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[Albion] Lack of squad depth will cost us



Harry Wilson's tackle

Harry Wilson's Tackle
NSC Patron
Oct 8, 2003
56,097
Faversham
Should have replaced Trossard, now Ferguson is injured our forward line is powderpuff once Welbeck gets tired. No obvious replacement for Estupinian means no rotation.

Fact is several of our players tonight looked so tired they could have been drunk, Caicedo and Dunk particularly. The games keep coming and the squad is threadbare.

Some will say this is a very negative view, but it’s realistic.
Since I have strong views about the nature of this thread, which appears to invite people to agree (we are shit) or rebut (and pretend we are strong as Citeh), I thought I'd check your original post again.

Yes, you are criticizing the club for failing to add to new signings during the winter break. You then accept this is a negative view.

Yes, yes, it is a negative view. Simply because it is a 'what the club should have done' post. It serves no purpose. There is no Tardis. And it came after our first poor performance for goodness knows when, so it is a harbinger of doom to come. And I'm not a fan of doom. Or harbingers.

So, yes, I will stick with my original impression that this is a negative thread, inviting loads of 'should of' replies of which I see there are countless; people who with the benefit of hindsight think they can show that they know better than the club.

That then is on a par with 'what should we be praying to God for, and what do you think the consequences will be if he doesn't grant our prayers?'.

And, apologies, by the way. Nothing personal. The thread could have been started by anyone. And I understand the imperative to emote after a defeat. Just....don't forget about perspective. There is no need to seek an explanation (or an escape goat) for every disappointment :thumbsup:
 
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Justice

Dangerous Idiot
Jun 21, 2012
20,663
Born In Shoreham
Let’s just forget about European football
I was celebrating at the 40 point mark.
I think the problem started on Sunday when RDZ only used 3 see subs for 132 minutes of football whilst United used the full complement of 6 allowed ( 1 extra in extra time ) which no doubt contributed to too many knackered players

And for those saying players should be fit enough, on a recent 90 minute match Mitoma sprinted for EIGHT MILES. He'll in 90 minute I doubt 3/4 on here could run 8 miles let alone whilst playing football
That is a very strange comparison to make but sure most of us couldn’t sprint for eight miles without needing an ambulance.
 






Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
57,284
Back in Sussex
I agree, not rotating Gilmour in throughout the season (so he's match ready) has been one of RDZ's few mistakes IMO.
How can you say that?

None of us have seen Gilmoir in training, but RDZ and his team do, every single day.

We’ve played 13 games in a row now where Gilmoir hasn’t featured for a single minute. There will be a very good reason why RDZ hasn’t wanted to introduce him.
 






Simster

"the man's an arse"
Jul 7, 2003
54,952
Surrey
How can you say that?

None of us have seen Gilmoir in training, but RDZ and his team do, every single day.

We’ve played 13 games in a row now where Gilmoir hasn’t featured for a single minute. There will be a very good reason why RDZ hasn’t wanted to introduce him.
Indeed. And I think that good reason is that Gilmour is shite. He wasn't a DeZerbi signing.

I do feel he had no business leaving out Undav though. Clearly one of the weak links, but playing no striker instead was poor.
 


sussex_guy2k2

Well-known member
Jun 6, 2014
4,079
Doesn't change the fact that we only have 2 wingers and 1 left back in the squad.
We have a squad built for a guy (Potter) who played a very distinct system. RDZs not really had a chance to change the playing personnel to suit his system. I’ve no doubt that’ll change, but it explains the squad weaknesses.
 








Neville's Breakfast

Well-known member
May 1, 2016
13,450
Oxton, Birkenhead
We have a squad built for a guy (Potter) who played a very distinct system. RDZs not really had a chance to change the playing personnel to suit his system. I’ve no doubt that’ll change, but it explains the squad weaknesses.
I think it is the other way around. The club determine the strategy. The Recruitment Team buy the players. Potter was employed to coach the team because he was able to persuade Tony at interview that he was able to execute the strategy. Same deal with RDZ. The players we have fit the coaching of RDZ perfectly. If they didn’t we wouldn’t be having our best season ever.
 




Bold Seagull

strong and stable with me, or...
Mar 18, 2010
30,458
Hove
We have a squad built for a guy (Potter) who played a very distinct system. RDZs not really had a chance to change the playing personnel to suit his system. I’ve no doubt that’ll change, but it explains the squad weaknesses.
We have a squad built for playing progressive, entertaining, attacking football. De Zerbi was hired because his style and methods matched what we have. He probably jumped at the job looking at a squad that he could instill his way of playing into. An lucky semi defeat on pens, 49 points from 30 games, 55 goals, some of the most attacking play in Europe. Really does explain the weaknesses.
 


Bold Seagull

strong and stable with me, or...
Mar 18, 2010
30,458
Hove
I think it is the other way around. The club determine the strategy. The Recruitment Team buy the players. Potter was employed to coach the team because he was able to persuade Tony at interview that he was able to execute the strategy. Same deal with RDZ. The players we have fit the coaching of RDZ perfectly. If they didn’t we wouldn’t be having our best season ever.
We can't keep on crossing paths and agreeing like this...
 


chaileyjem

#BarberIn
NSC Patron
Jun 27, 2012
14,612
"We are able to win with this squad. Today we were able to win with this first XI. A lot of coaches cry after defeat but this, I am different."
via post match press conference

Not the quote from RDZ that is being shared much today as opposed to the rather bland one about squad restrengthening in the summer being used as cover to argue - especially in the heat of either Sunday or last night - that the club haven't done a good job at selling players - yes - but also reshaping the squad at the same time. They clearly have and nothing about last night really changes that.
 




hawkeye1947

New member
Apr 27, 2023
1
Forest fan in peace .Firstly let me say that I have really enjoyed watching Brighton this season and wish you all the best in the remaining games. The reason for my post is to do with injuries. Forest have 12 players out injured at the moment and a number of them are out for the season. Yes we brought in quite a number of players pre season but we had to as we had a large number on loan last season.
 


dwayne

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
16,264
London
We've lost a game where we didn't play well.

If this is the stating the bleedin' obvious thread, then in addition to lack of squad depth you may want to add not signing Erling Haaland, not having a 60,000 capacity stadium, not having an annual income of 500M and not having a manager who has experience of winning numerous trophies across Europe as very obvious limitations that we will have to work within for now.

The squad depth and quality is far beyond anything we had two years ago (and my wildest hopes) and, like everything else, is being gradually improved based on our results and hopefully, will be that much better again in 2 years :rolleyes:

I was going to make a sheet joke but really can't be arsed :shrug:
Hmmm

I actually think our squad may have been better last season. With burn , bissouma , mwepu , trossard, alzate (bad move loaning him in hindsight)

Our first 11 is better this season though.
 


chaileyjem

#BarberIn
NSC Patron
Jun 27, 2012
14,612
I'm not blaming the individual. But we have 5 players who are frequently injured. 2 of them who were famously injury prone when we signed them.

As you well know, Welbeck is frequently on the bench because he's not fit enough to start, he can't manage 2 games in a week.

Ok, we didn't know until this season that Sarmiento would absolutely love an injury, but it's nothing new with Lamptey or Webster.

Interesting fact - we've used more players in the Premier League than Manchester City this season. I don't think they are carrying 5 sicknotes though
Welbeck has started 18 Premier League games this season - mostly because RDZ has preferred Ferguson not injury/fitness - and missed just a handful of squads. And do you really think players "love injuries" or are "injury prone". Someone kicked Lamptey's knee in a game and its taken a while to recover from. Is that his fault - and by implication - which is what i think you're saying - the club's fault for signing players who might get injured.
 


Clive Walker

Stand Or Fall
Jul 5, 2011
3,590
Brighton
Honestly think we've had our fair share of luck in regard to injuries. Our very best players have been available the entire season. Gross, Dunk, Perv, Moises, Alexis, March, Mitoma etc etc.

What we are suffering with now is exhaustion by virtue of the above.
 




chaileyjem

#BarberIn
NSC Patron
Jun 27, 2012
14,612
Hmmm

I actually think our squad may have been better last season. With burn , bissouma , mwepu , trossard, alzate (bad move loaning him in hindsight)

Our first 11 is better this season though.
We're fine . You're not fine though if you throw the baby out with the bathwater after the odd defeat and start questioning the players, the strategy, the approach. . You're going to lose games like last night unless you're Man City etc. We're not. It happens. As RDZ said - we could /should have won last night - but hey.

After the win at Chelsea - 1 PL GAME AGO - i read endless pieces in the press and on podcasts and on on here eulogising Bloom, RDZ, Barber, Brighton etc for their remarkable skill at selling key players but still improving the squad , their far sighted recruitment, the powers of RDZ as a attacking progressive coach and the wonders of Mitoma, Ferguson, March, Estupinan, Caicedo and MacAllister. Shall i go on. They were right. They're still right.

Honestly.
 


raymondo

Well-known member
Apr 26, 2017
7,346
Wiltshire
How can you say that?

None of us have seen Gilmoir in training, but RDZ and his team do, every single day.

We’ve played 13 games in a row now where Gilmoir hasn’t featured for a single minute. There will be a very good reason why RDZ hasn’t wanted to introduce him.
Then don't have Gilmour on the bench if he's shite
 


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