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[Albion] Japan pre season







Goldstone Guy

Goldstone Guy

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
335
Hove
Dave the hatosaurus said:
I am very far from an expert but to me the system seemed to be a fluid 4-4-2 with 2 central defenders 2 wingbacks 2 wingers 2 midfielders and 2 up top.

In the first half CD Van Hecke & Baleba WB Lamptey & Samuels W Minteh & Mitoma M Milner & Moran UT Osman & Welbeck

In second half CD Weir & Veltman WB Offiah & Barco W Cozier-Duberry & Adingra M Buanonotte & Ayari UT Sarmiento & Sima

The fluidity came from the wingbacks pushing up to the halfway line when our keeper/ central defenders had the ball and then either of the 2 CD (or a midfielder dropping back) passing quickly to whoever was in space. The WB and W had good interplay with the WB quite often being ahead of the W and taking the ball into the opposition penalty area.
The passing and movement were exciting to watch especially at the start of the second half when we had all new outfield players against what was i am guessing some of their reserves (I believe they brought on about 6 new players)
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That's how I saw it. Admittedly it's a friendly and there's going to be a few experiments but it was noticeable that Hurzeler seems prepared to try players in new positions. Baleba was definitely playing CB as was Weir (think he's normally a midfielder?), and Moran, Buonanotte and Ayari looked to be playing CM. I think there were a few occasions when Moran, who looked good to me, was upfield beyond the striker, but he was often quite deep collecting short passes from the CBs. I might be wrong but perhaps he could become the replacement for Gilmour if he leaves? Personally I hope he doesn't persist with Baleba at CB - seems a waste of his talent/best skills but like you I'm far from an expert and if that's what the management think then I suppose they know best.

Just to add to what others have said - we've got loads of 18-22 year olds coming through. If just 10-20% are good enough for the premier league then Tony's long-term plan is going to start reaping even more benefits. And Barco is going to be a superb player for us (although I can't see him staying that long).
 


Johnny RoastBeef

Johnny RoastBeef

These aren't the players you're looking for.
Jan 11, 2016
3,441
Eric the meek said:
Have we got any tacticians out there? What did we do differently?

I can see pace, speed of build up, longish balls through the middle, willingness to take a chance etc. Did anyone see what else we did?
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This is a decent analysis.

 




Not Andy Naylor

Not Andy Naylor

Well-known member
Dec 12, 2007
8,935
Seven Dials
Goldstone Guy said:
That's how I saw it. Admittedly it's a friendly and there's going to be a few experiments but it was noticeable that Hurzeler seems prepared to try players in new positions. Baleba was definitely playing CB as was Weir (think he's normally a midfielder?), and Moran, Buonanotte and Ayari looked to be playing CM. I think there were a few occasions when Moran, who looked good to me, was upfield beyond the striker, but he was often quite deep collecting short passes from the CBs. I might be wrong but perhaps he could become the replacement for Gilmour if he leaves? Personally I hope he doesn't persist with Baleba at CB - seems a waste of his talent/best skills but like you I'm far from an expert and if that's what the management think then I suppose they know best.

Just to add to what others have said - we've got loads of 18-22 year olds coming through. If just 10-20% are good enough for the premier league then Tony's long-term plan is going to start reaping even more benefits. And Barco is going to be a superb player for us (although I can't see him staying that long).
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I'd love to see Moran stay in the first-team picture this season. The Irish Phil Foden (yes, somebody definitely did call him that) has nothing left to prove in the under-21s and unless there's a very good loan lined up (ie better than Blackburn - maybe at Union or somewhere abroad) I think he has a better chance of developing here under Hurzeler. It also looks good for the pathway.

I agree that it seems strange to splash out biggish money on Baleba as a potential new Caicedo and then play him in the back four, but the new head coach can only deal with players as he finds them, and employ them according to the needs of the team. I think there could be a few players whose potential roles in the new system are a little mysterious at the moment: for example Enciso, Sarmiento - who says he wants to challenge here rather than move - and the eternal enigma that is Facundo Buonanotte.
 




Withdean11

Withdean11

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2007
2,886
Brighton/Hyde
Goldstone Guy said:
it was noticeable that Hurzeler seems prepared to try players in new positions. Baleba was definitely playing CB as was Weir
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Yep, but I'm not sure FH had much choice.

Dunk,Webster/Igor all not available leaving just JPVH & Veltman as natural centre backs. Obviously the plan was to give them 45mins each. Playing Baleba there was interesting though, i'd imagine the DM/CB role in a back 3 will suit him and Weiffer.
 


S

severnside gull

Well-known member
May 16, 2007
24,739
By the seaside in West Somerset
abc said:
I am sure many of us have memories of us playing a pre season friendly against non league opposition and losing hideously. We won. I’ll take that!
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Graeme Smith letting the ball roll under his hands and between his legs at Torquay 🤣…….and I was still glad to have been there.
 








S

severnside gull

Well-known member
May 16, 2007
24,739
By the seaside in West Somerset
Not Andy Naylor said:
I'd love to see Moran stay in the first-team picture this season. The Irish Phil Foden (yes, somebody definitely did call him that) has nothing left to prove in the under-21s and unless there's a very good loan lined up (ie better than Blackburn - maybe at Union or somewhere abroad) I think he has a better chance of developing here under Hurzeler. It also looks good for the pathway.

I agree that it seems strange to splash out biggish money on Baleba as a potential new Caicedo and then play him in the back four, but the new head coach can only deal with players as he finds them, and employ them according to the needs of the team. I think there could be a few players whose potential roles in the new system are a little mysterious at the moment: for example Enciso, Sarmiento - who says he wants to challenhere rather than move - and the eternal enigma that is Facundo Buonanotte.
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I could see Buananotte stepping in to the Billy Gilmour role if he goes to Napoli. The lad has the knack of finding space and time and an eye for a pass
 














Washie

Washie

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2011
5,929
Eastbourne
Withdean11 said:
Yep, but I'm not sure FH had much choice.

Dunk,Webster/Igor all not available leaving just JPVH & Veltman as natural centre backs. Obviously the plan was to give them 45mins each. Playing Baleba there was interesting though, i'd imagine the DM/CB role in a back 3 will suit him and Weiffer.
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Its always the way he seems to play though. Everyone talking about needing cm, but he barely plays with one. one plays more as a cdm, often stepping into defence to mae a three when wing backs go forward, with a cm stepping forward as a CAM. SO beleba as cdm/CB could actually be something we see more of this season.
 










Garry Nelson's Left Foot

Garry Nelson's Left Foot

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2003
13,409
tokyo
Seagull on the Hill said:
I don't know all the details as that clip was forwarded to me by a friend.
However, I was told that it was a pop up shop selling Albion merchandise.
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That's awesome. I'll have a look tomorrow.

It's really frustrated me how up to now there has been no trace of the Albion in Japan despite having Mitoma for two years. It feels like such a wasted opportunity so it's good to see something is happening.
 


Goldstone Guy

Goldstone Guy

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
335
Hove
Withdean11 said:
Yep, but I'm not sure FH had much choice.

Dunk,Webster/Igor all not available leaving just JPVH & Veltman as natural centre backs. Obviously the plan was to give them 45mins each. Playing Baleba there was interesting though, i'd imagine the DM/CB role in a back 3 will suit him and Weiffer.
Click to expand...
Yes maybe I'm reading too much into it, or perhaps what Washie said is right. Were Webster and Igor injured?
 


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