[Albion] Do Albion Bonuses Get Paid Out On Possession Stats?

[Simster]

That GP thing was The Eternal Ankergren -> T.Elphick -> El-Abd Triangle. 'To you Tommy, to you Adam' repeated half a dozen times, then back to Ankergren who would then hoof it aimlessly upfield. Silky possession football according to some, laughable to others. To GP's credit tho, he WAS attempting to uncoach everything that Elphick and El-Abd had ever been coached about Clear Yer Lines defending. It was like teaching toddlers to walk. So fair play for that. Tho not quite sure what the current incumbent's rationale is for dicking around at the back. Makes no sense, gains us nothing other than a couple more possession percentage points. Opposition are more than happy to let us get on with it, and smart enough to be waiting to pounce on the first dickaround misplaced pass. It clearly benefits the opposition more than it benefits us

It clearly wasn't benefitting the opposition more than us up until 7 games ago. We were FORTH for f&&ks sake.

Our problem is entirely down to a lack of options up front IMO, nothing to do with the possession football tactic, which I think is commendable. Our problem is that we look toothless and not prepared to shoot when Maupay is off colour and Welbeck is injured. The Villa game we were comfortably the better side, but our wing backs never wanted to take on their man, our front men didn't once gamble with a run into the box and nobody wanted to shoot. Without taking risks in the final third, you're not going to score - and that was the story on Saturday. Chelsea, City and especially Man Utd must have loads of games like that, but have world class players up front who will paper over the cracks on days like that. That's the difference if you ask me.

 

[Eric Youngs Contact Lens]

I get That there are different opinions on football, style and entertainment, I just don't get why some believe that the intention is to build-up slowly, or "dick-around-with-it-at-the-back" . The very notion or insinuation that the coaching team tell the players to do that, or coach the players to do that is just bizarre to me. When I look at our squad, We don't have a target man in the mode of Benteke, Antonio, Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane even. We don't have the pace of Redmond, Watkins, Foden, Mane, Vardy, Gray. Bottom line, playing on the break is not that effective for us unless we can release Lamptey, Cucarella, playing off a target man is more difficult because the passes have to be more accurate as no physicality to win 50/50 aerial duals. Moving the ball around is about moving the opposition around to enable that, but we all know that. That it is slow sometimes is because we also know its quite tricky to break down a team who is very well organised, and our players are not top drawer to necessarily see/execute every opportunity that arises. That's the only difference between scintillating football and boring possession. I am not sure what the alternative is given the personnel we have?

 

[Bold Seagull]

It clearly wasn't benefitting the opposition more than us up until 7 games ago. We were FORTH for f&&ks sake.

Our problem is entirely down to a lack of options up front IMO, nothing to do with the possession football tactic, which I think is commendable. Our problem is that we look toothless and not prepared to shoot when Maupay is off colour and Welbeck is injured. The Villa game we were comfortably the better side, but our wing backs never wanted to take on their man, our front men didn't once gamble with a run into the box and nobody wanted to shoot. Without taking risks in the final third, you're not going to score - and that was the story on Saturday. Chelsea, City and especially Man Utd must have loads of games like that, but have world class players up front who will paper over the cracks on days like that. That's the difference if you ask me.

I imagine with us getting men into the oppositions half, and we do get bodies forward, there is always that risk that a rash shot rebounds away for a counter attack. I've often heard people around me screaming for a shot, I'm looking at 2 or 3 players ahead of the ball, our wing backs up, and thinking if say Bissouma lashes one from just outside the area and it hits a defender - we are in big trouble, because we've pushed forward so much.

Whether that is in their minds in the whole risk taking I don't know, but strikes me that because we do actually get forward and try to support the ball, we actually reduce our risk taking because we are a bit vulnerable on the break, so any kind of big rebound is a bit more of a threat against us.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I get That there are different opinions on football, style and entertainment, I just don't get why some believe that the intention is to build-up slowly, or "dick-around-with-it-at-the-back" . The very notion or insinuation that the coaching team tell the players to do that, or coach the players to do that is just bizarre to me.When I look at our squad, We don't have a target man in the mode of Benteke, Antonio, Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane even. We don't have the pace of Redmond, Watkins, Foden, Mane, Vardy, Gray. Bottom line, playing on the break is not that effective for us unless we can release Lamptey, Cucarella, playing off a target man is more difficult because the passes have to be more accurate as no physicality to win 50/50 aerial duals. Moving the ball around is about moving the opposition around to enable that, but we all know that. That it is slow sometimes is because we also know its quite tricky to break down a team who is very well organised, and our players are not top drawer to necessarily see/execute every opportunity that arises. That's the only difference between scintillating football and boring possession. I am not sure what the alternative is given the personnel we have?

The players are clearly uncomfortable dicking around at the back. Always have been, ever since Maty Ryan was keeper. It looks for all the world like that's what they've been ordered to do, however. Else they wouldn't do it. So they just grit their teeth and follow the orders they've been given, however dumb those orders may appear to them. Playing the ball across your own penalty area is a primary school error for a defender. Doing it time and time again is just idiotic, and a pratfall waiting to happen

 

[Justice]

I'm sure it was of little relevance to fans cheering for a lot of teams currently hard stuck in League Two or National League due to overspending and accumulating debts. Luckily Tony Bloom is a sensible man and the finances is relevant to him.

It is a luxuary to think "the clubs bank account is of little relevance" as it is an attitude that can turn out very problematic. I read about this club having a spell in the top division in the 80s and overspending a bit and some ten years later thousands of fans, some of them lifelong, almost lost their club.

No ones saying over spend £50m spent in the summer Cucurella an obvious talent apart from that it was a load of prospects who may or not work out. If we had plenty of quality options upfront I would say go for it we don’t.

I hate to say it as it will upset a few people maybe CH was right all along without bringing in one or to quality players who can change a game all you can do is defend and hope for the best. Potter is getting more and more cautious as each game passes. One up front against the weaker sides tells a story, Newcastle especially he’s beaten them before yet decided to play with a false nine when we’ve smashed them playing with a two upfront each and every time.

 

[boik]

The players are clearly uncomfortable dicking around at the back. Always have been, ever since Maty Ryan was keeper. It looks for all the world like that's what they've been ordered to do, however. Else they wouldn't do it. So they just grit their teeth and follow the orders they've been given, however dumb those orders may appear to them. Playing the ball across your own penalty area is a primary school error for a defender. Doing it time and time again is just idiotic, and a pratfall waiting to happen

Don't agree at all that the players look uncomfortable doing it. We're one of the best teams around at playing out from the press, but I guess the reality doesn't fit your agenda.

 

[BBassic]

Does anyone else get hacked off at the "you don't understand football" bit?

I understand why we play the way we do. And I understand why it works better against teams that leave space and not so well against teams who don't.

That doesn't preclude me from saying: f**k me we are tedious to watch sometimes and we need a Plan B, C, D through Z to handle teams who are quite happy to close up shop and let us, to paraphrase THPP, dick around at the back.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Don't agree at all that the players look uncomfortable doing it. We're one of the best teams around at playing out from the press, but I guess the reality doesn't fit your agenda.

I don't have an agenda, I'm just watching what I'm seeing. You should try it sometime. Sanchez looks particularly uncomfortable being placed under pressure by his own defenders for no good reason at all. He can't WAIT to ping the ball out of there - usually straight for a throw

 

[boik]

I don't have an agenda, I'm just watching what I'm seeing. You should try it sometime. Sanchez looks particularly uncomfortable being placed under pressure by his own defenders for no good reason at all. He can't WAIT to ping the ball out of there - usually straight for a throw

You don't have an agenda against "the gormless benny"? My mistake.

 

[NooBHA]

I am having a "Frankenstein Moment" because the only way for all teams to truly have a cutting edge playing that way would be to " clone " Ilkay Gundogan and put one of him in every team.

" Now where did I put the bolts for the neck " ?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

You don't have an agenda against "the gormless benny"? My mistake.

In this instance I'm calling BS on this idiotic tactic of defenders continually passing the ball across their own penalty area. I'd do the same with any manager who thought that was a good idea. Like Poyet for instance. Tho at least Poyet largely got away with it because he never had EPL opposition players breathing down his defenders necks

 

[Eric Youngs Contact Lens]

The players are clearly uncomfortable dicking around at the back. Always have been, ever since Maty Ryan was keeper. It looks for all the world like that's what they've been ordered to do, however. Else they wouldn't do it. So they just grit their teeth and follow the orders they've been given, however dumb those orders may appear to them. Playing the ball across your own penalty area is a primary school error for a defender. Doing it time and time again is just idiotic, and a pratfall waiting to happen

You call it rather ungraciously "dicking around" "dumb" "idiotic" - why so ? When does trying to play past a press or break the lines or switching the play become primary school error? Which of the goals vs. Villa came from doing that? or Newcastle. Arguably one of our best chances on the weekend came from "dicking around at the back". So are you sneering at the philosophy or just the times when it doesn't work? I know you are provoking but I just don't understand why?

 

[boik]

You call it rather ungraciously "dicking around" "dumb" "idiotic" - why so ? When does trying to play past a press or break the lines or switching the play become primary school error? Which of the goals vs. Villa came from doing that? or Newcastle. Arguably one of our best chances on the weekend came from "dicking around at the back". So are you sneering at the philosophy or just the times when it doesn't work? I know you are provoking but I just don't understand why?

When we outplay City and Liverpool for long periods playing the same way it's called brilliant team play. When we lose it's called dicking around at the back. Seemples.

 

[BBassic]

When we outplay City and Liverpool for long periods playing the same way it's called brilliant team play. When we lose it's called dicking around at the back. Seemples.

I think it could be called brilliant team play in both examples.

The difference, for me, is that it's not what is needed when playing against teams who sit back.

It's impressive to keep the ball but if you're not progressing it up the pitch and causing unrest in the oppositions defence then it's just possession for possession's sake.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

You call it rather ungraciously "dicking around" "dumb" "idiotic" - why so ? When does trying to play past a press or break the lines or switching the play become primary school error? Which of the goals vs. Villa came from doing that? or Newcastle. Arguably one of our best chances on the weekend came from "dicking around at the back". So are you sneering at the philosophy or just the times when it doesn't work? I know you are provoking but I just don't understand why?

I'm not trying to provoke anyone or anything at all. I'm just calling it as I see it from my ringside seat in the North. It's horrible to watch the near suicidal stroking the ball four or five times across our own box, barely under control. Usually ends in a bit of a panicked scramble to get the ball to safety. Anyways, don't shoot the messenger. Watch for yourself. They'll be at it again at the Amex on Saturday

 

[Justice]

When we outplay City and Liverpool for long periods playing the same way it's called brilliant team play. When we lose it's called dicking around at the back. Seemples.

What’s the point looking like show ponies for a half against City when we can’t beat Norwich, Newcastle or Villa who had five straight defeats Personally I think it suits Potter’s CV more than it helps the club. He’s clearly not a fool and knows it works for Man City because they have world class players and we don’t

 

[Eric Youngs Contact Lens]

I'm not trying to provoke anyone or anything at all. I'm just calling it as I see it from my ringside seat in the North. It's horrible to watch the near suicidal stroking the ball four or five times across our own box, barely under control. Usually ends in a bit of a panicked scramble to get the ball to safety. Anyways, don't shoot the messenger. Watch for yourself. They'll be at it again at the Amex on Saturday

Ok. So from my seat, also in the North, we play through the initial press pretty well most of the time, with the odd scramble as one bad pass, mis-control and you can see it start to unravel. Sanchez far more comfortable with it than Ryan. High risk/High Reward = "near suicidal" if you're Nervous Nerys. And I hope we will be at it again at the Amex on Saturday and I hope even more that Leeds have learned nothing and leave us the gaps to play through!

 

[Dave the hatosaurus]

I'm not trying to provoke anyone or anything at all. I'm just calling it as I see it from my ringside seat in the North. It's horrible to watch the near suicidal stroking the ball four or five times across our own box, barely under control. Usually ends in a bit of a panicked scramble to get the ball to safety. Anyways, don't shoot the messenger. Watch for yourself. They'll be at it again at the Amex on Saturday

Now please correct me if i am wrong but i believe " don't shoot the messenger " refers to someone presenting somebody else's views or orders , not something that they themselves are expressing .
Also i do watch for myself and find myself to be of the opposite opinion to you , but i would never think of shooting you for it !!

 

[zefarelly]

What’s the point looking like show ponies for a half against City when we can’t beat Norwich, Newcastle or Villa who had five straight defeats Personally I think it suits Potter’s CV more than it helps the club. He’s clearly not a fool and knows it works for Man City because they have world class players and we don’t

This, and what Boik said nails it too . . . Hairy Porter is insisting on Ferrari football with Fords . . . Fantastic and occasionally successful, Trouble is, he's so far up his own arse he forgot how to race a Ford against another Ford.

 

[Justice]

Don't agree at all that the players look uncomfortable doing it. We're one of the best teams around at playing out from the press, but I guess the reality doesn't fit your agenda.

To be fair Dunk made a complete mess of it at Andfield could of cleared the danger instead he gave Sanchez a ball he didn’t want and VAR saved us from throwing the game away all by ourselves. On other occasions Sanchez has played the wrong ball and got lucky we are ok at it but one of the best teams around is stretching a bit IMO.