Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,362
1) 64 minutes. Watford away, opening day.
Murray and Locadia started and to be honest, were doing pretty well. We were a goal up, nearly halfway through the second half. Suddenly we saw two subs about to come on, Maupay and Andone. Gasps of amazement from BHA fans. Straight swap. Two big front men off for two small, quicker strikers Not used to this. Usually try and see out the win. Result ....1-0 turns into 3-0 and we all go home buzzing. We know already we are under a different style of management.
( ....24 games later, when to be honest, a lot of the feelgood factor was dissipating......)
2) 72 minutes. West Ham away.
Losing 1-3. Not looking good. Moyes had clearly decided to take off Antonio ( their undoubted match winner up to that point ) Masuaka was getting prepared, a left back/wing back, who loves coming forward but has defensive issues. That very move indicated that Moyes was going more defensive. It appeared to the majority of BHA fans that we needed to bring on at least another striker. March coming on was met with some surprise and also a level of approval but the sight of Schelotto coming on was met with a mixture of disbelief, bewilderment and anger and comments such as..." the manager has lost it....he's not up to this level....what the hell is he doing "
Result....1-3 turns into 3-3. The whole momentum swings and the two subs run West Ham ragged, to the extent where they are the team hanging on and we could even have won the game. Not even a need for a third sub from us.
Why are these standout moments? Because they define Graham Potter. He was pro-active at Watford, when he wanted to make sure he won the game. He was pro-active at West Ham when he saw an opportunity to get back in the game. No hesitation. They have given us an opportunity to attack them and we are going to do that. Football can swing in a short space of time and you have to grab those moments.
Sure he has made mistakes. Everyone does. He is still learning at this level and will, given time, re-shape the squad that he wants. He is making quite a lot of changes throughout the season but I believe that he is going through a phase of ' fine-tuning ' until he sees the ideal balance. I travelled home on Saturday, thinking about those fairly surprising substitutions at the time and realised that he was spot on. It was tactically very clever. Whatever happens over the rest of the season, I now have no doubt that we are in very capable hands and better is to come.
Murray and Locadia started and to be honest, were doing pretty well. We were a goal up, nearly halfway through the second half. Suddenly we saw two subs about to come on, Maupay and Andone. Gasps of amazement from BHA fans. Straight swap. Two big front men off for two small, quicker strikers Not used to this. Usually try and see out the win. Result ....1-0 turns into 3-0 and we all go home buzzing. We know already we are under a different style of management.
( ....24 games later, when to be honest, a lot of the feelgood factor was dissipating......)
2) 72 minutes. West Ham away.
Losing 1-3. Not looking good. Moyes had clearly decided to take off Antonio ( their undoubted match winner up to that point ) Masuaka was getting prepared, a left back/wing back, who loves coming forward but has defensive issues. That very move indicated that Moyes was going more defensive. It appeared to the majority of BHA fans that we needed to bring on at least another striker. March coming on was met with some surprise and also a level of approval but the sight of Schelotto coming on was met with a mixture of disbelief, bewilderment and anger and comments such as..." the manager has lost it....he's not up to this level....what the hell is he doing "
Result....1-3 turns into 3-3. The whole momentum swings and the two subs run West Ham ragged, to the extent where they are the team hanging on and we could even have won the game. Not even a need for a third sub from us.
Why are these standout moments? Because they define Graham Potter. He was pro-active at Watford, when he wanted to make sure he won the game. He was pro-active at West Ham when he saw an opportunity to get back in the game. No hesitation. They have given us an opportunity to attack them and we are going to do that. Football can swing in a short space of time and you have to grab those moments.
Sure he has made mistakes. Everyone does. He is still learning at this level and will, given time, re-shape the squad that he wants. He is making quite a lot of changes throughout the season but I believe that he is going through a phase of ' fine-tuning ' until he sees the ideal balance. I travelled home on Saturday, thinking about those fairly surprising substitutions at the time and realised that he was spot on. It was tactically very clever. Whatever happens over the rest of the season, I now have no doubt that we are in very capable hands and better is to come.
