing there.

Agree with most of this. Wissa was definitely more of a Wilson replacement than the rat in terms of profile. Think Woltemade was a bit of a panic buy and doesn't suit or system at all. Gordon is the closest we've got to the rat in profile and when we're playing at our high intensity pressing best, Gordon is a much better option than the others. He's really good at the press and knows when to go and when not to. Osula is probably next best though he needs to be a bit cleverer and learn when not to go but you can't knock his enthusiasm. Woltemade and Wissa aren't suited to high pressing football.

Disagree on Gordon's England chances though. Tuchel seems to really like him and I think his versatility will actually help. Especially since we haven't actually got a back up to Kane. Last season Watkins would have been nailed on but he's been woeful this season. Gordon and Rashford are the two LW options I think he'll take and they both offer great versatility in that they could play CF if anything happens to Kane. Don't really think there's any other competition on the left, Grealish is injured and Eze has been playing more as a 10. The flexibility of Gordon and Rashford could help him with his number 10 quandary of having Rogers/Bellingham/Eze/Foden/Palmer to choose from. Think he might be tempted to take one less CF and take an extra 10 otherwise you're leaving 2 possibly 3 very talented 10's at home.

[Sanchino]

I've heard various podcasts claiming Wissa is similar in style to the rat, or 'the closest to...'....how?! the rat could score worldies from range and beat multiple players. Wissa is/was a Wilson replacement as a fox in the box type forward.

I think part of the issue is that neither Woltemade or Wissa have been good enough (or available enough) to justify changing how the entire team plays. Had one of them been banging in 20+ goals you could argue it's worth changing the approach of the entire team - but they're not. That's why we've seen Gordon playing CF (and Osula on occassion) as they'll both give that energy and press that the team is used to.

I think Gordon struggled earlier in the season but does actually seem to be transitioning into a good centre forward to lead from the front. Leaves him in a slight quandary for England tho as he wouldn't even be second choice CF for them and could find his spot on the left under threat as he's not been playing there.

Agree with most of this. Wissa was definitely more of a Wilson replacement than the rat in terms of profile. Think Woltemade was a bit of a panic buy and doesn't suit or system at all. Gordon is the closest we've got to the rat in profile and when we're playing at our high intensity pressing best, Gordon is a much better option than the others. He's really good at the press and knows when to go and when not to. Osula is probably next best though he needs to be a bit cleverer and learn when not to go but you can't knock his enthusiasm. Woltemade and Wissa aren't suited to high pressing football.

Disagree on Gordon's England chances though. Tuchel seems to really like him and I think his versatility will actually help. Especially since we haven't actually got a back up to Kane. Last season Watkins would have been nailed on but he's been woeful this season. Gordon and Rashford are the two LW options I think he'll take and they both offer great versatility in that they could play CF if anything happens to Kane. Don't really think there's any other competition on the left, Grealish is injured and Eze has been playing more as a 10. The flexibility of Gordon and Rashford could help him with his number 10 quandary of having Rogers/Bellingham/Eze/Foden/Palmer to choose from. Think he might be tempted to take one less CF and take an extra 10 otherwise you're leaving 2 possibly 3 very talented 10's at home.

Couldn't have said it any better.

Woltemade and Wissa simply don't suit our style of play. We needed someone in Isak's profile (Gordon / Osula closest thing we'll get to him) not Wissa who's more a Wilson type striker and Woltemade who we don't even know his best position.. (too slow/not strong enough to be a no.9 and not enough guile/physicality/quickness/nippiness to play no.10) AND he's not a no.8/Joelienton mould type midfielder either so it'll be hard to fit him in. He looked good when we was pinging crosses in and he was a unknown entity in the league but now defences have worked him out. The talent is there of course but just not sure if it's FOR OUR TEAM. We need a Samu/Kofane/Osihman type striker who can play the lone role Isak did so well (high pressing, pacey, skilful, powerful and athletic).

I'll love it to work out but not sure we'll ever see it happening, Woltemade is still young so there's time but Wissa's not getting younger so yeah could see us selling him by Jan 2027 or summer 2027 if he doesn't hit the ground running next season.