Alexander Isak

[Mark79]

Fitness shouldnt be a problem. Preseason only goes for about a month or so. He's been with us for 4-5 months now. He's had 4 preseasons in the team. By now he knows the tactics and whats expected of him. Fitness is the easiest to get up. The amount of times I've started exercising and been only able to run 8min before dying and then almost 2months later I'm doing 50min without a problem, these guys have proper trainers and facilities and little special energy drinks. Even his shooting, which is instinctive for people like him, is ****. He seems to be given permission to coast because of no preseason. People should be pointing fingers at this stage not giving him excuses.

We've been playing him as well though. The training between games is never going to be anywhere near as intensive as a proper pre-season. That's the period the gives players their base fitness to set them up for the season.

Doing your 'pre-season' during the actual season, while also playing games, is never going to be as effective.

[baitman]

Forgetting the massive fee we paid for a moment, you'd look at him and think we got him for £500.

Who would pay us £50M for him right now...

[vlahka]

Fitness shouldnt be a problem. Preseason only goes for about a month or so. He's been with us for 4-5 months now. He's had 4 preseasons in the team. By now he knows the tactics and whats expected of him. Fitness is the easiest to get up. The amount of times I've started exercising and been only able to run 8min before dying and then almost 2months later I'm doing 50min without a problem, these guys have proper trainers and facilities and little special energy drinks. Even his shooting, which is instinctive for people like him, is ****. He seems to be given permission to coast because of no preseason. People should be pointing fingers at this stage not giving him excuses.

[Slinky Skills]

He looks a bit lost and massively low on confidence, plus seeing Ekitike ripping it up has also had an impact on him.

At the end of the day he's going to have to knuckle down and start putting more effort in if he wants the striker position, he's clearly a massive talent however he's not doing enough for me. With the club's support he has try and battle through whatever demons he has in head and get firing again.

[Mark79]

Missing pre-season proper can leave you playing catch up for sharpness and fitness for most of the season. Mac Allister also missed the bulk of pre-season and he’s also looked a shadow of last season.

I get the concerns over how smart this transfer is looking now though. £125m for a 26 year old who we’re probably going to have to wait until later part of this season or even next season before we see the best of him?

[Irishnev]

New player. New club in relative turmoil.

Foolish to judge now surely.

It’s ok to say we expected more based on his price tag and proven ability without being judgmental, this is the most expensive player in British football history and not some prospect from a lower league

[BG1973]

New player. New club in relative turmoil.

Foolish to judge now surely.

[rudedog]

So far this guy has been a massive let down, he seems a shadow of the player he was at Newcastle.

Maybe we are just going to have to set the team up a certain way to play to his strengths (rather than him being adaptable).

Did the club expect him to be more adaptable? If so, it seems like the scouting dept hadn’t done adequate due diligence with their analysis. If not, why did we pay so much?

Either way, the club seems to have made a significant error with this transfer

[kemm1]

Wow, social media!

[Irishnev]

Yup it's clear he has profound technical ability when in the right space and with the right service. Weird to compare him to Ngog other than being visually comparable. Ngog did his best, but was never going to be a top scorer anywhere in a major league.

I saw flashes of Ngog yesterday, I’ve faith in Isak (less than when we signed him though) but his apparent lack of fitness or ability/desire to get “up to speed” is a big concern for me, it’s the middle of December now FFS

Coming into the team late and then the dysfunction within the team is a partial cause but I expected more

[SB]

Maybe. He went through a lot of **** in the summer. Ongoing **** / threats to his and his family’s lives / break ins…. Etc. I think when things settle down he’ll improve massively..

Hope you’re right. I trust the brains trust that wanted to sign him.

[kingfunk]

I do have a doubt.

It is early days alright but he has been ****in awful. People go on about the pre season but that is bull**** at this stage. He doesn't even press half heartedly. The fact that he has come from the same league only adds to the underwhelment.

Wish we signed the German fella that Newcastle replaced him with. At least that would be a different option.

Maybe. He went through a lot of **** in the summer. Ongoing **** / threats to his and his family’s lives / break ins…. Etc. I think when things settle down he’ll improve massively..

[frank the tank]

It’s early days, I’ve no doubt he will be very good for us when it eventually clicks.

I do have a doubt.

It is early days alright but he has been ****in awful. People go on about the pre season but that is bull**** at this stage. He doesn't even press half heartedly. The fact that he has come from the same league only adds to the underwhelment.

Wish we signed the German fella that Newcastle replaced him with. At least that would be a different option.

[Catrin]

Yup it's clear he has profound technical ability when in the right space and with the right service. Weird to compare him to Ngog other than being visually comparable. Ngog did his best, but was never going to be a top scorer anywhere in a major league.

I used to think David Ngog had all the talent and ability to be one of the best strikers in the world. Then I saw him play.

[Tatterdemalion]

It’s early days, I’ve no doubt he will be very good for us when it eventually clicks.

Yup it's clear he has profound technical ability when in the right space and with the right service. Weird to compare him to Ngog other than being visually comparable. Ngog did his best, but was never going to be a top scorer anywhere in a major league.