First match in a while that I've not really known what to expect due to recent run of form.
I thought we started brilliantly, especially in terms of getting to byline for cut backs instead of crossing from half way line and we got a lot more bodies in the box during attacks.
For the most part though I felt Harrison really is ineffective, I thought he'd done too much before Alioski scored, but other than that contribution it just feels he needs to be delivering more.
Thought Costa getting more game time is seeing him become more effective and thought Bamford was superb. Ran their defence ragged, drew loads of fouls and the crowd chanting his name must surely help his confidence although you know what, I think he's pretty resilient and the goals will come.
Was worried when Cooper went off but Berardi was superb tonight. nothing rash, great positioning and interceptions, good passing out. Its a shame he's not 6 inches taller as we really need height back there, but if he keeps playing like that well be fine back there.
Klich was ok in link up play, but we're missing those goals he was scoring last season.
Philips essential again tonight and also credit to Alioski who did great defensive job and always pops up with some important goals.
Also thought the ref we good, properly penalising most fouls and infringements, but not sure what our coaches got teh yellow cards for, but if he felt they were overstepping teh mark then fair play to him, will be interesting to hear if Bielsa comments.
Kiko. A couple of good saves, but also heart stopping moments and flapping, think we got lucky that WBA didnt put our goal under more shot on target pressure.
Overall a great match to watch, and a crucial one to win, had we conceded late those players would have been crushed, but we showed great character to weather that storm, something that's been a little missing this season.
Hope that Cooper recovers quickly and that Shack not injured as he looked really effective too.
We just need to hire a better translator.....
Thoughts from tonight
posted on 2/10/19
I am coming around to the view that Bamford is a key player for us, but what would this team achieve with a Dwight Gayle on board? A genuine striker would rip this league a new one.
posted on 2/10/19
Maybe Bamford should play in the AM role with Nketiah up front? Good work ethic from him tonight, but he needs someone to tee up for the goals.
I think it would take pressure off him directly and might even make him a more effective goal threat if he’s not the focus of the opposition defence.
posted on 2/10/19
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
comment by milkyboy (U12731)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Viduka...It wasnt easy..I just made it look easy (U21496)
posted 26 minutes ago
I actually liked that we had to grind out a win
We weren't as manic trying to win the ball back all the time.
Funnily enough we seemed to create better chances tonight without dominating possession. Maybe this is the right way to play to get results in this division
Was it a more measured approach from Bielsa or was it that West Brom are a good team?
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I think: they came to play, gave us more room to work in. Don’t think it was deliberate by bielsa. Honestly, I think he’ll be livid at the second half performance. We got hassled off the ball, couldn’t retain possession and resorted to humping it clear and inviting further pressure. Weren’t able to press like we usually do. Very un-bielsaball.
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I did wonder on this. The post match interview suggested they wanted to "concentrate more energy on defending" in the second half
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In between the repeated apologies to Roberts what I took was that Roberts was brought on to give more potency to the attack and then replaced for ayling because ‘the game had changed’. Ie WBA forced the change.
posted on 2/10/19
Touching on some points raised by others on this thread, how many times do we come up against an inspired defence? It must be as many times as other sides come up against high possession pressing.
It really seems as if team's tactics are to defend any way they can so that they withstand first half and then they know they'll get great chances second half and last night our players looked out on their feet as West Brom took control.
When looking at subs I was praying we wouldn't bring Douglas on as that would just be us trying to contain rather than play our game. The worry when lying came on was whether he was fully fit and wouldn't break down.
So, underlying this win is the fact that we do have a small squad and injuries make a huge impact, its why we seem to bring people back early.
The summer's transfer business is done now, but I really hope that we are already planning who we're going to bring in to support our promotion push. 2 fit and quality players could make a difference, but that will need Bielsa to soften to a degree as to how long a player has to train before they can expect to play.
posted on 2/10/19
We might need a keeper in January and I still believe another centre back is in order. I'm not convinced we need another striker, we're creating chances, goals will come.
posted on 2/10/19
What the hell is going in with Roberts hair? Looks like princess leia
posted on 2/10/19
comment by Stevie "Oso Loco" Dee (U10061)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We might need a keeper in January and I still believe another centre back is in order. I'm not convinced we need another striker, we're creating chances, goals will come.
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We said that last season.... we are still saying this 10 games into this season.
posted on 2/10/19
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
Touching on some points raised by others on this thread, how many times do we come up against an inspired defence? It must be as many times as other sides come up against high possession pressing.
It really seems as if team's tactics are to defend any way they can so that they withstand first half and then they know they'll get great chances second half and last night our players looked out on their feet as West Brom took control.
When looking at subs I was praying we wouldn't bring Douglas on as that would just be us trying to contain rather than play our game. The worry when lying came on was whether he was fully fit and wouldn't break down.
So, underlying this win is the fact that we do have a small squad and injuries make a huge impact, its why we seem to bring people back early.
The summer's transfer business is done now, but I really hope that we are already planning who we're going to bring in to support our promotion push. 2 fit and quality players could make a difference, but that will need Bielsa to soften to a degree as to how long a player has to train before they can expect to play.
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Bielsa stated pre season that he expected to have 2 more players from academy ready to be starters by January. Shackleton is one and has made the grade in bielsa mind now. Who is the other?
posted on 2/10/19
comment by Wetherby White - (Formally Harrogate) (U6810)
posted 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
What the hell is going in with Roberts hair? Looks like princess leia
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What’s not to like about that? She was one beautiful woman!
posted on 2/10/19
Agree with most comments to be fair..
don't think it was our finest performance ever, however its 3 points.. we've played pretty much everybody off the park and dropped silly points on occasions, so its nice to have it this way round if I'm honest