Can you now supply us with statistics for all the other players that have played, because I am sure we could pin some losses on some other Albion players.
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[Albion] Go on Jason Steele !!!!
- Thread starter Garyoldfan
- Start date
Quite right - thank you.
The Villa game is not included if my stats but just backs up my opinion (and fact) that when we play Steele we are more likely to concede goals and lose games than when we play Verbruggen. That is because Verbruggen is a better goalkeeper , at this time, than Steele - it's unfortunate ,for us and Steele, but true.
This season Steele's inclusion in the starting 11 has caused me to hear many other supporters groan and moan at the pre match news. It's sad to hear that but I can understand why. Let's hope that if he is selected to play in any of our remaining games he proves the doubters like me wrong.
Fairly clear stats
. IMO RDZ played Steele against City because he was expecting us to lose anyway, and now it's nailed on that Bart will play against Bournemouth.
The playing out from the back thingy (not to derail this thread) does my head in when we try it against the best, high pressing teams
. Yes, maybe Steele better at it than Bart, but as a collective (and with injuries) we're not good enough. Everyone knew yesterday we'd give away at least one goal with that dicking about against City: our fans knew it, City players knew, even our defense knew it...but still we did it (Roberto!!). Not Steele's fault, as it's the boss's orders.Re the playing out from the back and Steeles instance on delaying kicking or passing into dangerous areas It may have been a clear instruction from the manager but sometimes professionals have to make their own decisions within the match and I agree it was suicidal last night. Interestingly we only went long ball on a couple of occasions (Dunk maybe ?) and it seemed to unsettle the City defence as they probably weren't expecting it.Fairly clear stats
IMO RDZ played Steele against City because he was expecting us to lose anyway, and now it's nailed on that Bart will play against Bournemouth.
The playing out from the back thingy (not to derail this thread) does my head in when we try it against the best, high pressing teams
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Is that a communication issue or a technique issue? Should Baleba be receiving the ball side on so that he can see when to turn or should others be telling him when he can turn? Or a bit of both?
Pliny the Gull
Member
- Mar 4, 2024
- 53
TBH I think they are both decent keepers. IMO (Especially last night) RDZ drills into them, do not waiver at any cost, from passing out from back at anytime, and JS did not look comfortable. Last 10 minutes before half time, he launched over a higher and higher press to find JP/DW. And we were on goal. This has happened regularly lately. There's worrying signs of over coaching appearing. And not just with keepers.
sussex_guy2k2
Well-known member
- Jun 6, 2014
- 3,762
There’s nothing wrong with it? Sure… if Caicedo’s there, or Gilmour, maybe.
But Baleba hasn’t shown that ability in those areas yet. His body position is totally wrong, which Steele, the experienced pro, can see. This leaves Baleba one pass to his right to a kid he’s not even looking at or a pass backwards, or to turn on the ball. And we’ve no idea what call was given. There’s no way it’s the correct ball given the circumstances. It showed both a total lack of composure and a total lack of understanding of the context of the game.
sussex_guy2k2
Well-known member
- Jun 6, 2014
- 3,762
Either way, he shouldn’t be receiving the ball from Steele there with his body position as it is.
Jimmy Grimble
Well-known member
Or a scanning issue. The elite players in that role are constantly scanning where the space is, where opponents are and where teammates are.
Baleba’s physicality should have either enabled him to let the ball roll across him whilst guarding Foden off, or take a touch to move it away from him.
I think @Withdean11 is correct in his analysis.
Jimmy Grimble
Well-known member
Yep. You can see from that still that Baleba has already decided to pass to Barco, which isn’t necessarily an awful move but it’s very clearly channelled - the City players know exactly what’s coming.
If he instead feigns that pass and lets the ball roll, he buys himself time and opens up other options taking us into the next phase.
I said to my mate last night that for all our passing around at the back and invitation of pressure, we very rarely actually breakthrough into the second phase with a numerical or positional advantage any more.
I think in theory it’s what some would say is elite level tactics trying to be executed by merely (!) decent (and in many cases, young) players.
I agree
. The professionals there should make their own decisions during the game but I feel that aspect has been driven out of our defense by the intense training. We still see some creativity in the final third (the fans at the City game might disagree!) such as Pedro's runs.However, the defence patterns are pretty robotic!
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
This thread is pointless now, Steel could let in ten pea rollers in one half and someone will make an excuse for him. My biggest gripe is he never digs us out of trouble any half decent shot and he’s flapping at it watching the ball fly in the net. I don’t want to see our keeper spilling that tame shot last night we are meant to be a serious PL side.
Luton, Roma, Villa, City four games and 17 goals conceded come on it’s beyond a joking matter.
Luton, Roma, Villa, City four games and 17 goals conceded come on it’s beyond a joking matter.
sussex_guy2k2
Well-known member
- Jun 6, 2014
- 3,762
Which is why the senior players need to be able to read the situation as it develops and pick the best option. Playing Baleba in there was suicidal with everything happening around him.
And I think that’s the big issue. Last year Steele was made to look good with the ball at his feet because of who we had in midfield.
Jimmy Grimble
Well-known member
I get where you’re coming from. The trouble is if you never put Baleba/Barco in these positions then how will they ever learn?
You would hope that this is all part of their next day analysis. I would genuinely love to hear how RDZ envisioned that passage of play panning out. Shame journalists never really ask these kind of tactical questions.
I think saying Steele was made to look good with the ball at his feet is a little harsh. He is technically good with the ball at his feet for a keeper. In this instance you’re questioning his decision making rather than his technical quality, right?
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
Bart is the youngest keeper in the PL, unusual generally to have a no.1 that young.Fairly clear stats
IMO RDZ played Steele against City because he was expecting us to lose anyway, and now it's nailed on that Bart will play against Bournemouth.
The playing out from the back thingy (not to derail this thread) does my head in when we try it against the best, high pressing teams
In his run of starts, Bart did appear to be making more mistakes, and rightly imho, he was rotated for City at home.
None of the goals were Steele’s fault, ridiculous to suggest they were, so the selection didn’t impact the result.
If Bart continues his development then the keeper rotation this season can be reflected on as being a success. Perhaps Trafford at Burnley would have benefitted from a similar approach, rather than his confidence becoming more and more shot.
TottonSeagull
Well-known member
Correct, I can’t see one team in the top 2 divisions that would drop their keeper to play Steele! Nice guy, great story but not a vey good goalkeeper!
So your blame lies entirely at the door of Roberto De Zerbi for playing him, presumably?
Or do you expect him to say "no - Bart's better than me, play him instead" when selected?
RandyWanger
Je suis rôti de boeuf
I would love to know what star lizards algorithm says about Jason Steele as all the stat websites have him in the bottom 3 for goalkeepers.
The only way I can rationalise the decision to start steele was with our lack of first choice players to choose from and a misfiring attack, we were always going to loose so Steele was sacrificed to save Bart’s confidence.
The only way I can rationalise the decision to start steele was with our lack of first choice players to choose from and a misfiring attack, we were always going to loose so Steele was sacrificed to save Bart’s confidence.