Vicente starts for Albion (From The Argus)

It's amazing that the FA STILL haven't sorted out the international clearance. Would they be so slow for a Prem club?

I like this line up, and not at all surprised to see CMS on the bench. It seems that Gus wants this game won in the first 45.
Barnes has been scoring and had to be picked to start. If Buckley and Vicente, along with Barnes get us 2 goals in the first half then Hoskins can replace Vicente. If Buckley gets tired Lua Lua can replace him.

A rest for CMS, I get it but I can't understand why Ulloa paper work is taking so long.

CMS and Ulloa for the Arsenal match.

This international clearance is becoming a bloody joke now!! How long are these things supposed to take? Hopefully it will be ready for him for the start of next season!!!! I understand what FA stands for now and they're F All about it

Dont think CMS will be too impressed as both Strachan and McGhee at the match tonight,also looking at Greer and Bridcutt.Line up seems bit on the defensive side and please can we cut out the silly fouls in dangerous areas an try and deal with the crosses.

Unlike you Vegas, I'm not thrilled by this lineup. Bit strange bringing Vicente in on the coldest night of the year. I can see Buckley and CMS being brought on early in the second half and us chasing the game. Hope I'm wrong. I usually am!

VegasSeagull wrote:
I like this line up, and not at all surprised to see CMS on the bench. It seems that Gus wants this game won in the first 45.
Barnes has been scoring and had to be picked to start. If Buckley and Vicente, along with Barnes get us 2 goals in the first half then Hoskins can replace Vicente. If Buckley gets tired Lua Lua can replace him.

A rest for CMS, I get it but I can't understand why Ulloa paper work is taking so long.

CMS and Ulloa for the Arsenal match.

Er, Buckley isn't starting...

That must be the strongest subs bench for many a year.

VegasSeagull wrote:
I like this line up, and not at all surprised to see CMS on the bench. It seems that Gus wants this game won in the first 45.
Barnes has been scoring and had to be picked to start. If Buckley and Vicente, along with Barnes get us 2 goals in the first half then Hoskins can replace Vicente. If Buckley gets tired Lua Lua can replace him.

A rest for CMS, I get it but I can't understand why Ulloa paper work is taking so long.

CMS and Ulloa for the Arsenal match.

VegasSeagull Buckley is on the Bench today so if he gets tired (sitting there) then perhaps JFC (part of the travelling squad but not named) could take his place from the stand !
Looks like the usual conservative Poyet starting line up with lots of attacking options on the Bench ie CMS, Hoskins, LuaLua and Hammond in addition to Buckley. I see that Painter is the defensive cover. I hope both Hoskins and Buckley are used depending on the 'underfoot' conditions.
No Dobbie or Crofts in the squad. Crofts has been a bit of a disappointment since he came back but I feel for Dobbie who doesn't seem to have had a real run in the team.
Fingers crossed...

Bruce do you think the Blackburn management thought this would be our line up?

Given Vicente's long absense it makes to me to use him in the first 45 rather than the second.
I think this team is capable of taking a first half lead into the locker room. The only real change is Vicente for CMS, Dicker for Hammond is a even trade off to my mind. No way could Barnes be left out in favour of Hoskins, Barnes is scoring goals.

David or Orlandi, one would have to be left out to bring in Buckley and his goals have dried up. David is enjoying a good run of performances and Orlandi can change a match in a heart beat.

.

bruce beckett wrote:
Unlike you Vegas, I'm not thrilled by this lineup. Bit strange bringing Vicente in on the coldest night of the year. I can see Buckley and CMS being brought on early in the second half and us chasing the game. Hope I'm wrong. I usually am!

CMS not on the bench is he? Think the rest might do him some good, physically and psychologically.

A very strange line-up!!

Cant say the line-up fills me with confidence. I hope I'm wrong but looks a negative team to me. Also if he's planning to play one up front, why isn't it Hoskins instead of Barnes. At least he can control the ball and bring others in.

CMS is on the bench and I reckon he'll be needed. I'm sure the Blackburn management team didn't expect this lineup. Let's hope Gus is not outsmarting himself.

namgo49 wrote:
A very strange line-up!!

I am going to guess that you do not think Dicker for Hammond is, THAT, strange so what is it that you find so stange?

I owuld love to know what you thought would be our line up and why.

bruce beckett wrote:
Unlike you Vegas, I'm not thrilled by this lineup. Bit strange bringing Vicente in on the coldest night of the year. I can see Buckley and CMS being brought on early in the second half and us chasing the game. Hope I'm wrong. I usually am!

With you Bruce, any bets on an early injury to Vicente and another lengthy lay off. CMS should start for me, cold night, needs to run their back four hard, and create space for the attacking midfield options.

fratsomrover wrote:
Cant say the line-up fills me with confidence. I hope I'm wrong but looks a negative team to me. Also if he's planning to play one up front, why isn't it Hoskins instead of Barnes. At least he can control the ball and bring others in.

Because Barnes has been scoring. Even well he's playing well people want him dropped! Unbelievable...

Dear Vegas, in your last post you wrote 'No way could Barnes be left out in favour of Hoskins, Barnes is scoring goals.' And who, might I ask, scored the second against Newcastle..? And he hasn't played since... Der. Another theory out the window!!!

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:

fratsomrover wrote:
Cant say the line-up fills me with confidence. I hope I'm wrong but looks a negative team to me. Also if he's planning to play one up front, why isn't it Hoskins instead of Barnes. At least he can control the ball and bring others in.

Because Barnes has been scoring. Even well he's playing well people want him dropped! Unbelievable...

Very believable when you see far better players sitting on the bench.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:

fratsomrover wrote:
Cant say the line-up fills me with confidence. I hope I'm wrong but looks a negative team to me. Also if he's planning to play one up front, why isn't it Hoskins instead of Barnes. At least he can control the ball and bring others in.

Because Barnes has been scoring. Even well he's playing well people want him dropped! Unbelievable...

Very believable when you see far better players sitting on the bench.

There are no FAR better players on the bench - whether there are better players is a matter of opinion. Poyet obviously does not share yours.

Why waste your time by moaning about the line ups, Enjoy and Embrace The Championship and the players i.e Vicente, Buckley, Bridge wearing the stripes with pride. They all deserve to be out there for me but unfortunately only 11 can. Come on you Seagulls, It Won't be an easy game, No game will in this league, for us or any team!!

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:

fratsomrover wrote:
Cant say the line-up fills me with confidence. I hope I'm wrong but looks a negative team to me. Also if he's planning to play one up front, why isn't it Hoskins instead of Barnes. At least he can control the ball and bring others in.

Because Barnes has been scoring. Even well he's playing well people want him dropped! Unbelievable...

Why is it unbelievable? He has no pace. There is no pace up front with him and Vicente. At least Vicente has class, control and guile. Barnes has none of these qualities. I just wish Hoskins could have as many opportunities as AB. I reckon he would have scored more goals. Just my opinion, but I'm a firm believer in pace up front and I dont see it with AB. That said, I'd be delighted if he scored a hat trick and we won, but somehow, I cant see it.

fratsomrover wrote:

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:

fratsomrover wrote:
Cant say the line-up fills me with confidence. I hope I'm wrong but looks a negative team to me. Also if he's planning to play one up front, why isn't it Hoskins instead of Barnes. At least he can control the ball and bring others in.

Because Barnes has been scoring. Even well he's playing well people want him dropped! Unbelievable...

Why is it unbelievable? He has no pace. There is no pace up front with him and Vicente. At least Vicente has class, control and guile. Barnes has none of these qualities. I just wish Hoskins could have as many opportunities as AB. I reckon he would have scored more goals. Just my opinion, but I'm a firm believer in pace up front and I dont see it with AB. That said, I'd be delighted if he scored a hat trick and we won, but somehow, I cant see it.

He is playing well, so Gus picks him! He does what he is told, so Gus picks him! There is far more to his game than pace and scoring goals, so Gus picks him!

Wow, c'mon Scrote... So you think 'There is far more to his game than pace and scoring goals, so Gus picks him!' So, enlighten me. Why (other than he tries to do what he is told). I wait with bated breath, but not much hope of anything credible.

I've got a good idea, lets play without any forwards, we are bound to score!

I can't stand this negativity - it has never worked before and I can't imagine that it will work tonight. What is going on?

I can't stand this negativity - it has never worked before and I can't imagine that it will work tonight. What is going on?

Have to agree with you there, Major! I know I'll get slated for saying this but I can't help but feel we would be further up the table with a good old English manager (like Adkins) at the helm rather than Poyet and his constant tinkering. Why does he always have to wait until we're behind before using a positive formation?

bruce beckett wrote:
I can't stand this negativity - it has never worked before and I can't imagine that it will work tonight. What is going on?

Have to agree with you there, Major! I know I'll get slated for saying this but I can't help but feel we would be further up the table with a good old English manager (like Adkins) at the helm rather than Poyet and his constant tinkering. Why does he always have to wait until we're behind before using a positive formation?

Hi Bruce.

I have been a great fan of Gus', but his recent selections have driven me mad and I am beginning to think that you are right.

Gus wants us to play like Barcelona but we do not have a Messi to make it work. We have some great players but we don't play them, or we only play them when we go behind. It is soul destroying

VegasSeagull wrote:
Bruce do you think the Blackburn management thought this would be our line up?

Given Vicente's long absense it makes to me to use him in the first 45 rather than the second.
I think this team is capable of taking a first half lead into the locker room. The only real change is Vicente for CMS, Dicker for Hammond is a even trade off to my mind. No way could Barnes be left out in favour of Hoskins, Barnes is scoring goals.

David or Orlandi, one would have to be left out to bring in Buckley and his goals have dried up. David is enjoying a good run of performances and Orlandi can change a match in a heart beat.

.

In one message you comment about having Buckley in the team, and the next you comment about why he couldn't be brought in. Bizarre. The line-up is strange. Cold night in Blackburn does not feel like the obvious come back came for Vicente and no pace upfront as an outlet seems odd. Can understand Dicker in, that's fine, but not the rest.

Half time - pretty but ineffectual. If we can't beat a shambolic club like Blackburn then there is no hope for anything better than being outside the play-off places.

bruce beckett wrote:
I can't stand this negativity - it has never worked before and I can't imagine that it will work tonight. What is going on?

Have to agree with you there, Major! I know I'll get slated for saying this but I can't help but feel we would be further up the table with a good old English manager (like Adkins) at the helm rather than Poyet and his constant tinkering. Why does he always have to wait until we're behind before using a positive formation?

No Gus is the man for the job, the football is delicious at times and a return to a direct ariel style would be a backward step. I just wish at times he would just stick with a solid side away from home, ok starting with Vicente could have worked but on a freezing night in Lancashire I would prefer him coming on to change the game in the last twenty.

The game is drifting away along with our play off hopes!!

Nigel Adkins anyone?

namgo49 wrote:
The game is drifting away along with our play off hopes!!

Bore off.

That's the point we needed to keep up the momentum !

Wow - previous negatives retracted-a point out of nothing. David penalty king. Apologies to all (we needed a win though!!)

Good result, onwards and upwards, palace in the play offs and sweet revenge. Uta

namgo49 wrote:
Wow - previous negatives retracted-a point out of nothing. David penalty king. Apologies to all (we needed a win though!!)

Here's someone who can find the negative in anything! Must be hell to live with!

Lousy performance but great result. If Gus can get real belief in these players we can at least make the play offs. Only 4 points behind 6th place and only 8 behind 2nd place!

Let's give it all we've got and start focusing on the job in hand AE-A! Quit all this man handling of your opponent and **** to the officials - you do it week in and week out and it is immature the way you behaved with Ameobi and others. Tonight you were fortunate that Lopez penalty spared your blushes.

Adam has finally been penalised for his manhandling and tomas has redeemed himself I think the urgency for 2 better centre backs is there for all to see

Major Bloodboil wrote:

bruce beckett wrote: I can't stand this negativity - it has never worked before and I can't imagine that it will work tonight. What is going on? Have to agree with you there, Major! I know I'll get slated for saying this but I can't help but feel we would be further up the table with a good old English manager (like Adkins) at the helm rather than Poyet and his constant tinkering. Why does he always have to wait until we're behind before using a positive formation?

Hi Bruce. I have been a great fan of Gus', but his recent selections have driven me mad and I am beginning to think that you are right. Gus wants us to play like Barcelona but we do not have a Messi to make it work. We have some great players but we don't play them, or we only play them when we go behind. It is soul destroying

Laughable attempt at trying to be two different posters

Delighted that we managed to snatch a point tonight at the death but that doesn't hide the fact that Gus got his starting formation completely wrong. I certainly wouldn't enjoy playing for us if I was an attacking player. No support; in and out of the team or, in Hoskins' case, not in it at all. If we'd beaten Birmingham on Saturday and lost at Blackburn (having a go from the start) we would actually be a point better off. And while it's fair to say both Birmingham and Blackburn still have some Premiership players, they're not near the foot of the table for nothing.

We've come a long way under Gus but sometimes his tactics completely baffle me. He says Buckley is better than Zaha yet leaves him on the bench; lets Noone join one of our Championship rivals and is reluctant to start LuaLua either. Then he plays Vicente out of position on a freezing cold night in Lancashire against a team who lost at home to Charlton on Saturday and were totally lacking in confidence.

Sorry, but while I'm pleased we're still unbeaten in 2013, I can't get too excited about tonight's result.

bruce beckett wrote:
Delighted that we managed to snatch a point tonight at the death but that doesn't hide the fact that Gus got his starting formation completely wrong. I certainly wouldn't enjoy playing for us if I was an attacking player. No support; in and out of the team or, in Hoskins' case, not in it at all. If we'd beaten Birmingham on Saturday and lost at Blackburn (having a go from the start) we would actually be a point better off. And while it's fair to say both Birmingham and Blackburn still have some Premiership players, they're not near the foot of the table for nothing.

We've come a long way under Gus but sometimes his tactics completely baffle me. He says Buckley is better than Zaha yet leaves him on the bench; lets Noone join one of our Championship rivals and is reluctant to start LuaLua either. Then he plays Vicente out of position on a freezing cold night in Lancashire against a team who lost at home to Charlton on Saturday and were totally lacking in confidence.

Sorry, but while I'm pleased we're still unbeaten in 2013, I can't get too excited about tonight's result.

Although the management always say they take one game at a time I am sure they had one eye on saturday,

Isn't rotating attacking players just a part of the modern game now? We are lucky to have so many good players to rotate. Thing is, only Gus and his staff know how the players have trained, how they are feeling or if they have any niggly injuries.

Brilliant to see Vicente back. I think we'd all like to see him pulling the strings from midfield and hopefully we will again soon but until he is approaching full fitness, that could leave us more exposed defensively, especially away from home to what was a Premier League team last year. To my mind, he is far more likely to create something than anyone else so if playing him up top is the way to get him in the team for now, that's ok with me. I'm thinking Vicente behind Ulloa is possibly going to be the way forward eventually.

Last note, good to see David Lopez getting better and better. Seems to be enjoying English football, getting right into it and getting his rewards.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
Wow, c'mon Scrote... So you think 'There is far more to his game than pace and scoring goals, so Gus picks him!' So, enlighten me. Why (other than he tries to do what he is told). I wait with bated breath, but not much hope of anything credible.

He works hard fo the team and helps take the pressure off other players. Until we get the mythical midfield dynamo then someone has to shoulder the burden. If Barnes isn't doing it, who is? Hoskins and Dobbie certainly don't put in the same defensive shift.

Godstone Gull wrote:

Major Bloodboil wrote:

bruce beckett wrote: I can't stand this negativity - it has never worked before and I can't imagine that it will work tonight. What is going on? Have to agree with you there, Major! I know I'll get slated for saying this but I can't help but feel we would be further up the table with a good old English manager (like Adkins) at the helm rather than Poyet and his constant tinkering. Why does he always have to wait until we're behind before using a positive formation?

Hi Bruce. I have been a great fan of Gus', but his recent selections have driven me mad and I am beginning to think that you are right. Gus wants us to play like Barcelona but we do not have a Messi to make it work. We have some great players but we don't play them, or we only play them when we go behind. It is soul destroying

Laughable attempt at trying to be two different posters

Sorry to disappoint you GG but you are plain wrong - we are two different posters.

Glad to see that Gus has admitted his error - I hope he doesn't repeat it.

I love the way we play when Gus gets the selection right, but he prefers the cautious approach. He tried this type of team selection against Swindon and we hardly had a shot all night and got thrashed. Gus freely admits that he prefers a 1-0 win to 4-3 - I just wish he would be a bit more adventurous with his team selection. He has brought some good forwards - I just wish he would play them. Lets hope that Ulloa will make the difference