[Albion] Napoli interested in Billy Gilmour **Sold 30/08/24**

[heathgate]

Definitely not as good as Alexis, and a different player to Gross.

It's a new manager and a slightly new style, so who knows how well he could do.

I'll trust the club to make the right decision.

I don't, as yet, see a massive difference in the style post RDZ... maybe a bit more speed through the midfield, but I can't see much else yet.

 

[Bold Seagull]

If that was to be Billy’s last game in the stripes then it’s a real shame, he was magnificent today. I understand the selling of players when we get massive money, but seeing a player of his ability and age go for what appears to be a fairly small fee just seems odd.

I don’t think we always act in just our interests, I think sometimes we act in the players interests too.

Perhaps Billy wants a fresh challenge, wants to experience playing abroad, or be a first choice starter. When a player has been as professional as Billy has, taken his time out of the team in good grace, then a move and fee maybe reflective of all that.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I don’t think we always act in just our interests, I think sometimes we act in the players interests too.

Perhaps Billy wants a fresh challenge, wants to experience playing abroad, or be a first choice starter. When a player has been as professional as Billy has, taken his time out of the team in good grace, then a move and fee maybe reflective of all that.

That’s a fair response, will be a shame if he does leave, but he’ll go with everyone’s best wishes.

 

[JBizzle]

I don't, as yet, see a massive difference in the style post RDZ... maybe a bit more speed through the midfield, but I can't see much else yet.

Here's a difference, we've kept a clean sheet.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I don’t think we always act in just our interests, I think sometimes we act in the players interests too.

Perhaps Billy wants a fresh challenge, wants to experience playing abroad, or be a first choice starter. When a player has been as professional as Billy has, taken his time out of the team in good grace, then a move and fee maybe reflective of all that.

We actually defend. Yes, we look exposed sometimes when we have a high line, but we're generally defending more tightly. We look more organised to me.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I don't, as yet, see a massive difference in the style post RDZ... maybe a bit more speed through the midfield, but I can't see much else yet.

As yet Hurzeler is still largely using RDZ’s players, I think once he’s got the full backs and midfield that he wants we’ll see FH’s system become more prominent.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

As yet Hurzeler is still largely using RDZ’s players, I think once he’s got the full backs and midfield that he wants we’ll see FH’s system become more prominent.

Here's what he said yesterday:

"My job is about building on the foundations of the last three years, because the success the club has had in that time is massive.

"That is why I didn't change a lot of things. I am just trying to integrate with my team and give the club the success they deserve."

Brighton 2-1 Man Utd: Fabian Hurzeler 'emotional' after victory

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says he is emotional but not euphoric after beating Manchester United, as he tries to stay grounded.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Freddo]

I’ve not been a Gilmour fan and have no issue selling him but I enjoyed his performance today though I think some have got a bit carried away and I thought Milner was slightly better of the two. Thought he was more effective than at any time last season though.

Looking forward to seeing more of a combination of Baleba, Wieffer and O’Reilly in centre midfield which potentially looks much stronger.

You've been pretty vocal on here on how you don't rate Gilmour, but this is just silly.

 

[Bakero]

I don't, as yet, see a massive difference in the style post RDZ... maybe a bit more speed through the midfield, but I can't see much else yet.

There are differences. We still play out from the back, of course, but we're not baiting the press to the same extent. Steele seems to be willing to go long to the wings more often, akin to what we saw from Sanchez under Potter.

Whereas RDZ wanted speed in transition, FH wants faster build up in general.

The patterns of play are also quite different, as is the positional play and shape in and out of possession. Difficult to explain this; would need an analyst with some lines on chalkboards.

I think we'll see further differences too once the new players are bedded in and everyone's on the same page.

 

[heathgate]

There are differences. We still play out from the back, of course, but we're not baiting the press to the same extent. Steele seems to be willing to go long to the wings more often, akin to what we saw from Sanchez under Potter.

Whereas RDZ wanted speed in transition, FH wants faster build up in general.

The patterns of play are also quite different, as is the positional play and shape in and out of possession. Difficult to explain this; would need an analyst with some lines on chalkboards.

I think we'll see further differences too once the new players are bedded in and everyone's on the same page.

Yes, it's small differences, a decent change yesterday was after half time when FH got Hinshelwood to get a bit closer to Mitoma, that felt a lot more cohesive.... but the passing pace through midfield is very obvious, to me at least,..... and Pedro running with the ball in central areas.

 

[Hugo Rune]

There are differences. We still play out from the back, of course, but we're not baiting the press to the same extent. Steele seems to be willing to go long to the wings more often, akin to what we saw from Sanchez under Potter.

Whereas RDZ wanted speed in transition, FH wants faster build up in general.

The patterns of play are also quite different, as is the positional play and shape in and out of possession. Difficult to explain this; would need an analyst with some lines on chalkboards.

I think we'll see further differences too once the new players are bedded in and everyone's on the same page.

I genuinely believe that RDZ was more interested in imposing his style of play onto the team rather than winning matches when he took over. We did ok against Liverpool initially as he didn’t change much (and sulked about it) but the players looked very confused for a number of games afterwards.

We dropped 12 points in the Potter/De Zerbi transition period. Did that cost us a top four place in 22/23?

Hürzeler is about the points and winning as a priority. I genuinely believe he wants to play great football in his own style too but that’s only going to come when he thinks the team is ready. Very impressive.

With the signings we are making, I still believe he is aiming to play his St Pauli system and formation.
However, I think this sort of line-up (two attacking midfielders ahead of a CDM/CD) might be a few weeks or even months away. He won’t play it until it’s working properly and it’s winning!

———————-—Verbruggen———————
——-Van Hecke——Wieffer—-Dunk————-
Kadıoğlu——O’Riley—-Rutter—-—-Estupiñán
——March————--Pedro———-Mitoma—-

7 different players and a new formation!

What I’m certain of is other EPL sides are not going to be working FH out for the time being. Because every match will be a step further in the evolution.

 

[Deadly Danson]

 

[Forster's Armband]

Jonathan Pierce on MOTD said he's been told it's not likely Gilmour will leave.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Jonathan Pierce on MOTD said he's been told it's not likely Gilmour will leave.

Good. With no Wieffer and playing a similar formation to that of De Zerbi, he is essential.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

You've been pretty vocal on here on how you don't rate Gilmour, but this is just silly.

Is it? In what way? Tell me what Gilmour did that was so much better than Milner? I would recommend watching the game again and looking at the stats cos I think you’ll find that as tends to happen on here because he looks busy, Gilmour’s performance and influence has been over hyped.

I know some are not interested in stats but as a point of interest, Who Scored had them level rated, Sofa Score had Milner ahead of Gilmour.

 

[Bakero]

I genuinely believe that RDZ was more interested in imposing his style of play onto the team rather than winning matches when he took over. We did ok against Liverpool initially as he didn’t change much (and sulked about it) but the players looked very confused for a number of games afterwards.

View attachment 187795

We dropped 12 points in the Potter/De Zerbi transition period. Did that cost us a top four place in 22/23?

Hürzeler is about the points and winning as a priority. I genuinely believe he wants to play great football in his own style too but that’s only going to come when he thinks the team is ready. Very impressive.

With the signings we are making, I still believe he is aiming to play his St Pauli system and formation.
However, I think this sort of line-up (two attacking midfielders ahead of a CDM/CD) might be a few weeks or even months away. He won’t play it until it’s working properly and it’s winning!

———————-—Verbruggen———————
——-Van Hecke——Wieffer—-Dunk————-
Kadıoğlu——O’Riley—-Rutter—-—-Estupiñán
——March————--Pedro———-Mitoma—-

7 different players and a new formation!

What I’m certain of is other EPL sides are not going to be working FH out for the time being. Because every match will be a step further in the evolution.

To be fair to RDZ he didn't get a preseason to work on anything so he had to impose his style on the fly. Would we have amassed 62 points. If he'd maintained Potter's tactics and slowly transitioned? Impossible to say but probably not.

In the end we were 9 points off top 4. Looking at De Zerbi's first 5 matches, picking up those additional points would have been incredible.

As for Hürzeler, I agree. He may well want to make wholesale changes, which means it's smart to take his time. Especially, as we haven't assembled the squad yet.

 

[Triggaaar]

I don't, as yet, see a massive difference in the style post RDZ... maybe a bit more speed through the midfield, but I can't see much else yet.

IMO, we're not sitting with the ball as much, in the hope of making the opposition over-commit. When we have the ball, we attack with more urgency. I'm not saying we never attacked quickly with RDZ, but there were some lovely goals where we scored after like 30 passes, but I don't see that happening here. And without the ball, either a quick press to win it back or everyone behind the ball with the strikers defending.

 

[Bakero]

Is it? In what way? Tell me what Gilmour did that was so much better than Milner? I would recommend watching the game again and looking at the stats cos I think you’ll find that as tends to happen on here because he looks busy, Gilmour’s performance and influence has been over hyped.

I know some are not interested in stats but as a point of interest, Who Scored had them level rated, Sofa Score had Milner ahead of Gilmour.

I agree that Milner played well too but:

 

[Triggaaar]

I don’t think we always act in just our interests, I think sometimes we act in the players interests too.

Perhaps Billy wants a fresh challenge, wants to experience playing abroad, or be a first choice starter. When a player has been as professional as Billy has, taken his time out of the team in good grace, then a move and fee maybe reflective of all that.

If that's the case, and Billy wants away, he really fcuked up yesterday

 

[severnside gull]

Felt it was his best game for us.
Was it his farewell performance? No idea but he has (reportedly) said he fancies Naples so we will see.
I honestly can’t see him being more than a rotational player given the talent we are bringing in