[Albion] The first crack in Graham Potter's calm demeanour?

[Weststander]

It has absolutely nothing to do with how well the team played because they played well.

It has absolutely nothing to do with fans boo-ing. Because even before the advent of Facebook and Twitter, fans have boo-ed with little justification for it. Since the advent of Facebook and Twitter then everyone has become a media critic and those with short fuses and who are constantly angry at life are the ones who shout loudest. Add to that the fact it was a later kick off so more people would have been drunk by the end of the game. Boos were inevitable. Justified or not.

GP should have just gone with the flow. Journalists always throw questions in to try and get a controversial response. They need fans to engage with what the write nowadays and if that means causing a little mini war between Manager and fans they are more that happy to try and start that war.

Potter should just have said . " It must have been Leeds fans who were boo-ing because we played very well "

This.

He fell for the media hook, line and sinker.

 

[pocketseagull]

I find the idea of Potter purposely weakening our team 'to send a message' a bit distasteful. Are we seriously saying the relationship between coach and owner has broken down that much?

 

[Jeremiah]

I find the idea of Potter purposely weakening our team 'to send a message' a bit distasteful. Are we seriously saying the relationship between coach and owner has broken down that much?

Yes I agree. Did Potter deliberately play a player he knew was not up to the job (or disinterested) and leave better players on the bench in a game where the result was in the balance.? If so it is disrespectful to the squad and the supporters. I guess we will never know.

 

[Baldseagull]

This, absolutely. Potter has done a fantastic job at the Albion and will be in demand at the end of the season, if not before. Until yesterday, I believed, based on information from someone close to him, that only an offer from a huge club would tempt him away. Now I'm not so sure, and there may be one or two players who are also wondering how they can be booed after a performance like that. Well, in fact I know there are.

In 1982, the supporters effectively got rid of the manager who took us to our highest league position before this season, but Mike Bailey's football, although it got results, was hard to watch. That isn't the case now. We are currently seeing the best football most of us have watched since the days of Ward and Lawrenson, achieved on a budget much lower than those of the teams around us. And we're eighth!

In a way I'm glad that Potter called the fans out rather than kept it inside him, because it gives people a chance to show him and the players a bit of love at the next few home games. It's not his fault that Neal Maupay couldn't hit a cow's backside with any one of a selection of stringed instruments. He has to work with what he has been given, and the temptation to go somewhere he is given more if what he's doing isn't appreciated night be growing.

Which set of supporters, or board of directors do you think would be more patient?
This is his 3rd season at the club, next to no improvement in terms of results and points over Hughton in his first two seasons, and this one seems to be reverting to that too in recent weeks.

It was a good performance, but another draw against a side who were there for the taking. I am fine with Potter saying he doesn't understand the boos, that we played well, players gave it their all, would have been happy and agreed with him if he had said the players didn't deserve to hear boos, but he has really pissed me off by saying "maybe I need a history lesson on this club".
I am less bothered now if he leaves than I ever have been, not because I think we can do better, but because I feel disrespected for having been here for decades, and supported a club that was in decline and then on a slow rise at a shit stadium. Apparently, that means I can't complain when that team is eighth in the Prem and not scoring goals against one of the leakiest defences in the division. Maybe if he was not so ****ing zen the whole time he would understand the frustration.

 

[Jim in the West]

I find the idea of Potter purposely weakening our team 'to send a message' a bit distasteful. Are we seriously saying the relationship between coach and owner has broken down that much?

Absolutely!! Potter's an intelligent guy. He completely understands the financial constraints, and knows how hard the club have tried to bring in another striker. If he wanted to "send a message" to Tony, he'd sit down with him. The only reason for bringing on Locadia was to try something different - a bit of a gamble, etc. Sometimes they come off. Unfortunately Locadia has always been fairly limited at this level, and the experiment didn't work.

 

[Grassman]

I find the idea of Potter purposely weakening our team 'to send a message' a bit distasteful. Are we seriously saying the relationship between coach and owner has broken down that much?

You’re so right. If he put Locadia on “to send a message” then quite frankly I would lose any respect for him - how childish is that?Mind you, if he put Locadia on because he thought it was a brilliant tactical move, then I have to question his judgement. Tough one.

 

[Swansman]

I've said similar in the past to bw2 to be fair but we have twin, emergency issues to deal with now;

1) Maupay's finishing isn't going to get better from the bench. Play him and back him if 100 guys can't find a player with better finishing.
2) In any case, his replacements are even worse (or just less fit) so what incentive does he have to improve if his only competition is Trossard playing too deep?

I think bringing Locadia on yesterday was GP knocking on Tony's door. Time will tell.......

That is certainly the only explanation that makes any sense at all.

I’m quite sure the message would have been received loud and clear. We won’t see Big Jürg in the EPL again.

I find the idea of Potter purposely weakening our team 'to send a message' a bit distasteful. Are we seriously saying the relationship between coach and owner has broken down that much?

While us hardcore sports fans very often suffer from a bit of Peter Pan syndrome, with that affecting communication, I dont believe it is the case with GP/TB/DA and I think they are 100% capable of having adult face-to-face conversations rather than "sending messages" through silly symbolic actions.

Jurgen Locadia is not a great striker and if there was any bids for him in the summer, he'd be off. But he is still a player who over his career only needs 2,5 games per goal on average. Contrary to common belief, he is a footballer, and Graham was hoping he would score yesterday. I really think it is that simple. He didnt feel (and who can balem him?) that his main man up front had his goal scoring boots on him so he wanted to change him for another striker. "Another striker" - unfortunately - means Jurgen Locadia.

 

[Guinness Boy]

While us hardcore sports fans very often suffer from a bit of Peter Pan syndrome, with that affecting communication, I dont believe it is the case with GP/TB/DA and I think they are 100% capable of having adult face-to-face conversations .
.

Five minutes ago you were saying that wasn't his job

 

[dadams2k11]

Which set of supporters, or board of directors do you think would be more patient?
This is his 3rd season at the club, next to no improvement in terms of results and points over Hughton in his first two seasons, and this one seems to be reverting to that too in recent weeks.

It was a good performance, but another draw against a side who were there for the taking. I am fine with Potter saying he doesn't understand the boos, that we played well, players gave it their all, would have been happy and agreed with him if he had said the players didn't deserve to hear boos, but he has really pissed me off by saying "maybe I need a history lesson on this club".
I am less bothered now if he leaves than I ever have been, not because I think we can do better, but because I feel disrespected for having been here for decades, and supported a club that was in decline and then on a slow rise at a shit stadium. Apparently, that means I can't complain when that team is eighth in the Prem and not scoring goals against one of the leakiest defences in the division. Maybe if he was not so ****ing zen the whole time he would understand the frustration.

Definition of an entitled fan right here in bold.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Maupay's finishing isn't going to get any better from anywhere.

The Neal Maupay that produced a superb last minute finish under intense pressure against Palace and the one that missed an open goal yesterday are, in fact, the same human being.

Maybe he just doesn't concentrate for the easy ones? That should be a trait you can change with coaching and practice.

 

[Baldseagull]

While us hardcore sports fans very often suffer from a bit of Peter Pan syndrome, with that affecting communication, I dont believe it is the case with GP/TB/DA and I think they are 100% capable of having adult face-to-face conversations rather than "sending messages" through silly symbolic actions.

Jurgen Locadia is not a great striker and if there was any bids for him in the summer, he'd be off. But he is still a player who over his career only needs 2,5 games per goal on average. Contrary to common belief, he is a footballer, and Graham was hoping he would score yesterday. I really think it is that simple. He didnt feel (and who can balem him?) that his main man up front had his goal scoring boots on him so he wanted to change him for another striker. "Another striker" - unfortunately - means Jurgen Locadia.

You seem to have a comma in there by accident.

 

[Swansman]

Five minutes ago you were saying that wasn't his job

It isn't his job to come banging the door demanding things, no. Just like it isnt the job of a nurse to speak with the head of the department. In both cases, and many more, communication (notice; not demanding stuff) whether part of the job or not helps running things smoothly.

 

[Baldseagull]

Definition of an entitled fan right here in bold.

I am entitled, entitled to have a ****ing moan without the manager/coach telling me that I should shut it because the club used to be so much more shit than it is now, I know, I was here when we were shit, I don't need Graham ****ing Potter to remind me. It is a weak response and irrelevant to the issue at hand.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

This.

He fell for the media hook, line and sinker.

This is very serious and is not the time or the Plaice for fish puns.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I didn't boo but was extremely frustrated.

People have the right to boo , it's not always directed at anyone ,

I think Potter has got off very lightly over the last few seasons , mainly because the stadium has been empty . If he has thin skin then eventually he will walk away and join another club. But he cannot be above criticism (ie Locadia substitution , formation etc)

I agree. Frustration is the key here and the option taken to try to change the game in bringing on Locadia does allow some to question his decisions. He says those booing need to understand football. I'd question someone who thinks Locadia is the answer. I'd sooner he put BDB on.

I don't believe anyone who is a true supporter is not fully behind Potter and the team, we are playing some stunning football.

Some have mentioned other strikers who have scored less than Maupay, I do wonder how many of them have had the same amount of chances.

Potter may question a minority of supporters and some say it would lead him to think about leaving. If he does want to progress to a bigger club he needs to be less concerned as the demands further up the pyramid will lead to far more criticism from all quarters.

 

[Guinness Boy]

It isn't his job to come banging the door demanding things, no. Just like it isnt the job of a nurse to speak with the head of the department. In both cases, and many more, communication (notice; not demanding stuff) whether part of the job or not helps running things smoothly.

How can they have a face to face conversation without it being initiated?

Do you think GPs role is only to speak when he's spoken to?

 

[dadams2k11]

I am entitled, entitled to have a ****ing moan without the manager/coach telling me that I should shut it because the club used to be so much more shit than it is now, I know, I was here when we were shit, I don't need Graham ****ing Potter to remind me. It is a weak response and irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Are you admitting to being a boo boy? Because his comment were aimed at them, and you have got really high rate about his comments.

I think your issue is more with Potter himself, not his comments.

Put your dummy back in, and pick up them toys, but mainly, grow up.

 

[Swansman]

How can they have a face to face conversation without it being initiated?

Do you think GPs role is only to speak when he's spoken to?

Obviously I dont know their exact dynamic but I would assume they have some kind of ongoing, organic communication where they have a mutual understanding of eachothers wishes and desires with no need for bringing the battering ram to the door or getting the point across through using Locadia as some kind of "I told you so" vehicle.

 

[dazzer6666]

If we can't get results against teams in the bottom six or seven, we will inevitably slide down the table, and end up where we deserve to be. The occasional freak point against a top six team isn't going to feed us forever.

It feels like a repeat of last season is looming from now on.

The fact we spent a lot on Locadia (at the time) and now can't sell him for a set of shirts is a damming indictment of the recruitment and retention policy over the last few years.

It's all about results - not pretty but ineffective tippy-tappy.

It's impossible to recruit where everyone you hire is a success (in any industry). One (or even several) duds is not a 'damning indictment' unless there have been no successes.

 

[Baldseagull]

Are you admitting to being a boo boy? Because his comment were aimed at them, and you have got really high rate about his comments.

I think your issue is more with Potter himself, not his comments.

Put your dummy back in, and pick up them toys, but mainly, grow up.

I tried to applaud the team, but they walked off down the tunnel apart from Dunk and Moder. I am pissed off at Potter's history lesson comment, it's as patronising as being told to put your dummy back in, pick up your toys and grow up. ****.