[Albion] Fabian Hürzeler **SINGED 15/06/2024**

[Flounce]

He even said in a recent interview that “I know I keep saying trust the process, but…….”
Learning from that as well.

i think Jordan was OTT but arguably not far off, my quote was more about the points comparison instead of league position, certainly wasn’t an RdZ vs FH thing….

League position is ultimately all that matters.
Couldn’t even tell you our points last season….

Me neither but I can tell you that the Messiah signed off from us with relegation form

For all we agree on, League position and being happy with a dull game as long the result is a good one we are not on the same page on!
I do agree that this season the league position is very important though.

 

[Bold Seagull]

League position is ultimately all that matters.
Couldn’t even tell you our points last season….

That is really interesting, as I can pretty much recite all our Premier League points totals for the last 8 seasons, but unlikely to remember the positions they correspond to other than the 6th of course.

I guess in my head you start the season with several points milestones; 40 for safety, 50 for top half, 60 for top 8, 70 for top 5. Hitting 60 for the first time was huge. Having 3 seasons with 50+ also a massive progression toward consistent top 10 / challenging for Europe finishes.

 

[Hotchilidog]

That is really interesting, as I can pretty much recite all our Premier League points totals for the last 8 seasons, but unlikely to remember the positions they correspond to other than the 6th of course.

I guess in my head you start the season with several points milestones; 40 for safety, 50 for top half, 60 for top 8, 70 for top 5. Hitting 60 for the first time was huge. Having 3 seasons with 50+ also a massive progression toward consistent top 10 / challenging for Europe finishes.

It really is a massive progression. We are raising our floor. When Tony stated that he had a goal of us becoming an established top ten side I was very sceptical that we could do it. Now that goal is a real possibility now. Still need to maintain this level for a few years yet but we are becoming stronger incrementally.

I'll start next season no longer panicking about those first 30 points but will be focused on the second 30, we really have come a long way. If we can keep Baleba, Mitoma and JPVH here next season we appear to have a solid base on which to build (even before any potential summer signings). Young players have got much needed PL experience, Minteh, Gruda, Ayari, Georginho, Wieffer and MoR are all better players than when they arrived. Next season we have Watson and Tzimas to bring on, Yalcoure to welcome back. In defence we have Ferdi and Boscagli to provide the initial boost alongside anyone else we may bring in.

Not a bad first season for a young manager making a huge step up in class from the Second Tier in Germany.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

That is really interesting, as I can pretty much recite all our Premier League points totals for the last 8 seasons, but unlikely to remember the positions they correspond to other than the 6th of course.

I guess in my head you start the season with several points milestones; 40 for safety, 50 for top half, 60 for top 8, 70 for top 5. Hitting 60 for the first time was huge. Having 3 seasons with 50+ also a massive progression toward consistent top 10 / challenging for Europe finishes.

40 - I’m interested in.
But once we’re safe I’m pleased….
Other than that, for me it’s where you finish rather the how….

See @Flounce post, he’s right, I just want to win, and I don’t mind how.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

That is really interesting, as I can pretty much recite all our Premier League points totals for the last 8 seasons, but unlikely to remember the positions they correspond to other than the 6th of course.

I guess in my head you start the season with several points milestones; 40 for safety, 50 for top half, 60 for top 8, 70 for top 5. Hitting 60 for the first time was huge. Having 3 seasons with 50+ also a massive progression toward consistent top 10 / challenging for Europe finishes.

It's a lot less for safety these days. Not so long ago, it was 40 to survive and the clubs in the top 6 places, order aside, was predictable. Now there's at least one or two historically big clubs which struggle and only 30 points needed for safety with plenty of ambitous clubs in the lower reaches of the top half. I wonder if there is a shift going on and this will be the new normal?

 

[JBizzle]

It's a lot less for safety these days. Not so long ago, it was 40 to survive and the clubs in the top 6 places, order aside, was predictable. Now there's at least one or two historically big clubs which struggle and only 30 points needed for safety with plenty of ambitous clubs in the lower reaches of the top half. I wonder if there is a shift going on and this will be the new normal?

Yeah agreed. Staying up, in theory, should be a lot harder for teams with our budget. It means a) we're doing a lot right, b) there are a few that are doing a lot wrong and c) those coming up are finding it harder and harder to compete

 

[Machiavelli]

Yup. In our early PL years, the 40 target was frequently cited but it had fallen by that stage and 35 was pretty much all you needed. In the last few seasons, it's fallen further. With one game to go, Leicester have 25, Ipswich 22 and Southampton 12. I suspect Leicester will lose on Sunday and, if so, with a better GD, 25 would secure survival this season.

 

[Jim in the West]

For all the praise deservedly heaped on RDZ from the moment he arrived to post Roma, I’m 100% behind Simon Jordan’s comment that he became “poisonous”, which to me definitely sours his legacy.

I took a long time to warm to FH due to some of the chaos he brought earlier in the season but I love the way he admits he is learning and it’s now bearing fruit. The fact that I have not heard a single complaint about injuries or not being backed is highly impressive, it would have been an easy thing to fall back on in a few periods this season where it almost turned toxic.

Fab's had a LOT to deal with this season....not only adjusting to a new league (and a MUCH higher overall standard of football), also adjusting to a new country, all the added media spotlight, recovering from the 7-0 defeat, having to manage Dunky's lack of form, the "spat" between JP and van Hecke.....plus, the colossal injury problems. And I don't think he's complained once!

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Yup. In our early PL years, the 40 target was frequently cited but it had fallen by that stage and 35 was pretty much all you needed. In the last few seasons, it's fallen further. With one game to go, Leicester have 25, Ipswich 22 and Southampton 12. I suspect Leicester will lose on Sunday and, if so, with a better GD, 25 would secure survival this season.

Err. But there are only 3 teams down there. To avoid relegation you need 3 teams below you.

To stay up, one of those promoted teams would have needed up around 40. They would have needed to relegate spurs or someone

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Fab's had a LOT to deal with this season....not only adjusting to a new league (and a MUCH higher overall standard of football), also adjusting to a new country, all the added media spotlight, recovering from the 7-0 defeat, having to manage Dunky's lack of form, the "spat" between JP and van Hecke.....plus, the colossal injury problems. And I don't think he's complained once!

View attachment 202390

He hasn't complained once. That's what leadership looks like.

 

[elwheelio]

I watched the behind the scenes thing on YouTube about the Liverpool game. I loved seeing Fab remind the players that their performance in the league means bonuses for the support staff and that they are all one big team. Good guy with a bright future.

 

[Hotchilidog]

I watched the behind the scenes thing on YouTube about the Liverpool game. I loved seeing Fab remind the players that their performance in the league means bonuses for the support staff and that they are all one big team. Good guy with a bright future.

That was really cool.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Yeah agreed. Staying up, in theory, should be a lot harder for teams with our budget. It means a) we're doing a lot right, b) there are a few that are doing a lot wrong and c) those coming up are finding it harder and harder to compete

I also wonder if the spending limits are having an effect? This maybe helps the more canny operators like us? I forget the current three letter acronym for this.

 

[TottonSeagull]

I do apologise for that remark. That was immature and I genuinely have no idea why I thought that was appropriate.

thanks matey, appreciated that

 

[The Colonel]

61 points in his first season is going to be a really impressive achievement. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do next year.

 

[JBizzle]

I also wonder if the spending limits are having an effect? This maybe helps the more canny operators like us? I forget the current three letter acronym for this.

I think it does. Forest essentially blew PSR season 1, got safe enough that the points deduction was irrelevant and had a stronger squad this season as a result, but that's high risk.

Southampton and Leicester, plus Burnley and Sheffield United last season committed virtually nothing transfer fee wise and went straight down.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I think it does. Forest essentially blew PSR season 1, got safe enough that the points deduction was irrelevant and had a stronger squad this season as a result, but that's high risk.

Southampton and Leicester, plus Burnley and Sheffield United last season committed virtually nothing transfer fee wise and went straight down.

Ah yes. PSR, whatever happened to FFP?

 

[Weststander]

Fab's had a LOT to deal with this season....not only adjusting to a new league (and a MUCH higher overall standard of football), also adjusting to a new country, all the added media spotlight, recovering from the 7-0 defeat, having to manage Dunky's lack of form, the "spat" between JP and van Hecke.....plus, the colossal injury problems. And I don't think he's complained once!

View attachment 202390

What’s the Hammers excuse for an awful season?

 

[Machiavelli]

Err. But there are only 3 teams down there. To avoid relegation you need 3 teams below you.

To stay up, one of those promoted teams would have needed up around 40. They would have needed to relegate spurs or someone

I see your point but it doesn't relate to mine. I was responding to the prior posts which were discussing points needed for survival. And this season, to survive, you'd need c25 points if you have a better GD than the team in 18th.