[Albion] Luton away - 31st July - tickets

[brighton_tom]

Andone's moans seemed to be because Richards tripped him just as he was going to shoot, and because Tau hadnt made a run after some good work down the wing. Probably valid moans. Good to see the passion I say.

 

[Farehamseagull]

Pleased for Connolly getting a goal, thought he looked decent and in good shape. More athletic looking than last season.

I was one of those thinking he could really do with a loan but would love him to have a good season here.

 

[Swansman]

Pleased for Connolly getting a goal, thought he looked decent and in good shape. More athletic looking than last season.

I was one of those thinking he could really do with a loan but would love him to have a good season here.

Connolly staying would be nice. Connolly going on loan would be nice. I'll be happy with either.

 

[GT49er]

I can agree its a bit worrying with Webster & Dunk out (despite the many alternatives) with only two weeks to go until the first game.

On a positive note, the first opponent will be Burnley and if Dunk and/or Webster cant play, it is a type of opposition that really suits Duffy as he can stand there and head away their hoofballs day in day out.

Wouldnt be surprised to see a not-so-sexy solution where Duffy stays to the end of the month (before hopefully? being transferred or loaned out), to provide some additional experience while Webster & Dunk get back and return to full fitness. Duffy starting against both Rangers and Luton is indicating he could be involved as the season begins.

As I've said earlier though, it might be very difficult to sell or get a loan deal for Duffy and I wouldnt be shocked if he remains in the squad even as the transfer window closes. Wouldnt be optimal but not the worst thing either.

Good shout re: Burnley, but apart from that I think I'd rather use Ostigard. Duffy did OK today, but going with him on the longer term feels like taking a step backwards. Tsongui looks a real prospect, but I think it's a bit too soon for him to be in the PL.

 

[southstandandy]

Where was Welbeck again?

Andone looks like he could start an argument in an empty room!

 

[Clive Walker]

Where was Welbeck again?

Andone looks like he could start an argument in an empty room!

Out for the start of the season

 

[swindonseagull]

He is a complete ****. Accept it. Don't argue semantics to bypass that uncomfortable feeling we share that one of our own team is a cretin.

Your wrong......I like his commitement and I hope he establishes himself this season.

 

[jcdenton08]

Your wrong......I like his commitement and I hope he establishes himself this season.

But that's the thing, I don't think he is committed to anything but his own ego.

 

[Stat Brother]

But that's the thing, I don't think he is committed to anything but his own ego.

and this assist.

and his lung busting run into space, from behind the ball to the optimum position for a tap in


[tweet]1421493833662091264[/tweet]

 

[B-right-on]

so far, he seems to fit in the Ali J category....would be sensational in the championship, produces moments of class, but hasnt shown enough to be a consistent PL level starter.
.

Think Tau looks lightweight. Was a good goal but against v poor mid table championship side defence.

 

[Publius Ovidius]

pleased for Duffy - thought he played ok though needed to have buried that free header.... looked a lot better than BDB to me.

So we get rid of our finest young player for many years to put £50 million in the bank and bring back a player who was good three years ago and hardly set Scotland alight last season.

I know I am a negative sod, but I am probably the only person in our fan base who is really pissed off with getting rid of white

 

[GT49er]

So we get rid of our finest young player for many years to put £50 million in the bank and bring back a player who was good three years ago and hardly set Scotland alight last season.

I know I am a negative sod, but I am probably the only person in our fan base who is really pissed off with getting rid of white

We played three at the back last season. That enabled us to shoe-horn White into the defence without dropping Dunk or Webster. It worked very well - we survived another season in the top flight in no small way thanks to our excellent defensive record and we added another £25M to his selling price. Now he's gone, we may well revert to a flat back four, and before long it will be as if White was never here. Sad, because he's a terrific player, but as almost all of his Albion career was behind closed doors, that 'he never really was here' feeling will prevail.

If we do carry on with three at the back, I'd rsther go forward with Ostigard than take what would seem a somewhat retrograde step with Duffy (although he did OK this afternoon).

 

[Wardy's twin]

So we get rid of our finest young player for many years to put £50 million in the bank and bring back a player who was good three years ago and hardly set Scotland alight last season.

I know I am a negative sod, but I am probably the only person in our fan base who is really pissed off with getting rid of white

I think a lot of fans would have preferred to have kept him but its amazing money which the club could not pass on. I suspect he probably would have been happy to go to Leeds a year ago but was persuaded to stay with the promise we would let him go if a 'big' club came in and us hoping to drive the money up. He's got a good contract out of it and the club has made a huge profit.

 

[Wardy's twin]

We played three at the back last season. That enabled us to shoe-horn White into the defence without dropping Dunk or Webster. It worked very well - we survived another season in the top flight in no small way thanks to our excellent defensive record and we added another £25M to his selling price. Now he's gone, we may well revert to a flat back four, and before long it will be as if White was never here. Sad, because he's a terrific player, but as almost all of his Albion career was behind closed doors, that 'he never really was here' feeling will prevail.

If we do carry on with three at the back, I'd rsther go forward with Ostigard than take what would seem a somewhat retrograde step with Duffy (although he did OK this afternoon).

I agree about Ostigard but not sure I would say Duffy was totally retrograde step - he did play well today , he offers something different and has bags of experience. I think we will play 3 at the back but use Veltman instead of White.

 

[GT49er]

I agree about Ostigard but not sure I would say Duffy was totally retrograde step - he did play well today , he offers something different and has bags of experience. I think we will play 3 at the back but use Veltman instead of White.

We'll see. Interesting times (especially if we have to start the season without Dunk, Webster and Lamptey (worst case scenario)).

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Yeah I see nothing there that suggests Andone's capable of scoring 10 PL goals this season. Compared to the likes of Tau and Mwepu who were busy, energetic and contributed goals...He seemed to have lost a yard of pace , was a step behind every attacking move and was just constantly berating.....pretty much everyone. That was just one pre-season friendly so it's still early days but I don't think we're gonna be seeing him starting against Burnley.

Have to agree. He was giving plenty of verbal stick both to Luton and his own team mates . It hardly creates a good team spirit. His temperament is still suspect. If he plays I could foresee more on field problems or training ground bust ups with him at the middle of it.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Have to agree. He was giving plenty of verbal stick both to Luton and his own team mates . It hardly creates a good team spirit. His temperament is still suspect. If he plays I could foresee more on field problems or training ground bust ups with him at the middle of it.

Plenty here determined to see a problem.

From what I have seen Andone is no more argumentative on the pitch than Muzza was.
Did Muzza, moaning at all and sundry, cause you any serious concerns about training ground bust ups?

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

Think Tau looks lightweight. Was a good goal but against v poor mid table championship side defence.

People said Luka Modric was too lightweight.

Percy is taller and heavier than him, he just needs to learn how to deal with the physicality of the English game. Much like Phil Foden has had to.

 

[Taybha]

Andone obviously gives a shit and desperately wants to impress it was just a friendly but to him there's no such thing .

I bet he's exactly the same in training, has he got the ability in the EPL to back up his desire ? Well it looks like we're going to find out one way or another in a couple of weeks time .

I like his fight and his will to win, it will be interesting to see how he gets on , he reminds me a bit of how Ashley Barnes plays , yes I know he's not good enough for the EPL but he could chip in with a few lucky tap ins

 

[chaileyjem]

We played three at the back last season. That enabled us to shoe-horn White into the defence without dropping Dunk or Webster. ...Now he's gone, we may well revert to a flat back four ...

If we do carry on with three at the back, I'd rsther go forward with Ostigard than take what would seem a somewhat retrograde step with Duffy (although he did OK this afternoon).

We did play a 4 multiple times last season - but normally during games adapting to injuries/subs and losing Lamptey and March forced his hand a bit (although potter seemed comfortable putting all sorts in as wing backs to enable the 3)

But obviously Potter is prepping for a back 3 / 5 - the signing of Cucarella/Livramento shows that (if they go through as expected) and presumably Dunk, Webster, Ostigaard/Veltman/Burn will be the CBs in the 25.

Doubt Duffy will stay . (He might ? - room in the 25? ) Another loan for him I think but he’s playing in friendlies because again the injuries to Dunk/Webster/van Hecke have forced his hand.

PS: potter hinted Dunk/Webster should/could be back for Getafe in his post Luton press.