[Albion] Just how good is Hürzeler?

[American Seagle]

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

He much more tactically flexible than de zerbi. Much more potter-like in that respect. But also seems to have some Hughton pragmatism.
It will be interesting seeing how he develops.

 

[nickjhs]

FFS more than a 1/4 the way through the season, we are fifth, one point behind 2nd place and people are not happy with him!? Yes, he has a deep squad, but they are also very young and still developing, as is he. If we can keep this squad and manager together the future is dazzlingly bright. He clearly understands the game, makes effective changes when needed, and above all is so bloody refreshingly honest when appraising our performances. Today he was asked you must be pleased with the win after all Brighton deserved it, his response, no not really we got lucky in places a draw would have been the fair result but of course we happily take the 3 points.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Too early to judge he has had the luxury of £200m .

So did Potter and RDZ. Caicedo, Ale Mac and Cucurella were worth this

 

[dazzer6666]

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

That was exactly the point

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Seriously

But… Wouldn’t that make him younger than some of his players?

I was shocked when I found out. Shirley this upsets the hierarchy of the dressing room as he’s younger than some of our senior pros, shouldn’t they manage instead??

 

[Bold Seagull]

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

Agree with this, it was clear Bournemouth hadn’t prepared for us playing a front 3, all interchanging who was playing up top. Both goals came from brilliant football, but also Bournemouth players - a well drilled team, not knowing who they were picking up.

 

[studio150]

All this praise and we still can't beat teams in the bottom three.
Work that out, and we will be nervous every time a top job becomes vacant,

 

[nickjhs]

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.

Yeah I know it's quite concerning that we have spent 200m on a lot of players, non of whom are on high wages by PL standards. Non of whom are fully developed standout stars, and we are a fair way into the season and disappointingly a whole point off second place. I think you are being far to generous, D- at best.

 

[Right Brain Ronnie]

I am intrigued. I agree it is still a bit early to fully judge but what did he need to do to have got a B+ or higher from the start he has had?

We are fifth in the league and only lost 2 games, with some important injuries. An A at least surely?

Top 3 gets an A, like I said he has had some massive support, A is Excellent after all, not many individuals are in that category, he has time on his side to aspire to that, if we win the title, he gets a big fat A+ and the feel of Ronnie's tongue, wherever he would like it.

 

[HeaviestTed]

We can dream of Champions League football without being seen as basketcases.

I don’t think we are ready for champions league - Europa would be great and give us a chance to practice without the squad depth and expense would need for champions league- I’m not saying never but we need a bit more I think. (Of course I’d b over the moon if we got it, I just think we’d struggle next season)

 

[Bold Seagull]

I don’t think we are ready for champions league - Europa would be great and give us a chance to practice without the squad depth and expense would need for champions league- I’m not saying never but we need a bit more I think. (Of course I’d b over the moon if we got it, I just think we’d struggle next season)

Any European place would be a massive success. The Conference would be a genuine chance for a major trophy. Europa obviously fantastic for us.

 

[Right Brain Ronnie]

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

You say this as if I have written him off, I just think we need to keep our feet on the ground as supporters, as he promotes like all good mangers do and he mention this on match of the day.
I did like the way he shut down lineker though, that was class.

 

[HeaviestTed]

My only real question was whether RDZ was sacked or if he resigned,

 

[Bold Seagull]

My only real question was whether RDZ was sacked or if he resigned,

Perhaps the best way to think about it is, he sacked himself!

 

[Perkino]

An incredible start. We have won half of our games! We have played all the sides with a positive goal difference including the "top 6" and the current teams ranked 1 to 7. I don't think anyone has had a tougher set of fixtures than us so far.

We have lost just twice to Liverpool and Chelsea. Ironically two other sides who changed their manager in the summer. Both have significantly more expensive squads and wage bills than us.

The football has been thrilling to watch yet even after 22 points we are lamenting over missed opportunities to have gained more points including Vs Liverpool, Ipswich, Wolves etc al.

The way we pass through opposition lines and create opportunities is fabulous and we look resolute in defence despite mounting injuries. (No defenders fit for the bench Vs Man City)

Anything other than "an above expectations" is ludicrous. Clearly a working towards an A if we maintain this level of performance

 

[Beanstalk]

Clearly very very good. Does make you wonder why the club thought McKenna and a certain ex-employee would be better choices…

 

[Springal]

Clearly very very good. Does make you wonder why the club thought McKenna and a certain ex-employee would be better choices…

Did they ?

 

[Greg Bobkin]

That was exactly the point

Gotcha

 

[Blue3]

It’s still very early days but his use and timing of substitutes is good as is the improvement in quality of players at his disposal, he is showing faith in Yasin Ayari which seems to be working well, the more stable squad selection is working well which I like, since Fab’s arrival Igor fitness has improved massively in fact I think that’s noticeable with a number of the players but most of all he appears to be level headed and not the big I am type, early days but very promising

 

[Triggaaar]

Today he was asked you must be pleased with the win after all Brighton deserved it, his response, no not really we got lucky in places a draw would have been the fair result but of course we happily take the 3 points.

I like his response to the second yellow - There are not two options or two opinions, it's a clear thing that can't be a yellow card, the second one. Never ever.