[Football] Long awaited returns

[Napper]

Last three seasons he's played 93 games in total, that's some paper!

stats isn't it.

Could argue last 3 seasons , league games -

missed 26 games
missed 18 games
missed 16 games

that is some paper

 

[SeagullofMalaysia]

My preferred team would be

Ryan
Duffy.....Dunk......Hunemier
Schelotto...Stephens...Propper,..Gross..March/Izquierdo
Baldock...Murray​

Possibly the back 3 Goldson...Duffy...Dunk

Dropping Knockaert..... SMH

 

[chaileyjem]

Lets wait for Baldock to get back and get a run of games . He's made of paper don't forget.

Are Kayal and March "made of paper" ? They have both missed a similar # of games in the same time period.

 

[Doc Lynam]

Yeah basically. The reason I say that is that I reckon Gross is practically undroppable at the moment, and offers (amongst other things!) fantastic movement to both wings.

[tweet]919580096079515649[/tweet]

Here are our average positions (and passing) for the Everton game. The back for and two midfielders played textbook lines. Gross was, on average, more advanced than Murray and also more mobile - this isn't a slight on Muzza, they had different jobs obviously. If you replaced March (for example) with Baldock you'd expect him to be slightly more advanced and central, and for Gross to be slightly withdrawn to mitigate against it. Just a hunch though, and I reckon more than anything it's something of a 'Plan B' if we're in a match where Solly and Knocky aren't able to be as effective as they'd like.

Really interesting analysis Matt, I agree Gross does appear to be in the best form at the moment. But I remember reading an article by a german sports journalist (sorry can't find the link!) saying that his most productive position is centre mid, where he is able to work almost like a quarterback firing in passes for goal scoring opportunities, switching play from a deeper position. But if you put him in a more advanced position he'll see less of the ball. He also said that's his greatest problem he can play both positions (behind the attack, centre mid) really well but by asking him to do either you lose one aspect of his game, he's a very interesting player to be honest!

 

[BensGrandad]

Dropping Knockaert..... SMH[/QUOTE
Use him and or March as an impact sub so you start with 1 of 3 wide left Izquierdo, March or Knockhaert.

 

[MattBackHome]

Nuts, I'd love to see the representation of the Albion v Arsenal, but google won't cough it up, any help?

I don't think he did the Arsenal game, though he does take requests apparently (I'm not sure how far back he'll go though)

 

[Stat Brother]

Really interesting analysis Matt, I agree Gross does appear to be in the best form at the moment. But I remember reading an article by a german sports journalist (sorry can't find the link!) saying that his most productive position is centre mid, where he is able to work almost like a quarterback firing in passes for goal scoring opportunities. But by putting him in more advanced positions he'll see less of the ball. He also said that's his greatest problem he can play both positions (behind the attack, centre mid) really well but by asking him to do either you lose one aspect of his game, he's a very interesting player to be honest!

I guess that all depends on what is happening in front of Gross.
The one thing we haven't seen (but seriously looking forward too) is how he plays behind an out and out speedster.

Somewhat unfairly on him, I have a vision of Gross repeatedly playing 'the' pass, at 'the' moment, to give a Baldock type player 30 yards of space 2 yards ahead of a momentarily napping defense.

I certainly wouldn't want him to drop back into midfield but he is rather wasted when the team are playing extra defensive football.

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

We need pace to stretch other teams centre backs as we can’t do this at the moment
I would drop Stephens to the bench and put Gross and Propper in the middle with Sam and either GM/TH upfront
Worked well last season with those one upfront and SB playing the ten role

 

[half time scores]

stats isn't it.

Could argue last 3 seasons , league games -

missed 26 games
missed 18 games
missed 16 games

that is some paper

Purely out of interest, were they all missed because of injury?

 

[Napper]

Are Kayal and March "made of paper" ? They have both missed a similar # of games in the same time period.

Kayal whos just had his 8th (EIGHT) op of his career

Lol

 

[Stat Brother]

As a diversion from Baldock it will be very pleasing to see Kayal on the bench.
The team has been blooming lucky to scrape through these few weeks without having to put Bruno or Rosenior in at CM.

 

[Nixonator]

I'd move Gross into midfield with Propper alongside him which should mean we'll be a much better passing team in the middle.

Not a bad bench if we have Kayal and Stephens as options if we ever need to change things around too.

I would drop Stephens to the bench and put Gross and Propper in the middle with Sam and either GM/TH upfront

Utter madness. It's like you don't understand how our 442 has functioned.

If you replace Stephens (which is madness in itself considering he and Propper are starting to show the signs of a solid partnership) you replace him with Sidwell or Kayal if he was in form, which he hasn't been since 2015/16. How are we going to fare with 2x AM/10's protecting our back line? How can you possibly be confident of Gross putting in a shift in CM when, if anything, he is struggling with the physicality of English football?

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

Utter madness. It's like you don't understand how our 442 has functioned.

If you replace Stephens (which is madness in itself considering he and Propper are starting to show the signs of a solid partnership) you replace him with Sidwell or Kayal if he was in form, which he hasn't been since 2015/16. How are we going to fare with 2x AM/10's protecting our back line? How can you possibly be confident of Gross putting in a shift in CM when, if anything, he is struggling with the physicality of English football?

But we haven’t played 4-4-2 yet we’ve played a 4-4-1-1

 

[Megazone]

Utter madness. It's like you don't understand how our 442 has functioned.

If you replace Stephens (which is madness in itself considering he and Propper are starting to show the signs of a solid partnership) you replace him with Sidwell or Kayal if he was in form, which he hasn't been since 2015/16. How are we going to fare with 2x AM/10's protecting our back line? How can you possibly be confident of Gross putting in a shift in CM when, if anything, he is struggling with the physicality of English football?

Personally, I think Dale Stephens looks a yard behind the pace and has been giving the ball away far too often. I thought he might struggle in this league and so far it looks so.
Gross can play in midfield, how is that insane putting him in the Midfield? Also, you must be the only Albion fan who thinks he's struggling with English football!? He's been one of our better players so far and his strengths look more required as a midfielder than a centre forward. The Prem is a lot more about passing and moving rather than winning tackles and out muscling the opposition. As you saw against Everton, we barley won any tackles in midfield as we were never getting near the ball due to the fast tempo of play we're adjusting to right now. IMO, I'd rather see 2 players in the midfield who are capable of playing the ball quick and efficiently who both have experience of playing at the top level. Dale Stephens managed to intercept a few passes against Everton but I wouldn't use that to describe him as player who's a combating midfielder.
I think I'd even rather have Kayal than Stephens at this current time if it be, but like I said, I'd rather have quality in the middle in this division than a player who is giving the ball away far too often and not matching the oppositions midfield quality.

 

[8049]

Can't see Chris changing too much as what we're doing is working pretty well and we're gaining in confidence each match. We'll just have more options and quality from the bench. My feeling is that initially, at least, and maybe longer term, Chris will use Baldock and either Izquierdo/March/Knockaert from the bench towards the end of a game if we're chasing, in order to stretch the game with Baldock's movement and add additional pace from the winger.

 

[Gabbafella]

For me, play Baldock up front, Pröpper sat behind, Größ and Stephens in the middle and interchangable between March/Knocky/José on the wings.
If going for a 442 then throw Izzy in for Pröpper. Any of our midfield can fill that No10 role though, we have a pretty creative midfield.

 

[BensGrandad]

Personally, I think Dale Stephens looks a yard behind the pace and has been giving the ball away far too often. I thought he might struggle in this league and so far it looks so.
Gross can play in midfield, how is that insane putting him in the Midfield? Also, you must be the only Albion fan who thinks he's struggling with English football!? He's been one of our better players so far and his strengths look more required as a midfielder than a centre forward. The Prem is a lot more about passing and moving rather than winning tackles and out muscling the opposition. As you saw against Everton, we barley won any tackles in midfield as we were never getting near the ball due to the fast tempo of play we're adjusting to right now. IMO, I'd rather see 2 players in the midfield who are capable of playing the ball quick and efficiently who both have experience of playing at the top level. Dale Stephens managed to intercept a few passes against Everton but I wouldn't use that to describe him as player who's a combating midfielder.
I think I'd even rather have Kayal than Stephens at this current time if it be, but like I said, I'd rather have quality in the middle in this division than a player who is giving the ball away far too often and not matching the oppositions midfield quality.

I cannot believe anybody is saying this as Stephens has improved with every game and is now firmly entrenched in the side alongside Propper and I do not think that CH will even consider dropping him to the bench except possibly for tactical reasons in any 1 particular game. The nature of his style of play is such that he will lose the odd ball and if not he would be the first name in Gareth Southgates midfield

 

[Megazone]

I cannot believe anybody is saying this as Stephens has improved with every game and is now firmly entrenched in the side alongside Propper and I do not think that CH will even consider dropping him to the bench except possibly for tactical reasons in any 1 particular game. The nature of his style of play is such that he will lose the odd ball and if not he would be the first name in Gareth Southgates midfield

Don't get me wrong, I very much rated him last season but was wary if he could make the step up to the Prem. He has the ability but doesn't always get himself involved enough. His passing can either be really good some games and absolutely shocking on other games. Maybe it's his inconsistency I'm judging him by rather than his ability?

 

[BensGrandad]

I saw nothing wrong with his game against Everton and in fact thought that he was one of the better players along with Propper, either of whom could have been considered for MOM

 

[chaileyjem]

Utter madness. ...How can you possibly be confident of Gross putting in a shift in CM when, if anything, he is struggling with the physicality of English football?

Yes. I agree . Stephens and Pröpper are now #1 CM choice but Gross can definitely play there and has done in his Bundesliga career when required.
And is he really "struggling". ??
Seems to have settled in best of our new signings.
See his aggressive assist for AK's goal on Sunday for starters.