[Albion] Japan pre season

[Hiheidi]

My highlights
- Steele chasing everyone around shouting clean sheet, clean sheet at half time

Only to not get a clean sheet

 

[Goldstone Guy]

I am very far from an expert but to me the system seemed to be a fluid 4-4-2 with 2 central defenders 2 wingbacks 2 wingers 2 midfielders and 2 up top.

In the first half CD Van Hecke & Baleba WB Lamptey & Samuels W Minteh & Mitoma M Milner & Moran UT Osman & Welbeck

In second half CD Weir & Veltman WB Offiah & Barco W Cozier-Duberry & Adingra M Buanonotte & Ayari UT Sarmiento & Sima

The fluidity came from the wingbacks pushing up to the halfway line when our keeper/ central defenders had the ball and then either of the 2 CD (or a midfielder dropping back) passing quickly to whoever was in space. The WB and W had good interplay with the WB quite often being ahead of the W and taking the ball into the opposition penalty area.
The passing and movement were exciting to watch especially at the start of the second half when we had all new outfield players against what was i am guessing some of their reserves (I believe they brought on about 6 new players)

That's how I saw it. Admittedly it's a friendly and there's going to be a few experiments but it was noticeable that Hurzeler seems prepared to try players in new positions. Baleba was definitely playing CB as was Weir (think he's normally a midfielder?), and Moran, Buonanotte and Ayari looked to be playing CM. I think there were a few occasions when Moran, who looked good to me, was upfield beyond the striker, but he was often quite deep collecting short passes from the CBs. I might be wrong but perhaps he could become the replacement for Gilmour if he leaves? Personally I hope he doesn't persist with Baleba at CB - seems a waste of his talent/best skills but like you I'm far from an expert and if that's what the management think then I suppose they know best.

Just to add to what others have said - we've got loads of 18-22 year olds coming through. If just 10-20% are good enough for the premier league then Tony's long-term plan is going to start reaping even more benefits. And Barco is going to be a superb player for us (although I can't see him staying that long).

 

[Johnny RoastBeef]

Have we got any tacticians out there? What did we do differently?

I can see pace, speed of build up, longish balls through the middle, willingness to take a chance etc. Did anyone see what else we did?

This is a decent analysis.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Can I point out what a good job Brian Owen of the Argus is doing out there?

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

That's how I saw it. Admittedly it's a friendly and there's going to be a few experiments but it was noticeable that Hurzeler seems prepared to try players in new positions. Baleba was definitely playing CB as was Weir (think he's normally a midfielder?), and Moran, Buonanotte and Ayari looked to be playing CM. I think there were a few occasions when Moran, who looked good to me, was upfield beyond the striker, but he was often quite deep collecting short passes from the CBs. I might be wrong but perhaps he could become the replacement for Gilmour if he leaves? Personally I hope he doesn't persist with Baleba at CB - seems a waste of his talent/best skills but like you I'm far from an expert and if that's what the management think then I suppose they know best.

Just to add to what others have said - we've got loads of 18-22 year olds coming through. If just 10-20% are good enough for the premier league then Tony's long-term plan is going to start reaping even more benefits. And Barco is going to be a superb player for us (although I can't see him staying that long).

I'd love to see Moran stay in the first-team picture this season. The Irish Phil Foden (yes, somebody definitely did call him that) has nothing left to prove in the under-21s and unless there's a very good loan lined up (ie better than Blackburn - maybe at Union or somewhere abroad) I think he has a better chance of developing here under Hurzeler. It also looks good for the pathway.

I agree that it seems strange to splash out biggish money on Baleba as a potential new Caicedo and then play him in the back four, but the new head coach can only deal with players as he finds them, and employ them according to the needs of the team. I think there could be a few players whose potential roles in the new system are a little mysterious at the moment: for example Enciso, Sarmiento - who says he wants to challenge here rather than move - and the eternal enigma that is Facundo Buonanotte.

 

[Withdean11]

it was noticeable that Hurzeler seems prepared to try players in new positions. Baleba was definitely playing CB as was Weir

Yep, but I'm not sure FH had much choice.

Dunk,Webster/Igor all not available leaving just JPVH & Veltman as natural centre backs. Obviously the plan was to give them 45mins each. Playing Baleba there was interesting though, i'd imagine the DM/CB role in a back 3 will suit him and Weiffer.

 

[severnside gull]

I am sure many of us have memories of us playing a pre season friendly against non league opposition and losing hideously. We won. I’ll take that!

Graeme Smith letting the ball roll under his hands and between his legs at Torquay …….and I was still glad to have been there.

 

[Seagull on the Hill]

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Only to not get a clean sheet

He kind of did really - the goal was clearly offside.

 

[severnside gull]

I'd love to see Moran stay in the first-team picture this season. The Irish Phil Foden (yes, somebody definitely did call him that) has nothing left to prove in the under-21s and unless there's a very good loan lined up (ie better than Blackburn - maybe at Union or somewhere abroad) I think he has a better chance of developing here under Hurzeler. It also looks good for the pathway.

I agree that it seems strange to splash out biggish money on Baleba as a potential new Caicedo and then play him in the back four, but the new head coach can only deal with players as he finds them, and employ them according to the needs of the team. I think there could be a few players whose potential roles in the new system are a little mysterious at the moment: for example Enciso, Sarmiento - who says he wants to challenhere rather than move - and the eternal enigma that is Facundo Buonanotte.

I could see Buananotte stepping in to the Billy Gilmour role if he goes to Napoli. The lad has the knack of finding space and time and an eye for a pass

 

[LamieRobertson]

Can I point out what a good job Brian Owen of the Argus is doing out there?

If you want to sure

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Can I point out what a good job Brian Owen of the Argus is doing out there?

How to say you're on holiday without saying you're on holiday

 

[Hotchilidog]

Can I point out what a good job Brian Owen of the Argus is doing out there?

Yes you can. Some delightful coverage.

 

[Gully Forever]

I could see Buananotte stepping in to the Billy Gilmour role if he goes to Napoli. The lad has the knack of finding space and time and an eye for a pass

As long as the pass isn't like the one he played back to Steele.

 

[Washie]

Yep, but I'm not sure FH had much choice.

Dunk,Webster/Igor all not available leaving just JPVH & Veltman as natural centre backs. Obviously the plan was to give them 45mins each. Playing Baleba there was interesting though, i'd imagine the DM/CB role in a back 3 will suit him and Weiffer.

Its always the way he seems to play though. Everyone talking about needing cm, but he barely plays with one. one plays more as a cdm, often stepping into defence to mae a three when wing backs go forward, with a cm stepping forward as a CAM. SO beleba as cdm/CB could actually be something we see more of this season.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Any Brighton stuff on sale?

We've never had a single thing on sale in Kamo before, let alone have the walls decorated in our colours and players.

 

[Brovion]

This is a decent analysis.

I have to say I LOVE the new kit. In that picture it's got shades of the late 70s Bukta design.

 

[Seagull on the Hill]

Any Brighton stuff on sale?

We've never had a single thing on sale in Kamo before, let alone have the walls decorated in our colours and players.

I don't know all the details as that clip was forwarded to me by a friend.
However, I was told that it was a pop up shop selling Albion merchandise.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I don't know all the details as that clip was forwarded to me by a friend.
However, I was told that it was a pop up shop selling Albion merchandise.

That's awesome. I'll have a look tomorrow.

It's really frustrated me how up to now there has been no trace of the Albion in Japan despite having Mitoma for two years. It feels like such a wasted opportunity so it's good to see something is happening.

 

[Goldstone Guy]

Yep, but I'm not sure FH had much choice.

Dunk,Webster/Igor all not available leaving just JPVH & Veltman as natural centre backs. Obviously the plan was to give them 45mins each. Playing Baleba there was interesting though, i'd imagine the DM/CB role in a back 3 will suit him and Weiffer.

Yes maybe I'm reading too much into it, or perhaps what Washie said is right. Were Webster and Igor injured?