[Albion] Van Hecke or Webster?

[sussex_guy2k2]

There is always 'Webster's Weekly Error', usually in the first half-hour or so. But generally it's just the one, and generally he gets away with it. But when he doesn't, it's painful.

In fairness Dunk was the same until about 3 years ago. The no look back pass was his speciality for about 5 years up until Hughton left.

Personally I think Webster is an England class CB at his best. The issue is injuries, and usually how long it takes him to get back to that level after an injury… but the talent’s there. We’ve seen it enough times.

JPVH is winning me around too. I still think he’s making some strange decisions with the ball at his feet, and his lack of pace can affect him in some situations. But he’s improving and I hope he continues to do so as he’ll be needed.

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

Van Hecke was impressive today, very composed. Shame about the Wilson goal but it was done and dusted by then. Webster is the senior pro, over 5 years age difference, but JVH certainly has the potential to make the shirt his own.

 

[Zeus]

He’s a brilliant player but they were lacklustre today, you can’t deny that? We played really well which obviously nullifies them but that was not a good Newcastle display?

In fact with the exception of 45 minutes against a ragged Villa after Mings injury, they’ve looked lacklustre all season.

So them being lacklustre was nothing to do with our defending? I thought Isak looked really dangerous first half and that if we made any mistake we’d concede.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

So them being lacklustre was nothing to do with our defending? I thought Isak looked really dangerous first half and that if we made any mistake we’d concede.

We, including JPVH did defend, well, I’ve said that. But Newcastle were definitely not at their best and haven’t been all season. They’ve got issues with the balance of their team. They lacked a bit of energy and invention, we were quite comfortable and the first couple of minutes apart, I never really felt they were a threat and was confident of the win.

We were good but I think we will have plenty harder games than that this season, they’re not in a great moment.

 

[brighton_tom]

Top performance from JPVH today… another talent.

 

[SteveU]

Van Hecke was immense today

 

[AstroSloth]

Are you actually high?

Someone saw we had Ajax and got out to Amsterdam far too early.

 

[Salty_Seagull]

I want to have JPvH babies. Thought he was immense today. Chalk and cheese from Webster last week. No way he doesn't start next game. Same with veltman

 

[Oh_aye]

I don't like to pick preferences as they all have their ups and downs but van hecke was excellent today.. the best and most confident I've seen on the ball.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

We, including JPVH did defend, well, I’ve said that. But Newcastle were definitely not at their best and haven’t been all season. They’ve got issues with the balance of their team. They lacked a bit of energy and invention, we were quite comfortable and the first couple of minutes apart, I never really felt they were a threat and was confident of the win.

We were good but I think we will have plenty harder games than that this season, they’re not in a great moment.

Very fair.

With the exception of Pervis in the first half, defensively we were great.
Newcastle, lots of hype little end product.

JPVH did well, other than their goal.

 

[Munkfish]

Thought Seana Paul had a great game until the goal. Think he keeps his place.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Webby all day long for me

Not the first time I've typed these sentiments on NSC, but I just don't see a decent Premier League defender in Van Hecke. Sorry.

Oops

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Did it help JPvH to have Veltman alongside him (and conversely hinder Webster last week)?

Will we see Igor so that Dunky can play on the right again? It does compromise his game.

 

[Hamilton]

Webster had a shit game. I’m not writing him off for that.

But VH is coming good!

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Did it help JPvH to have Veltman alongside him (and conversely hinder Webster last week)?

Will we see Igor so that Dunky can play on the right again? It does compromise his game.

Without doubt.

Hopefully the experiment of playing Milner or Gross at RB ahead of Veltman is over forever.

 

[GloryDays]

I’m converted. Jean Claude Van Hecke all the way. The guy is my kind of psycho. Getting better and better. Certainly a long term Dunk replacement IMO re: similarities.

I do think Webster is good, too. Feeling spoiled.

 

[Simster]

Oops

Before you are too smug about this, JPVH was responsible for the goal we conceded and also got to play alongside a class right back as opposed to a 39 year old makeshift.

Totally unfair comparison.

I'm please JPvH has stepped up and really would walk into several top flight teams, but it's going to take more than that game to prove that VH is better than Webster.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Without doubt.

Hopefully the experiment of playing Milner or Gross at RB ahead of Veltman is over forever.

Agree. Trouble is Veltman is a good CB as well.

 

[BevBHA]

We, including JPVH did defend, well, I’ve said that. But Newcastle were definitely not at their best and haven’t been all season. They’ve got issues with the balance of their team. They lacked a bit of energy and invention, we were quite comfortable and the first couple of minutes apart, I never really felt they were a threat and was confident of the win.

We were good but I think we will have plenty harder games than that this season, they’re not in a great moment.

Seems like that balance problem comes from their midfield. On paper Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes should be one of the best midfields in the league. The trouble is they are all too similar, they all want to play that number 8 box to box position and so they don’t have the balance for all 3

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Seems like that balance problem comes from their midfield. On paper Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes should be one of the best midfields in the league. The trouble is they are all too similar, they all want to play that number 8 box to box position and so they don’t have the balance for all 3

Yep that’s it. There were big gaps in their midfield last night that Joao Pedro in particular exploited. They looked better last season with Willock and or Longstaff in the middle.

Tonali is an interesting one. I watched a lot of him in Serie A - lovely player but I’m not convinced he is going to be a success over here. He wouldn’t be the first Italian player to come into the PL and not be as good as hyped or he looked over there.