- Oct 12, 2022
- 2,784
We’re drifting off topic, but yes. What I’m looking for from my captain and the coaching staff is clear “stay calm, keep playing our game” messaging. I may have missed it, but I didn’t feel that was delivered. We panicked.
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[Albion] No Veltman, no party
- Thread starter Guinness Boy
- Start date
We’re drifting off topic, but yes. What I’m looking for from my captain and the coaching staff is clear “stay calm, keep playing our game” messaging. I may have missed it, but I didn’t feel that was delivered. We panicked.
Did we?
I‘d argue that we threw away two points because Igor DIDN‘T panic - rather he was complacent / cocky.
- Oct 12, 2022
- 2,784
Yes. The fact that Igor was on the pitch was a clear signal (visible to all) that the management had panicked. FH didn’t trust the team to see the game out, despite us largely controlling the match throughout. That panic then spreads through the rest of the team who aren’t being provided with reassurance/encouragement that they just need to keep playing. Into that void, doubt creeps.
Igor isn’t to blame, he’s only just come on and made a heavy touch, as can happen when you first come into a game.
Fair enough Mitoma was knackered. Stick one of our endless supply of wingers on. They don’t need to score, just be someone that the ball can be passed to who can carry it up the pitch.
We panicked. Igor was put on in a no win situation, coming in cold and trying to find his touch when we’d abandoned all thought of playing the football that had given us a 2-0 lead.
The mistake here was not providing the reassurance to the team that despite conceding once, we should keep playing. Instead we signalled our lack of faith in our formation, play and the players who’d won us that match, and in doing so we gave Leicester everything they needed.
& yet someone I know still moans about him & says he isn't good enough
oldboyroy
Well-known member
Bit like Lallana did when on the pitch. He was good at geeing up the players in adversity.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
Same happened with Stephens iirc.
Very close to losing a second goal at Bournemouth. It could have been x3
oldboyroy
Well-known member
Saved by the bar weren't we although we were down to 10 and up against it!
aolstudios
Well-known member
Spot on. He's the glue that keeps the defence together & calm, & it transmits forward. Worryingly we're chaotic without him.
Every single time
aolstudios
Well-known member
Spot on.
I think his & Danny's experience at a higher level brings something to the team it's impossible to replicate. I'm sure Milner's acquisition was meant to provide the same.
I do agree with you on the management calls, etc. All fair.
Igor’s unforgivable mistake isn’t the poor touch though - it’s the conscious decision to try to dribble past two opponents on the edge of our own box, in the 93rd minute.
aolstudios
Well-known member
That doesn't explain 3 whole games
aolstudios
Well-known member
Despite being right footed, he says he prefers left back.
I'd still have been very happy to see him play the last 3 games there, mind
aolstudios
Well-known member
Maybe it should.
But Veltman does it better
London Irish
Well-known member
Do we score the first goal today if Tariq is benched for him
100 f***ing per cent
pigmanovich
Good Old Sausage by the Sea
Not to derail the thread but Jack has the footballing brain of a veteran player and I’ve missed him as much as Joel if not more.
- Thread starter
- #59
He does. But Saka turned him inside out. Kadioglu is rapid and skilful but looked like a schoolboy at Chelsea. Sometimes you need a square peg in a square hole.
- Oct 20, 2022
- 7,210
Like I said imo, we have one and a half decent RBs, the rest are ok 3rd, 4th and 5th choices (not saying in what order).
My heart always sinks when I see a starting line up without JV.