I think it's safe to say our new players are QUALITY

[Foolg]

Agree with T.C.B, all the new players looked very good, and cant wait to see davies added to that team. Jarret looks like the midfielder we missed and desperately needed, gave 110% and played really well. Davies was great too, held the ball up really well, good touch and control and then simple lay offs worked really well. Birchall looked good too, suprised cox didnt come off earlier for carole. Looked to me as though winning goal came of both defenders so i doubt Andrew will get it, but then i may be wrong, and i hope i am.

 

[DJ Leon]

Slow, predictable, and often left lagging behind Hartlepool attacks. If he's the defensive midfielder then I'd like to know why Hartlepool had so many quick breaks and skilful play around the edge of our box. Afterall, surely his job would be to stop that? All the good things El Abd did were in defence (which, funnily enough, is where he should be). I don't really blame him because he's out of position, but he's so uncomfortable in midfield it's embarrassing.

Anyway, not to worry, because once this new look albion gets up and running there won't be a place for him anyway.

Can't agree with that. Other than Sullivan I felt he was our best player over the full 90. Agree with you about our new players though, there were some promising debuts and Carole changed the game by his presence as much as his deft touch across the box.

 

[One True BHA]

We want and need MORE than that from a central midfielder. El Abd, as any centre-back playing in midfield would, slows the game down and is a massive hindrance to our play. You won't get out of this league with a midfield that "gets involved and plays simple balls." I agree with you that Virgo had a bit of a mare today, and he was just as at fault for Hartlepool's substantial play in and around our box, but I'd like to think that if these fresh and vibrant new signings have shown anything it's that we don't have to put up with predictable and losing shit from the Sussex boys.

No, most clubs, especially the best ones have one creative midfielder and one holding midfielder. That's how it works nowadays. He doesn't slow anything down whatsoever. The best holding midfielder I can think of is Makelele, who did nothing other than sit in front of the defence, break up play and then use the ball simply to give to the creative players. I am in no way comparing the two players, but relatively, they are there to do the same job. We can't have 10 outfield players all steaming forward and doing step overs and shooting from 30 yards. You need a brute to win the ball and sit in front of the defence. He does that job, and he is doing it OK at the moment.

 

[SNOOBS]

Virgo move to CB on Tues instead of Hinsh - he was turned far too easily after a poor header for their goal.
Couldn't understand why Cox wasn't taken off instead of Birchall, Cox had a mare, although did then put the cross in (probably not aimed for Carole) for the equaliser.
We did at times actually try to play some football on the ground which was good but the pitch was awful. Andrews was superb when we did play the long ball football.

 

[DJ Leon]

On the subject of El Abd, am I the only one who would consider starting him at centre-back? I'm far from convinced by Elphick, and Hinshelwood was poor today. I think a bit of aggression wouldn't go amiss back there, and it's not that I think El Abd is playing badly, I just don't think he's ever going to be a midfielder. I'd certainly get either him or Virgo into the defence and see if it works, because we could have conceded three today.

I would definitely play Virgo as a centre back. I think that's his position and when played elsewhere he's like, to quote Paul Merson, a fish up a tree. Hinshelwood was poor today and the defence collectively were extremely shaky. As happy as I am about the 3 points and all the positives we had today, you do have to say that a decent side would have murdered us.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

Shouldn't play after the performance he put in today. Disgraced himself.

You're joking aren't you? Got done near the end which nearly cost us, apart from that had a fantastic game!

 

[Napper]

Birchall is not a right winger and wasn't that great imo

 

[grummitts gloves]

Virgo didn't look fit to me, seemed to be suffering a knock. Sully was my m.o.m. Quite a few in G block were upset with Birchall coming off for Carole, most around me wanted Cox off. He was pretty poorte except for the cross that assisted the goal.

 

[Skaville]

I don't think it's safe to say anything too early on. Heskey scored a twenty yard screamer for Villa in the week - Does this mean he'll be scoring those kind of goals every week?

Give them all time to bed in and judge them in the middle of March. This could be the start of a good period at the club, but it could also be another false dawn, especially as several of the new bunch were not impressing with other clubs at this level.

 

[HG201]

Couldn't agree more with this. Carole showed true quality today, which is something we have lacked all season. Andrews looks to be a great targetman and deserved the goal which was a magnicifent header. For one of the first times this season i have confidence

ADAMS IN!!

 

[SNOOBS]

but I'd like to think that if these fresh and vibrant new signings have shown anything it's that we don't have to put up with predictable and losing shit from the Sussex boys.

You can't blame the Sussex boys - look at last seasons results.

I'm far from convinced by Elphick, and Hinshelwood was poor today.

Why?

I'm quite aware that you can't have ten players piling forward, but I do think every midfielder should have basic skills such as control, mobility, and being able to pass. I think Livermore could do the job El Abd is currently doing PLUS he would be able to pass the ball and get around the pitch better.

Don't do El-abd an injustice, he can clearly pass the ball and always looks to keep it. Livermore is however a defensive midfielder and I'm sure has better positional sense there.

You're joking aren't you? Got done near the end which nearly cost us, apart from that had a fantastic game!

Fantastic game? His distribution was (unusually) awful!!

 

[Lindfield by the Pond]

Micky has a real selection problem now.
Sully or FDM?

The midfield options probably push El Abd into central defence, along with Hinch, Elphick, Virgo and Hawkins when fit.

Wingers leave Jake out in the cold if not Siberia. Cox, McLeod, Carole. Central midfield - Birchill, Jarrett, Fraser, Livermore

And then upfront Andrews (superb game today), Forster (Captain), Murray and now Davies?

Needs to be careful - how do you keep them all happy?

Good game.........

 

[ewe2]

Competition at last for places,thats what been missing for a long time,thats what Adams is trying to achieve.

 

[algie]

Don't know what game you went to Badger but El-Abd was superb today.
Anyone see Carole's skills today? They were a joy to watch

 

[algie]

Hinsh was at fault for there goal.There player just breezed past Hinsh and crossed the ball for there goal.