[Albion] Article - Brighton’s Problems – Coaching or Poor Squad?

[TottonSeagull]

Interesting assessments, but it’s 99% about the players as individuals, so you don’t really address the issue in your title, is it the coaching? Which is what I was hoping to read about.

I think we have some massive coaching shortfalls. First Burnley corner last night, zone defence, 5 defenders lined up on the six yard line, corner taker hangs it right under the bar and Ryan is completely unprotected. Absolute disaster of coaching, planning and rehearsal. If you have a 6 foot 7 keeper, fine, leave him unprotected to come and claim. Absolute basics.

Other end of the pitch, massive coaching issues. We don’t have a single offensive coaching expert on the coaching team. Potter was a left back, and god only knows what benny and Bjorne were, but not strikers for certain. Post match interview after Burnley, GP was pressed on low conversion rate. His answer, maybe we could have taken an extra touch or an extra pass? Jeezus frigging hell, an extra touch? An extra pass? Any striking coach worth their salt would look at our videos and conclude straight away we are taking too many touches, need to get shots off before the slide block. Or making too many passes trying to walk it into the net Arsenal style.

Third point, we are not being coached enough to be savvy and dirty in the trenches. Three examples of fouls against us in the last 2 games, where the player should have gone down at first contact. It’s what all teams do, except us, it’s called savvy. And dirt, grind, aggression, it’s nowhere, it’s all about look and polish.

I think we have massive coaching shortfalls. If GP was as good at the real micro detail of coaching talented players as he is at the ‘leadership and emotional intelligence techno b0ll0cks, then we would all be in a much better place.

Thank you for your player assessments, some interesting obersvations.

I think you have summed it up very well.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Average squad. Can't make a silk purse out of a cow's arse. And should 'of' bought Callum Wilson or Ollie Watkins. Guaranteed goals. And change from £30M. Sounds a lot, and IS a lot, but their equivalent will cost £50M next season. This is the price of staying competitive in the EPL. It's only going to get more prohibitive. Unless of course Covid zaps everything back to Ground Zero, in which case we may well live long and prosper, while all around and above us fail. Big ask tho eh?

 

[beorhthelm]

maybe being picky, why ask a question about players or coaching and not then the coaching? yes, the players individually are upto it, so its clearly the coaching. however we are playing decent football so not all bad. it might be Potter is too nice, so many lessons being learnt etc without actually changing anything, and need a forward coach as mentioned.

 

[Albion in the north]

In reply to everyone’s favourite question “Who would you replace Potter with?” I think we have our answer

Interesting assessments, but it’s 99% about the players as individuals, so you don’t really address the issue in your title, is it the coaching? Which is what I was hoping to read about.

I think we have some massive coaching shortfalls. First Burnley corner last night, zone defence, 5 defenders lined up on the six yard line, corner taker hangs it right under the bar and Ryan is completely unprotected. Absolute disaster of coaching, planning and rehearsal. If you have a 6 foot 7 keeper, fine, leave him unprotected to come and claim. Absolute basics.

Other end of the pitch, massive coaching issues. We don’t have a single offensive coaching expert on the coaching team. Potter was a left back, and god only knows what benny and Bjorne were, but not strikers for certain. Post match interview after Burnley, GP was pressed on low conversion rate. His answer, maybe we could have taken an extra touch or an extra pass? Jeezus frigging hell, an extra touch? An extra pass? Any striking coach worth their salt would look at our videos and conclude straight away we are taking too many touches, need to get shots off before the slide block. Or making too many passes trying to walk it into the net Arsenal style.

Third point, we are not being coached enough to be savvy and dirty in the trenches. Three examples of fouls against us in the last 2 games, where the player should have gone down at first contact. It’s what all teams do, except us, it’s called savvy. And dirt, grind, aggression, it’s nowhere, it’s all about look and polish.

I think we have massive coaching shortfalls. If GP was as good at the real micro detail of coaching talented players as he is at the ‘leadership and emotional intelligence techno b0ll0cks, then we would all be in a much better place.

Thank you for your player assessments, some interesting obersvations.

 

[Stat Brother]

If Lamptey had buried that first minute shot and Welbeck converted the 1 on 1 we’d be talking about a comfortable win, we’re not far off and it will come.

As [MENTION=70]Easy 10[/MENTION] has stated we could 'if' our way through the entire season and now be top.

Even I am getting fed up with 'if'.


Granted my only explanation is:-

'I don't think GPott is lucky'.

So I can hardly complain about other 'in depth analysis', from either camp.

 

[stewart_weir]

I feel we are making wrong decisions and usually too slow at moving the ball quicker. I think the issue is over thinking and a degree of the wrong type of 'fear'. The idea of walking the ball into the net is great but it feels like its an obsession. We have missed Dunk and with him I really think we would have beaten Burnley easily last night.

 

[Swansman]

I feel we are making wrong decisions and usually too slow at moving the ball quicker. I think the issue is over thinking and a degree of the wrong type of 'fear'. The idea of walking the ball into the net is great but it feels like its an obsession. We have missed Dunk and with him I really think we would have beaten Burnley easily last night.

I think in the game yesterday, Trossard was more missed than Dunk. Think he would have destroyed them.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Interesting assessments, but it’s 99% about the players as individuals, so you don’t really address the issue in your title, is it the coaching? Which is what I was hoping to read about.

I think we have some massive coaching shortfalls. First Burnley corner last night, zone defence, 5 defenders lined up on the six yard line, corner taker hangs it right under the bar and Ryan is completely unprotected. Absolute disaster of coaching, planning and rehearsal. If you have a 6 foot 7 keeper, fine, leave him unprotected to come and claim. Absolute basics.

Other end of the pitch, massive coaching issues. We don’t have a single offensive coaching expert on the coaching team. Potter was a left back, and god only knows what benny and Bjorne were, but not strikers for certain. Post match interview after Burnley, GP was pressed on low conversion rate. His answer, maybe we could have taken an extra touch or an extra pass? Jeezus frigging hell, an extra touch? An extra pass? Any striking coach worth their salt would look at our videos and conclude straight away we are taking too many touches, need to get shots off before the slide block. Or making too many passes trying to walk it into the net Arsenal style.

Third point, we are not being coached enough to be savvy and dirty in the trenches. Three examples of fouls against us in the last 2 games, where the player should have gone down at first contact. It’s what all teams do, except us, it’s called savvy. And dirt, grind, aggression, it’s nowhere, it’s all about look and polish.

I think we have massive coaching shortfalls. If GP was as good at the real micro detail of coaching talented players as he is at the ‘leadership and emotional intelligence techno b0ll0cks, then we would all be in a much better place.

Thank you for your player assessments, some interesting obersvations.

I'd hoped that many could read between the lines. I'm saying that with the exception of BDB we have good enough players or at least those who would get in other teams' squads. Or on Lallana "if anything he’s only diminished by Potter’s over elaborate style, as shown by his passing to Maupay against WBA when he should have shot."

So what does that leave?

You are right about set pieces but part of the issue is Ryan's height as you correctly say. You are right about the lack of offensive coaching. We need to bring in a "striker" coach or a specialist Offence coordinator like they have in NFL if you ask me. But everything I feel is in what I haven't said about Potter.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

We are a bottom five side with one win who can’t get three points at home. We may be a work in progress or we may be “too good to go down”. The number of Potter out posts last night suggests you are wrong in many people’s opinions.


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You're framing the problem as our lack of wins, hence your solution would simply be more wins. OK, fine. So if Burn had somehow miraculously caught his shot perfect and we'd won 1-0, this thread wouldn't appear and the Potter Out posts wouldn't appear.

That is the fallacy with your argument. Burn hitting a worldie would be nothing to do with the coaching or the quality of our squad, and yet it would instantly erase your 'problem'. That's why I, and many more, look beyond the topline of the result and recognise what is actually going on at the club.

 

[AlastairWatts]

....Other end of the pitch, massive coaching issues. We don’t have a single offensive coaching expert on the coaching team. Potter was a left back, and god only knows what benny and Bjorne were, but not strikers for certain. Post match interview after Burnley, GP was pressed on low conversion rate. His answer, maybe we could have taken an extra touch or an extra pass? Jeezus frigging hell, an extra touch? An extra pass? Any striking coach worth their salt would look at our videos and conclude straight away we are taking too many touches, need to get shots off before the slide block. Or making too many passes trying to walk it into the net Arsenal style....

They've managed to get themselves into a situation where they need to make sure of their strike, so, as you say, they bumble about until they lose the ball or get it taken off 'em. The need to make a first time shot, even if the ball ends up loose in the opposition's six yard box, seems to have been lost. Is GP the man to sort this? I'm beginning to have doubts...

 

[Guinness Boy]

You're framing the problem as our lack of wins, hence your solution would simply be more wins. OK, fine. So if Burn had somehow miraculously caught his shot perfect and we'd won 1-0, this thread wouldn't appear and the Potter Out posts wouldn't appear.

That is the fallacy with your argument. Burn hitting a worldie would be nothing to do with the coaching or the quality of our squad, and yet it would instantly erase your 'problem'. That's why I, and many more, look beyond the topline of the result and recognise what is actually going on at the club.

And therein lies the problem. Results.

I said this a bit after the Spurs game but Potter came 10th with Swansea when we poached him. The following season with a supposedly "lesser" coach in Ashworth's view Swansea came 6th. That magnificent performance against Man City in the Cup that fired up our interest? Swansea lost.

At some point the nice football and emotional intelligence has to start paying off because, what I have highlighted is that we should have the players for that to happen. But we currently look lovely in midfield, cannot defend set pieces and cannot take our chances. [MENTION=3743]seagullwedgee[/MENTION] has nailed that.

 

[vagabond]

We’re playing well enough to get something out of every game. We can dominate games now home and away.

You can absolutely see the the technical improvements across the team. So the coaching is clearly improving us drastically.

It’s just the lack of cutting edge up front. Whilst everyone was singing and clapping at the time of Welbecks arrival I said that he’s a nice squad player, but he is not the answer. I’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise so far.

So the blame is on recruitment for me. They surely know we need a striker. Let’s see how Zequiri does.

 

[Guinness Boy]

We’re playing well enough to get something out of every game. We can dominate games now home and away.

You can absolutely see the the technical improvements across the team. So the coaching is clearly improving us drastically.

It’s just the lack of cutting edge up front. Whilst everyone was singing and clapping at the time of Welbecks arrival I said that he’s a nice squad player, but he is not the answer. I’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise so far.

So the blame is on recruitment for me. They surely know we need a striker. Let’s see how Zequiri does.

So, when people post about Potter a counter argument is almost always "if not him then who?" and I totally get that. So if not our four dedicated strikers then who? Who do you bring in? Bear in mind you are working within the parameters of less than £30 mill transfer fee (probably less than 25), 50k a week or less wages, guaranteed to slot straight in and start taking the chances, available and willing to play for Brighton.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

And therein lies the problem. Results.

I said this a bit after the Spurs game but Potter came 10th with Swansea when we poached him. The following season with a supposedly "lesser" coach in Ashworth's view Swansea came 6th. That magnificent performance against Man City in the Cup that fired up our interest? Swansea lost.

At some point the nice football and emotional intelligence has to start paying off because, what I have highlighted is that we should have the players for that to happen. But we currently look lovely in midfield, cannot defend set pieces and cannot take our chances. [MENTION=3743]seagullwedgee[/MENTION] has nailed that.

Two years ago at about this time of the season the highly experienced Hughton managed a run of the three 1-0 wins with the experience of Duffy, Bruno, Stephens, Murray and Knockaert in the squad. We didn't deserve those wins or play that well but we got the points. Many of us saw the underlying problems and indeed we struggled at the back end.

Were in the opposite situation now and I can see the underlying positives that mean I'm not worried.

That's the point. If there's a problem, it shows up win or lose. We're not perfect but I don't see a ' problem '

 

[seagullwedgee]

You don’t see a problem? We have 4 wins in 25. We’re on schedule for 28 points. We are impotent in the final third. We are naive and disorganised defending set pieces. We don’t have any game savvy, we don’t have an enforcer driving grit into our performances, and we have a head coach with a briefcase full of textbooks. And you don’t see a problem? Blimey.

 

[doogie004]

Two years ago at about this time of the season the highly experienced Hughton managed a run of the three 1-0 wins with the experience of Duffy, Bruno, Stephens, Murray and Knockaert in the squad. We didn't deserve those wins or play that well but we got the points. Many of us saw the underlying problems and indeed we struggled at the back end.

Were in the opposite situation now and I can see the underlying positives that mean I'm not worried.

That's the point. If there's a problem, it shows up win or lose. We're not perfect but I don't see a ' problem '

If you can’t see a problem as a bottom six team not able to beat two of the teams at home then there lies the problem


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[Seasider78]

I’ve just given three examples which show that the coaching of football is falling short. His coaching of teamwork, tactics, togetherness, leadership, flexibility on the pitch, motivation, collective responsibility, all that stuff is probably terrific. But deep down in the dirt, in the trenches, decision making instinct amidst the cut and thrust on the pitch, our individual players are not being well coached. I can’t see anyone there who is going to help NM analyse his lack of form and talk striker to striker in detail about what to change and why, his positioning, when to come short, when to play on shoulder, when to come near post, when to sit off, when to take a touch and when to pull the trigger, all that stuff, as a striker, and to help pull him out of his current trough. That’s the coaching I’m talking about, real ball at your feet football coaching.

Lamptey has called out the huge help Bruno us giving him in growing his skills, Calvert Lewin has spoken openly about how much he has worked with Duncan Ferguson about positioning and not simply chasing the ball.

We had the same issue with Hughtons setup with a lack of offensive mentality and coaching which is a worry given we are shopping in the market for strikers that are going to need developing.

Our patterns of play in offensive positions are very predictable and teams know to just sit back and watch us pass the ball around in little triangles until we lose it then hit us on the break

 

[vagabond]

So, when people post about Potter a counter argument is almost always "if not him then who?" and I totally get that. So if not our four dedicated strikers then who? Who do you bring in? Bear in mind you are working within the parameters of less than £30 mill transfer fee (probably less than 25), 50k a week or less wages, guaranteed to slot straight in and start taking the chances, available and willing to play for Brighton.

I hear you, and I’m not saying it’s easy, but that is the job the recruitment team has.

How many seasons have we all been here discussing this elusive striker. I think since we’ve been promoted we’ve had issues up front.

I don’t want to blame people, but if asked to consider what the problem is, I certainly don’t think it’s coaching. I mean Welbeck hasn’t done anything at top level for a long time, and he’s straight in our first team up front? That shows the lack of quality we have in that area.

 

[seagullwedgee]

Lamptey has called out the huge help Bruno us giving him in growing his skills, Calvert Lewin has spoken openly about how much he has worked with Duncan Ferguson about positioning and not simply chasing the ball.

We had the same issue with Hughtons setup with a lack of offensive mentality and coaching which is a worry given we are shopping in the market for strikers that are going to need developing.

Our patterns of play in offensive positions are very predictable and teams know to just sit back and watch us pass the ball around in little triangles until we lose it then hit us on the break

A very strong point, very well made. Exactly this.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

You don’t see a problem? We have 4 wins in 25. We’re on schedule for 28 points. We are impotent in the final third. We are naive and disorganised defending set pieces. We don’t have any game savvy, we don’t have an enforcer driving grit into our performances, and we have a head coach with a briefcase full of textbooks. And you don’t see a problem? Blimey.

We're unbeaten in games against teams expected to finish outside the top 8. We're the better side in those games. We've conceded an average of 0.5 goals in those games. And you think we'll finish with 28 points? Blimey.