[Albion] Man of the Match - Ipswich (A)

[Lady Whistledown]

Veltman obvs. By a distance.

If anyone encapsulates the team it's Ayari. Pub player for 20 minutes before turning into a world-beater in the 2nd half.

Ayari puzzles me. That thing where he looks poor in the first half but then great in the second happens so often, and it's hard to fathom why.

Veltman MOTM for me. Had a good all round game, was one of the few actually trying to drive forwards in the first half, absolutely CLATTERED Delap with a (fair) sliding tackle right in front of the Albion fans which was quite frankly the highlight of the first half, managed to dodge a booking for at least his first three fouls before finally succumbing near the end, and generally had the Ipswich fans squealing about how unfair life is from about five minutes in all the way to the final whistle. How I love that crazy Dutch seagull rescuer .

Also, Webster (who also played very well) got away without being booked for a quite superbly late tackle in the first 15 minutes or so (I think). The sort of tackle that gets you a yellow all day long any time later in the game. Crazy how referees so often let bad tackles go when it's early.

 

[jcdenton08]

I’ve made no secret of my love for Joel Veltman over the years. I’ve been his number one cheerleader from day one, but tonight was probably his best ever performance for us.

Absolutely imperious (at right back!), pocketed the very dangerous Delap, just a step ahead mentally from everything else we’ve got.

A joy to watch him, and absolutely crucial to our chances of success. Need to get the contract situation sorted immediately, I fear for us without him.

Consistently my first name on the team sheet and overall our best and most consistent player, especially since Groß went back home.

 

[7dialssouthpaw]

If we're allowed to be negative ....

Mitoma seems to have lost his quality first-touch. He's still great but earlier in the season the ball, from distance and with pace, stuck to his boot like velcro. Now, more often than not, it's run away from him.

Wots occurring?

eye sight? I recall a game a couple of years ago, he kept passing to the wrong team.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Joel all day. He just felt very in control and I loved watching him wind them up a bit.

Delap’s reaction to Velts was to kick and push him at every opportunity. He got kicked up in the air, tricked into a yellow and tackled at every opportunity for his trouble. Velts also won a number of free kicks by going down easily each time the thug got close.

A very angry and frustrated boy was subbed off as a result.

 

[telboyWotR]

Too close to call this one. Verbruggen with some amazing saves in the first half to keep us in the game.

Veltman is a sith lord of the dark side.

Gorgonio though, I have no idea how the ball sticks to his feet sometimes and that smile is infectious. Best signing of the summer by far, a real asset on and off the pitch.

 

[Hugo Rune]

I’ve made no secret of my love for Joel Veltman over the years. I’ve been his number one cheerleader from day one, but tonight was probably his best ever performance for us.

Absolutely imperious (at right back!), pocketed the very dangerous Delap, just a step ahead mentally from everything else we’ve got.

A joy to watch him, and absolutely crucial to our chances of success. Need to get the contract situation sorted immediately, I fear for us without him.

Consistently my first name on the team sheet and overall our best and most consistent player, especially since Groß went back home.

This is the best point in the thread. Our team has been lacking elite level ‘know how’ all season leading to so many lost points when we have been ahead. We need Veltman next season and a few more experienced pros like him!

 

[A1X]

It obviously is Veltman

But a special mention to his compatriot between the sticks, Bart kept us in it at times in the first half

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Ayari puzzles me. That thing where he looks poor in the first half but then great in the second happens so often, and it's hard to fathom why.

In fairness, he does vary it. Against Liverpool, Ayari (and Hinshelwood) were absolutely outstanding in the 1st half before he went missing in the 2nd.

He's the footballing equivalent of my reading glasses.

 

[Van Cleef]

I’ve made no secret of my love for Joel Veltman over the years. I’ve been his number one cheerleader from day one, but tonight was probably his best ever performance for us.

Absolutely imperious (at right back!), pocketed the very dangerous Delap, just a step ahead mentally from everything else we’ve got.

A joy to watch him, and absolutely crucial to our chances of success. Need to get the contract situation sorted immediately, I fear for us without him.

Consistently my first name on the team sheet and overall our best and most consistent player, especially since Groß went back home.

I always look out for Joel when I rewatch the goals. Other players give a clenched fist or summat while Velts always looks like we've just scored the winner in the cup final.

 

[dazzer6666]

Delap’s reaction to Velts was to kick and push him at every opportunity. He got kicked up in the air, tricked into a yellow and tackled at every opportunity for his trouble. Velts also won a number of free kicks by going down easily each time the thug got close.

A very angry and frustrated boy was subbed off as a result.

I think ‘schooled’ is the word you’re looking for. Fabulous work from a top, top pro.

 

[Bakero]

Also, Webster (who also played very well) got away without being booked for a quite superbly late tackle in the first 15 minutes or so (I think). The sort of tackle that gets you a yellow all day long any time later in the game. Crazy how referees so often let bad tackles go when it's early.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, he got the ball. Absolutely launched himself into it but it was a fair challenge

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

If it's the one I'm thinking of, he got the ball. Absolutely launched himself into it but it was a fair challenge

No ball was not close

 

[brighton_tom]

I disagree.....

I went to the two home matches over the Christmas period - Palace and Brentford. My BIL and I both commented on his incredible first touch (I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone better in that regard in an Albion shirt).

Absolutely. Some incredible control of a long distance pass to him shown in some of the December/January games. Class.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Veltman who is currently also clear player of the season so far for me

No. Carlos for me. By a mile.

 

[brighton_tom]

Ayari puzzles me. That thing where he looks poor in the first half but then great in the second happens so often, and it's hard to fathom why.

A common theme among young players learning the league/team is inconsistency in play. Happens with so many of them. You hope as they get older they become more consistent. Not many 19/20 year olds start in the Prem & put down man of the match performances EVERY game or even play consistently well over 90 mins. It’s more moments of brilliance, that hopefully get more continuous.

 

[Blue3]

Veltman was outstanding but if not for Bart we could have have been 3 or 4 down by halftime

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I’ve made no secret of my love for Joel Veltman over the years. I’ve been his number one cheerleader from day one, but tonight was probably his best ever performance for us.

Absolutely imperious (at right back!), pocketed the very dangerous Delap, just a step ahead mentally from everything else we’ve got.

A joy to watch him, and absolutely crucial to our chances of success. Need to get the contract situation sorted immediately, I fear for us without him.

Consistently my first name on the team sheet and overall our best and most consistent player, especially since Groß went back home.

Best ever? Not sure it's his best this season. He was astonishing against Bmuff this season. Coincidentally, our last away win.

But I agree generally. Having a good season doing what only he can do.

 

[keaton]

I accept I watched on telly and you get a different experience but I'm absolutely staggered Ayari has got 24 votes. He improved after Rutter came on but he was bloody dreadful before

 

[jcdenton08]

Best ever? Not sure it's his best this season. He was astonishing against Bmuff this season. Coincidentally, our last away win.

But I agree generally. Having a good season doing what only he can do.

Fair play, but we agree he was outstanding

 

[Marshy]

Ayari for me.