[Albion] Brajan Gruda **SINGED 14 Aug 2024**

[Sea Cider]

I thought Gruda was excellent when he came on today. Full of running, good distribution and always looking to get forward.

I thought his positive attcking attitude really helped drive us to victory.

Agree. He's got the potential to be an outstanding player in a year or two. Such a positive, confident attitude for someone of his age and (in)experience

 

[tigertim68]

Won't happen now. He's already played a few games in bundesliga , now a few in EPL. Won't be dropping a level

Not good enough to start yet , a loan would do him good

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Thought he did well, injected some much needed energy and kept the ball well

His pressing lead to our winner.

Doesn’t need a loan

 

[The Optimist]

We'll all see in the summer. Either he will or he won't - it'll depend on the decisions the manager and the recruitment team take. Sarmiento has had a bit of PL experience and now plays on loan in the Championship (and you could argue that Buonanotte and Enciso, who have played in the PL for the Albion, have dropped down a bit too).

In general what we do with our squad is going to depend massively on whether we’re in Europe or not.

 

[highflyer]

Bit of a potential McAllister type player for me. Clearly skillful (and you have to assume he's doing good things in trainng) but more of an intelligent player than a flashy player. Makes good decisions, does the 'simple' things well and looks to move the ball forward. So.Fab (who understands football) likes him while I (who doesn't) doesn't really appreciate him as much. I had no strong feelings about McAllister one way or another until it turned out he was world class...Not saying Gruda will, but think he has the potential to be very good.

 

[um bongo molongo]

Bit of a potential McAllister type player for me. Clearly skillful (and you have to assume he's doing good things in trainng) but more of an intelligent player than a flashy player. Makes good decisions, does the 'simple' things well and looks to move the ball forward. So.Fab (who understands football) likes him while I (who doesn't) doesn't really appreciate him as much. I had no strong feelings about McAllister one way or another until it turned out he was world class...Not saying Gruda will, but think he has the potential to be very good.

I think the analogy goes further - both struggled/are struggling with the pace and strength of the PL. Gruda has looked very lightweight. It was noticeable how much more impact he was able to have in a 10v10 situation with more space. Hopefully he strengthens like Ali Mac did

 

[Gabbiano]

I think the analogy goes further - both struggled/are struggling with the pace and strength of the PL. Gruda has looked very lightweight. It was noticeable how much more impact he was able to have in a 10v10 situation with more space. Hopefully he strengthens like Ali Mac did

Mac Allister also came over having started his career mainly as a wide forward but moved inside.

I could see Gruda being more successful inside due to good footwork but not much pace. But the issue then is that there are about 8 other players competing for that 10 role.

 

[Washie]

With his intelligence and ability to see a pass, I could see him occupying the Gross role as he gets older.

 

[Brian Munich]

Why send him on loan? If we did that then we wouldn't be able to use him off the bench like we did so effectively yesterday.

It'd be different if he was a 'keeper or defensive player, where managers tend not to want to chop and change mid match and upset the defensive organisation meaning subs get less of a look in. Gruda wil get plenty of minutes off the bench however, even if he isn't a regular starting 11 player.

 

[tigertim68]

Why send him on loan? If we did that then we wouldn't be able to use him off the bench like we did so effectively yesterday.

It'd be different if he was a 'keeper or defensive player, where managers tend not to want to chop and change mid match and upset the defensive organisation meaning subs get less of a look in. Gruda wil get plenty of minutes off the bench however, even if he isn't a regular starting 11 player.

Because he is not good enough to be in the first team , every time he has started he has been taken off at half time ,
needs to bulk up , get stronger and some match experience, and we have better options on the bench ,

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Do we drop, bench, play Gruda? What's the plan for next season with him?

The way i'd look at this is to ask a few questions.

What's his best position? I think central, in behind the striker, maybe attacking midfield

So who is the squad now is ahead of him? Joao Pedro and Georginio are definitely ahead of him. He'll get a few sub mins here and there at best. On the upside he seems to be ahead of O'Riley

So what about next season, do we loan him? Let's presume some sort of European football. We'll need at least 3 maybe 4 players for the deep attacking player position. We may lose one, like Pedro, but I don't think we will. So I reckon we have to make a judgement about where Gruda is next to his competitors. They are likely to be O'Riley Buononotte, Enciso and who knows, Osman, Moran.

But realistically, I think the question is ....

Who will give us more next season Gruda or Buonanotte. I think we'll conclude the answer is Gruda and we'll sell Buonanotte and a good few of the others.

 

[singing4seagulls]

Do we drop, bench, play Gruda? What's the plan for next season with him?

The way i'd look at this is to ask a few questions.

What's his best position? I think central, in behind the striker, maybe attacking midfield

So who is the squad now is ahead of him? Joao Pedro and Georginio are definitely ahead of him. He'll get a few sub mins here and there at best. On the upside he seems to be ahead of O'Riley

So what about next season, do we loan him? Let's presume some sort of European football. We'll need at least 3 maybe 4 players for the deep attacking player position. We may lose one, like Pedro, but I don't think we will. So I reckon we have to make a judgement about where Gruda is next to his competitors. They are likely to be O'Riley Buononotte, Enciso and who knows, Osman, Moran.

But realistically, I think the question is ....

Who will give us more next season Gruda or Buonanotte. I think we'll conclude the answer is Gruda and we'll sell Buonanotte and a good few of the others.

Not sure I'd write off Buonanotte quite so soon personally.

Think about where Ayari was last season. I'd say lower down the pecking order than Mr Goodnight is now.

These are all kids. A lot can change in a year...

 

[Change at Barnham]

I reckon we'll be seeing a bit more of him over the coming weeks if Mitoma is out with a knee injury.
I realise Gruda isn't a winger and his preferred position is as a number 10, but I think Fab will be using him more. And Weiffer.

 

[singing4seagulls]

I reckon we'll be seeing a bit more of him over the coming weeks if Mitoma is out with a knee injury.
I realise Gruda isn't a winger and his preferred position is as a number 10, but I think Fab will be using him more. And Weiffer.

I agree.

One thing I thought was very interesting, was in a recent BHA promo video: it had Minteh and I think Rutter from memory, talking about different players. The question came up as "who's the most skillful Brighton player" and they both agreed on Gruda, before remembering Mitoma and picking him.

So they are putting Gruda 2nd to the person who may have got the goal of the season with his frankly ludicrous skill.

Young kids nearly always look lightweight when they join the PL. This guy is clearly skillful. Coming on when we're ahead, the opposition is tired will be good for him and he's also not slow.

Very much one to watch.