I could easily see Stephens remain on the bench. Alzate and Bissouma are technically better footballers, Stephens just got superior tactical awareness. Once anyone gets close to him in that regard, he'll be off the bench, probably permanently as he is definitely one of those who needs to be replaced if the club wants to reach higher.
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[Albion] Alzate, Lamptey, MacAllister
- Thread starter Machiavelli
- Start date
I could easily see Stephens remain on the bench. Alzate and Bissouma are technically better footballers, Stephens just got superior tactical awareness. Once anyone gets close to him in that regard, he'll be off the bench, probably permanently as he is definitely one of those who needs to be replaced if the club wants to reach higher.
Weststander
Well-known member
Mooy was off the boil for months, as was Trossard. Alzate was a class act virtually every time he started for us.
Danny Wilson Said
New member
Completely agree. Alzate has a fantastic first touch, likes to get forward and works hard. Bissouma has earned his place too. The rest of them all have flaws, although Stephens is perhaps the most responsible in taking up defensive positions. If Trossard played for 90 minutes instead of nine he'd be a certain starter but he's got to be an impact sub at the moment.
darkwolf666
Well-known member
Cos 5 of them can’t hit a barn door, or a cow’s arse with a banjo, or couldn’t score in a brothel, etc., etc....
Machiavelli
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #25
Spot on. Alzate just oozes class. Technically gifted, he's got great vision, and is so bold. If we can get through this season in the PL, we've really got such an exciting squad, coming to maturity and with plenty of young talent coming through. There aren't too many gaps in the squad now, just up front, and the next couple of windows might be the best time to unearth a gem or two on that front.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #26
To add: Alzate really reminds me of Xavi and Iniesta stylistically (not in terms of quality, yet at least), and I'm hoping that MacAllister might be of that mould too.
Seasidesage
New member
For me we have a range of excellent CM players. You have only to look at our possession stats and expected goals etc. What we also have though is a lot of very similar players with modern defensive players, Stephens, Propper etc and neat and tidy attacking players like Gross and Mooy etc. What we lack is a goal threat from midfield, none of our options gets beyond the strikers enough or contributes enough goals. Second top scorer Troussard with Three. Troussard also heads the assist list with three. Maupay is the only threat up front, if those two don't score, we don't score.
If we stay up I think we may look to juggle the pack in midfield to change the blend rather than dilute the quality. I think we have a better squad than our current league position suggests but we need to plug some of the gaps to progress. Goals always the toughest thing, being the main one,..
If we stay up I think we may look to juggle the pack in midfield to change the blend rather than dilute the quality. I think we have a better squad than our current league position suggests but we need to plug some of the gaps to progress. Goals always the toughest thing, being the main one,..
I’m not confident Stephens will have rested during the long break.
blue-shifted
Banned
I believe Stephens is one of the finest defensive midfielders in our history, though I agree I can see him slip down the pecking order in favour of players who can get get attacks moving a bit quicker.
I quite like Bissouma in the furthest midfielder back position. Not as natural as covering midfielder, but his long legs and speed across the ground can get him out of trouble. He has a few more strings to his bow
blue-shifted
Banned
Re Lamptey. Another interesting selection dilemma at Right back (or RWB)
Montoya. Played plenty of games for Barca. The favourite to start there but he clearly hasn't convinced GP that he doesn't need to explore further options.
Schelotto. He was starting to get more game time, will Graham embrace the randomness?
Alzate. GP clearly wants to find a way to get him in the team somewhere
Lamptey. Youth, promise, speed. Will he gamble on throwing him in and giving him a few games?
Montoya. Played plenty of games for Barca. The favourite to start there but he clearly hasn't convinced GP that he doesn't need to explore further options.
Schelotto. He was starting to get more game time, will Graham embrace the randomness?
Alzate. GP clearly wants to find a way to get him in the team somewhere
Lamptey. Youth, promise, speed. Will he gamble on throwing him in and giving him a few games?
5 subs allowed, give all of them a go ? #potterball [emoji23][emoji23]
Weststander
Well-known member
100% agree with all your observations.
Two right backs at once? We can't make substitutes 5 times - we can only bring on subs three times in a match.
Not Andy Naylor
Well-known member
Montoya is probably very good in a team that is on the front foot and dominating games, but isn't suited to the less glamorous, defensive side of the right back job. A Premier League relegation battle may not be his ideal habitat.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
I will not try and second guess Potter but I think our midfield players are better than we have seen so far and we have plenty of scope for changing players around in a Potter system.
Although there’s plenty of Spence style negativity from Stat this thread has made me quite excited about the restart even if it is without fans in the stadium. Exciting times that could turn out magnificently or head bangingly frustratingly.
However, if the midfield don’t start chipping in with more goals and assists we will be going down.
Bring it on!,
Although there’s plenty of Spence style negativity from Stat this thread has made me quite excited about the restart even if it is without fans in the stadium. Exciting times that could turn out magnificently or head bangingly frustratingly.
However, if the midfield don’t start chipping in with more goals and assists we will be going down.
Bring it on!,
You know what a laughing emoji means, right ?
ATFC Seagull
Aberystwyth Town FC
I would possibly add Connolly to that list.
I think we massively over-used him after the Spurs game, and it told. Hopefuly he'll be re-introduced back on top form.
I think we massively over-used him after the Spurs game, and it told. Hopefuly he'll be re-introduced back on top form.
I'm good to go, but let's be realistic.
The team this season had moments of unfathomable brilliance made all the more puzzling by months of turgidity.
The players have been either unplayable or Sunday League at best (looking at you now Mooy)
Over the years we've false dawned over a bazillion young talents saving the team/club - What have we got 2 (two) passing the test.
The club is staring down the barrel of relegation.
They are now in a run of fixtures which is likely to push them into relegation.
For all we know they season might get called off before the saviour fixtures come around.
I want to be optimist, I really really do, fingers crossed after the 20th I will be, but at this moment in time:-
'It's the hope that kills yer'.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #40
I'd be delighted if you're right on this. I didn't include him in this list because he's been disappointing in the most recent games he's played. That's not surprising given his age, the level of the PL, and the fact that he hasn't worked his way up the leagues as Ben White has for instance.
If we could get c180 minutes out of him over the next nine games, and he chips in with two or three goals, that'd set us up well for survival.