[Albion] And Now The Reality Check

[The Fits]

Of late it's rare that the Liverpool front three are all firing at at least 80%. They currently are, and some. I really wouldn't be bothered about us conceding 4+ goals. The Manc City game- we have to fancy getting something. 1 point from the next two games would be fantastic, but even two drubbings won't mean anything in terms of the season overall.

 

[LamieRobertson]

If we are as careless with the ball as at Carrow Road, we'll be lucky to get nil points v Citeh and Liverpool.

IF.

 

[Is it PotG?]

IF.

 

[The Fits]

Everton was a reality check. Norwich was a reality check. The next 2 games are what they are - tough, and we'll be extremely luck to get anything from them. However i think we've seen enough to be able to at least hope for, actually expect, a mid table finish as opposed to a relegation struggle.

You could argue that the first half at Burnley, Brentford, Palace, and Arsenal were all reality checks. We can improve all over the field IMHO, which is why this season is so potentially exciting. A 10-20% improvement, and more games from Biss, Lamptey and Webster and there's no reason why we can't finish top half which would (let's be honest) be utterly incredible.

 

[nickbrighton]

I agree games against City and Liverpool will probably be the toughest of the season. In all probability we will get zero points, and our GD is likely to be given a bit of a battering. I don't get all the "reality check" comments on this and other threads though

I haven't seen a single post on here, twatter, etc that has any BHA fan thinking that we are going to finish top 4, or top6. In fact most are realistically saying anything above 14th will show progress and a comfortable mid table 12-8th would be outstanding

No reality checks needed, we aren't Leeds, Palace, or any of the like who after a good run of games think they are destined for Europe!

Our fan base seem perfectly grounded and other than a few doomsayers who seem to find negatives in being 4th after 8 games, are fully aware that our stay in the top six is likely coming to an end in the next couple of weeks, and that our true likely finishing position will be more apparent after the Leeds game.

We haven't been taken to the cleaners really by any of the top 6 teams at all since promotion, and even in the very first game against City, we gave a bloody good account of ourselves against a superb City team. We may lose and maybe heavily, but there is no shame in either of these teams doing what they have to most teams this season

We have third best defence in the Prem League in 2021 with 13 clean sheets (*I think) and that gives me confidence that we will do ok, but no one is living in the deluded realms of believing we are genuine title chasers - reality checks not required!

 

[Justice]

We should be beating shit like Norwich 3 nil easy eh... honestly when will some people be happy with our play and position..

We were not great... agreed, away point, thanks very much, another clean sheet, thanks very much.

I do wish people would look for the positive more and just step back for 5 seconds and look at the overall picture.

Surely the overall picture is we’ve improved so far from last season and that’s great but honestly staying in the top six or whatever is unrealistic. Mid table finish would be super.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Oh Telly…modelled my hair style on him

 

[Is it PotG?]

I'm really enjoying this season, but we've certainly had the cleaner end of the stick in matches. Burnley could well have been 3 up at h/t, and as mentioned above Palace and Brentford might have had a few on another day.

That said, it's great fun isn't it?

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Both games are free hits, we have surpassed expectations already and find ourselves in a very nice position.
We have nothing to fear from either team, we have beaten both last season, which will do wonders for the players confidence.
I do feel Bissouma is essential in both games, but that is a different story, and we will probably have to do without him.

C'est la Vie

 

[Hugo Rune]

The next two fixtures were worth 6 points to us last season. Reason alone to still dream.

 

[Stat Brother]

6 points or I walk.

"I don't expect the team to win.
But I do expect them to try"

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

You're right of course, but I feel the same way about Webster, tbh. I love Shane Duffy for what he's done here but if we play him in either match, the ball is going to just keep coming back at us. Say what you like about Duffy's merits but in games like these you need your defenders to be superb with the ball at their feet.

Totally agree. With Shane in the back three, we play with a deeper last man. We saw the risks of playing him at Norwich (on the break it took last dith BDB tackles to stop shots on goal). So for me, in a game against a ball playing side, I'd have Webster - Dunk - Veltman every time (assuming Lamptey is starting - and if not, I'd have BDB in and Veltman on the right). But the difference is that I think Biss is ready to play and Webster probably isn't yet.

 

[Gwylan]

We've barely had a game in the PL where we've been absolutely battered score wise (other than that absolute dumpster fire against Bournemouth)

Did I imagine the 5-1 and 4-0 against Liverpool and the 4-0 against Chelsea? And that's not to mention the 3-0 against Leicester last year where we looked we'd never played together before

 

[Weststander]

Law of averages, CL teams with a phalanx of great internationals and few injuries, should beat the Albion. No shame in that whatsoever.

I get the impression that a couple of defeats will hail the return of the latent ‘Potter’s shit’ brigade.

Which would be laughable. We’re a bottom 6 budget club with limited striker options, temporarily punching above our weight. Positive fans are enjoying the ride and highs, hoping for a mid-table finish or better.

 

[el punal]

Everton was a reality check. Norwich was a reality check. The next 2 games are what they are - tough, and we'll be extremely luck to get anything from them. However i think we've seen enough to be able to at least hope for, actually expect, a mid table finish as opposed to a relegation struggle.

On that basis then every game is a reality check. In my post I was relating to the “fact” that Man City and Liverpool are, probably, the two strongest teams in the Premier League. Our success so far has been because we have been successful against less formidable teams than City and Liverpool. Now we are about to play both these two in short order. The outcome will surely reflect our status, good or bad, as to our progress to date.

 

[CheeseRolls]

I am really looking forward to watching us come up against some of the best teams in the world in the next couple of weeks.
It really doesn't need an outpouring of woe and angst. We deserve to be on the same pitch as them and I don't know why more people can't just enjoy that.
It has NEVER been this good.

 

[Perfidious Albion]

It has been fun being near the top of the table and it brought the club to the notice of people, perhaps we are no more” teams like Brighton “. However we knew it could not last and I agree that a realistic I’d table position awaits us soon.- and that is still good...

 

[Solid at the back]

I think we'll beat Liverpool

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Did I imagine the 5-1 and 4-0 against Liverpool and the 4-0 against Chelsea? And that's not to mention the 3-0 against Leicester last year where we looked we'd never played together before

You didn't at all, but 4 and a bit seasons in and that's the sum total of the thrashings we've had ... and the Bournemouth one.

Averaging about one thrashing per season and not had one really since GP took over.

Utterly remarkable, more so when you look at comparable clubs to us (snigger) like possibly Southampton.

Incredible consistency and a testament to the likes of Dunky and Duffy for the quality defending, but also ball keepers like Solly and Pascal in the midfield who have been brilliant for the whole PL period

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I think we'll beat Liverpool

Given their form and the fact that home advantage seems to be a proper factor again, this would be the best result we've achieved since being in the PL