[Albion] "Looking forward to removing north stand chat from Tapatalk"

[beorhthelm]

I don’t get the whole “following a player around from club to club as a fan” either.

I get the well wishing aspect, but a big part of football is surely supporting a team. Like the Tau SA fans, their whole obsession is with seeing their boy play. If he doesn’t they slate the club, the manager and even the fans in some cases.

Funny business, but in fairness nothing to do with AJ.

in the past many followed Linker and others going abroad. Gasgoine going to Lazio arguably brought Italian football to our screens (aware Platt went too, Gazza was the draw though)

 

[Guinness Boy]

Funny how he needed a “better” club but none of them came in for him. Like, say, a 50 mill bid from Arsenal?

Not quite quick enough, not quite strong enough and needed more time on the ball than the EPL gives you. He’ll be like a pig in shit back in Holland with the likes of Go Ahead giving him ten yards to make every decision


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[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I think on of the major differences between Potter and Hughton is that Potter likes his full backs to be wingers, and Hughton likes his wingers to be full backs, at least in the PL he did.

That is one of the best summaries of the difference between the two managers I have read.

 

[Badger Boy]

I'm sure he'll thrive next season but he never threatened to do so here.

 

[JBizzle]

Irrespective of what his fans think, I'm certain we ruined him. He came in as a quick, right sided forward, used to playing week in, week out in a front three and with little defensive responsibility. Under Hughton (and I have very little negative to say about Hughton's tenure apart from this) he was shackled into a left wing role as essentially a second fullback to protect Bong and Bernardo's defensive frailties. He didn't get forward and barely had any chance to make an impact.

Expecting someone to come from the Dutch League, in a free flowing, attacking side and in a role they are suited and then move to the Premier League in a hyper defensive side AND be played out of position was a hell of a lot to ask of any player.

I honestly think Hughton's tenure did for his confidence completely and it's only been in recent times when Potter has played him in somewhere close to his actual position have see seen him get more game time. Sadly, I believe the damage had been done and the role he played at AZ has been fully expunged from his skillset.

In the end, his contribution wasn't good enough and this is the right move for him and the club, but we are absolutely not without fault. I wish him nothing but the best and I hope he finds his feet again.

 

[nickbrighton]

Ali J was seen as one of our best ever signings at the time. Remember the "tracking the plane", the pictures outside the Montefiore hospital after his medical etc. There was truly a sense of excitement about him signing. It was seen I think, as the start of out rise up the Prem League, exciting football, attacking players etc. Ali J would fit in perfectly.

Unfortunately that isn't how we played, and the style didn't suit him so we never saw the best of him (overhead bicycle kick excepted)

If he was a new signing now and coming into a completely different set up we,would I believe have seen a very different Ali J. However as others have said confidence gone, other players in his natural position, it is time to let him go. Perhaps he will flourish in a less pacey and more forgiving league and we will all look on from afar and say "Oh if only....."

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

That is one of the best summaries of the difference between the two managers I have read.

Must have missed Izquierdo being used at fullback

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[sydney]

they're just like us