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

[Albion] Is it just as well that we’ve bagged 22 points this early?







Guinness Boy

Tofu eating wokerati
Helpful Moderator
NSC Patron
Jul 23, 2003
34,213
Up and Coming Sunny Portslade
Given our injuries and the December we’ve got

We're 8th and in the knockouts of the Europa League. Dunk will be back for Burnley (touch wood) and the relegation battle will be between three of the worst sides ever to enter this league, plus a side deducted 10 points over FFP. There might be actions against other clubs too, you never know ;)

In the second half of the season we'll likely get back Welbz, Enciso and hopefully Pervis and Lamptey, our U21s have looked comfortable when coming in and we can make signings or maybe even loan recall Alzate or Sarmiento.

So no, not really.

*EDIT* also Fati back in 6 weeks or so according to RDZ.
 
Last edited:


Milano

Well-known member
Aug 15, 2012
3,377
Sussex but not by the sea
If it wasn’t for the injuries we’d be in the top 4 IMO.
We were the better team against Fulham, Shef U and Chelsea (at their place) but we seem to be in a period in the EPL where every mistake is being punished and we’re missing chances, not a good combination. We could have had 9 points from those 3 games, should have had 7 but ended up with 2.
The Brentford and Burnley games are huge, need 6 points.
 


Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
50,219
Faversham
We're doomed. DOOMED I tell thee.
 


warmleyseagull

Well-known member
Apr 17, 2011
4,221
Beaminster, Dorset
Depends whether trend or blip and cases to be made for both.

Trend: several injuries long standing or to players who last 20 minutes before succumbing again so expect season long problems; couple of signings (Goodnight, Baleba in particular) not really firing yet; difficulty of two games per week a la Burnley and West Ham; continual attention to who goes next for £100m; and (BIG ONE) teams that are bottom 4 in terms of goals conceded don't tend to win prizes.

Blip: it's football and that sort of what happens; we'll get enough wounded back to raise a team without 18 year old midfielder playing LB; TB will get cheque book out; couple of the stories of who we are chasing might materialise in Jan; RDZ realises there is a case for the defence; we get a ref who isn't the worst we've seen this season

FWIW, I would forget PL - we will certainly get 16-18 points from here - and play full strength in FAC and EL. Is there anyone who would prefer 10th in League to finishing 17th and winning a trophy?
 






Weststander

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Aug 25, 2011
64,102
Withdean area
This (very rare wins) was always likely for a club with Thursday evening fixtures, with holes in the squad …. a lack of quality FB’s and DM’s.

Will we buy/borrow a first teamer or two in January, that would help.

My guess for the rest of the season, we’ll make EL quarter’s and finish 10th. Lots of quality, with RDZ’s bravery (unlike Moyes, Dyche, Silva and Emery) developing marginal players into stars before our eyes.
 
Last edited:


Stato

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2011
6,590
A lot of young players needed to be bedded into RDZ’s system and this has coincided with bad luck over injuries, yet we are still thereabouts and have qualified in Europe with a good chance of finishing top. Recent weeks have been challenging, but growth comes with challenges. This tough period will stand these players in good stead for the second half of the season and beyond. We won’t get everything right, but like RDZ said in his press conference, we are having to overcome hurdles that other teams don’t have. I’d rather be us than anyone else in the top half, because we’ve won by even being there and yet have an organisation that still wants to set higher standards and achieve more. Its a once in a lifetime adventure.
 








Pretty Plnk Fairy

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 30, 2008
785
If we’d lost all the matches wed win and drawn we would be bottom of the table with no points FACT. Which just proves why we need a BRITISH manger instead of a foriegn one.

Regards
DF
 


Change at Barnham

Well-known member
Aug 6, 2011
4,922
Bognor Regis
In fairness, with the number of injuries and suspensions prior to going to Stamford Bridge I would almost have settled for a one goal defeat before the game.
The fact that we nearly nicked a point shows how strong our young squad is.
If we can play this well when down to our bare bones, then the future is extremely bright.

De Zerbi's mentoring and playing of the youngsters has increased the value of the squad immeasurably.
If TB gives RDZ a new contract worth an additional £5M a year, it will pay for itself due to how he is constantly growing the value of the squad.
 
Last edited:


Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top
Link Here