[Baggiebob(BBB)]

It takes approx 10hrs there and back to see a game - and tiring. However it was more tiring to watch a game that was set up as a defensive team, when with the new players we have brought in with those who we know are good players not being allowed to play attacking football, and not playing in positions that they are good in, then that will be the last time I'll make that journey until Tony's changes his attitude to the game - if he can.

Also to get 1pt from 6 from teams that are 16th and 17th in the league may need a bit of explaining.

[Slick_Footwork]

Well I've had time to let it sink it...

Positives - Hegazi looked a lot more solid and competed well in the air with Carroll. Evans looked back to his normal self and covered Hegazi for his one mistake. Gibbs looked steady and got forward well, was unfortunate not to score.

Negatives - Despite Morrison's introduction, the midfield still looked just as unbalanced as last week. Mozza's off day didn't help, but clearly there's an imbalance with the type of players we have in the middle. We have invested in decent individuals, but without any thought of how they slot into the jigsaw. I honestly have no idea why when we were lacking pace last year, we have signed Gareth Barry as our box to box midfielder. Krychowiak is an obvious improvement on Yacob, but if you were going to spend big money wages for a loan, I have no idea why you'd buy someone to sit in front of the centre backs.

With our style, there remains a huge onus on Phillips, as he's the only player who can actually travel with the ball at pace. When he's playing poorly, which he has last 2 games, we don't look like scoring. It's no surprise that our one decent chance was a result of his run yesterday. Burke maybe will provide this option, but I think we should've invested in someone who can do this from the middle too.

Overall, the team selection 'appeared' a lot better than last week, without the square pegs in round holes, but it still didn't work. Brunt was given his chance in midfield and had a shocker. IMO, he's a reserve left back now. Phillips and Rodriguez were poor.

It's bizarre to say it, after his form at the end of last season, but I think we really need Chadli to come back into the fray. Maybe then we might see more from Barry and Krychowiak. as they will actually have someone in front of them who tries to find the pockets of space.

And I never thought I'd say this, as I spent most of last season berating his woeful passing, but we're actually missing Fletcher. At least he actually played the ball forward a bit quicker at times. Barry is a 'neater' footballer but is far slower at moving the ball forward. He's done okay, but just don't think he's right for us at all.

[Beefy 1965]

The players are here guys
Look at the way we set up at home against a team that conceded 10 goals from 3 away games,
It's down to the manager
We were to deep end of,
Every striker we play up front, we say hes useless,
Why ?
There is hardly a player within 30 yards of him,
Play with a bit more attacking intent , just get the players closer to each other Tone they might just get use to playing with each other then,
I was told he had a ear bashing off his own wife on the way home even she said we were to Negative.
To prove this i did a bit of paparazzi work to prove it .......

[BaggieSteve]

I have to agree with Bomber. I think that Morrison has been one of our few creative players under Pulis, not that that means a lot. As you say, Chadli is the obvious alternative and I would actually like to see him integrated back into the team, which may be at the expense of Morrison. However, I think Jimmy Morrison has been one of the few players picked by Pulis who doesn't fall into the category of speedy winger (McLean, Phillips and Burke) or defensive midfielder (pick one from any number). He's probably not as good as he was a few years ago but I still think he has an important role to play in the squad

Nail on the head there Steve - he has about 3-4 good performances a season now and mostly anonymous throughout an amount of the rest of his appearances. You seem to share my view that he's still useful to have in the squad though, would just like to see Chadli given a chance in the centre attacking mid role - with him and some pace on the flanks from someone like Burke we'd be a great counter attacking side.


I'm actually quite happy my opinion isn't a popular one on here and most seemingly are in disagreement, it basically underlines my point that Jimmy is basically above having any sort of criticism and frankly is one of a few too many sacred cows we have in the squad. Anyone who watched the game yesterday must have seen how poor a game he had? He either played it sideways or gave it away. Created absolutely nothing. In the first half he basically got set up with a headed chance from a cross from Brunt that I could have finished and managed to put it out for a throw in! If that was Rondon missing that chance there'd probably be a sodding thread opened separate to the match thread with discussion/criticism about it!

Dedicated professional and will go down as a modern day Albion legend for his tenure with us, no doubt about it. But I'm not going to let that blind me to the fact he had a poor game yesterday along with others and they are all deserving of the criticism that goes with a poor performance.

I agree, Sir M. I don't think Jimmy is a certain pick in the team, fit or not, and, like you, I'd like to see Chadli get a run. I think Morrison has well deserved the praise over the years, not only as part of an excellent midfield under Mowbray but also later when he was often the stand out player under di Matteo and Hodgson. However, time catches up with all of us although I believe he's still an important part of the squad. It's clear he had a poor game on Saturday and I think he's taken a collective bashing as part of a poor team performance. My support of him, particularly under Pulis, is that he has been one of our very few attacking midfielders among a sea of defensive players and, for that alone (along with Chadli) I'd give him an extra mark. However, Saturday was obviously a stinker!

[Sir Megson]

And I never thought I'd say this, as I spent most of last season berating his woeful passing, but we're actually missing Fletcher. At least he actually played the ball forward a bit quicker at times. 

Have to agree with this and it definitely feels like the players are struggling with the transition as Fletcher was pretty much an ever present for us since he signed. Was a poor performance from him up at Newcastle for Stoke though, so I feel we had the best of him and let him go at the right time.

However on Saturday I saw at least 2-3 instances of Krychowiak receiving the ball around the halfway line, looking up the pitch for options and throwing his hands in the air in frustration when seeing the only option available up the pitch was Rodriguez with 2 players marking him. 

Now with Livermore being given an extended rest citing Mental Health reasons (impressed with the club for being supportive here, Mental Health is no joke) it's even more important Chadli is given a go as we just don't seem to have an in-form midfielder or winger right now; other than an impressive performance from Burke off the bench at Brighton. The midweek game against Man City is the perfect chance to give these players who haven't featured yet a go and see what they can do. I don't think anyone is expecting us to get past City if they put a strong side out, let's just hope Burke, Chadli et al take the chance if they get it and make a stake for a starting place in the league as well.

[4evaabaggie]

I am hoping that as the new players get to train more with the rest of the squad, Krychowiak's knowledge and expectations will improve the others, as they get to know each others games they can blend into a cohesive unit, strong in defence with footballing outlets, fast counter attacking and strong forward play ..........

[Baggiebob(BBB)]

I am hoping that as the new players get to train more with the rest of the squad, Krychowiak's knowledge and expectations will improve the others, as they get to know each others games they can blend into a cohesive unit, strong in defence with footballing outlets, fast counter attacking and strong forward play ..........

Let's hope so - but after we had reached 40pts last year - and safe - the players had enough of dull football and they showed their non-commitment, and finished 10th when 8th was a banker. Just saying! 

Also I'd like to see Chadli play more often in his best position, as I would the other players - who ever heard of 2LB's and 2RB's. Bloody barmy.