[Albion] If RDZ plays Steele tomorrow...

[ROSM]

Inflexible in his approach / style / ethos - even if he may have two formations (I'd argue that he doesn't really, as one of them is absolute suicide). To be flexible, or pragmatic, would be to recognise shifts in momentum, to react to subtle alterations in the opposition's tactics, to dial it in a bit for spells to soak up heavy pressure, to stay compact to protect a lead, etc.

Under RDZ, for good or for bad, that stuff just doesn't happen. Regardless of the opposition, regardless of the score, regardless of whether it is a two-legged tie that it would be a good idea to stay alive in - its De Zerbi's way, ALL the way - take the risks at the back, draw them on, leave your centre backs completely exposed, etc.

How many manager's teams would concede an injury time winner away at Spurs, with both centre backs ahead of the ball, in the opposition's half? 90%+ of other managers would have recognised a really good, hard-earned point, and closed out the game.

It's thrilling when it works. Flexible, it very much is not.


(And I KNOW people are going to argue that its exciting, and why would you want it any other way. I'd point at Adam Lallana's EXEMPLARY cameo to close things out on Sunday, and suggest that pragmatism can be fun, too).

If plan a doesn't work, then do plan a better

 

[Bry Nylon]

Perhaps, but it's not a like-for-like comparison, is it?

RDZ has said his choice of keeper is down to tactical reasons. Based on what is a board consensus as to the relative strengths of each of our 'keepers, it likely comes down to two factors...

- Against certain opposition or opposition styles/expected tactics, RDZ believes Steele's better footwork and range of passing is what he wants.
- Against other opposition of other opposition styles/expected tactics, RDZ believes Verbruggen's better shot-stopping is what he wants.

Well, yes. I get that to an extent.

But the fact that our GKs tend to do "two weeks on, two weeks off" suggests its less about tactics and makes me more inclined to believe that they're actually moonlighting north sea oil rig workers.

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

Perhaps, but it's not a like-for-like comparison, is it?

RDZ has said his choice of keeper is down to tactical reasons. Based on what is a board consensus as to the relative strengths of each of our 'keepers, it likely comes down to two factors...

- Against certain opposition or opposition styles/expected tactics, RDZ believes Steele's better footwork and range of passing is what he wants.
- Against other opposition of other opposition styles/expected tactics, RDZ believes Verbruggen's better shot-stopping is what he wants.

I understand why he says he rotates, I just don't think he's correct.

Steele's passing is not better, his range of passing is worse.

Bart's overall passing accuracy is 92.1%, Steele 83.6%.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I think we should erase all existing threads and just have one called 'Keep Your Opinions to Yourself Pal and Just Back The Manager Irrespective of Everything Ever.'

Keep Your Opinions to Yourself Pal

 

[London Irish]

The sustained dislike of Steele is one of the most embarrassing things about a section of Albion's fan base at the moment. He's still exactly the same player who got us to our highest ever finish in the table. He really doesn't deserve this level of vitriol even if you believe Bart is the better option.

RDZ believes in him so he'll continue to play and all the rest is just internet spam. The fact he was picked in the most difficult game of the season in Rome attests to that.

It's likely there will be rotation tomorrow - RDZ wants them both involved. When RDZ then later rotates back to Steele, try and retain some sense of composure

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Perhaps, but it's not a like-for-like comparison, is it?

RDZ has said his choice of keeper is down to tactical reasons. Based on what is a board consensus as to the relative strengths of each of our 'keepers, it likely comes down to two factors...

- Against certain opposition or opposition styles/expected tactics, RDZ believes Steele's better footwork and range of passing is what he wants.
- Against other opposition of other opposition styles/expected tactics, RDZ believes Verbruggen's better shot-stopping is what he wants.

Instead of the monorail, I URGE Tony Bloom to use the missing cup final money, to invest in a machine at Lancing that can amalgamate two humans and create either Bart Steele or Jason Verbruggen to ensure we get the best bits of both keepers in one.

Problem solved and everyone's happy.

 

[Justice]

For me there's two conflicting facts.
1. BV is the better all round keeper.
2. JS is better at those really risky passes.

And that's why ees complicated.

He’s statistically not better at them though

 

[AlbionBro]

... I won't be responsible for my actions.

Why? Nothing between the goalies, Steele appears to kick long more often and Bart throws more often. I prefer the long kick, particularly when Pedro, Mitoma and Adingra are on.

...or...

De Zerbi is a terrifically exciting, but inflexible and flawed manager, who amongst a load of fantastic work, makes some questionable tactical calls and personnel selections.



If De Zerbi himself is able to see (and state) that he has got stuff wrong, I don't see why we are not also allowed to question some decisions.

I hope you have made sure your CV is lodged firmly in Mr Barbers inbox, as you sound like the next golden nugget that the club can unearth.

 

[Bozza]

He’s statistically not better at them though

Can you point me to a source of "really risky pass completion rate" stats please.

 

[brightn'ove]

No hate from me towards Steele, but Bart is looking better at the moment.

We need our best 11 to stand any chance what so ever tomorrow and Bart is a part of that.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The sustained dislike of Steele is one of the most embarrassing things about a section of Albion's fan base at the moment. He's still exactly the same player who got us to our highest ever finish in the table. He really doesn't deserve this level of vitriol even if you believe Bart is the better option.

RDZ believes in him so he'll continue to play and all the rest is just internet spam. The fact he was picked in the most difficult game of the season in Rome attests to that.

It's likely there will be rotation tomorrow - RDZ wants them both involved. When RDZ then later rotates back to Steele, try and retain some sense of composure

I have never seen a single Albion fan express a DISLIKE of Jason Steele.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I hope you have made sure your CV is lodged firmly in Mr Barbers inbox, as you sound like the next golden nugget that the club can unearth.

Now, you see - responses like this are really silly.

Roberto de Zerbi is (as per my earlier post that you quoted) a terrifically exciting manager, who sends his teams out to play a style of football that, when it works, is absolutely exhilarating.

I'll not apply to replace him, because A) I'm not, surprisingly, a professional football coach, with a UEFA Pro coaching license, and B) do not have 'the big balls' to coach a team to glorious successes.

(I'd be far too risk averse, and we'd draw loads of games 0-0 (1-1 on a good day). We might scrape to safety courtesy of a few moments of individual quality from the players, but the crowds would vote with their feet, and Uncle Tony would allow me to leave by mutual consent after one disappointing season...)

But that does not preclude me - a guy who has played, watched, and lived a shitload of football, over 5 decades - from having SOME valid opinions on areas where Roberto just might be able to do better.

In fact, a few of them, are points that he himself has suggested he could do better - which is slightly awkward for those who will see only absolute perfection in the guy.

 

[jackalbion]

Chill out. Steele's not as good as Bart. That's the nuts and bolts of it. Course I don't hate him. But please forgive me for having an opinion. Actually, don't forgive me. Couldn't care less.

I DO NOT forgive you, but please aim those flamethrowers at WSU could be a little cold tomorrow.

 

[Bodian]

Late to the party (-ies), but IF Steele does play, I would like him starting a bit further out, sharper to any through-balls. I feel he's played too deep this season. In possession, he should be a third CB if he's that good with the ball.

He was in the opposition's box the other week!

It's likely there will be rotation tomorrow - RDZ wants them both involved. When RDZ then later rotates back to Steele, try and retain some sense of composure

Surely it's likely there 'won't' be rotation tomorrow? Bart played the last game, and RDZ almost always plays them for two, and sometimed three games. So - more likely to be Bart tomorrow?

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Then he's wrong, because in Bart's 13 Premier League starts we've scored 26 goals. That's 2 goals per game.

In Jason's 15 league starts we've scored 24 goals. That's 1.6 goals per game.

We scored more and conceded fewer with Verbruggen in goal, yet De Zerbi insists on playing Steele more often.

Bart also stops more crosses than Steele, 6.4% to Steele's 5.3% of all crosses.

I don't care if he is a genius, on this De Zerbi is wrong.

That is not a like for like comparison though is it.

The traditional keeping stats are unequivocally in favour of Bart.
I have no issue with that.

But there is no correlation between Goals per game and which keeper is better in the build up play.

My observation is that Steele is more proficient at a press beating pass, than Bart.
Bart tends to look for Dunk/JP to look for the right pass than actually make it himself.
Whereas Steele more frequently makes a pass out of the press towards Gross/Gilmour or to the flanks.

Whether that ends up as a goal has a lot more to do with our attacking options, than the skill of the keeper.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

I understand why he says he rotates, I just don't think he's correct.

Steele's passing is not better, his range of passing is worse.

Bart's overall passing accuracy is 92.1%, Steele 83.6%.

Most of Bart's improved accuracy comes from Long passes though 67 % vs 52..8%
That isn't where the focus is, it's in the short and medium length passes and when they're executed.

Steele is releasing these passes later than Bart is, but with a better accuracy rate.

 

[AZ Gull]

I don't remember, (though it would be easy to forget) a keeper ever coming in for just one game this season. It's always been two, or sometimes three.

So if the pattern continues, Bart starts against Roma, Steele back in for the next league game

He was in the opposition's box the other week!

Surely it's likely there 'won't' be rotation tomorrow? Bart played the last game, and RDZ almost always plays them for two, and sometimed three games. So - more likely to be Bart tomorrow?

There have actually been ten instances this season of Bart/Jason playing just one game.

 

[pornomagboy]

Well we are 4-0 down at half time in the tie

that's a good point I might not even go then and post at kick off

 

[Bodian]

There have actually been ten instances this season of Bart/Jason playing just one game.

Gosh - that is a surprise. Wouldn't even know where to look for this sort of thing!

 

[Triggaaar]

If Bart plays and we lose, it'll still be Steele's fault, for leaving us with too much to do. The fact that the whole team were poor away to Roma will be ignored.