[Albion] Fab Out: Now or at the end of the season

[dolphins]

I am ultimately judging FH on how he sets us up. I don’t remember the last time a Brighton side conceded breakaway goals so often. The system is not working and if it’s because we have injured players and defenders with no pace surely he should be setting us up in a more pragmatic system. It seems he is incapable of using a system that doesn’t expose the defence, not just occasionally but multiple times every game.

Even when we have won or drawn games we can consider ourselves lucky that the opposition did not take their chances.

I am not wanting him gone because we lose or draw games, I want him gone because I don’t think he’s up to the job

He has overseen some really poor performances that hurt though. Forest away, Palace home and away being the worst of the bunch. Honourable mention to Wolves at home and Leicester home and away. A few fortuitous wins over big clubs doesn’t make it OK imo. Have we actually dominated more than a couple of games this season?

Just reading this thread this morning and this response tallies with my own views. FH seems too tactically naive and yes, we've had a tonne of injuries, more than any other team, but he should be making us tougher to beat, rather than trying to stick to his "idea" irrespective of what logic would suggest.

I wonder how much patience TB has with this experiment - and I do see it as that, a young, upcoming manager who could have been a perfect fit, but the jury is out at the moment - which doesn't seem to be working now. End of the season is always best for any management changes, as then the incoming has a decent amount of preseason to reveal his "process" and "idea".

 

[peterward]

I am ultimately judging FH on how he sets us up. I don’t remember the last time a Brighton side conceded breakaway goals so often. The system is not working and if it’s because we have injured players and defenders with no pace surely he should be setting us up in a more pragmatic system. It seems he is incapable of using a system that doesn’t expose the defence, not just occasionally but multiple times every game.

Even when we have won or drawn games we can consider ourselves lucky that the opposition did not take their chances.

I am not wanting him gone because we lose or draw games, I want him gone because I don’t think he’s up to the job

He has overseen some really poor performances that hurt though. Forest away, Palace home and away being the worst of the bunch. Honourable mention to Wolves at home and Leicester home and away. A few fortuitous wins over big clubs doesn’t make it OK imo. Have we actually dominated more than a couple of games this season?

Obvs I'm no coach or tactical specialist, but with our still pretty solid defenders who lack pace, and with Baleba who can move it quick and pretty electric wingers in Minteh and Mitoma, wouldn't we be better, with these players attributes, playing a Forest type solid lower block and counter attack at pace.

High line and ponderous sideways/back possession isn't playing to our players strengths and weaknesses?

 

[southstandandy]

It's fair to say it hasn't entirely worked with Fab this season - I can see why Tony took a chance with him and I have no problem with that. He's a a gambler by nature but maybe just maybe it's a step too far too soon for Fab. We've seen some great performances this season but also far too many occasions where we've been schooled by more savvy sides with more pragmatic managers.

For the record if Tony decided to pull the plug I wouldn't be upset as I do think in the best league in the world you need a bit more know how to mix it with the best, but if he decides to stick with him I will have no issue with that. I know it won't happen but I'd almost like to see Fab working as a number 2 to a more experienced manager for a season or two then taking over but as said this clearly won't happen.

An interesting summer awaits.

 

[peterward]

It's fair to say it hasn't entirely worked with Fab this season - I can see why Tony took a chance with him and I have no problem with that. He's a a gambler by nature but maybe just maybe it's a step too far too soon for Fab. We've seen some great performances this season but also far too many occasions where we've been schooled by more savvy sides with more pragmatic managers.

For the record if Tony decided to pull the plug I wouldn't be upset as I do think in the best league in the world you need a bit more know how to mix it with the best, but if he decides to stick with him I will have no issue with that. I know it won't happen but I'd almost like to see Fab working as a number 2 to a more experienced manager for a season or two then taking over but as said this clearly won't happen.

An interesting summer awaits.

I couldn't have written it any better and share exactly same thoughts.

I'd be very surprised if TB bins him off now and don't think he will.

But would TB still have employed him, knowing as much as he does now about FH tactically after this season?, we'll never know but I don't think he would.

 

[Flounce]

Obvs I'm no coach or tactical specialist, but with our still pretty solid defenders who lack pace, and with Baleba who can move it quick and pretty electric wingers in Minteh and Mitoma, wouldn't we be better, with these players attributes, playing a Forest type solid lower block and counter attack at pace.

High line and ponderous sideways/back possession isn't playing to our players strengths and weaknesses?

You’d think

 

[chickens]

It's fair to say it hasn't entirely worked with Fab this season - I can see why Tony took a chance with him and I have no problem with that. He's a a gambler by nature but maybe just maybe it's a step too far too soon for Fab. We've seen some great performances this season but also far too many occasions where we've been schooled by more savvy sides with more pragmatic managers.

For the record if Tony decided to pull the plug I wouldn't be upset as I do think in the best league in the world you need a bit more know how to mix it with the best, but if he decides to stick with him I will have no issue with that. I know it won't happen but I'd almost like to see Fab working as a number 2 to a more experienced manager for a season or two then taking over but as said this clearly won't happen.

An interesting summer awaits.

Agree with a lot of what you say. The question is, having hired Hürzeler, how long do you give him? For me, while I don’t think he’s setting us up to our strengths (defensively especially) I feel that having hired him, we owe him the time and space to adapt and develop.

What does concern me is when there doesn’t seem to be any obvious reaction to something that is clearly a problem (like playing Dunk at the halfway line) - I do want to see some sign that lessons are being learnt, and I think every time we see a pacy attacker racing toward our goal with our central defenders in their wake, we feel like we’ve seen this one before.

Provided I see signs of evolution and adaptation in our setup, I’m not going to be anything but Fab IN for this season and next, but if we start next season and we’re still playing Dunk in a high line, then I’m going to struggle to argue against those who’ve already had enough. There does have to be some form of visible progress to justify continuing the relationship.

 

[Flounce]

Agree with a lot of what you say. The question is, having hired Hürzeler, how long do you give him? For me, while I don’t think he’s setting us up to our strengths (defensively especially) I feel that having hired him, we owe him the time and space to adapt and develop.

What does concern me is when there doesn’t seem to be any obvious reaction to something that is clearly a problem (like playing Dunk at the halfway line) - I do want to see some sign that lessons are being learnt, and I think every time we see a pacy attacker racing toward our goal with our central defenders in their wake, we feel like we’ve seen this one before.

Provided I see signs of evolution and adaptation in our setup, I’m not going to be anything but Fab IN for this season and next, but if we start next season and we’re still playing Dunk in a high line, then I’m going to struggle to argue against those who’ve already had enough. There does have to be some form of visible progress to justify continuing the relationship.

Yesterday tipped me from fence to Out as it seems to me he‘s not learning at all, just continuing with the same madness in set up game after game. I see zero positives at the moment. Reading between the lines it seems Welbeck is very frustrated too, which is a worry.

It’s all very well saying give him time but I suggest he has had the chance to rethink his tactics but refuses to adapt them

If there is not a big change in the way we play and some on pitch harmony happening I will want him gone and not given another go next season.

 

[peterward]

I fancy a bit of this process guys tbh,

 

[slimes]

Option4.. He should of got sacked months ago!

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Optics are not there to sack him now with us being 10th in the table

I don’t see him taking us forward so expect a mutual split occurring over the summer (if tone has someone he wants that will come)

 

[Clive Walker]

Not itk on this one but I do think conversations are being had today. We normally get a sound bite on fabians insta. Nothing today.

 

[boik]

Context is when we’ve had players fit and in form we’ve looked great, but take a substantial spine out of the team, to the extent you don’t have a fit right back or centre back, and those resources are largely keeping the medical staff busy - there’s a context beyond the manager. Even if we lose our remaining games, can’t see TB pulling the trigger, there has been enough positive moments to go into the summer.

Frustrating, given how close we’ve come to success this season, but you’d have to be blind not to see how stretched these ‘resources’ have been.

Palace were toilet when Wharton or Eze were missing. Brentford were pretty much full strength yesterday. Forest were full strength when we got thrashed. People saying injuries are not an excuse don't seem to understand the benefits of a settled team, either within a match, or in the training/preparation. When Leicester won the league they were pretty much injury-free and almost everyone could name their starting 11.

 

[peterward]

Not itk on this one but I do think conversations are being had today. We normally get a sound bite on fabians insta. Nothing today.

It's Easter Sunday. Maybe insta silence is because he went to Church with his family, rather than signal of a secret coup to oust him!

 

[Mancgull]

I fancy a bit of this process guys tbh,

I’ve seen a few clips of LR and for me he’d motivate me far more than FH.
Apparently had a big impact as Wayne Rooney’s assistant at Derby, did well at Hull before the ridiculous decision to replace him and now doing really well at Strasbourg.

 

[peterward]

I’ve seen a few clips of LR and for me he’d motivate me far more than FH.
Apparently had a big impact as Wayne Rooney’s assistant at Derby, did well at Hull before the ridiculous decision to replace him and now doing really well at Strasbourg.

Many Derby fans credit their success at that time to Rosenior even though it was Rooney who took the plaudits.

In retrospect and after what's happened to both men since, that looks about right.

I'd love Liam and agree that kinda speech look real/genuine and is motivational

It surely beats guys, guys, and a load of Americanised corporate waffle.

 

[Hamilton]

Context is when we’ve had players fit and in form we’ve looked great, but take a substantial spine out of the team, to the extent you don’t have a fit right back or centre back, and those resources are largely keeping the medical staff busy - there’s a context beyond the manager. Even if we lose our remaining games, can’t see TB pulling the trigger, there has been enough positive moments to go into the summer.

Frustrating, given how close we’ve come to success this season, but you’d have to be blind not to see how stretched these ‘resources’ have been.

I wonder if Ferdi, Joel, Tariq, and Rutter been fit it would have made a difference. Would he have got different results. I guess we’ll find out next season because, as you say, I don’t think TB will change him.

That said, I am back to wondering where this team might get its next win. Let’s hope to god the players pull together for West Ham. We can’t rely on us playing better against better teams if the confidence is shot!

 

[trueblue]

Obvs I'm no coach or tactical specialist, but with our still pretty solid defenders who lack pace, and with Baleba who can move it quick and pretty electric wingers in Minteh and Mitoma, wouldn't we be better, with these players attributes, playing a Forest type solid lower block and counter attack at pace.

High line and ponderous sideways/back possession isn't playing to our players strengths and weaknesses?

I thought that's what we did to an extent after being hammered by Forest - then went on a great run. Since the international break, we seem to have reverted to the original approach.

 

[Miximate]

Back in for McKenna during the summer?

 

[Bold Seagull]

I wonder if Ferdi, Joel, Tariq, and Rutter been fit it would have made a difference. Would he have got different results. I guess we’ll find out next season because, as you say, I don’t think TB will change him.

That said, I am back to wondering where this team might get its next win. Let’s hope to god the players pull together for West Ham. We can’t rely on us playing better against better teams if the confidence is shot!

Mitoma, Van Hecke, Webst big misses at crucial times too.

 

[A1X]

Back in for McKenna during the summer?

Watching this effort against Arsenal I damned well hope not