[Albion] Reasons To Be Cheerful - Sort Of!

[Albion my Albion]

The server got my order correct at the restaurant I fancy. That's a reason to be.................................

 

[Brian Munich]

"That we haven't achieved either of the stretch means we haven't overall performed at best."

That's totally dependent on how you define what a stretch target actually is - if by not reaching it, we haven't performed at our best, then by definition we have to be at our best to attain a stretch target. Personally, I'm not sure that's how stretch targets work.....

In terms of a conventional business, it would be the target you can realistically hit if everyone performs their best AND if factors beyond your control generally go your way.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

OK, this season won’t be quite as good as 22/23, our BEST EVER season in 124 years! But it’ll come close. And if you look back at 22/23, we still had a few downers (1-5 at home to Everton, 4-1 loss at Newcastle where we barely got over the halfway line). But the big thing about 22/23 was the relative lack of injuries, and an incredible midfield (Mac Allister, Caicedo and Gross played most matches).
Despite having a new, inexperienced manager, a bunch of young players new to the EPL, and horrendous injuries, we are not far off our points total from 22/23 (theoretically we could almost match it!)

It shouldn't be forgotten that we got off to flyer in 22/23 under Potter. Ten points on the board before RDZ took over. He then took a few games to get his message across and then we were off and running. He did have a decent run with injuries and as you say, a superb midfield.
I feel we have done pretty well this season given the circumstances you describe.

 

[ROSM]

Not sure TB has ever said what our “stretch targets” are. (A regular top ten club, a cup run - being what I thought was the club goals widely known)
Or what failing to achieve them means for TB - is it “we haven’t performed at best” or “mediocrity”

This is very different to any of us hoping including TB , a few months ago , that we’d make the cup final or get the top 7. When ofc it looked possible that we might. And now being rightly frustrated that we haven’t. (Cos we lost or drew some games we arguably shouldn’t have done).

But the season verdict, and let’s wait three games, is judged against that longer term context I imagine. (Almost certainly a top 10 finish and a decent cup run)

It was said last year that RDZ stretch targets were europa quarter final, English cup semi final and European qualification

I heard that the two latter ones were the same this year.

Publicly top 10 is the target

So, if we take it on your wording, and we finish outside of top 10 would you believe that we have underperformed?

 

[ROSM]

For clarity, do you think being content with our present standing is "accepting mediocrity" ?

I think looking at it points wise isn't mediocrity.

Ignoring some obvious issues in our performances would be

 

[ROSM]

In terms of a conventional business, it would be the target you can realistically hit if everyone performs their best AND if factors beyond your control generally go your way.

Thank you. That's what I was saying. In the season where so many of the big six underperformed that is a huge factors out of our control that did go our way. We just didn't capitalise hence my comments that this was a 'what if' season for me.

 

[Justice]

Wonder what you think about the tactics, team selections and performances that steered us to 13 wins this season, only 9 defeats, and 52 points ? Any thoughts ?

My thoughts are we have under achieved. We have been conceding way to many goals and never really dominated a match for 90 minutes apart from a couple of lower league sides in the cup.
People will have their own thoughts on the manager and that’s fine my own are I don’t think we are going to progress under FH. Most games turn a bit frantic at some point even if we do manage to win I don’t see it improving after a season in charge.

 

[pigmanovich]

Bournemouth lost at home to Ipswich
Fulham drew at home to both Ipswich and Southampton
This is NOT a Brighton specific thing, as much as you like to think it is, because it fits your agenda......

Indeed Muff also lost to Leicester!

 

[chaileyjem]

It was said last year that RDZ stretch targets were europa quarter final, English cup semi final and European qualification

I heard that the two latter ones were the same this year.

Publicly top 10 is the target

So, if we take it on your wording, and we finish outside of top 10 would you believe that we have underperformed?

No. The PL is tough and we’ve no right to reach Europe and our wage bill is bottom 7. Now If we’d have finished in that 13-17th spots . Then yes. But We’re likely to finish 10th -now that’s tough to take given how how our league position and form has changed - but you don’t judge a season until it’s over.

 

[Brian Munich]

Thank you. That's what I was saying. In the season where so many of the big six underperformed that is a huge factors out of our control that did go our way. We just didn't capitalise hence my comments that this was a 'what if' season for me.

You think that having, by far, the most number of games missed by players due to injuries is things going our way?

 

[Marshy]

More a case of what could have been IMO, still very much in the hunt for Europe so thankful for that.

Every set of fans does this though right ?... we all think what if..

 

[pigmanovich]

Every set of fans does this though right ?... we all think what if..

To wit Forest fans are currently going “what if we hadn’t bottled Champions League qualification” - it’s all relative

 

[chaileyjem]

Thank you. That's what I was saying. In the season where so many of the big six underperformed that is a huge factors out of our control that did go our way. We just didn't capitalise hence my comments that this was a 'what if' season for me.

So many ? Newcastle, City, Arsenal, Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea have all had decent seasons. As befitting their eye boggling wage bills compared to us.

 

[ROSM]

So many ? Newcastle, City, Arsenal, Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea have all had decent seasons. As befitting their eye boggling wage bills compared to us.

Spurs, man utd, chelsea, man city have all underperformed against their own standards for large parts of the season. If they hadn't then Fulham, Brentford, Bournemouth wouldn't all be pushing for the 8th place and Nott Forest wouldn't be pushing for champions league

But just for avoidance of doubt for the picky ones out there, there will always be a top 8 and a bottom 3

 

[ROSM]

Every set of fans does this though right ?... we all think what if..

Apparently we aren't allowed to these days*

*yes I'm trying to be funny

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Every set of fans does this though right ?... we all think what if..

Probably. But this year it feels more relevant than previously… IMO anyway.

 

[Kit Napper]

I think looking at it points wise isn't mediocrity.

Ignoring some obvious issues in our performances would be

I don't think anyone at the club will ignore 'issues in our performances' because they're all determined to improve. Mind you, the same will apply to every other club too, for instance Liverpool will be unhappy at how they performed in the Carabao Final and they'll try to learn from that.

 

[chaileyjem]

Spurs, man utd, chelsea, man city have all underperformed against their own standards for large parts of the season. If they hadn't then Fulham, Brentford, Bournemouth wouldn't all be pushing for the 8th place and Nott Forest wouldn't be pushing for champions league

But just for avoidance of doubt for the picky ones out there, there will always be a top 8 and a bottom 3

Yes. If you think Brighton should finish in the top 6 or 7 every year - then we've underperformed. I don't , given our wage bill. the competitiveness of the PL even if some clubs fall short (Utd, Spurs) .
I'm of course disappointed if we don't - but ertainly don't expect it (so don'accept that on basis we've done so before - that's the norm.) .
Bournemouth, Brentford, Fulham, Forest are all owned by billionaires too investing ££ in their squads and wage bills let alone West Ham< Everton, etc. so staying ahead of that pack (as we will likely do so this season) is still a good season.

 

[ROSM]

Yes. If you think Brighton should finish in the top 6 or 7 every year - then we've underperformed. I don't , given our wage bill. the competitiveness of the PL even if some clubs fall short (Utd, Spurs) .
I'm of course disappointed if we don't - but ertainly don't expect it (so don'accept that on basis we've done so before - that's the norm.) .
Bournemouth, Brentford, Fulham, Forest are all owned by billionaires too investing ££ in their squads and wage bills let alone West Ham< Everton, etc. so staying ahead of that pack (as we will likely do so this season) is still a good season.

I've never said that i think we should be top 7 every year. Nor have i said i expect that. . I know some get a bit sensitive at any perceived criticism of the team, the manager, the club etc. This isn't complaining or criticism. And we would all do well to fall back on what people have said rather than create a narrative that they haven't said to try and beat them with it.

Interestingly for someone who is keen on detail you didn't answer my question to you earlier which asked if we finish outside of the top 10 would you believe we have underperformed?

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

People will have their own thoughts on the manager and that’s fine my own are I don’t think we are going to progress under FH. Most games turn a bit frantic at some point even if we do manage to win and I don’t see it improving after a season in charge.

I think the opposite to this.

A young manager in his first season in a top league is much more likely to improve his performance than if we'd got someone in who had been around for 10 years.

I do understand the frustrations with Hurzeler. But I think of it as getting the managerial equivalent of a top young playing talent like Baleba or Verbruggen or someone. There's going to be a rough patch at first, but if you keep believing in their promise, ultimately they will quickly improve.

The best example I think is Forest away. I'm happy to call that the worst tactical misjudgement I think i've seen from a manager in my years of supporting. But he realised this, burned the tactics sheet, thought again and we went on a very decent run. This is strong evidence of his desire to improve himself. I've no doubt he will have a very successful managerial career. We might just have to put up with a few more bad days first though