West Brom (A) | Post-Match Thread

[blue b4 the moon]

West Brom cross the halfway line

I'm glad I've seen this in the morning....nightmare material.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I listened to Fat Sam's post-match interview, (did he really need to be chewing gum while talking). On the second goal, he said all the players stopped when the offside flag went up, clearly, one set of players didn't. He dismissed "Play to the whistle" as nonsense and how many times do you see a goalkeeper make every effort to stop an offside shot "just in case"?

It wasn't gum it the the remnants of the last

 

[David Silva]

I listened to Fat Sam's post-match interview, (did he really need to be chewing gum while talking). On the second goal, he said all the players stopped when the offside flag went up, clearly, one set of players didn't. He dismissed "Play to the whistle" as nonsense and how many times do you see a goalkeeper make every effort to stop an offside shot "just in case"?

He might be saying this in the press to deflect, but not a chance he is letting his players off with this excuse privately. Playing to the whistle is almost a cliche in football, Allardyce isn’t daft.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

 

[ancoats]

He might be saying this in the press to deflect, but not a chance he is letting his players off with this excuse privately. Playing to the whistle is almost a cliche in football, Allardyce isn’t daft.

BFS had given the players 2 day off starting on monday

 

[Don Karleone]

So good

 

[Doctor Jimmy and Mr Jim]

You can't really add much to what has been said already. A joy to watch from start to finish.

 

[Rammy Blue]

The fluidity and balance through the team is currently back to 2018 levels.

Pep and the players deserve a lot of credit for it.

There is an energy in the side that is very welcome, suggesting the players feel a lot more comfortable with the tweaks in the system and personnel.

Walker's pace was always vital to us and he had a strong first half of the season, but he was always going to be in trouble if we ever found a player who can get back in and also join up inside the with midfield.

We essentially have a two-man advantage at all times in the middle now thanks to Cancelo, who can rely on two great feet and get up and down the pitch.

With the false nine also dropping in, the space out wide for the wingers must be a dream.

One game at a time...

My only concern remains Jesus. He is forcing the issue and making all the wrong motions. He is coming far too short for the ball and running into the lanes of others.

I'd prefer to see him utilised far more out wide.

I’d add that a reason we aren’t now so reliant on Kyle is down to the Dias/Stones partnership. Being so secure at the back has allowed us to play Cancelo, and give him such freedom to do his thing.

Oh, and when you say “only concern is Jesus”, I’d personally also add Raz into that too. Both getting far too much wrong at the moment.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Loving the nod to GMR.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I’d add that a reason we aren’t now so reliant on Kyle is down to the Dias/Stones partnership. Being so secure at the back has allowed us to play Cancelo, and give him such freedom to do his thing.

Oh, and when you say “only concern is Jesus”, I’d personally also add Raz into that too. Both getting far too much wrong at the moment.

In total agreement. Stones has once again reminded a few that his passing ability into midfield and out wide, has taken the responsibility and need for Walker to play the inside ball all the time.

Dias keeps it very simple and it was fascinating to see how the back three including Laporte were given a try together.

Raheem, like Gabby, doesn't seem convinced himself that he knows what he is going to do once he arrives at his destination, if he gets there at all.

All the same, he is the only player who gives us outright pace that teams are wary of.

Foden on the other side did an unselfish job on the left. He could have received the ball a lot more more was more than happy to keep the pitch wide, allowing Gundo to occupy his space inside.

KDB wide right for Mahrez, Aguero for Sterling up top, that's the only change for improvement I could see coming if they are all fit?

 

[domalino]

Nice little summary of our shape after Laporte came on. I think we're going to see this more.

 

[Rammy Blue]

In total agreement. Stones has once again reminded a few that his passing ability into midfield and out wide, has taken the responsibility and need for Walker to play the inside ball all the time.

Dias keeps it very simple and it was fascinating to see how the back three including Laporte were given a try together.

Raheem, like Gabby, doesn't seem convinced himself that he knows what he is going to do once he arrives at his destination, if he gets there at all.

All the same, he is the only player who gives us outright pace that teams are wary of.

Foden on the other side did an unselfish job on the left. He could have received the ball a lot more more was more than happy to keep the pitch wide, allowing Gundo to occupy his space inside.

KDB wide right for Mahrez, Aguero for Sterling up top, that's the only change for improvement I could see coming if they are all fit?

It was good management by Pep to get Laporte on to the pitch, I think as much as letting them play as back 3 it was also trying to build his confidence as it can’t be easy for him to know he’s dropped down the pecking order, and who knows when we might next pick up an injury or suspension at the back.

Funny really how Pep has pretty much stumbled across this new formation, can’t remember off hand which game was the first in this run with the false 9 (was it scum in the semi?), but the way last night that both the full backs were in the middle with Rodders, and we effectively had a roaming front 5 was madness - was saying to my lad it was pretty much a 2-3-5 of which I’ve never seen the like.

My old adversary Gundo playing like a man possessed and the closest to looking like the player we originally signed since he arrived, losing some timber through covid hasn’t done him any harm!

And even FFS looked a better player when he was allowed to roam, although I’m not getting carried away with him as it’ll be a miracle on a par with nothing I’ve ever seen if Pep can get a regular tune out of him, lol.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

It was good management by Pep to get Laporte on to the pitch, I think as much as letting them play as back 3 it was also trying to build his confidence as it can’t be easy for him to know he’s dropped down the pecking order, and who knows when we might next pick up an injury or suspension at the back.

Funny really how Pep has pretty much stumbled across this new formation, can’t remember off hand which game was the first in this run with the false 9 (was it scum in the semi?), but the way last night that both the full backs were in the middle with Rodders, and we effectively had a roaming front 5 was madness - was saying to my lad it was pretty much a 2-3-5 of which I’ve never seen the like.

My old adversary Gundo playing like a man possessed and the closest to looking like the player we originally signed since he arrived, losing some timber through covid hasn’t done him any harm!

And even FFS looked a better player when he was allowed to roam, although I’m not getting carried away with him as it’ll be a miracle on a par with nothing I’ve ever seen if Pep can get a regular tune out of him, lol.

'Magnificent', as Blobby Savage would say!

 

[Nelinho]

agreed.....looks like he is back to the player we all know he can be...its been coming back now for a few weeks.

Im convinced that racist shit storm last season did for him

He was coming from a season having played too much football, having given everything for club and country. But that attack killed his spirit, no doubt about it, the lack of confidence, the lack of will and focus were pretty obvious in his performances. How could he be prepared for something like that, no decent human being can. Suddenly he becomes a target, receiving negative publicity, and for what?

No justification for what they did to him, none whatsoever. Clearly a character assassination, they fucked him for good...

To be honest, I didn't want to talk about this shit again, your post gives me the pass. Anyway, If you ask me, I don't think he's over it yet. Something about him, a kind of sadness in his eyes, I don't know. You just hope the people around him, the team, the club, will help the boy leave this nightmare behind him for good and move on. He's a wonderful man, doesn't deserve this shit...

 

[oakiecokie]

We were terrific that day. Nasri’s deput with a couple of assists, Edin scored 4, won 5-1 and it could have been 10. Kit: Red and black stripes.

That was the first City top I ever bought way back in the late 1960`s when it first came out.Still love that kit.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

It was good management by Pep to get Laporte on to the pitch, I think as much as letting them play as back 3 it was also trying to build his confidence as it can’t be easy for him to know he’s dropped down the pecking order, and who knows when we might next pick up an injury or suspension at the back.

Funny really how Pep has pretty much stumbled across this new formation, can’t remember off hand which game was the first in this run with the false 9 (was it scum in the semi?), but the way last night that both the full backs were in the middle with Rodders, and we effectively had a roaming front 5 was madness - was saying to my lad it was pretty much a 2-3-5 of which I’ve never seen the like.

My old adversary Gundo playing like a man possessed and the closest to looking like the player we originally signed since he arrived, losing some timber through covid hasn’t done him any harm!

And even FFS looked a better player when he was allowed to roam, although I’m not getting carried away with him as it’ll be a miracle on a par with nothing I’ve ever seen if Pep can get a regular tune out of him, lol.

There's certainly a bit of the Revie Plan in his selections.

We're nearly all too young to have seen it in action as it was mid 50's.

 

[Tb1981]

In total agreement. Stones has once again reminded a few that his passing ability into midfield and out wide, has taken the responsibility and need for Walker to play the inside ball all the time.

Dias keeps it very simple and it was fascinating to see how the back three including Laporte were given a try together.

Raheem, like Gabby, doesn't seem convinced himself that he knows what he is going to do once he arrives at his destination, if he gets there at all.

All the same, he is the only player who gives us outright pace that teams are wary of.

Foden on the other side did an unselfish job on the left. He could have received the ball a lot more more was more than happy to keep the pitch wide, allowing Gundo to occupy his space inside.

KDB wide right for Mahrez, Aguero for Sterling up top, that's the only change for improvement I could see coming if they are all fit?

I’m hoping sterling and Jesus play themselves into form in the same way Bernardo and gundogan have
I think not having to be the difference will help raheem
At points we needed him and de bruyne too much
Throw a fit aguero back into the mix and things will look very positive
Last night we bossed from start to finish and that is a great sign
Sheff Utd would take a 3-0 right now

 

[oakiecokie]

Congrats on the WBA result

Thanks mate and it just shows that if you can be arsed playing football in the right way and bother to have a go,like your lads and Manager did,then it becomes far more enjoyable.
Good luck for the rest of the season.
Know Chelts very well as my daughter used to teach down there,until she took up another post in Brum,and we`ve had some great night out.

 

[Doctor Jimmy and Mr Jim]

Nice little summary of our shape after Laporte came on. I think we're going to see this more.

Every picture tells a story, interesting to see that. Just out of curiosity I put 'Mahrez EXd' and 'Mahrez MP' into Google Translate and both times it came back as 'Mahrez FFS'.

 

[spacecadet]

A wonderful performance.