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[Albion] 6 Draws out of the last 7 matches



Guy Fawkes

The voice of treason
Sep 29, 2007
8,187
We have drawn 6 of the last 7 matches and only lost once. It sounds very similar to Gus when he was still here and we had a long spell without a win and too many draws (yes i know we had a better start and were higher up the table) If we can get our goal scoring right, then hopefully we can start to get 3 points from matches and climb the table again.

Sami's tactics of going for the win (/equaliser) by throwing more and more forward thinking players on, trying to break down teams sitting deep and looking for a draw / break away goal to win (usual spoiler tactics used by the opposition at the Amex) isn't resulting in defeat. It's a tactic many hhave called for when we are behind or drawing as it's 1 point for a draw and 3 for a win and they would prefer us to win 1 in 3 rather than draw all 3 however this tactic isn't being rewarded for its boldness (yet) Had we been losing, then it would have been easier to say that Sami should go.

There have been plenty of games that we could have won recently but we don't seem to be having that little bit of luck (Marshall playing a blinder for Cardiff, goal ruled out for offside when very tight & shot tipped onto the bar at Huddersfield and teams seeming to score with their 1st effort on target against us) and so unsurprisingly, we are a bit down on confidence which will come when we start winning again.

It's very frustrating, because as fans you want to see your team win, and we have seen far too few at the Amex with only 1 win this season but it's also frustrating for the players too.

I don't think this season has been helped by all the negativity from fans in the lead up to it, resulting in Bloom having to make a statement about transsfer activity before they had completed their recruitment. The worry / frustration from (some) fans was deafening and after the players came in, attention turned to them and some written off before they kicked a ball in anger.

We signed some of the players that the fans use as examples of ones we miss, complaining that they have been replaced with players from the lower leagues, but the previous players often came from lower league teams themselves and there have been plenty of examples of players coming in from small clubs and doing well for us in the past without all this negativity from fans who seem to think they are beneath us just because they played in a lower league to us now. All this negativity towards the new signing(s) doesn't help them to feel confident (and possibly all that bothered about performing) and it doesn't help to get a winning side but just adds pressure and makes failure more likely. Players need fan support, especially when struggling.

If Sami stays, i hope he can turn it around and start winning instead of drawing, if he goes then i hope the fans can get behind the manager and the players and not be too snobby about who we sign.
 


W.C.

New member
Oct 31, 2011
4,927
Good post. I'm not sure Sami has what it takes to be honest, but, if one or two of our strikers were to step up to the plate and start banging in some goals, it could all be so different.
 


Simontheseagull

Eye from the sky
Jul 11, 2010
496
The Amex
Out of the last 29 games Sami has managed both the Albion and Bayer Leverkusen, his teams have won only 6 games (20%), with 3 of those wins coming against Cheltenham, Swindon and Burton. What does that tell you?

Think Sami is one of those managers who is tactically naïve with only one way he wants to play, irrespective of the ability of the players he has to manage, and the tactics employed by opposition managers. Other managers have worked Sami out and know how to stop his teams from scoring goals. After more than 3 months, our players have ended up with a lack of self belief and a loss of confidence that Sami appears to be at a loss to know how to turn around.

We need a manager who makes the best use of the players he has. The players we have are more than good enough to easily finish in the top half of the Championship, but Sami is just "Finish(ed)" as a manager unless he can prove he is adaptable and shows he has the nous to change the tactics we use in order to win more of the games we play.
 


perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,454
Sūþseaxna
Passing and possession (defensive tactic) was still OK. Shape reminded me of the French 1998 World Cup. OK if we had Lizarua and Thuram at full-backs, but even then a bit dodgy. Perhaps we should look for O'Grady to play like Zidane?

I think tactics have moved on since then and Sami needs a major tactician as number 2.
 


PILTDOWN MAN

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Sep 15, 2004
18,606
Hurst Green




Bwian

Kiss my (_!_)
Jul 14, 2003
15,898
Good post. I'm not sure Sami has what it takes to be honest, but, if one or two of our strikers were to step up to the plate and start banging in some goals, it could all be so different.

Unfortunately, when a team gets in a massive rut sometimes the only way of breaking out is to change the person in charge. I really wanted Sami to lead us to success but that isn't looking likely so maybe change is needed? He was always on a hiding to nothing after 2 consecutive playoff appearances but nobody expected this dross. Just shows that great players don't always make great managers.
 


Mackenzie

Old Brightonian
Nov 7, 2003
33,507
East Wales
We're going for a big win on the pools. More than one way to beat FFP!
 


SIMMO SAYS

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2012
11,702
Incommunicado
Passing and possession (defensive tactic) was still OK. Shape reminded me of the French 1998 World Cup. OK if we had Lizarua and Thuram at full-backs, but even then a bit dodgy. Perhaps we should look for O'Grady to play like Zidane?

Are you for real----tell me you are on a wind up:moo:
 




Seagull over Canaryland

Well-known member
Feb 8, 2011
3,549
Norfolk
I recall the lean spell that Gus presided over when it seemed we had become draw specialists and could not buy a win. Gus also had problems overcoming some of the less competitive teams.

Yes the fans had a few grumbles back then but there was still an underlying optimism around the club at that time, knowing that Gus had the talent at his disposal. Unlike now it helped that before the run of draws we already had several decent wins and a competitive points tally on the board. We were not looking nervously over our shoulders. Confidence was not in question to the extent that it is now. The key issue back then was that our defence was fairly solid and we did not look like losing too many games. Opposing teams respected us because we carried a threat and were not a push over.

Whereas I suggest that opposing teams now fancy playing us, knowing that we are very predictable under Sami. He will stubbornly stick to his system, not offer too much of a threat in attack and give them plenty of space to counterattack. I know we aren't getting battered but we don't look like convincing winners either. I find it curious that Sami is not willing to adjust his formations, tighten things up at the back and play more to the strengths of his strikers.
 


RexCathedra

Aurea Mediocritas
Jan 14, 2005
3,498
Vacationland
Yes the fans had a few grumbles back then but there was still an underlying optimism around the club at that time, knowing that Gus had the talent at his disposal.

Then the talent carried the manager. Now it's the other way round -- and that's something a manager unaided can't do.
 






portslade seagull

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
17,588
portslade
We have drawn 6 of the last 7 matches and only lost once. It sounds very similar to Gus when he was still here and we had a long spell without a win and too many draws (yes i know we had a better start and were higher up the table) If we can get our goal scoring right, then hopefully we can start to get 3 points from matches and climb the table again.

Sami's tactics of going for the win (/equaliser) by throwing more and more forward thinking players on, trying to break down teams sitting deep and looking for a draw / break away goal to win (usual spoiler tactics used by the opposition at the Amex) isn't resulting in defeat. It's a tactic many hhave called for when we are behind or drawing as it's 1 point for a draw and 3 for a win and they would prefer us to win 1 in 3 rather than draw all 3 however this tactic isn't being rewarded for its boldness (yet) Had we been losing, then it would have been easier to say that Sami should go.

There have been plenty of games that we could have won recently but we don't seem to be having that little bit of luck (Marshall playing a blinder for Cardiff, goal ruled out for offside when very tight & shot tipped onto the bar at Huddersfield and teams seeming to score with their 1st effort on target against us) and so unsurprisingly, we are a bit down on confidence which will come when we start winning again.

It's very frustrating, because as fans you want to see your team win, and we have seen far too few at the Amex with only 1 win this season but it's also frustrating for the players too.

I don't think this season has been helped by all the negativity from fans in the lead up to it, resulting in Bloom having to make a statement about transsfer activity before they had completed their recruitment. The worry / frustration from (some) fans was deafening and after the players came in, attention turned to them and some written off before they kicked a ball in anger.

We signed some of the players that the fans use as examples of ones we miss, complaining that they have been replaced with players from the lower leagues, but the previous players often came from lower league teams themselves and there have been plenty of examples of players coming in from small clubs and doing well for us in the past without all this negativity from fans who seem to think they are beneath us just because they played in a lower league to us now. All this negativity towards the new signing(s) doesn't help them to feel confident (and possibly all that bothered about performing) and it doesn't help to get a winning side but just adds pressure and makes failure more likely. Players need fan support, especially when struggling.

If Sami stays, i hope he can turn it around and start winning instead of drawing, if he goes then i hope the fans can get behind the manager and the players and not be too snobby about who we sign.


Is relegation form and your point is ?

You are happy with the strikers ?

The players are struggling because they are L1 at best in some cases
 


perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,454
Sūþseaxna
Passing and possession (defensive tactic) was still OK. Shape reminded me of the French 1998 World Cup. OK if we had Lizarua and Thuram at full-backs, but even then a bit dodgy. Perhaps we should look for O'Grady to play like Zidane?

Are you for real----tell me you are on a wind up:moo:

Sami joined Liverpool just after France has won the World Cup and Benitez favoured a 4-5-1. I am old fashhioned, I prefer classic 4-3-3 and various modern adaptations of the 4-4-2, both with one winger.
 






Guy Fawkes

The voice of treason
Sep 29, 2007
8,187
Out of the last 29 games Sami has managed both the Albion and Bayer Leverkusen, his teams have won only 6 games (20%), with 3 of those wins coming against Cheltenham, Swindon and Burton. What does that tell you?

Think Sami is one of those managers who is tactically naïve with only one way he wants to play, irrespective of the ability of the players he has to manage, and the tactics employed by opposition managers. Other managers have worked Sami out and know how to stop his teams from scoring goals. After more than 3 months, our players have ended up with a lack of self belief and a loss of confidence that Sami appears to be at a loss to know how to turn around.

We need a manager who makes the best use of the players he has. The players we have are more than good enough to easily finish in the top half of the Championship, but Sami is just "Finish(ed)" as a manager unless he can prove he is adaptable and shows he has the nous to change the tactics we use in order to win more of the games we play.

I don't know why his form at Leverkusen is being used as a stick to beat him with, it has no relevence to is and he should be judged on his record here (which i admit isn't great) Most unemployed managers are sacked after a string of bad results so what do you suggest, only employ those who haven't been a manager as they are the only ones that won't have poor results in the previous managerial record?

Another example of the negativity towards various aspects of the club. A new manager (or player) should be given a chance to prove whether they can be a success without fans finding reasons to undermine them before they even start as they can work out at one club but fail at another for no obvious reason.

We were all behind Gus from the start (Hola Gus T-shirts, flags, etc) yet there were some saying Sami isn't good enough due to his record at Leverkusen and claiming it was their AM that was the reason for his success there rather than anything he ever did.
 


Sep 30, 2006
548
Up in the Gods
So 2 wins out of 14 in the league for the Albion looks SO much better! It is appalling!

We're in a perfect storm of lower quality players & failed tactics.

Yesterday proved to me there is no belief in the system nor any appetite to truly fight for much needed wins.
 


BensGrandad

New member
Jul 13, 2003
72,015
Haywards Heath
This re enforces my view of keeping clean sheets, had we done that we would have won all of these games so despite what many say about entertainment it is essential that we start keeping some clean sheets.
 


Sep 30, 2006
548
Up in the Gods
Agreed. Full backs defending as their priority. Greer not passing to the opposition. Stockdale repeating yesterday's performance consistently. Central midfielders showing more fight. 2 wingers providing width AND defending. Perhaps 2 up front? How many times did COG go out wide to get the ball, leaving no one centrally up front?

2 banks of 4 when defending.

Is it really that hard?
 




Mackenzie

Old Brightonian
Nov 7, 2003
33,507
East Wales
Agreed. Full backs defending as their priority. Greer not passing to the opposition. Stockdale repeating yesterday's performance consistently. Central midfielders showing more fight. 2 wingers providing width AND defending. Perhaps 2 up front? How many times did COG go out wide to get the ball, leaving no one centrally up front?

2 banks of 4 when defending.

Is it really that hard?
careful you'll be accused of wanting us to play 4-4-2.....seemingly a crime these days!
 





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