An inspirational player

[Icy Gull]

Do the Albion have one?

The really good teams of the past have had one, for example Nobby Horton and Danny Cullip, for all his shortcomings, drove the team on when things weren't going well.

I can't see that we have one at the moment. Yes we need a decent target man and Gus needs to work out a plan B but is there anyone in the current squad that drives the players on when things aren't happening?

I can't think of anyone in the current squad, good as some of them are that is capable of doing this? Am I wrong?

We need inspiration on the field more than a target man or or plan B IMO.

Who would fit the bill though that could be a realistic target?

 

[MORTY]

Harley

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Begins with a V

 

[Icy Gull]

Begins with a V

I've kind of discounted him given the fact that we don't know if he'll ever play for us again and his allegedly fragile mental state. But yes a fully fit and motivated Vicente would fit the bill as an inspiration in the way he plays rather than the way he motivates other players. I think we'd all be happy with that but I'm doubtful that he'll be playing much this season and I doubt he'll even be here next season. We need a player who'll be on the pitch most games and for a few years IMO.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

You are right, we don't have one . Gus needs a strong, dynamic leader on the pitch to do the work that clearly isn't happening off the pitch. Horton would not have allowed games to drift as present. Nor Case, nor Clark. These were strong players, who would run through brick walls for you and could lift players around them.
Don't see too much evidence of this at the moment.

 

[Icy Gull]

Doubt we'd have such an appalling record of not winning a game after we go behind either.

Is it really as long ago as the Donny game, the 1st at the Amex that we managed to turn a losing game into a winning one

 

[seagully]

I thought Crofts could have been this player when he came back but alas, it seems not.

 

[Icy Gull]

Billy Sharpe? A twat but maybe kill two birds with one stone, a striker and someone who HATES losing.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

Vicente is not the answer. A talented, lightweight who cannot be relied upon. You need a ' muck and bullets ' type. There for you all the time. Strong and dependable. Not necessarily the most talented but possessed of a driving ambition to achieve success wherever possible. Preferably a midfielder, employed in the engine room, winning all the early battles. Someone who doesn't flinch at going a goal down, just a minor setback on the way to winning the game.
You just feel at the moment that a lot of our squad is ' too airy fairy '...lightweight ball players who can be bullied and don't carry enough clout. It was once said that the ideal balance was having seven artisans and three artists in a team and I don't think that is too far off the mark.
Put Brian Horton in this side now ( I wish! ) and you would have a challenging team.

 

[jackcgull]

Calde - love his attitude but can't get into the team while Bruno's around. Although harder to drive the team from right back. It needs to be Bridders - but his personality seems fairly reserved. Greer just yells at people in frustration. Now if AEA was captain....

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Vicente is not the answer. A talented, lightweight who cannot be relied upon. You need a ' muck and bullets ' type. There for you all the time. Strong and dependable. Not necessarily the most talented but possessed of a driving ambition to achieve success wherever possible. Preferably a midfielder, employed in the engine room, winning all the early battles. Someone who doesn't flinch at going a goal down, just a minor setback on the way to winning the game.
You just feel at the moment that a lot of our squad is ' too airy fairy '...lightweight ball players who can be bullied and don't carry enough clout. It was once said that the ideal balance was having seven artisans and three artists in a team and I don't think that is too far off the mark.
Put Brian Horton in this side now ( I wish! ) and you would have a challenging team.

Vicente is definately the answer for me.

 

[ali jenkins]

El-Abd

 

[albion534]

El-Abd

This

The mans a machine

 

[perseus]

Do the Albion have one?

The really good teams of the past have had one, for example Nobby Horton and Danny Cullip, for all his shortcomings, drove the team on when things weren't going well.

I can't see that we have one at the moment.

Yep I have been thinking the same, but I would not count Cullip.

I was thinking of the likes of Brian Horton, Danny Wilson and Alan Curbishley.

Compared to 78-79 we also have not got a world class defender (Lawrenson) or a a magic striker (Peter Ward) so I think we will fall short this year.

At the moment, I would tip Cardiff as runaway leaders with Middlesbrough and Leicester to fight it out for second place and strong contenders for the play-off position to include the Albion as well as Palace, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves and one other (Forest, Leeds, Blackpool, Hull).

Which is what Gus was saying at the beginning of the season: top nine.

 

[Lush]

Sometimes I wonder if the management team and the undoubted strong personalities of Gus and Charlie (not so much Tanno) have turned the players into a flock of sheep.

 

[Icy Gull]

Yep I have been thinking the same, but I would not count Cullip.

I was thinking of the likes of Brian Horton, Danny Wilson and Alan Curbishley.

Compared to 78-79 we also have not got a world class defender (Lawrenson) or a a magic striker (Peter Ward) so I think we will fall short this year.

At the moment, I would tip Cardiff as runaway leaders with Middlesbrough and Leicester to fight it out for second place and strong contenders for the play-off position to include the Albion as well as Palace, Bolton, Blackburn, Wolves and one other (Forest, Leeds, Blackpool, Hull).

Which is what Gus was saying at the beginning of the season: top nine.

Have to agree to differ, Cullip was a very big part of the spirit we had along with Oatway, Hart, Carpenter. We had some very big hearts in that team, something I feel we are missing now although the actual quality is undoubtably better.

 

[Icy Gull]

Sometimes I wonder if the management team and the undoubted strong personalities of Gus and Charlie (not so much Tanno) have turned the players into a flock of sheep.

Agreed, we don't seem to have strong, outspoken personalities in the team, Gus doesn't seem to be a fan of them. No doubting the quality of the players though.

El Abd is great at defending and winding up the opposition but he doesn't drive us on.

 

[The Terminator]

Crofts will be once he gets to full fitness and picks up his game. I also see El-abd as this type, Brighton boy and as said above he is a machine!

 

[Chesney Christ]

Inspirational?

Vicente
Dobbie
Lopez
Orlandi
Bruno

On potential rather than performances (Bruno aside)....

 

[perseus]

Crofts will be once he gets to full fitness and picks up his game. I also see El-abd as this type, Brighton boy and as said above he is a machine!

I though Crofts was the best signing in the summer. But I saw him as an addition to Vicente, so we had a choice of playing out of defence. We have Wayne Bridge though who is something special but not really the spine of the side.