We may not have the best players but we can have the best team

[Icy Gull]

I believe Gus said this pre-season? I remember thinking that the idea was good but that the reality was that Saints, Huddersfield or Sheff Weds were going to run away with this league. So far Gus' quote has been spot on though there is a long way to go.

Halfway through the season and I'd suggest the high points so far were the way we performed at Charlton and then Peterborough. I think we'd all have settled for a top 6 finish pre-season, personally I just wanted us to avoid relegation and play entertaining football.

The season has exceeded all expectations and I will now be gutted if we don't go up as one of the top two clubs.

Be interesting if one of you stattos could work out our points total from the 1st half of this season and the 2nd half of last?

I am staggered how Gus has turned this club around in just over a year with the backing of TB, and with Falmer nearly here, has there EVER been a better time to be an Albion fan??

Sorry, there is no real point to this thread, it's just a few random thoughts.

 

[twowheelsbest]

WE are playing the best and most attractive football I have seen, and that includes the glory days at the Goldstone when Wardy reigned supreme - We have a team out there every week!

 

[Buck]

I was only thinking last night that it was a complete team performance.

On the way back to the car neither I, or my brother, could really pick a man-of-the match. Everyone had a very good game and did their job as well as doing some excellent work when required.

Sure there are probably some better individuals at some of our rivals but we just don't seem to have a weakness, hence the consistency.

There is also a tremendous team spirit and togetherness, Noone seems to have fitted in seamlessly and the belief is there.

I'm actually pleased we haven't tried to bring in some 'super striker' (obviously window not shut yet!) as that could easily affect the equilibrium of the squad.

 

[Icy Gull]

John Byrne was saying much the same when asked to pick a MOM last night, he said it's difficult most games now because it's nearly always a team performance with no real stand out player over 90 mins.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

We have a number of real quality players. It was a pleasure watching Painter last night.

 

[saafend_seagull]

31 points from last 21, would have put us joint 6th last year. Second got 86 pts.

 

[Dave the OAP]

el abd I thought was absolutely IMMENSE.

But I agree, that it is getting more and more difficult to pick a MOM.

Again, I think we didn't play that brilliantly at times, however as in the Peterboro game, we are such a good passing team we can totally dominate teams for periods of play.

Noone certainly made a difference and Murray and Wood looked so good together. If I was to be hyper critical, I would say that Dicker didnt have a brilliant game, BUT to critisise anyone after that performance is a tad churlish, it was an excellent evening all round ( apart from the silent periods in teh crowd)

 

[Hotchilidog]

What was encouraging for me last night was the way we continued to play our style of football against a very physical side. Whilst Col U were very neat on the break, their gameplan was to disrupt us anyway they could, I really enjoyed the way were eventually able to play our way around them. In particular the aggressive start to the second half put them on the back foot and we didn't let them into the game. A very enjoyable and satisfying performance last night.

 

[Buck]

What was encouraging for me last night was the way we continued to play our style of football against a very physical side. Whilst Col U were very neat on the break, their gameplan was to disrupt us anyway they could, I really enjoyed the way were eventually able to play our way around them. In particular the aggressive start to the second half put them on the back foot and we didn't let them into the game. A very enjoyable and satisfying performance last night.

This is what is so pleasing. The total intent to play our own game and let others worry about us.

Yes, some teams have now learned not to give us lots of time knocking it about at the back, but when Ankergren has to hit it long he always aims for Murray, who invariably wins the header. As mentioned above, Wood is now starting to read this much better and their understanding of each others game has improved massively.

Keep it going!!

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Be interesting if one of you stattos could work out our points total from the 1st half of this season and the 2nd half of last?

In the last 46 league games we've picked up 84 points from 23 wins 15 draws and 8 defeats scoring 70 goals and letting in 35.

The split between this season (25 games) and the end of last season (21 games) is as follows

last 21 games last season 35 points av 1.6 points a game.

first 25 games this season 49 points av 1.96 points a game.

Clearly the improvement was there towards the end of last season but we've really kicked on this season. Our points total from our last 46 games would have seen us finish level on points with Charlton last season but with a better goal difference. We are currently on course for 90 points which would have been enough for second last season.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

If I was to be hyper critical, I would say that Dicker didnt have a brilliant game, )

SOOOOOOOOOO wrong, its untrue (although I agree with the rest of your post!)

Dicker made a MASSIVE difference, imo.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

And I also disagree with the original Gus quote about 'we may not have the best players..'.

I honestly don't think there are better players in this league, in their respective positions than Bennett or Murray. (On current form you could consider adding El Ad to that list too).

These two, with Pilkington and Lallana, for me, are the best players in this league.

 

[The Large One]

SOOOOOOOOOO wrong, its untrue (although I agree with the rest of your post!)

Dicker made a MASSIVE difference, imo.

He did.

 

[Mackenzie]

Nice to see the reaction for this goal.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Great to see Muzza so happy. That pic reminds me, thought Perkins was their stand-out player last night. Incredible work rate for the whole game.

 

[scooter1]

Murray showed some real class touches last night, great flick ons, really tidy stuff. His partnership with Wood looks good. Although whoever was sitting near me didn't seem to think so - f*** em, last night they were wrong. It was a great team performance against a physical side, and a ref who was poor. He seemed scared at times to make a bold decision, and(as has been mentioned before) the south stand linesman was laughable. Kick the ball forward, the Colchester players shout and up goes the flag. The same could be said for a couple of fouls - shout loud enough or stop playing and i'll give you the decision....
Really pleased for Noone, a great goal and he looked made up... A job well done

 

[Ernest]

Be interesting to see how many players we get in the PFA team of the year ?

 

[Flavor Flav]

El Abd was f***ing brilliant last night, him and Greer have to be the best central defence partnership in the league

 

[BrickTamland]

El Abd was f***ing brilliant last night, him and Greer have to be the best central defence partnership in the league

Technically they are i guess as we have let in the least amount of goals this season i believe.