Sami Hyypias Blue and white Army

[Stat Brother]

Surely taking the 'flair' out of the midfield and playing O'Grady up front is already a big change in tactics.

Calde was the least rampaging I think I've ever seen him play.
Although Bennett was more attacking.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Why should we get behind him when it's obvious the players aren't.

 

[Grombleton]

We're sad to lose Ulloa, but to have League 1 hotshot Baldock, 15 goal Championship striker O'Grady and La Liga forward Colunga all drawing blanks week in week out shows that Sami and Jones don't have what it takes.

In other news ex-Albion strikers Craig Davies, Murray and Revell all bag Championship goals today.

I know they're not mentioned for evidence, but most would agree that when we had them, Davies and Revell weren't the best players and few were sad to see them go. Sometimes a player doesn't fit a team or settle - perhaps its the same with managers.

 

[leapyl]

We need a manager with ideas and a willingness to attack. I said back in April that Tim Sherwood is the man. I have not changed my mind.

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Booooo

 

[The Upper Library]

It is his apparent lack of passion that most pisses me off:-(

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

We are in a curious situation. We haven't been battered, nor suffered the series of defeats that would normally make a managerial sacking inevitable. Merely a worrying series of mainly lacklustre draws and a lack of momentum that is allowing us to slide towards the bottom three. The ponderous manner of our performances against some average sides is now challenging the resolve of some fans.

I do fear a battering by Spurs but suspect that Sami still has another couple of league games thereafter. However I'm not sure what a couple more draws against Bournemouth and Wigan would do for us - or him.

I find it bizarre that someone like Sami, with such a pedigree as a defensive player and (presumably) aspirations to succeed as a manager is not able to organise a team with the simple fundamental of a decent defence. Especially as we have enjoyed such a fabulous defensive record in the Championship and should be building on that, rather than dismantling it. I guess we would tolerate the defensive shortcomings up to a point if we were banging dozens of goals at the other end, but.....

The attacking intent in Sami's formations is fine but it is just not producing the intended results. We are toothless in attack. Sami does not appear willing to recognise that his formations are causing us more problems than the opposition, steadily killing the confidence of the players - and probably killing his own career prospects too. Sami knew the limitations of the squad and budget when he took the job so should surely find a formation that optimises our strengths, and not amplify our weaknesses.

As fans we don't really know what goes on in the dressing room or on the training ground. We can only judge the manager by what we see for our own eyes a) in the performance and results of his team, b) how he appears on the touchline and c) in media interviews. The manner of our performances and results are distinctly average when judged by the high standards of recent seasons. Our league position is largely self explanatory. Sami's demeanour on the touchline is inanimate. I don't feel any passion from him. His media interviews fail to inspire me, so goodness knows what the players feel. He is an ineffective communicator. How did he persuade the Board that he was the right man for the job?

I want to give Albion managers my support but I also want to feel that there is passion, purpose and progression, but I'm struggling to see evidence of these. I normally counter the mass incontinence on here by suggesting that we refrain from judging a new manager until after Xmas - and ideally not until into his second season. However I just don't have the gut feeling that Sami is going to launch us up the table, let alone get us into the play offs. I don't sense that there is a model of football that is worth persevering with because we have just been 'unlucky' and sooner or later we are going to tear up the Championship. I would be amazed if Tony Bloom would tolerate that feeling either.

I want to see a manager with some passion, some common sense in his formations, play to the strengths of the squad, be bold with our football but also possess a willingness to learn from mistakes and above all have a shared vision that the players and fans can buy into - and enjoy.

 

[Scoffers]

We're sad to lose Ulloa, but to have League 1 hotshot Baldock, 15 goal Championship striker O'Grady and La Liga forward Colunga all drawing blanks week in week out shows that Sami and Jones don't have what it takes..

I think this is exactly the point. In my view something is badly wrong with the tactics and formations. Either Sami has no idea what he's doing or he simply cannot get the players to do what he wants. I am not sure he's got the strength of conviction or character to pull it off. I obviously hope he turns it around and you wont find me booing him, but things need to improve soon otherwise I fear the worst.

 

[essbee]

I think this is exactly the point. In my view something is badly wrong with the tactics and formations. Either Sami has no idea what he's doing or he simply cannot get the players to do what he wants. I am not sure he's got the strength of conviction or character to pull it off. I obviously hope he turns it around and you wont find me booing him, but things need to improve soon otherwise I fear the worst.

Scoffers - with all respect - how long do you need to work out that we are going to be s*it
while that joker is in charge?

 

[Surf's Up]

Seagulls Over Canaryland makes some good points and Hyypia's current predicament is not entirely down to him (I.e. Bloom putting ££££s into a flash stadium and training facility but, relatively speaking, OO£££s into the team). That said I cannot forgive Hyypia's complete inability to motivate the team or to devise a basic tactical approach which is competitive at Championship level. He may have been a great player but he's a shit manager and Bloom needs to recognise that HE'S made a mistake tomorrow and get rid pronto.