[Albion] Solly in 'Top Ten Most Improved PL Players' table

[Kalimantan Gull]

Based on average match ratings I know, but really harsh on Burn who in my opinion is one of the reasons for our upturn in form in recent weeks. He had the worst game of his life against Wolves, but putting him at left back in a four against Traore with Trossard providing nominal cover in front of him was just setting him up to fail. But as a centre back in a five he was part of a brilliant back line against City and Leeds, a defensive wall that the opposition barely breached. He showed no hangovers from the Wolves game and didn't put a foot wrong. His reaction to being in and out of the side and taking on different roles is a credit to him and the culture Potter has created.

White takes his place when we expect to be on the front foot, as against Fulham and Spurs, but when we needed to defend the lead against late Spurs pressure he was once again superb, dominant in the air, preventing any drives into the box from the left side, and strong on the ball, taking it forward and closing the game out really well. I believe he's an upgrade on Duffy when we need to close games out and he's a model professional.

 

[B-right-on]

He definitely looks like he has bulked up a bit. He's harder to ease off the ball and doesn't take his foot out of the takle as he was prone to do when he was younger. Definitely seems to be thriving this season and enjoying having a manager who wants him to try things (with the associated risk of failing) rather than to not risk failure and play it safe. What a place for a player to be!! (we're seeing the impact of thet pov across the team)

Exactly what I thought. Also added a bit of 'dirty' to his game. Not afraid to go toe to toe with some of the best players in the PL. A shove here, nudge there and a niggling tackle. Shows a more aggressive Solly when called for, which is needed at this level.

Steve Sidwell mentioned during the Fulham commentary that he gave a talk to the U16s that week about 'professional fouls' etc... All being part of the game.

 

[grubbyhands]

But,but I'm sure I read,on here, that March was sh*t. Lots of "well informed,astute posters " told me so. Who to believe? FWIW I see a vastly improved (from already very promising) player. Well done Solly,proud of you!

 

[heathgate]

I have been critical of Solly, mainly his penchant for back passes and poor end product... but... in the last two games especially, I have been very impressed with him in general,.. he seems a bit more urgent and forward thinking.

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[Not Andy Naylor]

It doesn't seem to matter how many decent crosses he puts in, people still have this belief that his crossing is poor.
It really isn't.

In almost every game I have watched over the past couple of months there has been at least one "great cross from March" from the commentators.
On Sunday night he played a beauty into Maupay who should have buried it.

I will agree that when Solly is in the position to cross there is no more than one Brighton shirt to aim for.. But that isn't down to Solly.
If Solly was playing with a 18/19 era Muzza, he would have a hatful of assists this season.

Completely correct. His cross for Maupay's glancing header was pinpoint and - significantly - quickly delivered. And remember these two beauties? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAcLJd43LJk

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Exactly what I thought. Also added a bit of 'dirty' to his game. Not afraid to go toe to toe with some of the best players in the PL. A shove here, nudge there and a niggling tackle. Shows a more aggressive Solly when called for, which is needed at this level.

Steve Sidwell mentioned during the Fulham commentary that he gave a talk to the U16s that week about 'professional fouls' etc... All being part of the game.

He's definitely one that has risen to the challenge of being one of our senior players, he seems to have come out of the shadow of the likes of Duffy, Stephens, Murray and Knockaert and taken on the leadership mantle that we sorely needed. He believes he belongs in the Premier league now, and I think his game had improved as a result of this, rather than the other way around, perhaps.

My Villa supporting best mate always harks back to that Birmingham game and his belief then that Solly was our most exciting talent, and Solly is now demonstrating his ability on the top stage.

One final word on his fitness, he never seems to be out of position, whether at the back defending or right down by the byline, up and down the pitch for 90 minutes game in game out, never seeming to tire. Kudos to GP for finding the position where he excels and allowing him to succeed there.

 

[JBizzle]

It doesn't seem to matter how many decent crosses he puts in, people still have this belief that his crossing is poor.
It really isn't.

In almost every game I have watched over the past couple of months there has been at least one "great cross from March" from the commentators.
On Sunday night he played a beauty into Maupay who should have buried it.

I will agree that when Solly is in the position to cross there is no more than one Brighton shirt to aim for.. But that isn't down to Solly.
If Solly was playing with a 18/19 era Muzza, he would have a hatful of assists this season.

The problem he has is a cross is often only as good as the finish that follows which, as we know, isn't our strongest suit. This applies to a lot of our crossers. I saw someone on here saying Veltman's only weakness was his crossing, then saw an interesting stat that he's the 6th most accurate crosser in the league. It's not his fault our forwards head's are shaped like 50ps

 

[blue-shifted]

Based on average match ratings I know, but really harsh on Burn who in my opinion is one of the reasons for our upturn in form in recent weeks. He had the worst game of his life against Wolves, but putting him at left back in a four against Traore with Trossard providing nominal cover in front of him was just setting him up to fail. But as a centre back in a five he was part of a brilliant back line against City and Leeds, a defensive wall that the opposition barely breached. He showed no hangovers from the Wolves game and didn't put a foot wrong. His reaction to being in and out of the side and taking on different roles is a credit to him and the culture Potter has created.

White takes his place when we expect to be on the front foot, as against Fulham and Spurs, but when we needed to defend the lead against late Spurs pressure he was once again superb, dominant in the air, preventing any drives into the box from the left side, and strong on the ball, taking it forward and closing the game out really well. I believe he's an upgrade on Duffy when we need to close games out and he's a model professional.

Well said.

I don't think Burn wants to be in the opposition half having to risk getting into a footrace with Saka or Traore in more than we want to see him there.

For the Liverpool game, Veltman may not be fit, meaning White will probably go RWB and Burn will come into the defence and will probably be marking Mane. I have full confidence in him when playing at the LCB. Less so as a wing back or full back

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Solly March scored the winner against Wigan to get us promoted to the PL in 2017.
That’s why I have March 20 on my shirt.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Solly March scored the winner against Wigan to get us promoted to the PL in 2017.
That’s why I have March 20 on my shirt.

I was disappointed to note that Solly appears in January in this year's Albion calendar rather than two months later.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

The problem he has is a cross is often only as good as the finish that follows which, as we know, isn't our strongest suit. This applies to a lot of our crossers. I saw someone on here saying Veltman's only weakness was his crossing, then saw an interesting stat that he's the 6th most accurate crosser in the league. It's not his fault our forwards head's are shaped like 50ps

The reality is we aren't a "Put it in the mixer" team.
Our forwards aren't looking for it nine times out of ten.
Leaving both wingbacks with just one option in the box.

I'm hoping this will change.
Solly is making space and/or beating his man increasingly often.
I would expect a couple of our players to start to gamble and make the necessary runs to get on the end of his crosses.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Completely correct. His cross for Maupay's glancing header was pinpoint and - significantly - quickly delivered. And remember these two beauties? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAcLJd43LJk

What might have been with Andone! (What might yet be??)

 

[Uh_huh_him]

March just looks so confident on the ball this season. He also has quite an engine on him. Fully deserves an England call but I won't hold my breath.

Not impossible, played under Southgate for the U21s I believe.

 

[blue-shifted]

The reality is we aren't a "Put it in the mixer" team.
Our forwards aren't looking for it nine times out of ten.
Leaving both wingbacks with just one option in the box.

I'm hoping this will change.
Solly is making space and/or beating his man increasingly often.
I would expect a couple of our players to start to gamble and make the necessary runs to get on the end of his crosses.

Alexis loves a late run from midfield

He'll nab a few by the end of the season

 

[JBizzle]

The reality is we aren't a "Put it in the mixer" team.
Our forwards aren't looking for it nine times out of ten.
Leaving both wingbacks with just one option in the box.

I'm hoping this will change.
Solly is making space and/or beating his man increasingly often.
I would expect a couple of our players to start to gamble and make the necessary runs to get on the end of his crosses.

Very true indeed

 

[Machiavelli]

He's definitely one that has risen to the challenge of being one of our senior players, he seems to have come out of the shadow of the likes of Duffy, Stephens, Murray and Knockaert and taken on the leadership mantle that we sorely needed. He believes he belongs in the Premier league now, and I think his game had improved as a result of this, rather than the other way around, perhaps.

My Villa supporting best mate always harks back to that Birmingham game and his belief then that Solly was our most exciting talent, and Solly is now demonstrating his ability on the top stage.

One final word on his fitness, he never seems to be out of position, whether at the back defending or right down by the byline, up and down the pitch for 90 minutes game in game out, never seeming to tire. Kudos to GP for finding the position where he excels and allowing him to succeed there.

Great point about Solly's engine. Beyond forwards, the wing back role probably requires covering the greatest distance. It's notable that Solly hasn't been taken off (or at least rarely), and gets picked game in game out in the PL.

 

[Wardy's twin]

He was doing well in the Championship until he ruptured his ACL at Derby. He played for England U21s.
When he came back, it took him a while to get his confidence back, but he often made a difference coming off the bench. I mentioned my favourite Murray goal yesterday at St Andrew’s but March got the assist, as he did for the first goal that Knocky scored. 1-0 down to win 2-1.

He was brilliant that day , turned the whole game ripping them apart.

 

[The Wizard]

I won that award once in my youth football team, bit of a kick in the teeth really... basically saying you were shit to start with, now you ain’t as bad

 

[paulfuzz]

GP is definitely getting the best out of him and I agree he has been one of our best players all season. I just wish he would bet on himself more in the opposition penalty area and have a go, whats the worst that could happen??

 

[blue-shifted]

GP is definitely getting the best out of him and I agree he has been one of our best players all season. I just wish he would bet on himself more in the opposition penalty area and have a go, whats the worst that could happen??

I think managers love him for his percentage play, pragmatism and ball retention.

I don't remember getting counter attacked this season because Solly lost the ball