Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,023
My mate subscribes to that Chelsea Doris' Only Fans channel and he reckons comparing WBG with Ali Mac - with long, drawn out and boring arguments - is SHITEHOUSE.
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[Albion] Carlos Baleba SINGS a 5-year deal
- Thread starter Stumpy Tim
- Start date
um bongo molongo
Well-known member
We are very lucky to have a manager who works so creatively with what he has. I think he was ready to lose Mac in the summer but was hoping (as were Tony, PBOBE and us) to still have Caicedo. We’ve had managers in the past who’d have just thrown their toys out of but he’s found ways of developing the players and perming what he has to find solutions. I suspect based on his comments about ‘aligned targets’ he’d also like one or two more options though…
Mancgull
Well-known member
Spot on. He played as a DCM at times but more latterly he played in the number 10 role which is what he seemed to prefer. I thought that when he played the double pivot with Caicedo we probably had the best midfield partnership we’ve ever had.
London Irish
Well-known member
I wouldn’t get Cilla’s ghost involved just yet as he’s also DM sliding with a girl in my son’s class. He definitely wants a Brighton girlfriend is his opening gambit. Good luck to the lucky girl or girls
Jimmy Grimble
Well-known member
Surely we can expect to see him start on Saturday? Very limited involvement in our last 7 matches (approximately 90 minutes, including only 1 start).
Put him in defensive midfield and give one of Gross/Gilmour a rest.
Put him in defensive midfield and give one of Gross/Gilmour a rest.
Maybe but we have enough evidence now to know RDZ won't play a weakened team.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
We have got an important league game three days later. I think there will be a little more rotation than usual going on.
Hotchilidog
Well-known member
- Jan 24, 2009
- 9,120
I agree, the team will be as strong as he can put out. After the semi-final disappointment last season I think both RDZ and the players will see the FA Cup as a real opportunity not only to make history with the club's first ever major trophy but also another chance to qualify for Europe.
I am expecting a strong team that will make this tie very seriously indeed.
Yeah me too, I just don't see it as an 'x hasn't played its only the cup' situation.
- Jun 20, 2021
- 3,866
Yes agree, the rotation will start again, with the proviso that obviously some players are missing through injury or international duty.
I expect a relatively strong side but can see Beleba play in Midfield with Gross. Perhaps Moder will play instead of Milner or Hinshelwood and Fergie start upfront as he did against Stoke.
Also, do we know if Pervis is fit? He was substuted before the end on Monday and seemed to be limping a bit (thigh?)
Stumpy Tim
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #1,433
He's 19... very few 19 years olds are ready immediately. He'll be quality in a year or two, I'm sure of that
Gabbiano
Well-known member
Yes, we've already seen some flashes of brilliance from him. He also has the physical attributes to succeed in DM, good in the tackle, fast, strong and can pass.
He needs to improve his reading of the game in the context of RDZ's demanding tactics, stop getting caught out of position so often, and learn when not to lunge in and foul people. This can all be learned. He'll be a monster in a few years.
He's more Bissouma than Caicedo for sure.
um bongo molongo
Well-known member
Agree - has all the physical attributes. Hard to learn that position in an RDZ system i suspect, it’s very pivotal (literally)
Jimmy Grimble
Well-known member
Neither do I, but 3 games in 7 days means it is a ‘rotate wisely so no one’s burnt out by the third match’ situation.
Yep, it’s all technical/tactical stuff with him as he is the only centre midfielder we have with the physical attributes required for a defensive midfield role.
I think he’s likely to feature on Saturday as RDZ will have had a week with him on the training ground to try and convey his tactical message for the match. The Luton and Palace games have less preparation time so RDZ will want players who immediately know the system requirements - Gross and Gilmour.
That has reminded me how frustrated RDZ used to get with Gilmour for not doing what he expected him to do. Billy’s obviously improved his tactical awareness, we really could do with Baleba doing the same!
Machiavelli
Well-known member
He's 20 now, as of 4 Jan. I was put right by Junior on this the other day
Won't be Gross, he NEVER gets a rest poor bloke!
- Jul 6, 2011
- 2,409
In that case he is too old for us now and needs to be binned.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
I’m not sure how the star lizard super computer came up with the stats for Baleba and also the fee as he hardly played in France.
Did they want to leave him playing in France for another season and Caceido leaving forced their hand because he doesn’t look like he’s had first team experience.
RDZ went off his head when we were 4-2 up against Spurs and he didn’t take out the runner for a tactical yellow. Luckily someone missed it could of easily gone 4-3 and a nerve racking end to the game.
Did they want to leave him playing in France for another season and Caceido leaving forced their hand because he doesn’t look like he’s had first team experience.
RDZ went off his head when we were 4-2 up against Spurs and he didn’t take out the runner for a tactical yellow. Luckily someone missed it could of easily gone 4-3 and a nerve racking end to the game.