Gus Poyet was pleased with the way that his side adapted to the conditions at Portman Road following their 3-0 win against Ipswich Town...
The players and staff felt the pitch did not suit their normal short passing game so the Albion boss adopted a more direct approach which helped striker Craig Mackail-Smith.*
Poyet told seagulls.co.uk, “Because of the conditions of the pitch we decided to play a bit longer which was good for Macca. The lads were complaining that the ball was not rolling very well so we had to be clever and play a different way.
“Earlier in the season we were very good at knowing when to play short and play long but lately we have been playing shorter. It was good percentage football. There are always reasons behind what we do and the decisions we make."
Goals from Mackail-Smith, Dean Hammond and Wayne Bridge secured a first win in five games, which delighted the Albion boss.
“The most important thing is that we returned to winning ways because it had been too long. We were professional, we defended well and we made it very difficult for them. We were difficult to beat and for the first time in a while we were clinical in front of goal.
“We had to be better in both boxes and we did that. Then you have a chance of winning games. If we are clinical we are going to win plenty of games and we have started the new year in a proper way.”
Elsewhere Poyet explained Albion’s search for a new striker now that the January transfer window is open.
“There are plenty of rumours and we have been linked to so many players it’s scary. We are always ready and we are always working but there are so many things that need to come together.
“There are plenty of players we like all over the world but the idea is to bring the right player who will help the team.
“It’s difficult to comment on names because it’s unfair on the player. We have two or three great options but it could be a week, ten days or at the end of January until anything happens.”
Original article
The players and staff felt the pitch did not suit their normal short passing game so the Albion boss adopted a more direct approach which helped striker Craig Mackail-Smith.*
Poyet told seagulls.co.uk, “Because of the conditions of the pitch we decided to play a bit longer which was good for Macca. The lads were complaining that the ball was not rolling very well so we had to be clever and play a different way.
“Earlier in the season we were very good at knowing when to play short and play long but lately we have been playing shorter. It was good percentage football. There are always reasons behind what we do and the decisions we make."
Goals from Mackail-Smith, Dean Hammond and Wayne Bridge secured a first win in five games, which delighted the Albion boss.
“The most important thing is that we returned to winning ways because it had been too long. We were professional, we defended well and we made it very difficult for them. We were difficult to beat and for the first time in a while we were clinical in front of goal.
“We had to be better in both boxes and we did that. Then you have a chance of winning games. If we are clinical we are going to win plenty of games and we have started the new year in a proper way.”
Elsewhere Poyet explained Albion’s search for a new striker now that the January transfer window is open.
“There are plenty of rumours and we have been linked to so many players it’s scary. We are always ready and we are always working but there are so many things that need to come together.
“There are plenty of players we like all over the world but the idea is to bring the right player who will help the team.
“It’s difficult to comment on names because it’s unfair on the player. We have two or three great options but it could be a week, ten days or at the end of January until anything happens.”
Original article