[Albion] RDZ's Confidence In The Whole Squad

[Stato]

Six changes yesterday away at a team that hadn't lost at home for a year. Dahoud came in for Gilmour who has arguably been the key player in the last few games and he helped us run the midfield. Welbeck replaced Ferguson after his hat-trick against Newcastle and was one of the best players. The keeper changed. Adringa, a left winger, subbed for Solly on the right and Lamptey, a right back was excellent on the left covering for the seemingly irreplaceable Estupinan. Lallana showed his class once again in helping make the first goal.

Janusz Michalik on ESPN made the comment that RDZ has incredible faith in his squad and is never worried about not playing his best player. He seems to be creating an atmosphere where everybody feels valued and involved and where nobody is allowed to be anything more than one part of the larger whole. I've noticed that, in his press conferences, he goes out of his way to mention players who are not playing as often as they might like: Gilmour often last year, Buonanotte this year, knowing that, when the injuries come, they need to be ready to go. Those not on board are never pandered to. They are dropped and replaced with someone who is on board.

Jason Steele's comments about keeper rotation yesterday, where he just said 'He changed my life last year. Anything he wants is fine by me,' made this old 'Godfather' fan think of Tom Hagen saying that, in Al Neri, Michael had found his Luca Brasi. He has a cabal of senior players around him who are completely on board with his vision and who set standards for the talented youngsters. RDZ is building a working atmosphere where everybody is important and when selected, everybody is expected to excel.

He's not only tactically cutting edge, he seems to be an inspirational leader. What he's building is reminiscent of Porto under Mourinho and incredibly, its happening at our previously unfashionable, long bashed about, provincial football club. Enjoy these times. If the upward curve continues, our manager will soon be able to take his pick of the most powerful clubs in the world for his next job.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Potter may well have a degree in Emotional Intelligence, but RDZ gave the course

 

[Change at Barnham]

Whatever RDZ achieves at Brighton will be recorded in the media as happening because of RDZ. It will be his own unique achievement for which he will always be remembered.

Once RDZ goes to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Manchester City he will be expected to succeed because of the unlimited riches that each of those massive clubs possess. He will be part of the machine and ripped apart if he doesn't win trophies.

Stay at Brighton long term and think Bobby Robson at Ipswich, Brian Clough at Derby and Forest, Jose Mourinho at Porto and build something special that you can claim to be your own.
Roberto, it's time to start house hunting in Sussex and to get yourself a 20 year mortgage.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Yes, it is clear that under RDZ the old rules no longer apply. I previously argued against those wanting Ferguson to start every game but in favour of continuity for Steele. Jason sums it up perfectly in that quote. Yesterday was the best I have seen us play this season and we have excellent players who can come in on Thursday. It was also interesting to watch how many Man U fans stayed behind to get a good look at RDZ at the end of the game. He has something of an aura. Plenty of their fans also stayed to clap off our players.

 

[A mex eyecan]

Was mulling over the other sleepless night just how could, or rather what could TB do, or offer RDZ in order for him to stay around say for 4,5, years or even longer? The answer is 99% likely nothing at all. But in some businesses outstanding achievers are given things like share options, perhaps huge bonus payments achievable for great results and committing to stay and see out and even extend contracts. I’ve no idea of something on those lines has ever been done in football before, or is even faintly a possibility, but TB does seem to be way ahead of most.

 

[dwayne]

Was mulling over the other sleepless night just how could, or rather what could TB do, or offer RDZ in order for him to stay around say for 4,5, years or even longer? The answer is 99% likely nothing at all. But in some businesses outstanding achievers are given things like share options, perhaps huge bonus payments achievable for great results and committing to stay and see out and even extend contracts. I’ve no idea of something on those lines has ever been done in football before, or is even faintly a possibility, but TB does seem to be way ahead of most.

Geniunely don't think it's about money with Roberto. He will just decide one day he wants a new challenge. He will go to a massive club but I'm not sure he will enjoy it as much. And I think we may just squeeze this season and next out of him.

 

[The Fifth Column]

I think its clear from the players that some if not all of them are starting to revere RDZ, similar as others have pointed out to Mourinho at Porto etc. There can't be many places in top tier football where players can come and have the freedom and world class environment to play to the best of their ability. I guarantee many top players will start to look at Brighton as an aspirational team to play for because of what is happening here and I don't say that lightly. You can say what you want about Ansu Fati and his injuries/fitness etc, but signing him was a sign of epic proportions of how attractive a club we now are, it would have been laughable and unthinkable to consider us signing a player of his quality beforehand. Our whole club ethos and humility along with a lack of entitlement is actually one of our biggest appeals to a player I think, when players see what happens to the likes of Sancho, Cucurella, Caicedo and other players placed in the pressure cooker goldfish bowl spotlight of clubs like Chelsea, Man U etc they may well think twice and see the attraction of RDZ and the Albion.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I think it is too early to speculate on RDZ's next career destination, but what we do know is this is the right club at the right time for him, and were he to leave I expect quality prospective candidates will be beating down Tony's door.

It is now common knowledge that our recruitment policy is Tony's brainchild. The challenge will be bringing through those leaders who then remain at the club despite excelling in their teens and early 20s. We cannot sell all of them, otherwise there will be no Dunk, March, Gross imbued with Albion DNA and you could end up with a bunch of kids with money and talent, but no club ethos or leadership skills - like Chelsea.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I think it is too early to speculate on RDZ's next career destination,

I’m of the view he knows if he stays the course at Brighton he will be able to choose his next job. He won’t jump ship the first time a big club comes calling.

 

[Bozza]

I’m of the view he knows if he stays the course at Brighton he will be able to choose his next job. He won’t jump ship the first time a big club comes calling.

I think that largely depends on who that first club is.

 

[Sheebo]

He knows more than me. After the first 15 where it wasn’t working at all I was bemoaning too many changes and Gross & Dahoud not being able to play midfield together in a game like this. A few tweaks and a bit of confidence and we were stunning after that. The passing - omg.

 

[Littlemo]

I’m of the view he knows if he stays the course at Brighton he will be able to choose his next job. He won’t jump ship the first time a big club comes calling.

I also think he is sensible to know which big clubs he can and can’t get on with. I wouldn’t see him going to Chelsea or Man U for example, as they are not managed well by the board and owners etc.

In England I think Man City and Liverpool are the ones we need to look out for, he would probably think he could do something there. Maybe Arsenal.

 

[Sheebo]

I’m of the view he knows if he stays the course at Brighton he will be able to choose his next job. He won’t jump ship the first time a big club comes calling.

Do 4+ years. Simple as that. Same with Ferguson and Mitoma. It’s what Cucu and Caicedo should have done. Too many desperate to jump at the first big club calling.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I think that largely depends on who that first club is.

Possibly. Which clubs do you hypothetically think can turn his head? Maybe someone like Barca or Real? Recently I always come round to thinking Liverpool will be a good fit for Albion managers who wish to further their careers.

 

[amexer]

It may not be a certainty that he is keen to manage a huge club. Where else can he manage in best league with a perfect owner who is a supporter and gives him a free hand. Dont think he would be comfortable in an envirement where there is an inquest everytime a game is lost.

 

[BrickTamland]

I watched all the interviews on the clubs YouTube after the game and they are all saying such similar things and clearly pulling in same direction. They clearly believe in RDZ.

Literally singing from same hymn sheet both on and off the pitch

 

[CHAPPERS]

This is mostly about De Zerbi and us than United.

 

[Arkwright]

I've always been of the school of thought where you select your strongest XI every week. RDZ is firmly of the opinion to rotate and make the whole squad hungry, the player's clearly to a man buy into his ways and the whole squad are interchangeable in every position
Maybe I'm just old school but watching our first team squad has become a joy even though it has become a waste of time speculating on who is going to start.

 

[Beanstalk]

Geniunely don't think it's about money with Roberto. He will just decide one day he wants a new challenge. He will go to a massive club but I'm not sure he will enjoy it as much. And I think we may just squeeze this season and next out of him.

I agree with this. It’s going to be an offer too good to turn down, or time to return to the family in Italy. It’ll be a sad day when that happens.

 

[Albion in the north]

Except maybe Igor.