[Albion] Fabian Hürzeler.... Football genius!

[One Teddy Maybank]

I suppose if FH has inherited a team with 13 points after 6 games, a fantastic squad bang in form and playing well, and didn't suffer an injury crisis, the evidence of this season suggests he would have got 6th as well, maybe even better....

You know you should start agreeing with me on Fab threads too, just saves time later.....

Hypothetical
Can only go with final positions….
I don’t agree, though, I think he’s learning a bit more, and next season will be exciting squad additions pending.

I did enjoy the McGhee, Adams discussion, where FH seemed more open about his own learning…..

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Hypothetical
Can only go with final positions….
I don’t agree, though, I think he’s learning a bit more, and next season will be exciting squad additions pending.

I did enjoy the McGhee, Adams discussion, where FH seemed more open about his own learning…..

Of course, I agree that he is learning. RDZ left some points on the table during the period he retrained the squad into his own style. Fab has been more pragmatic about that. The point of pointing out that Fab has more points per game than RDZ during his first season in charge (to date, that will of course change if we lose to Spurs), is NOT to definitively say that Fab is better than RDZ - for one thing, RDZ came here as a fully fledged top level coach with a fixed and exciting style of play - but more to counter all the 'we should get rid' merchants.

To be honest I find it an amazing stat when I realised it was true, we hold RDZ on high on here as a football genius and the best manager we have ever had, whilst a good 50% or so of NSC's finest decided we should have sacked FH this season or were at the least 'fence', yet on a pure results basis (which leads to points, which leads to position in the table), it is Fabian who has delivered more. I think I might be quoting that stat a lot in the weeks to come....

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Of course, I agree that he is learning. RDZ left some points on the table during the period he retrained the squad into his own style. Fab has been more pragmatic about that. The point of pointing out that Fab has more points per game than RDZ during his first season in charge (to date, that will of course change if we lose to Spurs), is NOT to definitively say that Fab is better than RDZ - for one thing, RDZ came here as a fully fledged top level coach with a fixed and exciting style of play - but more to counter all the 'we should get rid' merchants.

To be honest I find it an amazing stat when I realised it was true, we hold RDZ on high on here as a football genius and the best manager we have ever had, whilst a good 50% or so of NSC's finest decided we should have sacked FH this season or were at the least 'fence', yet on a pure results basis (which leads to points, which leads to position in the table), it is Fabian who has delivered more. I think I might be quoting that stat a lot in the weeks to come....

I’m sure you will I do mean that respectfully

Sure I get your point, but again (hypothetically) in a poor league, RdZ might have done even better.
Next season, based on FH learning, we might do even better….
We are still too open, but the loss of Pedro was a blessing for FH, as he was able to strengthen us in terms of shape out of possession, both MOR and Gruda.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I’m sure you will I do mean that respectfully

Sure I get your point, but again (hypothetically) in a poor league, RdZ might have done even better.
Next season, based on FH learning, we might do even better….
We are still too open, but the loss of Pedro was a blessing for FH, as he was able to strengthen us in terms of shape out of possession, both MOR and Gruda.

Defensively he still has to work it out, yes. He's very good at orchestrating a low block, we've seen that in several games this season. But getting a defence thats working when we are piling players forward in his preferred style, yes he still hasn't found a solution - he's probably never really had too til now.

Potter started with a very open attacking style, Murray and Maupay together, we got hit on the break a lot and Potter very quickly switched to a more pragmatic-style, just the one willing runner up top. The goals shipped dried up, but unfortunately the goals scored did too. We all know we suffered through a year or more of tedium before it all clicked. Fab doesn't seem to want to change Plan A as quickly as GP, which I am pleased about. But the defence at the moment does seem to be based as much on luck as judgement, like Salah missing an open goal, Man U somehow getting a certain goal ruled out for offside, Bournemouth shooting over the bar over and over again, and so on. A close season to work on ideas, getting the right recruitment there, hopefully Fab works it out.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Defensively he still has to work it out, yes. He's very good at orchestrating a low block, we've seen that in several games this season. But getting a defence thats working when we are piling players forward in his preferred style, yes he still hasn't found a solution - he's probably never really had too til now.

Potter started with a very open attacking style, Murray and Maupay together, we got hit on the break a lot and Potter very quickly switched to a more pragmatic-style, just the one willing runner up top. The goals shipped dried up, but unfortunately the goals scored did too. We all know we suffered through a year or more of tedium before it all clicked. Fab doesn't seem to want to change Plan A as quickly as GP, which I am pleased about. But the defence at the moment does seem to be based as much on luck as judgement, like Salah missing an open goal, Man U somehow getting a certain goal ruled out for offside, Bournemouth shooting over the bar over and over again, and so on. A close season to work on ideas, getting the right recruitment there, hopefully Fab works it out.

Absolutely nailed my thoughts….. though I think he does need to tinker a little.
Agree entirely re last 5 words

 

[Uh_huh_him]

If we avoid a loss against Spurs we will have lost only 9 games this season, our fewest in a prem season ( previous best 11).
Only two teams have lost fewer.

Only 4 clubs have a better head-to head record against us this season.
Only one club has done the double over us this season (best not dwell on that one)

injuries and naivety have cost us this season.
Next season will be very interesting.

 

[chickens]

We won’t be sacking our manager, that’s for sure. The Brighton model means it’s impossible to know who Fabian will have to work with next season, but the fact that he’ll have had a year in place, should make the pre-season a more focused affair.

We’ve taken a guy who had got a team promoted to the top flight, but never managed in the top flight, and in his first season he will finish (worst case) within 4 points of our best ever points tally. Without an engine room of Caicedo/Macallister/Gross as well.

Give this man the credit he deserves, he’s done brilliantly.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Hypothetical
Can only go with final positions….

Given the 13 points of RDZ's first season were aquired from Potter, I guess this is also hypothetical and we cannot attribute the final position to Roberto then?

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Given the 13 points of RDZ's first season were aquired from Potter, I guess this is also hypothetical and we cannot attribute the final position to Roberto then?

Ok - a lot of our squad are potter and RdZ players.

So nobody can take responsibility other than the board for the signings….

You can play any argument…..
Where you finish is all that matters….

Alternatively……

RdZ changed the tactics mid season and took the team forward, no small undertaking…. We might have got more if he had a preseason.

 

[Kit Napper]

I’m sure you will I do mean that respectfully

Sure I get your point, but again (hypothetically) in a poor league, RdZ might have done even better.
Next season, based on FH learning, we might do even better….
We are still too open, but the loss of Pedro was a blessing for FH, as he was able to strengthen us in terms of shape out of possession, both MOR and Gruda.

Such a poor league that the teams in 16th and 17th place are contesting the Europa League final

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Such a poor league that the teams in 16th and 17th place are contesting the Europa League final

The worst season in both teams history for 40+ years.
Surprised you’re comparing cup with league

 

[Kit Napper]

The worst season in both teams history for 40+ years.
Surprised you’re comparing cup with league

Yes exactly. Their worst season for 40+ years and yet still good enough to reach a European final. It suggests that the standard of the Premier League isn't so poor after all. To be honest, I'd say calling it a poor League is ridiculous.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Yes exactly. Their worst season for 40+ years and yet still good enough to reach a European final. It suggests that the standard of the Premier League isn't so poor after all. To be honest, I'd say calling it a poor League is ridiculous.

Well we disagree.
Bottom 3 teams with low totals
Champions with lower points tally than recent
Standard lower IMO (subjective I know).

To dismiss it as ‘ridiculous’, is well, ridiculous

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

My favourite bit from Fabian was with Pervis right at the end

Me too! I was doing exactly the same thing!

I know we won so all good but I just can't understand why an experienced pro would do that?! The kid who's just turned 17 on the other flank showed him what he should be doing.

OT but I do think this is an issue with Pervis. I quite often find myself frustrated with his decision making and overall think he is a weak link in the side these days. Hoping Ferdi is the answer at LB next season or we sign an alternative if not.

 

[dazzer6666]

Defensively he still has to work it out, yes. He's very good at orchestrating a low block, we've seen that in several games this season. But getting a defence thats working when we are piling players forward in his preferred style, yes he still hasn't found a solution - he's probably never really had too til now.

Potter started with a very open attacking style, Murray and Maupay together, we got hit on the break a lot and Potter very quickly switched to a more pragmatic-style, just the one willing runner up top. The goals shipped dried up, but unfortunately the goals scored did too. We all know we suffered through a year or more of tedium before it all clicked. Fab doesn't seem to want to change Plan A as quickly as GP, which I am pleased about. But the defence at the moment does seem to be based as much on luck as judgement, like Salah missing an open goal, Man U somehow getting a certain goal ruled out for offside, Bournemouth shooting over the bar over and over again, and so on. A close season to work on ideas, getting the right recruitment there, hopefully Fab works it out.

Defensively he’s barely had what anyone would determine a first choice back 4 all season and has been forced into constant changes, using unfit CBs and playing midfielders at RB.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Me too! I was doing exactly the same thing!

I know we won so all good but I just can't understand why an experienced pro would do that?! The kid who's just turned 17 on the other flank showed him what he should be doing.

OT but I do think this is an issue with Pervis. I quite often find myself frustrated with his decision making and overall think he is a weak link in the side these days. Hoping Ferdi is the answer at LB next season or we sign an alternative if not.

Great post
The same, as were his teammates……

It was like Casper vs Leeds in that Poyet season….. but way worse

 

[Coldeanseagull]

He's brilliant. Really like him: down to earth, honest, calm and collected for the most part but can clearly lose his shit when he needs to (see estupinan in the 98th min tonight), and adapts his tactics- not afraid to admit when he's got it wrong, too, and clearly learns from mistakes

He's done very very well to get us to 8th considering a very young squad, a thin back line, and amongst the most days lost to injury in the league- lots of key injuries too. Oh, and his first season in the PL - first season in any top division.

Impressive stuff. The absolute goons on here slating him after any disappointing result need to do one (some still slating him at any given opportunity, like after palace won the cup shit like 'they got glasner, we got an apprentice')

I still reserve the right to blow hot and cold about him regarding tactics, losses to palace, goalkeeping choice and use of the words 'guys' and 'process'

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

He's done very, very well - all we need now is to learn how to beat sides that play with a low block, and have zero interest in attacking, save for breakaways.

See Leicester, Wolves, Southampton etc. at home.

For sure we play better against teams who want to attack us.

Let's hope we keep Mitoma, JPVH and Carlos and really kick on next season.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Well we disagree.
Bottom 3 teams with low totals
Champions with lower points tally than recent
Standard lower IMO (subjective I know).

To dismiss it as ‘ridiculous’, is well, ridiculous

I actually think overall the standard of the PL is stronger than ever and that is why the bottom 3 are cut adrift and why it's so tight at the top. The teams in the middle places between say 7th and 17th are stronger than they've ever been. Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham, Brentford, Palace - these are all really good teams and even the likes of Everton and Wolves are actually decent sides with good managers. All of those teams can easily beat the top 6 on their day as we've seen many times this season, more so than at any other time since the PL started. The gap between 1st and 17th in terms of ability of the sides is smaller than it's ever been.

Yes the bottom three are shite and the three coming up from the Championship are likely to be again next season as it's so hard for them to compete with the teams in 7th to 17th, let alone the top 6.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I actually think overall the standard of the PL is stronger than ever and that is why the bottom 3 are cut adrift and why it's so tight at the top. The teams in the middle places between say 7th and 17th are stronger than they've ever been. Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham, Brentford, Palace - these are all really good teams and even the likes of Everton and Wolves are actually decent sides with good managers. All of those teams can easily beat the top 6 on their day as we've seen many times this season, more so than at any other time since the PL started. The gap between 1st and 17th in terms of ability of the sides is smaller than it's ever been.

Yes the bottom three are shite and the three coming up from the Championship are likely to be again next season as it's so hard for them to compete with the teams in 7th to 17th, let alone the top 6.

I think completely the opposite re the teams beating everyone, and to me it’s not improving but actually going towards the mid-table teams therefore dropping.