[Albion] how good are we, actually?

[Mustafa II]

It's the strongest, both in depth and quality, Albion squad of all time.

With enough luck, this will be our highest ever finish. We might even win a trophy, who knows.

 

[Insel affe]

Second half tonight for the first 30 minutes was woeful and we struggled to get out of our own half, a few substitutions and we gained in confidence. The first half was very good in team of misfits and second string players.
saturday was at time’s painful, but we remained unbeaten for a new manager and players i think we are above expectations to be honest.

 

[Clive Walker]

I think it’s just hard to tell tbh. We’ve gotten the results but tbh, I’ve thought we’ve looked poor in most of the games bar Everton. The style isn’t that clear and the passing has been really poor as has a lot of the play at times.

These are things that can come right with time and practice, so it could just be early season issues, especially with such a lot of new players, who themselves are trying to get up to speed and learn.

I am glad fans are staying positive and backing the team because it’s still the best position we’ve ever been but I am not sure I agree with a lot of the calls that we look great and the players all look amazing and a cut above everyone else - nearly everyone out there is misplacing passes and making mistakes. I think we should recognise that too.

Thought we were piss poor in the first 20 mins vs Everton.

 

[Han Solo]

A lot better than tonight.

Its a big squad, a lot of broken confidences from last season to sort out, some deadwood in the squad, some very inexperienced players... it will take time.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Our squad is excellent, remain to be convinced by the manager. Results have been good but performances generally poor and who knows what our footballing style of play is meant to be.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Beginning of the season, some great performances, some not so much. Until we get some consistency it will be hard to tell, but feeling positive about what we've achieved so far

 

[A1X]

I do understand where the OP is coming from, but we have already been unlucky with injuries and will look a lot better once Wieffer, Pedro and Ferdi are all up to speed and playing week in, week out.

 

[Oh_aye]

let me just say first off it’s been an excellent season results-wise. and obviously there’s the usual caveat about a new manager needing time, same with the new players.

i do think it is just worth mentioning, more out of curiosity than a moan, that to be honest, i really haven’t been that impressed with any of our performances so far. certainly not like we saw when RDZ took over from potter (although again there were a few dodgy performances early on). our buildup routines are mostly appalling, we look as defensively open as we did last season and saw against ipswich the same old issues of not being able to win against park-the-bus teams.

it’s absolutely nothing to worry about really, we got four points of arsenal and utd ffs, but it does leave me wondering if we are flattering to deceive a little?

In my opinion we are picking up point because we have got high grade parts that are getting the job done in moments. We are so used to it being systemic from RDZ that I think its odd to see a team finding its feet.

Our play can be great at times bit it's quite patternless. And every game we have big periods where we drift out of it and lose the plot. I think it seems more obvious because Potter and even more RDZ were such control freaks. We are so accustomed to 70 / 80% possession and domination, even in games we lose.

So we just have to wait and see what materialises as a pattern of play. One huge element is so many things are new and in flux. Tons of new players, new coaches, injuries and adaptations. That will take time to turn into something more concrete.

Personally I'm very happy that while the whole thing settles down we are managing to pick up wins in moments with really high grade players getting the job done for the most part.

 

[AZ Gull]

In six first team matches this season we have had six different midfield duo combinations start games - involving seven different players in total.

Not sure what people are expecting from a brand new manager and a much-changed midfield line-up.

It is only 42 Premier League games ago that Caicedo and Mac Allister were still our starting midfield duo. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then.

 

[trueblue]

Could go either way long term but plenty of positive signs. First half was very good tonight even with a much-changed team. I think elements of the style are fairly chaotic. Attack-wise, the press is so intense that the chaos seems deliberate. We try to exploit it quickly. Defensively, a high line/offside trap is always going to be nervy to watch. As well as poor passing out from the back I thought one issue second half was that we ended up playing that offside trap on the edge of our own box. Almost got punished for it. Hopefully when the line-up is more settled, we’ll have a calmer command of the game.

The introduction of the subs seemed to help us regain composure and some control.

 

[BadFish]

I didn't watch tonight's game so take that into account with my opinion.

I think we have show flashes of brilliance. A few of the attacking plays against Ipswich were mesmerising, quick incisive football let down by insipid finishing.

I saw similar in all our games. However such attacks are too few and far between and the between is fairly lacklustre at the moment. It is a bit Italian in style for me, mess about with it until the opening arrives and then attack with pace and skill.

If we can work out how to create more openings we are going to be very dangerous.

As a work in progress I am still optimistic.

Top 8 for me.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

We’re unbeaten in our first five games and haven’t played well yet. And most of the £200 million we spent in the Summer hasn’t had a chance to actually do anything yet.

I would argue that we are absolutely insanely good. Imagine what happens when this team clicks.

SIX.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Mid table.

Desperately would want an injury to Baleba and/or JPVH.

Well, you're a little ray of sunshine today

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

SIX.

We could also chuck in 5 unbeaten in pre season.

11 competitive and non competitive games under Hurzeler and we haven't lost

 

[Cotton Socks]

Seems a bit too early to judge. Players coming back from injuries, new players, new coach, international breaks causing disruptions. But I'm quite happy being 6th in the table & through to the next round of the cup.

 

[DJ NOBO]

Mid table.

Desperately would want an injury to Baleba and/or JPVH.

Either you are insane, a palace fan or accidentally omitted n’t from your post

 

[Cotton Socks]

Either you are insane, a palace fan or accidentally omitted n’t from your post

I think your 3rd theory is most likely (hopefully).

 

[Weststander]

Either you are insane, a palace fan or accidentally omitted n’t from your post

I said midtable, which would be the non-Europe places.

What’s your predicted final position this seasom?

Charity bet?

 

[zefarelly]

Webster is plenty good enough. Igor is truly dreadful.

Igor is a f***ing unit and a half, all the physical capability required, I just don't think he's up to current spec between the ears.

It's a key part of weapons grade player development . . . Same goes for Minteh . . . All the speed, skill etc but doesn't know what to do next . . . nothing unusual

Jack H has been the revelation in the last year for me . . . A Gross Jr . . . . And JPVH continued development has taken him to Dunks best level already . . . . The big question is, can these players step up another level and be leaders as well as weapons grade players. .

It's all dizzy heights great stuff.

 

[chickens]

My own thoughts on this are that there’s a lot of moving parts, including players yet to play for us, and that FH’s back room team is not huge. When he became manager of St Pauli he’d been assistant head coach there for a while and knew the personalities. This has to have been a tougher initiation.

I suspect he’ll be working his way through a very long to-do list, prioritising whatever seems to need his attention most. We’re a work in progress, but we’ve been good enough to be unbeaten in the league and still in the Caraboa Cup. We’re good, in a league full of good teams. We’re going to have to fight to get some silverware or a European spot, but it feels possible.