[Albion] Fabian Hurzeler: IN or OUT

[Machiavelli]

Yep. I wouldn’t expect such a young manager to be able to convince many in his first PL season with a squad of mostly young players and further blighted by an unfortunate series of injuries which has prevented him having anything remotely like a settled XI or able to develop the so-important partnerships on the pitch.

I’m very much in #TeamPatience, but recognise he has a lot to learn. TB is very probably there too. Top 10 was my expectation at the start of the season - if he achieves that with all the obstacles he’s has then he’s done alright imo.

Tony will know what to do at the end of the season. Many others have made their mind up. If I was in Tony's position, I'd probably keep him and see how he gets on until December when, if things aren't going well enough, a decision will have to be made.
I don't like changing managers regularly because that's a sure sign you're on the slide.
We've done well this season when we've had good player availability and badly when there are few options. That's the key thing here. I also think that FH has a 'philosophy' and that's the direction PL football is moving towards, and this will be another factor.
Despite all that, there are some concerns, most prominently we're too open and consequently too easy to score against. Brentford's first illustrated this perfectly: Dunk had gone walkabout following Wissa as he was instructed to under RDZ, must admit I haven't really noticed our CBs doing this under FH; there was an enormous chasm between JPvH and Pervis (who wasn't tracking anyone wider) which Mbeumo exploited. No idea why those two and particularly Pervis didn't tuck in to nullify that threat -- it's well known that CBs need to get closer to one another when the oppo have possession. This featured in the MotD commentary as did Pervis jogging back for their third. I also think he was culpable (along with Bart for giving the ball away) for their second -- he simply didn't get tight enough.

 

[oldboyroy]

Just like all of us on NSC, Brighton fans everywhere, the players, the club...everyone...wants us to have a last big push and win at least 3 of our final games and pick up a point from one (or both) of the the other 2.
However, should we lose to West Ham, I still won't think that Fab's time is over. I very much doubt that TB would think so either, as there's still four matches remaining.
Five losses, however, could tip the balance, although I would not be at all surprised if he was still given next season to put things right.
I'm fine with that. *

*Not the five losses, obviously.

It's plausible we could lose our remaining 5 and Tony sticks with Fab into next season. Tony will be wanting some reaction although I'm still waiting for a reaction from the Forest/Villa losses which are understandable against 2 sides much better than us. Fwiw I think we'll beat a poor West Ham and give us some hope for the final 4.
Lose it without showing any fight and the toxicity around the Amex could become more prominent!

 

[Machiavelli]

The scores on the board here have to be a concern. Clearly most active posters fit a certain demographic but I’m fairly certain the entire population of NSC is pretty reflective of BHAFC supporters more generally and clearly Saturdays atmosphere was unusually toxic for an away game.
There’s no smoke without fire and let’s not brexitise this- not everyone who wants him out is some frothing maniac, in fact most are probably both very pragmatic and loyal to the club.
It’s a worry that a manager who on paper was such an exciting appointment is already so divisive.

I was there on Saturday and the toxic atmosphere began when FH took Welbeck and Baleba off. That was totally understandable in the situation, so I have concerns about the ability of those that turned on Saturday to assess an in-game situation (despite always claiming that they know how to do so).

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I was there on Saturday and the toxic atmosphere began when FH took Welbeck and Baleba off. That was totally understandable in the situation, so I have concerns about the ability of those that turned on Saturday to assess an in-game situation (despite always claiming that they know how to do so).

Think that’s fair. I was also at Brentford, and those chanting surely couldn’t have seen how much Welbeck was limping.
I actually thought he’d come off at half-time.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Tony will know what to do at the end of the season. Many others have made their mind up. If I was in Tony's position, I'd probably keep him and see how he gets on until December when, if things aren't going well enough, a decision will have to be made.
I don't like changing managers regularly because that's a sure sign you're on the slide.
We've done well this season when we've had good player availability and badly when there are few options. That's the key thing here. I also think that FH has a 'philosophy' and that's the direction PL football is moving towards, and this will be another factor.
Despite all that, there are some concerns, most prominently we're too open and consequently too easy to score against. Brentford's first illustrated this perfectly: Dunk had gone walkabout following Wissa as he was instructed to under RDZ, must admit I haven't really noticed our CBs doing this under FH; there was an enormous chasm between JPvH and Pervis (who wasn't tracking anyone wider) which Mbeumo exploited. No idea why those two and particularly Pervis didn't tuck in to nullify that threat -- it's well known that CBs need to get closer to one another when the oppo have possession. This featured in the MotD commentary as did Pervis jogging back for their third. I also think he was culpable (along with Bart for giving the ball away) for their second -- he simply didn't get tight enough.

This, with the exception of the second goal. I don’t agree at all, both Wieffer and Pervis had pushed up, neither expected Bart to pass directly to their player, you’re immediately then playing catch-up, to even get near to being goal side would take some doing.

Edit - I made my mind up Saturday, largely because of your second paragraph.

 

[Whoislloydy]

Out, it was a gamble by the club and hasn't paid off. He's in over his head, utterly clueless. Subs are terrible for the most part, and far too late.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Upon reflection, as absolutely shit as we are to watch right now, he has done enough to warrant another window with some proper recruitment in defence, before calling for his head. He turned it around before, maybe he can again.

I don't trust any process of his right now though, it's very disappointing

 

[dazzer6666]

I was there on Saturday and the toxic atmosphere began when FH took Welbeck and Baleba off. That was totally understandable in the situation, so I have concerns about the ability of those that turned on Saturday to assess an in-game situation (despite always claiming that they know how to do so).

Yep, embarrassing

 

[Machiavelli]

This, with the exception of the second goal. I don’t agree at all, both Wieffer and Pervis had pushed up, neither expected Bart to pass directly to their player, you’re immediately then playing catch-up, to even get near to being goal side would take some doing.

Edit - I made my mind up Saturday, largely because of your second paragraph.

I'd encourage you to have a look at that second goal again then: when Mbeumo received the ball, Pervis was close to him but didn't close him down sufficiently leaving the opportunity to get that shot in.
I say this as a fan of Pervis, but he had a stinker on Saturday. We may well find out about the Dunk situation in due course but I haven't seen anything of late that indicates he's up to this level (he may be carrying an injury). Which is another way of saying that the goals on Sat might be down to the players rather than the manager.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I'd encourage you to have a look at that second goal again then: when Mbeumo received the ball, Pervis was close to him but didn't close him down sufficiently leaving the opportunity to get that shot in.
I say this as a fan of Pervis, but he had a stinker on Saturday. We may well find out about the Dunk situation in due course but I haven't seen anything of late that indicates he's up to this level (he may be carrying an injury). Which is another way of saying that the goals on Sat might be down to the players rather than the manager.

Agree, Pervis had a nightmare.
But the structure out of possession is all wrong, that is why the first goal came.
The second was down to Bart, Pervis has actually done well to get back in that instance, momentarily before Mbeuno receives it (see below). Perhaps a little closer, but a bit harsh to hold him culpable having rewatched it.

Third, chasing the game over-exposed Pervis, whose attempt to recover was feeble.
Fourth, really poor defending…… the set-piece coach must be struggling, because that’s two in two, but we had left 3 up. In that situation you abandon man for man and go more zonal, so you can attack the ball.

But, if you haven’t got the personnel at your disposal to play the way you want to (see Dunk currently fitness wise), you have to adapt your tactics accordingly.
We haven’t.

 

[Gwylan]

Jindřich Trpišovský publicly said he'd been approached but turned us down.

That's been mentioned a couple of times but looking back at what was actually said, the words he used were that he'd been approached by a Western club, "by the most weather warm club in the country". People have speculated that he meant Brighton but he didn't say it - nor that it was even an English club - it may have been Marseille! There was an interview that his agent gave a few months ago about moving to England and that he'd turned down the chance, but that club was named and it was Forest.

I'm not saying that he wasn't interviewed, he could well have been, but B&B tend not to reveal much and for all we know, they could have interviewed Sam Alladyce and Jose Mourinho.

I'd certainly treat with caution any names that people think are on the shortlist, until they've actually signed on the dotted line

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

As I drift more towards out, I do notice this that a lot of the players don't seem to fit that mould. Is it FH who should be looking over his shoulder or someone else?

Everton are praying for this and I could see him moving on

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

It’s been well reported multiple times that Bloom and Barbs don’t like the January window for players based on availability and value for money.

Obviously there is no window for mangers but availability and desire (unless coming up a level) must be lower mid season. I wonder how successful we would be getting an employed managerial target mid season compared to the Summer.

Moving mid season to a team that isn’t performing with a difficult January window isn’t that appealing if you are doing well elsewhere.

Unless there is a significant upturn in performance and tactics (going back to working to the strengths of what you have available and not a treacle high press) I see a change happening quickly before June 2025

 

[Hiheidi]

That's been mentioned a couple of times but looking back at what was actually said, the words he used were that he'd been approached by a Western club, "by the most weather warm club in the country". People have speculated that he meant Brighton but he didn't say it.

This article says that he confirmed it (I haven't watched the video they speak of though, so can't confirm or deny).

'Speaking to Radiozurnal Sport on YouTube, Jindrich Trpisovsky confirms that interest also came his way from The Amex.

It was very difficult to refuse,” Trpisovsky says when asked about Brighton’s approach. “I appreciate that they were interested in me.”

Title-winning manager admits Nottingham Forest and Brighton were keen to hire him

There was interest from Forest and Brighton...

www.hitc.com

 

[Doug-ees-evil]

Everton are praying for this and I could see him moving on

Some strange history repeating maybe...
David Burke / Hyypia
David Weir / Hürzeler?

Do we need to add NO David's to our NO dickheads policy?

 

[Mancgull]

Apologies for misreading your tone.

Exactly. It’s quite clear Fab was someone we knew about and liked but I’m fairly sure we’d have thought it a bit soon for him- it was bold even for us.
If you think about managers we simply couldn’t afford or remove from their contract, then managers who didn’t even want an interview, then managers who interviewed but had other options, realistically he was probably nowhere near even top 5.

He’d only had 18 months in charge of the first team at St Pauli, so I’d doubt he’d been on our list for too long.

 

[Weststander]

Who knows, but.....
Andy Naylor and Alex Crook (whom the club often use to put out news) both reported McKenna was at the top of our list.
Naylor also wrote a piece about Potter returning (maybe to test the water?). A couple of days later - after a pretty unwelcome reaction on social media at least - Potter ruled himself out.
Also, during our search, Farioli stayed overnight in Sussex with his wife and agent. Lots of rumours he was spoken to, but he had also been approached by Ajax prior to this, so possibly trying to keep his visit quiet?
Jindřich Trpišovský publicly said he'd been approached but turned us down.
There were other names mentioned/rumours - I'm sure someone on here even said Steve Cooper was seen in Lancing

Onto your second point - why would people turn us down? We'd been very clear publicly that the manager doesn't have much input in transfers. RDZ had been publicly moaning about our transfer policy for at least half a year prior. The previous Summer we'd sold two world class players and replaced them with two free transfers, and went into our first ever season in Europe with what Danny Welbeck described as a "thin squad". Media were blaming the downturn in results on the Manager and his reputation was suffering. Maybe that put a few people off!

Two articles in the reliable Guardian covered it. The first Brighton pushing to appoint McKenna, the second he’d rejected approaches from Chelsea and Brighton.

 

[Mental Lental]

Liam Rosenior.
He can motivate players and is very much on the up.

They scored 2 goals in the first 15 mins of the 2nd half. But let in a last minute equaliser.