[Albion] De Zerbi: 'We deserved to lose...I understood the problem in January!"

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Weststander

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Aug 25, 2011
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Withdean area
Which in turn makes it a Sellers Market - to buy somebody, the other club (and the player) have to be willing to sell at a price that is in line with our strategy. As PB has said many times, it's not an easy process (unless you are dealing with Chelsea) TB has been anti doing business in January and there is a piece quoting that our FFP position puts us in an advantageous position for this Summer - I'm sure that was the plan all along rather than knee jerking in Jan.

Not necessarily. Clubs desperate to unload by 30 June 2024 to meet P&S rules by that accounts cut off, they need the agreed proceeds of sale of homegrown players in those accounts. We tried to exploit that desperation with D-H, Spuds with Gallagher.

January gone, this June should see an unusually high amount of early transfer activity. Chelsea, Leicester, Forest, Wolves, Villa, for example, will need a sale or two.
 




chaileyjem

#BarberIn
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Jun 27, 2012
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For what it's worth, my gripe about the January window, is that we signed two promising youngsters, one played for Argentina to qualify for the Olympics, the other, the Ghanain winger (who's name I can't remember!) we loaned back to his current club, with what happened to Mitoma, what an addition he would have been !
we haven''t loaned Ibrahim Osman back to Nordsjælland. we came to an agreement (outside of the transfer window) to buy him in the summer window. I think the intention was that we would bring him in , in January , but we just couldn't get the deal over the line.
 


chaileyjem

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Jun 27, 2012
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My point being, if I’m a youngster and I’m hearing what Klopp is saying then that’s giving me all the confidence and freedom to express myself. I just wish RDZ would have the same positive outlook!
Well yes. But RDZ has been playing 18 and 19 and 20 year olds regularly in the team since he arrived. Hinshelwood, Baleba, Enciso, Buonanatte, Ferguson, Colwill have been regulars and he's given them the freedom to become much better players and established internationals. Duffus, Peupion, Offiah, Baker Boitey, O Mahoney and others have been regular squad players and getting minutes here and there. I'm sure Barco will be the next in line.
Not sure RDZ needs any lessons from Klopp or elsewhere in how to provide a pathway or encourage youngsters to either join the club or have confidence they are at the right club under the right coach .
(Likewise the u21s have played u16s !! from time to time this season )
 


Justice

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Jun 21, 2012
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Which in turn makes it a Sellers Market - to buy somebody, the other club (and the player) have to be willing to sell at a price that is in line with our strategy. As PB has said many times, it's not an easy process (unless you are dealing with Chelsea) TB has been anti doing business in January and there is a piece quoting that our FFP position puts us in an advantageous position for this Summer - I'm sure that was the plan all along rather than knee jerking in Jan.
We have signed some of our best players in January in the Bloom years. KDH was always going to be difficult he’s probably worth more than £40m to his club if they get promoted which it looks like they will.
 


Hiheidi

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Dec 27, 2022
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We have signed some of our best players in January in the Bloom years. KDH was always going to be difficult he’s probably worth more than £40m to his club if they get promoted which it looks like they will.

Yes, but by not selling, they look likely to get a FFP induced points deduction.
 




dangull

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Feb 24, 2013
5,162
RDZ has been a manager for a number of years at quite a few clubs. The fact he hasn't stayed too long anywhere is probably an indication that maybe the same here.
Despite a fantastic spell here apart from an injury plagued last few months, his record elsewhere has been some great seasons and also some mediocre.
Is the Premier league starting to work him out is maybe a worry, and him maybe not willing to change tactics as well with the injury situation?
 


nickjhs

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Is it possible to do both?

I do also wonder at the nature of us fans. We love that RdZ speaks his mind and from the heart, then we pillory him for speaking his mind and from the heart.
It is not so much him speaking his mind, I and many others were concerned that once teams worked out our goading style we would be screwed, they did and we were. We have changed so that we no longer stuff around goading players to commit but that now means we are attacking full boar without the help of stranded opposition players lagging behind, that's all well and good with a fully fit highly skilled squad, we have a great starting 11 but then it starts to drop off, and this is what he has been banging on about since the end of last season TBH a temporary return to Potterball would certainly be a safer approach given the currently available players. Surely the club management and squad are not oblivious to the problems and are working on a change in tactics
 








Bold Seagull

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Mar 18, 2010
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It is not so much him speaking his mind, I and many others were concerned that once teams worked out our goading style we would be screwed, they did and we were. We have changed so that we no longer stuff around goading players to commit but that now means we are attacking full boar without the help of stranded opposition players lagging behind, that's all well and good with a fully fit highly skilled squad, we have a great starting 11 but then it starts to drop off, and this is what he has been banging on about since the end of last season TBH a temporary return to Potterball would certainly be a safer approach given the currently available players. Surely the club management and squad are not oblivious to the problems and are working on a change in tactics
Football teams lose football matches whether they go all out attack, or sit back low block, or approach a game more conservatively.

Amazed that so many on here think with the injuries and absences we are suffering, that the silver bullet would be to just keep it tight so to speak. I dare say we could have lost 0-3 on Saturday playing Hughton-ball, Potter-ball or De Zerbi-ball.

The fact is, this squad and the present club setup and all involved in it haven't gone into a game as big as Thursday. Not even the FA Cup semi finals are up there with Roma away. And no matter how hard you convince yourself to only concentrate on the next game, that game is now upon us. And we have a shed load of injuries and absences to deal with as well.

I'm not with all this 'safer approach' talk, loving our identity as an all out attacking team. If that means Fulham away happens in the midst of an injury crisis, safely in the top half with a European knock out tie to play - so be it.
 


GloryDays

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Jul 5, 2011
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Leyton, E10.
Villa strengthened and look at them.

We sold the family silver.

However, we had more than enough on the wings. Having long term injuries to March, Enciso and Mitoma really wasn’t in the script but midfield has been under strength all season. Yes with Dahood, who is apparently an RDZ signing but also with Baleba who’s more raw than the steak in a Paris chophouse


Spending isn’t everything. If they were to fall out the top 4 they will have some creative accounting to do.
 




Guinness Boy

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Jul 23, 2003
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Spending isn’t everything. If they were to fall out the top 4 they will have some creative accounting to do.
Yes, they’ve rolled the dice for sure. But, at the risk of repeating myself and being misunderstood again, that loss is only 4 million more than the full deal value for Caicedo and far less than we’ve made in transfers in the current FFP assessment period.
 


PILTDOWN MAN

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Sep 15, 2004
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Football teams lose football matches whether they go all out attack, or sit back low block, or approach a game more conservatively.

Amazed that so many on here think with the injuries and absences we are suffering, that the silver bullet would be to just keep it tight so to speak. I dare say we could have lost 0-3 on Saturday playing Hughton-ball, Potter-ball or De Zerbi-ball.

The fact is, this squad and the present club setup and all involved in it haven't gone into a game as big as Thursday. Not even the FA Cup semi finals are up there with Roma away. And no matter how hard you convince yourself to only concentrate on the next game, that game is now upon us. And we have a shed load of injuries and absences to deal with as well.

I'm not with all this 'safer approach' talk, loving our identity as an all out attacking team. If that means Fulham away happens in the midst of an injury crisis, safely in the top half with a European knock out tie to play - so be it.
We haven't got a shed load of injuries though.
 


Bozza

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Jul 4, 2003
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We haven't got a shed load of injuries though.
Well, we are missing three of our most influential attacking game-winners in March, Mitoma and Pedro.

Milner and Hinshelwood are both very versatile options to have, able to play almost anywhere in defence and midfield - also both missing.

And those who are playing including Gross, our only fit winger Adingra and our only senior striker Welbeck are all clearly on the edge in terms on playing load and are having to be managed. Their load is high because of the injuries I've already mentioned.
 




Bold Seagull

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Mar 18, 2010
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We haven't got a shed load of injuries though.
Hence I also said absences. Some players are only just back from injury and not yet fully match fit, some have minor knocks / niggles that require a rest from 2 games per week, plus the odd suspension. Our days lost to injury this season is second only to Newcastle.
 


PILTDOWN MAN

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Well, we are missing three of our most influential attacking game-winners in March, Mitoma and Pedro.

Milner and Hinshelwood are both very versatile options to have, able to play almost anywhere in defence and midfield - also both missing.

And those who are playing including Gross, our only fit winger Adingra and our only senior striker Welbeck are all clearly on the edge in terms on playing load and are having to be managed. Their load is high because of the injuries I've already mentioned.
I don't disagree but it's not a shed load. Our complete defensive squad is fit but you'd not notice that given our defending at times. We constantly give goals to the opposition at the same time as making it as hard as possible to score.
 


Bold Seagull

strong and stable with me, or...
Mar 18, 2010
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Hove
I don't disagree but it's not a shed load. Our complete defensive squad is fit but you'd not notice that given our defending at times. We constantly give goals to the opposition at the same time as making it as hard as possible to score.
So Mitoma, Pedro, March, Milner, Hinshelwood, plus niggles to Welbeck, Gross isn't a shed load...

Plus Fati, Moder, Webster, Veltman, Estupinan etc. only just back from injury layoffs.

I suppose the question is how big is your shed!!?? :lolol:
 


Berty23

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Jun 26, 2012
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So Mitoma, Pedro, March, Milner, Hinshelwood, plus niggles to Welbeck, Gross isn't a shed load...

Plus Fati, Moder, Webster, Veltman, Estupinan etc. only just back from injury layoffs.

I suppose the question is how big is your shed!!?? :lolol:
Exactly. It is not just about who is completely unavailable to play. It is about who is actually fit to play. At the moment we rock up to matches as the premier league equivalent of a Sunday league team who can put a side out but five of the players are still pissed from the night before and had no sleep. Yes we put players on the pitch but are they actually fit?
 




kemptown kid

Well-known member
Apr 17, 2011
362
Exactly. It is not just about who is completely unavailable to play. It is about who is actually fit to play. At the moment we rock up to matches as the premier league equivalent of a Sunday league team who can put a side out but five of the players are still pissed from the night before and had no sleep. Yes we put players on the pitch but are they actually fit?
To be fair, that would be one hell of a Sunday league team!
 


Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo

I believe in Joe Hendry
Oct 4, 2003
12,091
I don't disagree but it's not a shed load. Our complete defensive squad is fit but you'd not notice that given our defending at times. We constantly give goals to the opposition at the same time as making it as hard as possible to score.

Our complete defensive squad isn’t fit tho. Veltman and Lamptey have had injuries and are still being time managed to get back to full fitness. RDZ said Dunk isn’t capable of 90 mins twice a week at the moment so his time is being managed too. Hinshelwood, Milner and March who have been defensive options at points this season are all out which makes managing game time for those that can play even harder. I’d also argue that Pervis isn’t fully fit yet either.

It isn’t as simple as player is available that means they are fully match fit.
 


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