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+----- Thread: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread (/showthread.php?tid=6271)
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - Sir Megson - 03-02-2018
(03-02-2018, 21:32)May68 Wrote:(03-02-2018, 20:28)Worldclassalbion Wrote: Hang on folks. I’m seriously disappointed but we always blow the big occasions. We did the same when we wore the 68 cup strip against Leicester.
That is by far the worst performance since Pardew took over. Phillips and Brunty in particular were woeful today.
Games are running out but we will stay up.
Don't understand this criticism of Brunt. Thought he put himself about and genuinely looked like he cared. He also provided the assists for both of our goals. We need him in the team.
Likewise. I think Brunt is one of possibly three players today who gave decent performances, Hegazi and Rondon being the other two. If anything Brunt was working his bollocks off tracking back trying to support Nyom who turned in another poor performance.
Biggest criticism is for Phillips sadly. I'd had hopes he would rekindle his form of last season, but it's not looking likely and with Chadli and Morrison out we're still desperately short on creative players. Absolutely bottled it on a 50/50 challenge which then further into that phase of play led to a goal. Totally unforgivable.
As much as there's temptation to say we were rubbish etc etc it wouldn't be fair on Southampton as I though they played well' and weren't overawed by the occasion at all; whereas I think our players were to be honest.
Lemina bossed the midfield and neither Yacob or Barry could get near him. The longer this went on the more we reverted back to route one, bypassing the midfield a'la Pulis, albeit with a few more passes around at the back before it was hoofed forwards.
On the field, I think we're looking very likely to be relegated now as we've left ourselves with too much to do. Off the field though, I couldn't be prouder. Today's tribute to Cyrille will live long in my memory and I applaud everyone involved in making it happen. It was an absolute privilege to be there and to be a part of it.
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - TheFunkyJoker - 03-02-2018
Unfortunately it looks as though Man City took any confidence we gained from the Liverpool win and can't beat teams we need to be beating at this point.
Maybe I'm a bit doom and gloom because of today's loss, but after having hope and belief for so long I can only see relegation now - and the championship will be a lot harder for us this time round than it has been in the past.
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - BaggieMan - 04-02-2018
Trouble is that unlike the last times we were relegated we kept the nucleus of the team. I suspect if we are relegated which now is more and more likely, we will lose the team and spend quite a few seasons in the a Championship.
Hey, ho.... it’s only a game.
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - Slick_Footwork - 04-02-2018
To be honest, I think we would struggle in the Championship with what we'd be left with if we do go down (which seems inevitable, but I'm still praying for a miracle).
I expect that the few decent players we have would go.
What would we be left with...
The likes of McClean, Nyom and Robson Kanu aren't even top players at Championship level. Then some older campaigners such as Brunt, Mozza, Yacob and McAuley, who were too good for that level in their pomp, but all the wrong side of 30 (some miles the wrong side) and likely to struggle with the hussle and bussle of the Championship now.
Honestly I could see it being more of a relegation battle than a promotion push...
But I guess when you think about it, we've had this coming. For the past 3-4 years we have failed to replace the old guard.
The fact we're grumbling that Morrison is out and debating if Brunt is our best midfield players (both been here 10+ years and never world beaters at Premier League level) tells its own story. The fact McAuley is still playing at 38 when we have 1 injured centre half shows how pathetic it was that we never replaced Olsson.
We knew these players needed replacing for years and we never did it. We put far too much emphasis on loans or short term permanent deals. When we did sign for cash, we signed poorly. Why we decided to spend £15m on the 'potential' of Burke when we don't have a single player in the middle of the park who can play progressive passes forwards is beyond me. Pulis was obviously responsible for a lot of this mess, losing the plot this season, but Williams and Hammond have a lot to answer for - giving him free reign and allowing these ridiculous transfers to go through.
Replacing 33 year old Fletcher with 36 year old Barry when it was obvious we needed legs is a prime example of a lack of due diligence from the board. Now I'm not knocking Barry, he's been one of our better players, but last season it was obvious we needed an injected of energy so this clearly wasn't the right move.
Krychowiak was the one player we signed who actually added legs, but he's another stopper in the same mould as the numerous others we already have. The fact we signed him and Barry, when we already had Livermore and Yacob shows how the board did not think of the balance of the squad. What is the point employing a technical director if he's not going to look at the basics? It seems we will get what we deserve when we are paying huge salaries to a bunch of muppets who don't know football.
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - Worldclassalbion - 04-02-2018
(03-02-2018, 21:32)May68 Wrote:(03-02-2018, 20:28)Worldclassalbion Wrote: Hang on folks. I’m seriously disappointed but we always blow the big occasions. We did the same when we wore the 68 cup strip against Leicester.
That is by far the worst performance since Pardew took over. Phillips and Brunty in particular were woeful today.
Games are running out but we will stay up.
Don't understand this criticism of Brunt. Thought he put himself about and genuinely looked like he cared. He also provided the assists for both of our goals. We need him in the team.
May I never said we need to drop him. I agree we need him. Yes his cross was delicious for Rondons goal but he had a stinker of a game. I have faith we will stay up and Brunty will be an integral part of it.
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - Zinman - 04-02-2018
Ok, yesterday was dreadful and, to put it mildly, we are in the sh*t. However we're not down yet, just 4 points from safety. To me the key is having our important players fit, and I'm slightly concerned that I haven't seen much comment on the seriousness of the injuries we picked up last week - in particular Gibbs and Krychowiak are vital if we are to have a chance.
Yes, Pardew deserves some criticism for the selection yesterday. A midfield pairing of Yacob and Barry was a disaster - no pace, no mobility and never going to get forward to support Rondon and Sturridge - but what real options did he have? He clearly doesn't think Field is ready (though I think he may have been a better option yesterday) and Brunt in the middle hasn't worked (plus McClean wide left?). In the last couple of games Krychowiak has shown that he can play as a box to box midfielder, getting froward in support, and he was badly missed yesterday. If Gibbs is fit he can get froward on the left allowing Brunt to come inside more giving us much more of an attacking threat - Nyom isn't good enough to do this.
Up front Pardew has to select 2 out of decent players and whenever we don't win he will be criticised for leaving out the wrong one. I actually don't think the selection yesterday made much difference as to me it was the lack of central midfield that caused us the problems - Sturridge showed his potential with his one chance yesterday but that was the only time he received any sort of service.
I haven't given up yet (but probably will do if we don't beat Huddersfield!)
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - 4evaabaggie - 04-02-2018
Zinman, well said, we have been in worst positions, bottom going into the final game, and survived. We have shown that our strongest team can get the victories to keep us up. We have also shown a soft underbelly, our back up players are too old, too slow or just not of the prem quality. One win and we're back in touch with the pack, need five wins to be in with a realistic shout, some other teams are in free fall and some other teams are starting to fight, it depends on which team we are able to put out as to which side of that line we will fall. If we climb back up thorough that trapdoor we will need a big overhaul in the summer ....
Keep the faith ...... the fat lady is on the stage, she is clearing her throat and gargling the orchestra is warming up but I don't hear any singing ....... where there is a chance there is hope.
It's the hope that kills you ...
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - Sir Megson - 04-02-2018
(04-02-2018, 12:53)Zinman Wrote: Ok, yesterday was dreadful and, to put it mildly, we are in the sh*t. However we're not down yet, just 4 points from safety. To me the key is having our important players fit, and I'm slightly concerned that I haven't seen much comment on the seriousness of the injuries we picked up last week - in particular Gibbs and Krychowiak are vital if we are to have a chance.
Yes, Pardew deserves some criticism for the selection yesterday. A midfield pairing of Yacob and Barry was a disaster - no pace, no mobility and never going to get forward to support Rondon and Sturridge - but what real options did he have? He clearly doesn't think Field is ready (though I think he may have been a better option yesterday) and Brunt in the middle hasn't worked (plus McClean wide left?). In the last couple of games Krychowiak has shown that he can play as a box to box midfielder, getting froward in support, and he was badly missed yesterday. If Gibbs is fit he can get froward on the left allowing Brunt to come inside more giving us much more of an attacking threat - Nyom isn't good enough to do this.
Up front Pardew has to select 2 out of decent players and whenever we don't win he will be criticised for leaving out the wrong one. I actually don't think the selection yesterday made much difference as to me it was the lack of central midfield that caused us the problems - Sturridge showed his potential with his one chance yesterday but that was the only time he received any sort of service.
I haven't given up yet (but probably will do if we don't beat Huddersfield!)
Definitely where the game was lost for us yesterday. At times you would have sworn it was still the capped one in charge of the team as we resorted to bypassing the midfield most of the game, giving possession away far too easily and Lemina and co tore us to shreds.
On reflection I'd have loved to have seen Field given a go in place of Barry, or at least a change from 4-4-2 to having an extra man in midfield (Field) with Rondon up top and Rodriguez out on the wing. Not his preferred position but on reflection would have given us more control in the middle of the park.
Sturridge had some neat touches but has hardly played any football, so can understand Pardews eagerness to include him asap. However, we were far too open in midfield yesterday and my only surprise was Southampton scored only the 2 goals in the first half. An inform side would have put 4 past us in that half with the chances they created. The game was lost in that 25 minutes before half time.
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - bomberbrown1968 - 04-02-2018
Agree wholeheartedly with the above, and I think it's unacceptable to concede the midfield the way we did to a team, without a win for so long and almost as desperate for points as we are. What you don't do is give them all the ball and let them come on to you at will.
Pardew blamed tired legs, bollocks, that's a cop out, even 1 up and after 15 minutes they were cutting through the middle of the park with ease, Lemina and Ward-Prowse are decent players but they looked like world beaters up against Yacob & Barry.
Wrong personnel in the middle was the problem, spot on SM Field should have been in there to give us some younger legs in the middle and much as I like him and think he'll get us some goals, Sturridge shouldn't have been given a start just because of who he is and where he's come from, a couple of 20-30 minute run outs off the bench is what he needs to get him up to speed and JRod, had he kept his place would have given us a bit more dropping back when it became apparent so early on that we were getting overrun
RE: WBA vs Southampton - Match Thread - Worldclassalbion - 04-02-2018
Keep the faith my pedigree chums