[Albion] “Didn’t wake up expecting to play centre-back”

[portlock seagull]

Rutter and Pedro were instant successes (if you disregard two or three nsc’ers saying what a waste of money). Veltman, Cuckoo, Estupinan, Welbeck too.

But my god how many haven’t? There was a time our development squad was raided by Sussex CID such were the numbers of missing persons believed to be found there.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Rutter and Pedro were instant successes (if you disregard two or three nsc’ers saying what a waste of money). Veltman, Cuckoo, Estupinan, Welbeck too.

Rutter has had a half decent season but to call him an instant success is debatable. He's our most expensive ever player, £40 million quid. A couple of goals v Norwich stat pad a bit. He's probably had 10 good games but more bad or indifferent ones.

I like him and think he's a good signing but the way some people talk about him is way ott imho. For any other side 5 league goals and 3 assists for £40m is a dreadful return.

 

[Weststander]

Rutter has had a half decent season but to call him an instant success is debatable. He's our most expensive ever player, £40 million quid. A couple of goals v Norwich stat pad a bit. He's probably had 10 good games but more bad or indifferent ones.

I like him and think he's a good signing but the way some people talk about him is way ott imho. For any other side 5 league goals and 3 assists for £40m is a dreadful return.

Were you one of the nsc doubters or he’s not worth the money? I and others saw a gem almost from the get-go, creating, making things happen, a nightmare for defenders, impossible possession when surrounded by the opposition. In a disjointed Albion season where one or two injuries to the obvious usual candidates lead to us being sitting ducks, imho Rutter’s risen to the challenge as much as anyone else. Also such a positive uplifting personality in the team.

 

[London Irish]

And yet CB did an amazing job at CB.

Yeah - REALLY crap decision

But arguably this key player was missed in midfield so not as cut and dried as you suggest

 

[London Irish]

Rutter and Pedro were instant successes (if you disregard two or three nsc’ers saying what a waste of money). Veltman, Cuckoo, Estupinan, Welbeck too.

This notion that every year is a development year is a particularly annoying superfan trope. We may only have the likes of Mitoma and Baleba for a limited time ahead and we must maximise their impact now

 

[Weststander]

This notion that every year is a development year is a particularly annoying superfan trope. We may only have the likes of Mitoma and Baleba for a limited time ahead and we must maximise their impact now

Almost all clubs are selling clubs, but it’d be nice to have performing first teamers such as Ali Mac hang around for two or three seasons, to build rapport with us and make Europe a possibility. A ridiculously accelerated ££££ programme exploited by White, Cuckoo and Caicedo may be great for those salivating over club spreadsheets, but it’s disruptive and means we’re forever in a jam tomorrow process where supporters never actually see the culmination bear fruit.

 

[Han Solo]

This notion that every year is a development year is a particularly annoying superfan trope. We may only have the likes of Mitoma and Baleba for a limited time ahead and we must maximise their impact now

Its not due to being some kind of "superfan", its just basic logics that for us some seasons will be more development oriented than others, which will be more result oriented. Its called "building a team" and even though we lose key players, over time we still get stronger. Five years ago some people had your "boho, why is nothing happening" when we finished seasons around 15th, five years later with pretty much all players gone it is "boho, why is nothing happening" as we're finishing seasons around 10th. And ten years ago the "boho, why is nothing happening" when the team finished wherever it finished in 14/15.

Maybe the club isn't actually shit at football. Maybe, just maybe, your emotions comes down to having the patience of a 3-year-old asking "are we there yet" every five minutes?

 

[Han Solo]

Almost all clubs are selling clubs, but it’d be nice to have performing first teamers such as Ali Mac hang around for two or three seasons, to build rapport with us and make Europe a possibility. A ridiculously accelerated ££££ programme exploited by White, Cuckoo and Caicedo may be great for those salivating over club spreadsheets, but it’s disruptive and means we’re forever in a jam tomorrow process where supporters never actually see the culmination bear fruit.

Indeed. Famously, this club has gone nowhere in the last few decades.

 

[Weststander]

Indeed. Famously, this club has gone nowhere in the last few decades.

Touching distance of making Europe again. We need JPVH and Baleba to hang around.

 

[GloryDays]

Look at Villa - they brought in players in January, who have made instant impact. We needed that. And if we couldn't get someone who would make instant impact (or any impact whatsoever), why bother buying in January when we know it's an expensive time to buy?

Villa are in the champions league though.

 

[GloryDays]

Rutter has had a half decent season but to call him an instant success is debatable. He's our most expensive ever player, £40 million quid. A couple of goals v Norwich stat pad a bit. He's probably had 10 good games but more bad or indifferent ones.

I like him and think he's a good signing but the way some people talk about him is way ott imho. For any other side 5 league goals and 3 assists for £40m is a dreadful return.

This is a well balanced post. I was Rutter sceptical but I really like the guy now. I think in respect to him he is a success but the numbers could do with improving. His attacking involvement is good tho. He’s very skillful but his heading is poor, which is somewhere to be improved if he wants to arrive late on the edge of the 6 yard / 12 yard spots to receive crosses.

40m is steep but I’m happy with him.

 

[saafend_seagull]

Cashin is the most pointless signing we have ever made (or at least since Ali Al Habsi). Huerzler once again shoehorning in other players because he thinks those available are crap. If Huerzler thinks they are rubbish that’s an abject failure by the entire club. Stop buying players that managers don’t want, it hasn’t and never will work.

Most pointless since that centre we signed from Portsmouth

 

[GloryDays]

Almost all clubs are selling clubs, but it’d be nice to have performing first teamers such as Ali Mac hang around for two or three seasons, to build rapport with us and make Europe a possibility. A ridiculously accelerated ££££ programme exploited by White, Cuckoo and Caicedo may be great for those salivating over club spreadsheets, but it’s disruptive and means we’re forever in a jam tomorrow process where supporters never actually see the culmination bear fruit.

Absolutely.

I think this is why we have an ageing leadership problem. Who will our next captain be if we assume we sell anyone consistently good before they are 27 / in the top of their arc?

Our current structure only really worked with Dunk in form and seemingly never going anywhere else.

 

[Chicken Run]

Wonder if the club might go down this route…

The Premier League's emergency loan rules, while officially called "exceptional temporary transfers" according to the Premier League, allow clubs to register players on loan outside of the standard transfer windows in limited circumstances. These emergency loans are typically used to address injury or suspension situations, allowing clubs to fill temporary gaps in their squad.

 

[Lawros Lip]

Well what was the point in taking training then...oh wait you let them spend half the week on a sunbed for 0 effort reward.

Team is a disgrace and I think people should boycott next week tbh. Pricks

Can I have your Brentford ticket?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

But arguably this key player was missed in midfield so not as cut and dried as you suggest

The point of the thread is about Baleba playing CB. He did a decent job there.

 

[willalbion]

Villa are in the champions league though.

Yep, and signed players so far out of our wage structure, Rashford & Asensio (spelling?) it’s not comparable,

 

[veuve]

If that was a new signings debut performance I would be raving,I thought he was v impressive.

 

[Withdean11]

Did better than the seasoned veteran centre back beside him.

We missed him in midfield, but I’d still play him alongside JPVH next game.

 

[maltaseagull]

Why do we bother with an u21 team and academy if they never progress to the first team?
Surely v Leicester a CB could play and leave our best player in his best position.
If Cashin wasn't good enough ahead of Baleba, why on earth did we waste that money on him?