[Albion] Just how good is Hürzeler?

[Zeberdi]

No, I don't see the connection on how much money was played today, it's about how much we have spent that has strengthen the whole season to date, without the extra European games.
So to judge that nice young American yet is far to early in my opinion. He is doing okay but a B at present and with the resources that have been provided for him, RDZ had a A almost an A+ from me, with Europe and his budget.

Yes the squad has been strengthened more in 2024 above our normal annual spend but it’s all relative - All of the richest 7 EPL teams in the past 5 seasons have been strengthening their squads too so much in fact there’s been numerous breaches of the PSR.

So tell me, what difference it makes in practice if this summer despite a large spend, that over the past 5 years we have still only had a net surplus spend of £39 million? More importantly, we have the 15th lowest wage spend in the PL. What we pay in wages remain the biggest indicator of just how much we have been punching above our weight under both Potter, RDZ and Hürzeler.

Yes there are increased expectations because of the business we did in the summer but Hürzeler is meeting comfortably, even exceeding those expectations.

So let’s put it into perspective…

After a 3rd of the way through the season, we are 5th in the table; on level points with 3 of the richest Clubs in the EPL the richest League in the World (except the Saudi Pro); above 3 of the other richest clubs; and only 6 points from the top of the Table behind one of the other richest clubs in the PL.

Anyone that still hasn’t made up their mind by now that Hürzeler is not only doing a great job but is a progression from GP and RDZ ( as I expected he would be and as TB/PB planned for) needs to give their head a wobble frankly.

FYI - I also predict Weiffer will
be a top class player for us too

 

[Eeyore]

It's still too early, and the strange thing is that I don't even think we have played that great football this year. Now that puts me brain at a crossroads. Will we start fading, or does that mean there is even more to come ?

Either way, we are in a good position and I am most content.

 

[Reddleman]

The thing that has impressed me most is his ability to adapt. He isn’t stubborn, if something isnt working he is prepared to change it. That was RDZ’s downfall he had his way and that was that.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Yes the squad has been strengthened more in 2024 above our normal annual spend but it’s all relative - All of the richest 7 EPL teams in the past 5 seasons have been strengthening their squads too so much in fact there’s been numerous breaches of the PSR.

So tell me, what difference it makes in practice if this summer despite a large spend, that over the past 5 years we have still only had a net surplus spend of £39 million? More importantly, we have the 15th lowest wage spend in the PL. What we pay in wages remain the biggest indicator of just how much we have been punching above our weight under both Potter, RFZ and Hürzeler.

Yes there are increased expectations because of the business we did in the summer but Hürzeler is meeting comfortably, even exceeding those expectations.

So let’s put it into perspective…

After a 3rd of the way through the season, we are 5th in the table; on level points with 3 of the richest Clubs in the EPL the richest League in the World (except the Saudi Pro); above 3 of the other richest clubs; and only 6 points from the top of the Table behind one of the other richest clubs in the PL.

Anyone that still hasn’t made up their mind by now that Hürzeler is not only doing a great job but is a progression from GP and RDZ ( as I expected he would be and as TB/PB planned for) needs to give their head a wobble frankly.

RDZ took over a team flying, with:
Caicedo £115m
MacAlister £50m
Trossard £20m
Sanchez £25m
Gross, March, Dunk and Mitoma in the form of their lives.

Hardly joined with us scrapping the barrel did he. Seem to remember we were in 4th when he picked up the reigns.

So totally agree with you. For Fab to pick up the pieces of RDZ’s final 3 month slump, a fresh squad and so what he’s done is nothing short of incredible at this point.

 

[Zeberdi]

It's still too early, and the strange thing is that I don't even think we have played that great football this year. Now that puts me brain at a crossroads. Will we start fading, or does that mean there is even more to come ?

Maybe not ( in fact I said the same thing on my Hurzeler mojo thread a fortnight ago and got shouted down for it) but I have also seen some excellent football too ( our forwards working together like they have been doing for example, is producing some of the best attacking play I have ever seen us play in the PL.). We had a lot of new players and a new coach - of course it’s taken a few months to build the system and for players to bed in.

But imo FH is doing enough to get us results despite it looking scrappy and inconsistent at times.

 

[BadFish]

It's still too early, and the strange thing is that I don't even think we have played that great football this year. Now that puts me brain at a crossroads. Will we start fading, or does that mean there is even more to come ?

Either way, we are in a good position and I am most content.

I agree that we haven't played brilliant De zerbi football but (and it is a massive but) we can be more incisive than I have ever seen us. Goals can come direct and out of nowhere. We also defend better than RDZ and Potter. All of which makes for an exciting prospect.

Both of today's goals were of the highest quality today.

 

[Bold Seagull]

It's still too early, and the strange thing is that I don't even think we have played that great football this year. Now that puts me brain at a crossroads. Will we start fading, or does that mean there is even more to come ?

Either way, we are in a good position and I am most content.

We might not have played a full 90mins start to finish great football, but we’ve played some Amazing football for periods. Spurs and City 2nd halves spring to mind, periods against Arsenal, ManUtd too. As good as I’ve seen us in the PL at times, and now adding some grit such as seeing games out at Newcastle and Bournemouth. The bar is high for you if you don’t think the football has been great so far.

 

[Coxovi]

The first goal today was really impressive to watch, beautiful football. It was not our best game I agree, but when we cut them open we did it with style.

 

[Weststander]

The first goal today was really impressive to watch, beautiful football. It was not our best game I agree, but when we cut them open we did it with style.

I thought both Albion goals capped great football.

 

[Bodian]

I'm just thinking about Hurzeler. There surely can't have been too many permanent managers in the history of the PL who have been younger than him?

And have there been any other permanent PL managers that were born after the start of the Premier League?

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

We might not have played a full 90mins start to finish great football, but we’ve played some Amazing football for periods. Spurs and City 2nd halves spring to mind, periods against Arsenal, ManUtd too. As good as I’ve seen us in the PL at times, and now adding some grit such as seeing games out at Newcastle and Bournemouth. The bar is high for you if you don’t think the football has been great so far.

This is key. Maybe not standout 90 min performances so far but results speak for themselves. He's only 31 so will only get better with experience too.

 

[Klaas]

Only 31

Seriously

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Gruda £25m
Weiffer £25m
Minteh £30m
O’Riley £25m
Kadioglu £25m

Eh? None of those started the game today...

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Dazzer can.

Thank you, but I knew that, as he was clearly on a mission to troll me.
I will let him get back to X, I am sure he will be at home there.

I'm not aware of asking a question being 'trolling', but ok

 

[Moshe Gariani]

The bar is high for you if you don’t think the football has been great so far.

The bar is ludicrously high for many of the Brighton audience now. Understandable as at times during the past 3 or 4 years we have had some of the best players in the world playing some of the best football by any side in the world. All a bit mad for any Albion fans over the age of 12.

 

[BevBHA]

What I love is I have no idea what his system is, does he have one?

For me, he plays the opposition. He’s learnt that very quickly. He ditched the fixed high line system of the first few games after we got found out at Chelsea and he even touched on in his MOTD interview tonight about loving how versatile the Premier League is with everyone’s different styles of football, making it so competitive.

I love that we could put out the same 11 two weeks in a row, and have completely different game plans. It makes us unpredictable and therefore a dangerous proposition for any of the other teams, as shown by a few of our results

 

[theboybilly]

Better than Potter who I thought was our best manager.

Better and infinitely more genuine and likeable than De Zerbi.

Love him.

More likeable than De Zerbi? That's some statement. I still miss him and I know there are many that share my view

 

[Triggaaar]

No, I don't see the connection on how much money was played today, it's about how much we have spent that has strengthen the whole season to date, without the extra European games.

But the money we've spent is on young players who we expect to become worth more. We haven't splashed £200m on a ready made team, we've invested it for the future.

So to judge that nice young American yet is far to early in my opinion. He is doing okay but a B at present

I agree it's a bit early, but so far it's clearly an A. We've had a hard run of fixtures and yet have 22 points from 12 games (at that rate we'd finish on 70 points, which is clearly no B).

RDZ had a A almost an A+ from me, with Europe and his budget.

RDZ's first season was an A, his last season not so much.

 

[Weststander]

More likeable than De Zerbi? That's some statement. I still miss him and I know there are many that share my view

I’m very happy with Hurzeler, but will never join the slagging off of RDZ. He delivered unprecedented times. Last season working with a woefully deficient squad for a 46+ game season ….. borne out by the big spend in the summer.