severnside gull
Well-known member
When ambition becomes expectation and results in demands that we “sack the coach” for failing to meet (ambitious) targets - ones that we have only achieved once in our entire history - it smacks of entitlement.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Albion] List of players that have gone backwards under the current coach
- Thread starter Guinness Boy
- Start date
Pretty sure it has been stated several times. European qualfication is definitely the ambition. Some people moan about the fans' expectations now but I think the club expanded its own horizons when De Zerbi arrived with a fresh perspective. While it was understandable to be satisfied with mid-table given the club's history, he felt people were too happy to settle for that and the club could achieve much more. Obviously, his plans didn't really fit the model but that belief had a lasting impact. Makes it tougher for Hurzeler but he seems a demanding character himself so I doubt he'll be too perturbed - ambition is what drives everyone to give their all. It only seems to be some fans making excuses about it being a 'transitional' year.
Can't point you to one specific interview right now - can't be bothered to look quite honestly - but that's the impression I've formed from reading a lot of things the players and senior management have said over the past year or so. That doesn't mean I think FH will be binned if we miss out, Bloom's too shrewd to make that kind of knee-jerk decision. He'll take everything into consideration.
FH is staying, I’d be shocked if he was sacked or walks. The acid test will be if the club provide key defensive first team ready additions in the summer to align with FH’s high defensive line tactics. Then whether that solves our far too regular vulnerability to the counter attack and down the flanks throughout any passage of play.
Last edited:
- Oct 17, 2008
- 17,021
We’re a hell of a better pace or no when Veltman plays right back. He does so much on the cover, largely unsung, easily our best defender. He reads the game supremely well
His experience and nous more than makes up for his lack of pace. He was born to defend.
Milano
Well-known member
Adingra is in the wrong league, he is too lightweight for the EPL. He was crap again yesterday. Mitoma is on a completely different level.
If Lamptey is fit next weekend then I’d start him ahead of Pervis.
If Lamptey is fit next weekend then I’d start him ahead of Pervis.
But that is isolating it away from the issue for me. We have been out-coached on a number of occasions/not reacted to what everyone can see… high line no pace for example.
I certainly didn’t want Potter to leave or RdZ to be released, doesn’t feel like entitlement to me.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
IMO, our style of play is poor, unstructured and at times complete chaos. .... if we had resemblance of any defensive structure out of possession it would be a lot easier ..... We haven’t.
You don't sit 9th in the premier league with the youngest squad in the league and a crippling injury crisis if your play is poor, unstructured, complete chaos, no defensive structure, not reacting........
You just don't. So either we're not 9th or our play is not how you see it....
He’s been awful lately. It’s not just one thing, it seems to be everything related to his game has gone to pot. We all know he’s capable of much more. He needs to get to the end of the season and have a reset.
severnside gull
Well-known member
It’s not really a recent development. His form hasn’t been the same since the game at Villa Park LAST season.
Fair comment.
- Jun 27, 2012
- 15,366
A target of reaching Europe - which you’d argue Hurzeler is still on track to achieve seems a reasonable target given squad building - so can well believe it.
And Would TB or anyone on NSC not be disappointed or frustrated if we don’t. ? Of course not - given form and league table earlier in the season.
But presumably realistic enough to argue if he misses out, then it’s still a qualified success and a solid first year given points total and a likely top 10 finish. (And I don’t buy idea that players haven’t developed- Ayari, Baleba, Rutter, Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Mitoma, Welbeck have had good seasons and improved. . I’m sure the data backs that up. Baleba has had a brilliant season.
If Hurzeler had lost 15+ games like West Ham, Spurs, United etc let alone flirted with relegation then that would be probably be the end of the road. That might have happened - the appointment was a bold one .
Evaluating the coach so far is difficult - but im sure for TB it’s a lot more complex than Europe or bust.
And Would TB or anyone on NSC not be disappointed or frustrated if we don’t. ? Of course not - given form and league table earlier in the season.
But presumably realistic enough to argue if he misses out, then it’s still a qualified success and a solid first year given points total and a likely top 10 finish. (And I don’t buy idea that players haven’t developed- Ayari, Baleba, Rutter, Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Mitoma, Welbeck have had good seasons and improved. . I’m sure the data backs that up. Baleba has had a brilliant season.
If Hurzeler had lost 15+ games like West Ham, Spurs, United etc let alone flirted with relegation then that would be probably be the end of the road. That might have happened - the appointment was a bold one .
Evaluating the coach so far is difficult - but im sure for TB it’s a lot more complex than Europe or bust.
West Ham at home August 23. They could simply never, ever beat us, until that day when they took Estupinan apart.
7dialssouthpaw
Well-known member
- Sep 10, 2022
- 366
Veltman, for me, is one of those pro-active defenders (as opposed to reactive) - tight to his man and looking to nick the ball
1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,535
As One Teddy Maybank says, that has happened on occasions. We've been punished when it has, too.
However, I also agree with you, that you don't sit in 9th if that has been a consistent or recurring theme ( tbf, I don't think OTB said that). That's Ange ball and Spurs, and their position in the table reflects that.
Interesting thread, considering three of the players on @Guinness Boy's fishing trip started their decline last season under RDZ. Adingra was awful post-AFCON, Dunk was awful post-Roma, Estupinan hasn't been the same since Villa last season.
I was listening to West Ham fans draining their team's energy with their incessant negative chanting on Saturday and it made me think of the same profile of fan that crops up on here whenever we lose (or nearly lose and **** the bed before the final whistle). Is there anything to be gained from constantly chipping away at our manager and players?
I know it's much more important to be load and negative for some people because it's the only attention they get, but come on. Support the team. We played pretty well even before the final two goals on Saturday, and are still well in with a shout for Europe. Cheer up.
I was listening to West Ham fans draining their team's energy with their incessant negative chanting on Saturday and it made me think of the same profile of fan that crops up on here whenever we lose (or nearly lose and **** the bed before the final whistle). Is there anything to be gained from constantly chipping away at our manager and players?
I know it's much more important to be load and negative for some people because it's the only attention they get, but come on. Support the team. We played pretty well even before the final two goals on Saturday, and are still well in with a shout for Europe. Cheer up.
1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,535
Fair enough if that's the impression you've got. It's just not my impression as I don't ever recall it being clearly stated, for this season.
For the future?, definitely! Like I've said before, we belong in this division now and need fear no one. No reason at all why we shouldn't be challenging for Europe regularly once things bed in.
I fail to see how this isn't a transitional season, though, given the amount of sudden change. Add in the injuries to that as well ( although FH has never used that as an excuse) and I just think Europe this season will have been a massive achievement and beyond any reasonable expectation.
1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,535
I've no idea. I don't follow horse racing or read any of the threads on here connected with it.
This post has been sent from the year 2035 AD
1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,535
Even that isn't clear. I believe 'we can be regularly in Europe' too. I'm just wondering where 'this season' has been stated?
Just because that message was handed out at the beginning of this season to staff, doesn't mean that wasn't actually a 'long term vision plan', or whatever businesses call these sort of things these days
In fact, the word regularly clearly means he's not just talking about this season.