Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Albion] Just how hard is it to get points off this top 6?
- Thread starter Kalimantan Gull
- Start date
Perkino
Well-known member
- Dec 11, 2009
- 5,988
We played brilliantly against Man Utd, stayed disciplined and moved forward quickly when in possession. They hardly created against us and we're taking shots from large distances it was only a lucky goal that made the difference. Also Mourinho said we were the best side he had come up against.
We have played very well in all but 3 games this season and we have got less points than our performances have deserved manly due to not scoring enough goals. Currently on track for a great season
We have played very well in all but 3 games this season and we have got less points than our performances have deserved manly due to not scoring enough goals. Currently on track for a great season
Very frustrating to go to Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, and see such a toothless performance in attack, and I can’t quite understand why you wouldn’t bring Baldock on as soon as we went 2-0 down.
That said, if we end up with 4 points or more over the next two games, it will all be forgotten. Keep the faith.
That said, if we end up with 4 points or more over the next two games, it will all be forgotten. Keep the faith.
Spiros
Well-known member
I'm guessing that due to your location you only saw the result of the Liverpool match and didn't actually see the game itself. For large parts of the second half we had one of the best attacking teams in the league right on the ropes. Before Liverpool scored we missed at least two good chances to take the lead. Yet that turned out to be our heaviest defeat to date
Wardy's twin
Well-known member
- Oct 21, 2014
- 8,457
I think we have gone into too many games thinking we can't win and that is driven by our defensive set up.
I appreciate that we are playing against teams that can rip us apart , so there is a need for discipline and caution but you also need to realise that you cannot go thru 90 minutes trying to defend. IMO one of the key issues is not Hemed or Murray but that the number 10s we have played (mainly Gross) play far too deep and their main role seems to be defensive rather than offensive. I would use the more mobile players up front Izquierdo, Brown (who was great 2nd half against Liverpool), Proper (e.g. have his role covered by Kayal) in the front line and reduce their defensive roles.
I know this might all change with who we bring in BUT even a great striker might find it difficult to score with the way we are set up to play.
I appreciate that we are playing against teams that can rip us apart , so there is a need for discipline and caution but you also need to realise that you cannot go thru 90 minutes trying to defend. IMO one of the key issues is not Hemed or Murray but that the number 10s we have played (mainly Gross) play far too deep and their main role seems to be defensive rather than offensive. I would use the more mobile players up front Izquierdo, Brown (who was great 2nd half against Liverpool), Proper (e.g. have his role covered by Kayal) in the front line and reduce their defensive roles.
I know this might all change with who we bring in BUT even a great striker might find it difficult to score with the way we are set up to play.
sir albion
New member
Agree as Watford gave Chelsea a right game at Stamford bridge because they actually looked to try and win but failed 4-2 and many more examples like Burnley,Watford and Huddersfield.
Just don't see the point of not bothering to attack in a game you're expected to lose anyway....just go for it and let the players actually play in the position they're good at playing in.
GT49er
Well-known member
There is a huge difference between "wanting to have a go" and "teams are too defensive" and anybody who can't see that must be brain dead.
The_Viper
Well-known member
Worth noting that if Murray wasn't rubbish we'd have possibly beat Liverpool. Highlights the obvious need for a striker to add to the already massive pile of highlights proving it.
Geestar
New member
The way most teams set up....no chance!
Sent from my TA-1020 using Tapatalk
Sent from my TA-1020 using Tapatalk
brightn'ove
cringe
I would currently say that you have 6 that want to win the league, and 14 that don't want to go down - and that's it.
Publius Ovidius
Well-known member
Yes, that sums up this division perfectly. You could also add to that, the top 4 want champions league and if they don't win the league, so long as they are in the CL, they are not fussed. And if they get into the Europa league they put out reserves so dont care a jot about that.
Personally I think that a Champions league with the top clubs in EU playing each other would make a lot of sense. So you take out the two Manchester sides, liverpool, tottenham Chelsea and Arsenal and then the premier would be played with teams who on balance would all be capable of beating eachother and make it more like the Championship. Of course the Venkeys and also the guy who ran Huddersfield before the new regime were advocating a Premier 2, where you have two divisions of 12 teams including ...but they wanted no promotion or relegation....a bit like the NFL. That would never work here.
Spiros
Well-known member
Au contraire, if we'd had a 'great striker' then they would have filled their boots against Liverpool, Burnley and Watford with the chances that Murray and (to a lesser extent) Hemed were unable to finish off
BBassic
I changed this.
- Jul 28, 2011
- 12,355
Agree with all of this.
I'm curious as to how The Championship can be held up a the model of egality (blimey that is the word I wanted!!) after the club just spent £40m to get out of it.
Football is capitalism and as such there will always be a financial hierarchy, no matter where you put the goalposts.
The NFL is (surprisingly) communism, team have to work really hard to be consistently shite.
Well played Cleveland, well played
Football is capitalism and as such there will always be a financial hierarchy, no matter where you put the goalposts.
The NFL is (surprisingly) communism, team have to work really hard to be consistently shite.
Well played Cleveland, well played
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #37
Arsenal at home is definitely one of the top six games that teams will fancy. Stoke and Watford have already beaten them
I don't think I can ever remember hearing a fan say we attacked too much. Have no recollection of anyone ever suggesting a loss resulting from trying to attack and win a game, especially one we weren't expecting to win anyway, with the suggestion we shouldn't have attakced, that we should have sat back and contained them, trying to sneak a win on the back of a solid defence.
portlock seagull
Why? Why us?
- Jul 28, 2003
- 17,182
I seem to recall promoted minnows like Hull, West Brom and Reading all beating the CL position teams upon promotion. Even Huddersfield have done it and come very close on a couple of other fixtures.
I know we’re in the relegation league but FFS, we’re not even close to beating a top side like in the days of yore. For to win you must score goals. And to score goals, you must shoot. And to shoot you must be in the opponents half generally. Unless your name’s Steve Sidwell!
I know we’re in the relegation league but FFS, we’re not even close to beating a top side like in the days of yore. For to win you must score goals. And to score goals, you must shoot. And to shoot you must be in the opponents half generally. Unless your name’s Steve Sidwell!
Personally away to the top 6 I would prefer to play 5-3-2 formation with the front 2 playing off each other.