[Albion] The physicality of these europa teams

[Super Steve Earle]

We have lost some physicality and I don't think Dahoud is going to make it any more than Alzate, our previous talented lightweight midfielder, but my word, Lamptey is one tough little blighter.

 

[trueblue]

Last night my troupe were discussing how AEK and OM both seem far stronger than us, and at times just seem to brush us of the ball. Yet, we finished 6th in a league which is supposedly physical. What gives?

I don't think the Premier League is physical any more. Strange how the European and English roles have reversed on that score, judging by our opening two games. Refs here routinely accept the slightest contact as worthy of a foul if the player goes to ground. Everyone takes advantage of it, even the bigger players. Veltman is a master at getting his body between the ball and the attacker, then hitting the deck at the second he feels contact. He can also give it out when he needs to. We are a pretty lightweight team though so the more forgiving refereeing hasn't done us many favours.

 

[Bodian]

I would say the match really turned at the start of the second half with two or three crunching tackles, (Veltman and Lamptey in particular). There players did not like them. The fact that neither were actually fouls seem to annoy them as well, and it disrupted their flow.
In the first half, we were crying out for some cheap, niggly fouls to disrupt their midfield

I said a couple of times on the match thread that Lamptey's tackle turned the game. The attitude changed with it - and the momentum. But I was just watching on telly - may have been the same in the ground?

 

[Zeberdi]

Refs here routinely accept the slightest contact as worthy of a foul if the player goes to ground. Everyone takes advantage of it, even the bigger players. Veltman is a master at getting his body between the ball and the attacker, then hitting the deck at the second he feels contact

Marseille didnt even try and hide their shithousery after we cut into their 2 goal lead - being ‘physical‘ against a team who spent most of the latter second half on the deck ain’t required unless it’s to give them a hard physical kick in the arse for being cheating twats … and the ref too for letting them get away with it

 

[Rogero]

Good thread. We are lightweight and that is a problem. As said, Baleba must get up to speed asap but I am sure the powers to be know this .

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

I know Mrs Corner reassures me that size isn’t everything but I think we are actually the smallest team in the PL

 

[studio150]

Need to ditch RDZ and all these technically good players and get a modern day Tony Pullis in charge. No player under 6' selected and all built like front row forwards. That's the way to go.

 

[Questions]

I’m waiting for our Mardmood to get going. He did play a lovely ball into Fati ( I think it was)
He has to effect us somewhere. ..

 

[dwayne]

Need to ditch RDZ and all these technically good players and get a modern day Tony Pullis in charge. No player under 6' selected and all built like front row forwards. That's the way to go.

Well its interesting that west ham have done so well in Europe. Maybe big thuggy teams do better?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

We don't have pace in the central areas.

I agree with this. My point isn’t about pace though, more that the two European teams seem stronger than us across the park.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

I would say the match really turned at the start of the second half with two or three crunching tackles, (Veltman and Lamptey in particular). There players did not like them. The fact that neither were actually fouls seem to annoy them as well, and it disrupted their flow.
In the first half, we were crying out for some cheap, niggly fouls to disrupt their midfield

It seems strange using Lamptey and crunching tackles in the same sentence - he’s so “ickle”.
not complaining though. Maybe the best things come in small packages.

 

[Giraffe]

Absolutely agree with this thread. We said it at half time on Thursday night. We are getting bullied in Europe as we were at Villa. And it’s mostly on midfield where we previously relied so much on Mac Allister and Caceido. I’d have loved to have seen what we could have done n Europe with those two still in the team.

 

[BNthree]

Need to ditch RDZ and all these technically good players and get a modern day Tony Pullis in charge. No player under 6' selected and all built like front row forwards. That's the way to go.

Seemed to work for AEK whose squad looked like a rugby team.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

I agree with this. My point isn’t about pace though, more that the two European teams seem stronger than us across the park

Fair. I think pace is a big part of keeping posession in midfield though, it's not all about muscle.

Weirdly, only a few weeks ago Billy Gilmour bossed a big, quick and powerful Newcastle midfield

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Fair. I think pace is a big part of keeping posession in midfield though, it's not all about muscle.

Weirdly, only a few weeks ago Billy Gilmour bossed a big, quick and powerful Newcastle midfield

This is a good point actually. We all remember Vicente, I met him whilst he as at the Albion and was astonished at how small he was. I’m 5’10 and he was shorter than me and very slight….but you couldn’t get the ball off him.

 

[Wardy's twin]

While agreeing with your central point, your last paragraph is not strictly true.

Enciso started 7 games in the PL last season and Colwill started 13.

but were in form at the end especially Enciso who was looking better every game he played....

 

[Reddleman]

I don’t just think it’s the Europa league. It’s a mindset problem. Too many times we are trying to pass the ball before the tackle is actually won meaning our player is off balance and then brushed off the ball. You see it every week.

We need to actually win the ball then look to pass.