[Albion] Pretty, Pretty, Nasty?

el punal · May 19, 2021

I unfortunately did not see last night’s match at the Temple of Bloom, or live on TV. Instead had to settle for Match of the Day. I got the impression that after a couple of seasons of us playing lovely, pleasing on the eye, attractive football - but in the main no end product, we are now beginning to be hard nosed b******ds as well.

This opinion I gleaned from last night’s terrific performance. From being 2-0 down to win 3-2 shows a hell of a fighting spirit and a bit of “get into them, f*** them up” attitude. Am I on the right lines?

essbee1 · May 19, 2021

Calling Dr No.

Uh_huh_him · May 19, 2021

To a point, but I think the main difference was being much quicker in attack.

I think the fans made the difference. Football without fans is a bit like a training ground game.
No adrenaline.

Raleigh Chopper · May 19, 2021

We have 2 or 3 players that have been dishing it out all season, ask sock boy when he encountered Mr Veltman.
Apart from the finishing we are gradually becoming the complete package that is needed to do well in The PL.

Change at Barnham · May 19, 2021

A difference was made when Lallana came on and our tempo quickened with sharper and faster one touch passing.

Plus lots of other factors of course, but this certainly gave City more problems to deal with than before Lallana's introduction.

Brovion · May 19, 2021

Raleigh Chopper said:
We have 2 or 3 players that have been dishing it out all season, ask sock boy when he encountered Mr Veltman.
Apart from the finishing we are gradually becoming the complete package that is needed to do well in The PL.

Agreed. Like the OP I didn't see the game so this is just a general comment: but I don't think there's anything wrong with us becoming a bit more 'nasty' - or at least getting a reputation for it. That's not to say we should be thuggish, but we don't want teams thinking "Oh good we're playing Brighton. They play pretty pretty football and they'll stand off us and let us play pretty pretty football as well." We want that element of doubt. "We want players to think, at least sub-consciously, "Hmm we're playing little Brighton. They can dish it out a bit and I don't want to get injured as I want to play in the Big Game we've got coming up. Maybe I'll let someone else put in the hard yards."

As I said I don't think any opposition player will actually consciously think that or admit it to themselves in such blunt terms - but it'll be nice for them to have it in the back of their minds.

highflyer · May 19, 2021

No.

Not nasty (with he possible exception of Ali J's tackle) i didn't notice it being a particularly dirty game, from either side. The City fans moaning about having 'lumps kicked out of them' are talking bollocks. I actually mentioned during the game that the referee was good at letting play go and not picking up every tackle whch gave the game a good flow and Brighton were definitely playing with real gusto and enthusiasm in the second half.

I'd have been annoyed with the sending off if it had happened to Brighton though. 50:50 at best. I can understand a bit of moaning about that...but still...tough sh*t!

WATFORD zero · May 19, 2021

Change at Barnham said:
A difference was made when Lallana came on and our tempo quickened with sharper and faster one touch passing.

Plus lots of other factors of course, but this certainly gave City more problems to deal with than before Lallana's introduction.

It's interesting with Lallana. Often when he comes on, he plays what appears to be 'pointless' one touch one-twos with the central defenders and other midfielders, when he has time and space to do more. I now wonder if it's simply trying to get the ball moving quickly and to get him (and the other players) thinking quicker psychologically with a bit of one touch passing in safe areas

zefarelly · May 19, 2021

highflyer said:
No.

Not nasty (with he possible exception of Ali J's tackle) i didn't notice it being a particularly dirty game, from either side. The City fans moaning about having 'lumps kicked out of them' are talking bollocks. I actually mentioned during the game that the referee was good at letting play go and not picking up every tackle whch gave the game a good flow and Brighton were definitely playing with real gusto and enthusiasm in the second half.

I'd have been annoyed with the sending off if it had happened to Brighton though. 50:50 at best. I can understand a bit of moaning about that...but still...tough sh*t!

we've had slightly less than **** all luck most of this season . . . . what comes around . . .

Horses Arse · May 19, 2021

Change at Barnham said:
A difference was made when Lallana came on and our tempo quickened with sharper and faster one touch passing.

Plus lots of other factors of course, but this certainly gave City more problems to deal with than before Lallana's introduction.

Definately. That touch of class and confidence, quick turns and feet in attacking areas made a huge difference. City have 10 on the field like that, it has a huge impact. Can see why we signed him, wasn't convinced last summer at the news

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

jackanada · May 19, 2021

WATFORD zero said:
It's interesting with Lallana. Often when he comes on, he plays what appears to be 'pointless' one touch one-twos with the central defenders and other midfielders, when he has time and space to do more. I now wonder if it's simply trying to get the ball moving quickly and to get him (and the other players) thinking quicker psychologically with a bit of one touch passing in safe areas

Definitely something to that.
I'd also add that while the ball may not be progressed quick passing does require the defending team to keep slightly shifting their shape and focus and this can give attacking players the split second they want to move into space less closely escorted.
in short movement creates movement, and without movement you've got nothing.
So perhaps a more effective version of Dodgy Harry's "just faackin run around a bit"

schmunk · May 19, 2021

WATFORD zero said:
It's interesting with Lallana. Often when he comes on, he plays what appears to be 'pointless' one touch one-twos with the central defenders and other midfielders, when he has time and space to do more. I now wonder if it's simply trying to get the ball moving quickly and to get him (and the other players) thinking quicker psychologically with a bit of one touch passing in safe areas

Isn't the point of it to draw opposition players towards them, and thus out of shape, creating more space for a break?

timbha · May 19, 2021

Just need to learn how to beat the crap teams

KeegansHairPiece · May 19, 2021

el punal said:
I unfortunately did not see last night’s match at the Temple of Bloom, or live on TV. Instead had to settle for Match of the Day. I got the impression that after a couple of seasons of us playing lovely, pleasing on the eye, attractive football - but in the main no end product, we are now beginning to be hard nosed b******ds as well.

This opinion I gleaned from last night’s terrific performance. From being 2-0 down to win 3-2 shows a hell of a fighting spirit and a bit of “get into them, f*** them up” attitude. Am I on the right lines?

There was definitely a bit of that. Bissouma was incredible imho. In the modern game for fear of being booked midfielders tend to try to block and intercept. I doubt the City players in that midfield are used to what he dished out. Tackle after tackle, the way he won the ball, well you just don't see it much anymore. I thought he added £10m to his price tag just on last night's performance. Of course that is infectious to others, and our 3 centre backs were equally robust.

WATFORD zero · May 19, 2021

schmunk said:
Isn't the point of it to draw opposition players towards them, and thus out of shape, creating more space for a break?

Normally yes it is, but often those first few passes are knocked back 3 yards, forward 3 yards and back again 3 yards without any significant 'movement'. I don't think this will move opposition players significantly, which led me to the conclusion that it is about the psychological part of getting the ball moving quicker.

Kalimantan Gull · May 19, 2021

We did kick them quite a lot yesterday, but at managed to do it in the snide get the ball and a bit of the man way, normally City are very good at getting fouled but our tackling has become some of the best in the game

Postman Pat · May 19, 2021

If we were being nasty then White takes out Foden on the half-way line and he doesn't get the 2nd.

I don't think we were any more physical last night than usual, Biss was his usual self, Moder added a little bit more physicality, and Alzate buzzed around in the midfield being a nuisance. Without Maupay we might have actually been a bit more mellow.

BNthree · May 19, 2021

Loved it towards the end of the match when City had a free kick just inside our half and their player threw the ball forward and Swiss Andy threw it back to the correct spot. City player did it again and so did Swiss Andy. City player threw it forward a 3rd time and Andy just stood in front of the ball when it got played. Nice little bit of shithousery that. We have been missing that at times.

Driver8 · May 19, 2021

Postman Pat said:
If we were being nasty then White takes out Foden on the half-way line and he doesn't get the 2nd.

I think he would have done if could have caught him [emoji23].

A1X · May 19, 2021

WATFORD zero said:
It's interesting with Lallana. Often when he comes on, he plays what appears to be 'pointless' one touch one-twos with the central defenders and other midfielders, when he has time and space to do more. I now wonder if it's simply trying to get the ball moving quickly and to get him (and the other players) thinking quicker psychologically with a bit of one touch passing in safe areas

An on-pitch coach? Probably the first time we've had one of those since peak Bruno.

Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

[Albion] Pretty, Pretty, Nasty?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

"Members"

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Plastic JCL

On the road...

Well-known member

Share this page