[Albion] Wellbeck's replacement from within

[Frankworthington]

I think Moder should be competing with Tross and Ally Mac for the No 10 role

That would be his best position.But he ha competition!!

 

[Sheebo]

Know GP said Welbs was seeing a specialist but the OPs post reads like he’s out for the season?!

 

[Frankie]

I really think Tolaj will be able to make the step up, I'd hope to see him involved in the Cup v Leicester and I think he could turn out to be a bit of a unexpected bonus for us in the coming months, and it looks increasingly like we'll need him.

 

[Munkfish]

I really think Tolaj will be able to make the step up, I'd hope to see him involved in the Cup v Leicester and I think he could turn out to be a bit of a unexpected bonus for us in the coming months, and it looks increasingly like we'll need him.

Agreed he’s an absolute tank.

 

[GT49er]

I really think Tolaj will be able to make the step up, I'd hope to see him involved in the Cup v Leicester and I think he could turn out to be a bit of a unexpected bonus for us in the coming months, and it looks increasingly like we'll need him.

Wasn't particularly impressive at Forest Green - mind you, he didn't have much service, and spent most of the game in the Brighton half (as did most of the Brighton team!)

 

[Medwayseagull]

Wasn't particularly impressive at Forest Green - mind you, he didn't have much service, and spent most of the game in the Brighton half (as did most of the Brighton team!)

Apart from when he scored !

 

[Hugo Rune]

In all probability, we won’t be seeing Welbz in the stripes again this year. I don’t think he looked particularly comfortable or 100% fit so it’s not like we’ve lost Maupay but his winner against Leicester showed his quality and usefulness, only Dunk, Duffy or Webster could have scored that goal.

In terms of replacement, Connolly is the obvious choice. He has had some great games paired with Maupay and mostly, it’s only his finishing that is questioned. He runs all day and is always a massive pain for defenders. Importantly, he gets into excellent positions to shoot, he can find space and senses chances against any defence. He’d have been in double figures last season if he’d converted the sort of chances he buried in EPL2 without a moment’s thought. This could be a big season for him.

Mac Allister and Moder offer slightly more defensive options and against big six sides, you can see logic for either starting. Moder certainly enabled us to dominate Arsenal for 80mins as Potter’s formation always seemed to outflank Arteta’s across the pitch.

But it’s beyond those regular 1st team three where I think Potter has some interesting options. Locadia would be playing in more or less, his natural position. He looked a few weeks off match fitness against Swansea but he did a good job on the left and looked well drilled. I don’t think he’d let us down if he got the opportunity but he’s certainly not going to rip the EPL up or score us the goals to maintain a top half finish.

However, it’s Sarmiento that really excites me. He is very explosive when he receives the ball, he just leaves defenders in his wake. He has bags of pace and skill and has shown he can finish too. Already a full international, he’ll bring something to the team that I don’t think we’ve got. I’ll certainly be on my feet if Potter gives him the call from the bench. It could be as soon as tomorrow.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I would like to see MacAllister getting a run. Last season, the Maupay-Trossard-MacAllister front-three worked well for quite a while. MacAllister is class.

 

[Frankie]

Wasn't particularly impressive at Forest Green - mind you, he didn't have much service, and spent most of the game in the Brighton half (as did most of the Brighton team!)

I can't comment on that game as I wasn't there but the times I have seen him play he's been very impressive and looked a level above the standard he's playing, I would think in normal circumstances he would probably continue his development in the U23s with view to a loan next season but these aren't normal circumstances, I'm sure Mr Potter is well aware of Tolaj and he will know far better than I if he thinks he's ready but it would not surprise me one bit if Tolaj takes it in his stride and takes the opportunity given successfully.

 

[The Fits]

I’d love to see Tolaj right up top, allowing Maupay to play a little deeper (his best patios IMHO). But have full confidence in all the mentioned AMCs doing more than a decent job of them come in. I expect Moder would be involved anyway tomorrow.

 

[GT49er]

Apart from when he scored !

Yes, he did - but his general hold up play, ball retention, etc. was disappointing compared to what I'd previously seen of him on TV.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

In all probability, we won’t be seeing Welbz in the stripes again this year. I don’t think he looked particularly comfortable or 100% fit so it’s not like we’ve lost Maupay but his winner against Leicester showed his quality and usefulness, only Dunk, Duffy or Webster could have scored that goal.

In terms of replacement, Connolly is the obvious choice. He has had some great games paired with Maupay and mostly, it’s only his finishing that is questioned. He runs all day and is always a massive pain for defenders. Importantly, he gets into excellent positions to shoot, he can find space and senses chances against any defence. He’d have been in double figures last season if he’d converted the sort of chances he buried in EPL2 without a moment’s thought. This could be a big season for him.

Mac Allister and Moder offer slightly more defensive options and against big six sides, you can see logic for either starting. Moder certainly enabled us to dominate Arsenal for 80mins as Potter’s formation always seemed to outflank Arteta’s across the pitch.

But it’s beyond those regular 1st team three where I think Potter has some interesting options. Locadia would be playing in more or less, his natural position. He looked a few weeks off match fitness against Swansea but he did a good job on the left and looked well drilled. I don’t think he’d let us down if he got the opportunity but he’s certainly not going to rip the EPL up or score us the goals to maintain a top half finish.

However, it’s Sarmiento that really excites me. He is very explosive when he receives the ball, he just leaves defenders in his wake. He has bags of pace and skill and has shown he can finish too. Already a full international, he’ll bring something to the team that I don’t think we’ve got. I’ll certainly be on my feet if Potter gives him the call from the bench. It could be as soon as tomorrow.

Good post.

Is Sarmiento available tomorrow after his trip away?

 

[Turkeydove]

Oh, i didnt know Wellbecks injury was so serious, is he out till the new year then

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Oh, i didnt know Wellbecks injury was so serious, is he out till the new year then

Out fror three or four months according to the club.

 

[chaileyjem]

In all probability, we won’t be seeing Welbz in the stripes again this year.

Well this calendar year - then yes.
He's "expected to be out for three months"
https://theathletic.com/news/danny-...as-brighton-striker-has-surgery/i9Cs5POQdp1Z/

If you mean - not this season. Then i very much doubt it - even if Albion sign a striker in January. He should be on track to play again in January. Why not ?
There's far too much of half empty approach to injuries on NSC. Anyone would think nobody ever recovers from injuries. EVER.
And Welbeck was pretty much a regular last year despite his track record.
Welbeck played in 24 games last season having only joined us for game 7 - doubt anyone predicted that on here.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Good post.

Is Sarmiento available tomorrow after his trip away?

Doubtful, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela are all still on the red list and he’s been in all three countries in the international break. Unless exemptions have been granted for pro sportsmen he’ll have to quarantine in a hotel for 2 weeks.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Doubtful, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela are all still on the red list and he’s been in all three countries in the international break. Unless exemptions have been granted for pro sportsmen he’ll have to quarantine in a hotel for 2 weeks.

Yeah that's what I thought, didn't even consider him an option this week.

 

[Audax]

I heard something on the radio last week about possible exemptions for pro footballers, but can't for the life of me recall what they actually said. Vague memory is trying to tell me that exemptions were going to happen, but I wasn't paying that much attention at the time so may be wrong.

Edit: quick google search suggests what I heard was that they are now allowed to do the quarantine in a club facility instead of government hotel. Still 10 days from red list.

 

[chaileyjem]

Doubtful, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela are all still on the red list and he’s been in all three countries in the international break. Unless exemptions have been granted for pro sportsmen he’ll have to quarantine in a hotel for 2 weeks.

Sarmiento has relaxed rules for isolation as an international footballer but he won't be on the bench at Carrow Road (or needed now given return from injuries by Mwepu, Webster etc. He should be available for Man City though or more likely the 4th round of the Carabao Cup v Leicester on the 27th.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I don't think we have anyone at the club now that can replace Welbeck. Hopefully, the return of Lamptey will enable us to paper over the cracks until the transfer window opens.

I would trust Welbeck to stay fit and would go all out to get Gabriel Martinelli in on loan from Arsenal. I think that move would tick all the boxes for him, us and Arsenal.