I'm guilty. Can't wait for him to continue proving me horribly wrong
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 59
- Goals
- 14
- Assists
- 14
- Yellow cards
- 12
- Status
Hard working, creates lots of chances and doesn't have an ego the size of a continent. Sure, ETH will hate him 
The crap that comes out of our fanbase is frankly astounding at times.
The crap that comes out of our fanbase is frankly astounding at times.
The great thing about the imminent signing of Eriksen is we have an option to drop him if his performances suffer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those who thinks he's suddenly crap but competition for places is good in a football team. At times last season, it seemed like he knew there would be little consequences to him missing easy chances and having a run of poor games and it kind of affected him a little bit.
Much better. More of the same going into the season would be great.
Honestly I think we should name and shame the Bruno naysayers if he performs to the standards he previously set this season. Imagine giving up on the best #10 in world football just like that.
Amen to that. He moved from the star of the team (which suited him and was good for us) to “little brother” as you described it. He’s an excellent player who just needs good CMs behind him - or good performing CMs if we are not signing anyone!
I really liked the way he played, he struggled a bit to find the correct space outside of transition but on the ball he was excellent, a lot more composed. I would like to see him as a CM used in a 433, it could be wishful thinking but I thought that he was more comfortable and useful when he was dropping. Also is it me or he has a nice understanding with Martial, they don't walk on each others toes and seem to be willing to go where the other isn't, the same applies to Rashford and Martial.
We played our best football with Bruno, Martial, Rashford in the side. Martial links up well with both Bruno and Rashford.
Yep. Bruno's form dropped off in 20/21 too once Martial got injured and Cavani became the starting striker.
Martial is really good at getting other players involved in the final third.
They do seem to have a good understanding, one of their better combinations was that free kick against City just before lockdown which was very clever football.
I've think I've mentioned this before but I've always felt Martial's had good chemistry with quite a few of his team mates over the years, he's had some lovely combinations with Shaw and Pogba over the years.
He’s just one of those players than can combine with anyone. He even had a good relationship with Lukaku from what I remember.
You are both correct but I thought that it was particularly obvious with Bruno and Rashford both have had the tendency to play hero football but it seems that it's less the case with someone like Martial. There is a case to be made about finding a player closer to Martial's style if we want to get the best out of Bruno and Rashford. I have been thinking about a Lautaro Martinez type of player.
He was holding back his natural instincts and kept the game simple to keep the move flowing, it was good to see controlled Bruno.
Yeah Martial is all about quick combinations and one twos.
Bruno kept it simple today and he's best when he does that as opposed trying to be too smart with hero balls or pot shots.
I hope we don't completely castrate him though. We need the Bruno Fernandes of 2020
I thought he looked very good in the first half.
Yeah it's all about balance and picking right moment.
I thought somehow his feet became quicker in tight spaces.
Another solid performance, if he can keep it simple he will get loads of chances to do what he does best.
Highly adaptable with a great mentality. With his footballing ability, of course it was always going to work out.
Very lively today, unlucky not to score. Some great chipped balls to the right wing which we should have done better with.
I think he is going to be back to his best under Ten Hag. Looking forward to him linking up with Sancho and Martial.
Nahhh. He's gunna end up on the bench because his ball security isn't good enough. Remember?
Good lad.
Always remember the fans. Takes a couple of minutes of your time, means the world to them.
Always remember the fans. Takes a couple of minutes of your time, means the world to them.
Awwww.
Nice. I love that
Looks to be a lot more measured in his play. From an individualistic perspective I think his stats may take a bit of a hit and he may even get dropped at times but I think it will be better for the overall balance of the team. I hope and think that he will eventually adjust to this way of playing. It's a much more balanced and sustainable way to play than how Ole was using him.
Looking at Ole's quotes about Bruno "Sometimes I might tear my hair out and say that there is an easier pass to the right or to the left or back but you cannot take that away from Bruno. You want him to be the x-factor who has players ahead of him making runs so I am very pleased with his influence this season and this year.", he effectively had a free reign which was fine for his stats but he often delivered patch performances.
Looking at Ole's quotes about Bruno "Sometimes I might tear my hair out and say that there is an easier pass to the right or to the left or back but you cannot take that away from Bruno. You want him to be the x-factor who has players ahead of him making runs so I am very pleased with his influence this season and this year.", he effectively had a free reign which was fine for his stats but he often delivered patch performances.
He looked good, he kept the ball moving and quickly. Good to see him adapting his game.
People thought he would struggle in this system?
I mean it's not the same player. He is clearly no longer the star of the show. He's in a more humble role and looks like his numbers will take a dip. The point is consistent, with his old style he was always going to have to pick one of production and functionality. He has ditched the star status and chosen functionality. He isn't struggling, he isn't shining, he's just doing his job fairly well.
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I think the real interesting part will be when Eriksen comes in and shows what he can do in that role. I suspect he'll be a more natural fit for this system and It'll show straight away. Either way, the competition is good for us. This is how it should be in a top team, the manager should have leverage over all the players and having someone else waiting to step in is an important part of that.
Bruno vs Eriksen, motivated Martial vs Ronaldo, Varane vs Maguire and Malacia vs Shaw. In the words of Castello (The Departed) "Nobody gives it to you, you have to take it!". Now we just need to get De Jong, Antony and a RB to challenge Dalot.
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It's for the best. The hero ball days were too painful to watch so I'm happy with this new restricted version of him. The less he is noticed the better it is.
One of my biggest hope for Ten Hag's tenure.
I don't understand this POV. During the SAF years, ALL of the players where showing off their skill and got noticed. That's what you want to see from your star players. It's not just about "part of the winning team". Take responsibilities, get noticed, make fans drooling at your play, play like a "King".
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Looked a bit tentative to shoot in the game.. there were a couple of opportunities where I thought he was going to pull the trigger (and probably would’ve last season) but chose to pass instead.
Not necessarily a bad thing and I do have high hopes for him in this system.. plenty of willing runners ahead of him will only help him create more opportunities.
Not necessarily a bad thing and I do have high hopes for him in this system.. plenty of willing runners ahead of him will only help him create more opportunities.
Depends on whether you can pull it off. Precision is key. If all of Paul Scholes raking long passes ended up in row Z you'd have to haul him off the pitch.
Given Bruno's erratic performances over the last year we can't have him expressing himself in that manner unless he can actually be precise in his play.
Agreed. That's the main point. We don't need to curb him and make him less noticeable. We need to make him better, while still being noticeable. I want every players on the team try to make a positive impact, and take responsibility. Show the fans they're worth to get paid those millions.
Did I read it wrong that on his "shit" last season, he's still the 2nd most chances creator in the League? Why would you want this type of player be more "unnoticeable"?
I drooled when i saw the like of Modric, Kroos and Benzema in that CL Final. Because they asserted authority and played like a boss.
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Yes but the manager doesn't control him with a Dual Sense controller. Despite your best intentions and instructions , a player can disappoint you. IF that happens, in order to play he has to reign it in and at least do the basics right before he can go balls out again.
Bruno is an intelligent player with an excellent vision, with attackers who are willing runners ahead of him, as well as FBs that push forward, that basically gives him a lot of options for players to aim at for long passes or killer passes (low % passes), the idea from Ten Hag then would be for him to pick his moments, and hopefully, Ten Hag will coach the team in a way where there will be pattern of plays that will improve the probability of those low % passes, and allow Bruno to be as much creative as he can be, within a defined structure and style of play.
Also, getting Eriksen in means that Bruno has an actual competition and an option for Ten Hag to rotate.
I am anticipating a great season from Bruno.
Also, getting Eriksen in means that Bruno has an actual competition and an option for Ten Hag to rotate.
I am anticipating a great season from Bruno.
The poster who said we have to make him "Less noticeable", check his post history on Bruno, you will see why he said. (to save time, he doesn't rate Bruno).
Anyways I don't think he is less noticeable, he is involved in the game but the system has changed. "Pass the ball to Bruno" is not the go-to tactic now, we have lot of players who are looking to get on the ball, pass it quickly to keep the ball moving. Bruno is playing good role in keeping the ball moving to open up spaces, this will help us in long run as we are opening teams, playing like a team.
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