[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal *** Official Match Thread ***

[sussex_guy2k2]

Do you think Europe was the aim this season?

I think it was the aim for a lot of fans following our £200m spend, which was the biggest in the world last summer.

I’ve adapted my expectations accordingly the last few games and enjoyed it much more, but it’s damning that we’re so far off given the resources the manager has.

Saying that, yesterday was probably the first game I’ve been semi impressed with him all season, so there’s that. Maybe he is learning.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I think it was the aim for a lot of fans following our £200m spend, which was the biggest in the world last summer.

I’ve adapted my expectations accordingly the last few games and enjoyed it much more, but it’s damning that we’re so far off given the resources the manager has.

Saying that, yesterday was probably the first game I’ve been semi impressed with him all season, so there’s that. Maybe he is learning.

By definition he’s learning. Young coach in his first Premier League season. It’s not like we appointed Big Sam.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

By definition he’s learning. Young coach in his first Premier League season. It’s not like we appointed Big Sam.

He’s not shown much of that this season, which has been the biggest worry. Most of our good results have been in spite of him, rather than because of him.

And we’ve still not put two good halves together.

 

[Blinkers]

Did leaving 3 up top just crack how to deal with arsenal’s corners? We seemed to deal with them very well.

We did defend corners well, and also free kicks into our box.

For the free kicks into our box, the way I saw it, was that the Arsenal players grouped up behind our players, who in turn held a good line across the top of the penalty box. Just as the ball was about to be played in, the Arsenal players would run in between the line and the goalkeeper and slot in between our players, hoping that our players would step back towards our goal and hence play them onside before contact with the ball to be crossed was made. The fact that we ‘held’ that line, and didn’t move towards our own goal line, mostly kept their players offside. Arsenal also had a ‘play‘ to try and counter the held line, which was to have a man run into our last man in the line and ‘push’ him forward to try and keep their players onside. I do think that if they try that against other teams in the future, then those teams will close the gaps for the Arsenal players to run into and hence keep them offside as they run across the line. Maybe even put arms on teammates‘ shoulders to stop them slotting in. Could put a stop to their shenanigans?!

 

[boik]

I think it was the aim for a lot of fans following our £200m spend, which was the biggest in the world last summer.

I’ve adapted my expectations accordingly the last few games and enjoyed it much more, but it’s damning that we’re so far off given the resources the manager has.

Saying that, yesterday was probably the first game I’ve been semi impressed with him all season, so there’s that. Maybe he is learning.

Sounds like you, and a lot of fans, were blinded by that £200m figure. No way were those players who'd never played in the p/l going to hit the ground running. It ALWAYS takes time.

 

[Guinness Boy]

He’s not shown much of that this season, which has been the biggest worry. Most of our good results have been in spite of him, rather than because of him.

And we’ve still not put two good halves together.

My biggest worry is our style of play, or rather lack of it. We seem to have a bit of RDZ, mostly in our own penalty area, a bit of Klopp and a lot of Potter.

But he’s a new coach with new players and a crippling injury list. We need to cut him some slack and get behind the team.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Sounds like you, and a lot of fans, were blinded by that £200m figure. No way were those players who'd never played in the p/l going to hit the ground running. It ALWAYS takes time.

I think it’s mad to suggest that expectations shouldn’t be raised when you spend £200m in a summer. The fact that the club are pushing this narrative shows how poorly we seem to have spent the money (although I hope these players improve after a season or two). The reality is that almost none of the new players are in our first choice side 6 months into the season, and that’s damning.

But, as I said, I’ve changed my expectations accordingly. I’ve gone back to the “Little Brighton” mentality of hoping to avoid relegation, and it’s been much more fun.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

My biggest worry is our style of play, or rather lack of it. We seem to have a bit of RDZ, mostly in our own penalty area, a bit of Klopp and a lot of Potter.

But he’s a new coach with new players and a crippling injury list. We need to cut him some slack and get behind the team.

I totally agree. I’m writing this season off for those reasons, although I think it’s a huge missed opportunity for us. I have serious concerns about his ability to tactically adapt to this league and set us up accordingly. But hopefully he’ll start to really learn what’s needed sooner rather than later.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I think it’s mad to suggest that expectations shouldn’t be raised when you spend £200m in a summer. The fact that the club are pushing this narrative shows how poorly we seem to have spent the money (although I hope these players improve after a season or two). The reality is that almost none of the new players are in our first choice side 6 months into the season, and that’s damning.

I'm not sure you are worth arguing with, you seem very fixed in your views and relying on tropes to back up your position. But this is simply nonsense.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Do you think Europe was the aim this season?

I think it’s top ten. A new manager, lots of new inexperienced players, but maintaining top ten and gaining experience along the way. Leaders emerging in the team, although Pedro was skipper at Watford.
We still miss Welbeck.

 

[tedebear]

I think it’s mad to suggest that expectations shouldn’t be raised when you spend £200m in a summer. The fact that the club are pushing this narrative shows how poorly we seem to have spent the money (although I hope these players improve after a season or two). The reality is that almost none of the new players are in our first choice side 6 months into the season, and that’s damning.

But, as I said, I’ve changed my expectations accordingly. I’ve gone back to the “Little Brighton” mentality of hoping to avoid relegation, and it’s been much more fun.

Sorry I find it ridiculous to think you can buy new VERY YOUNG players and expect them to walk straight in to the team and perform together as a team.

For me this year is a growing year, a new young coach, new young players…its frustrating to watch as they are not joined up yet, but there are real glimmers of incredible stuff here which would be great to see develop and I hope we don’t lose to many of them before it develops…

Why on earth people expect new signings to waltz in to the PL and play like ManU or Liverpool I just don’t understand…

 

[The Fits]

Sorry I find it ridiculous to think you can buy new VERY YOUNG players and expect them to walk straight in to the team and perform together as a team.

For me this year is a growing year, a new young coach, new young players…its frustrating to watch as they are not joined up yet, but there are real glimmers of incredible stuff here which would be great to see develop and I hope we don’t lose to many of them before it develops…

Why on earth people expect new signings to waltz in to the PL and play like ManU or Liverpool I just don’t understand…

Steady on, the new boys haven’t done that badly!

 

[tedebear]

Steady on, the new boys haven’t done that badly!

Ha - fair point!

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Sorry I find it ridiculous to think you can buy new VERY YOUNG players and expect them to walk straight in to the team and perform together as a team.

For me this year is a growing year, a new young coach, new young players…its frustrating to watch as they are not joined up yet, but there are real glimmers of incredible stuff here which would be great to see develop and I hope we don’t lose to many of them before it develops…

Why on earth people expect new signings to waltz in to the PL and play like ManU or Liverpool I just don’t understand…

Good for you

 

[HeaviestTed]

How did the ball go off to the left of our goal yet rice got to take the corner on the right hand side of the goal?

If it had gone in would var overruled it? I doubt it but it is blatant cheating - if saka was playing then he would have taken it on the correct side.

 

[WATFORD zero]

We did defend corners well, and also free kicks into our box.

For the free kicks into our box, the way I saw it, was that the Arsenal players grouped up behind our players, who in turn held a good line across the top of the penalty box. Just as the ball was about to be played in, the Arsenal players would run in between the line and the goalkeeper and slot in between our players, hoping that our players would step back towards our goal and hence play them onside before contact with the ball to be crossed was made. The fact that we ‘held’ that line, and didn’t move towards our own goal line, mostly kept their players offside. Arsenal also had a ‘play‘ to try and counter the held line, which was to have a man run into our last man in the line and ‘push’ him forward to try and keep their players onside. I do think that if they try that against other teams in the future, then those teams will close the gaps for the Arsenal players to run into and hence keep them offside as they run across the line. Maybe even put arms on teammates‘ shoulders to stop them slotting in. Could put a stop to their shenanigans?!

I thought it was Rutter who broke the offside line on that low freekick, but looking at the highlights, you're right. Arsenal push one of the defenders back (in this case Rutter) in order for their other players to be onside

 

[dolphins]

I thought it was Rutter who broke the offside line on that low freekick, but looking at the highlights, you're right. Arsenal push one of the defenders back (in this case Rutter) in order for their other players to be onside

Glad someone else spotted that - thought I was imagining it!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Highly enjoyable day out. Packed pub in “dry” Jan, trains worked, witnessed the promised hug between @Harry Wilson's tackle and @Bozza and atmosphere was decent IMO.

First half we had very little threat up front and no real focal point. Their goal was poor, another instance of diving in and not winning it and Bart should save the shot.

Luckily the right two players were binned off. Looked quicker and more direct with Minteh and suddenly Pedro had help from Rutter. Great all round second half and a deserved point. On to Norwich!

It was an emotional evening at many different levels.
In addition to all the loveliness above, there was more. Some sad, some happy.
I am optimistic about 2025 at all levels.
Where things aren't working we have it in our hands or within our reach to make needed changes.
And yes, I am being literal as well as apocryphal.

 

[Zeberdi]

So it’s ok for you to offer a view that a player is not good enough but when I say the manager is not it’s anti Hurzeler I have nothing against the bloke just think he is out of his depth at this level

I hate the way some Albion fans have become like the prawn sandwhich brigade and accept the dross being served up on the pitch this will be no wins in 8 with 5 points as I keep saying we are missing a great opportunity this season to do great things look at forest etc

It isn’t based on reality.

I said O’Riley after 20 mins or so in wasn’t playing very well and needed to come off because looked out of his depth (in the match moment) and you immediately came back with an unnecessary quip about FH.

No one is accepting the ‘dross’, we can all see we need to make improvements but FH will be the first to say so. Ive said time and time again (as have others), this season will be all about development of youngsters, a new (young) manager’s learning curve in his first Premier League season and trying to finish at mid-table at least.

You don’t have to be a prawn sandwich NOT to see that - but it helps.

 

[Ethelwulf]

It isn’t based on reality.

I said O’Riley after 20 mins or so in wasn’t playing very well and needed to come off because looked out of his depth (in the match moment) and you immediately came back with an unnecessary quip about FH.

No one is accepting the ‘dross’, we can all see we need to make improvements but FH will be the first to say so. Ive said time and time again (as have others), this season will be all about development of youngsters, a new (young) manager’s learning curve in his first Premier League season and trying to finish at mid-table at least.

You don’t have to be a prawn sandwich NOT to see that - but it helps.

Funny I thought I was on your ignore list