Poyet wanted to see more of front pairing (From The Argus)

Sorry Mr. Poyet but this statement of your's doesn't make sense to me.
If you wanted to see more of CMS with Ulloa why didn't you start with them? The refereee had nothing to do with your team selections.

GOOD! Let's hope for a time before the end of the season when the stars all align in terms of match fitness, hamstrings, suitable opposition, international matches, other players available in the squad and their fitness levels for us to see a full 90 minutes of the two - maybe even for 2 consecutive matches - wouldn't that be brilliant!! - maybe even with Vicente in play maker role for the first sixty minutes of the match

VegasSeagull wrote:
Sorry Mr. Poyet but this statement of your's doesn't make sense to me.
If you wanted to see more of CMS with Ulloa why didn't you start with them? The refereee had nothing to do with your team selections.

I concur 100%
Now if that's the case are we going to see 4 4 2 ? Saturday and a more attacking midfield fingers crossed
UTA

To be fair to gus .. the ref charts do show simon hooper as the worst ref in the country.and that game proved it.....but you are right t/towner, lets hope gus starts with two up front for the next two home games..then he will find out...seagulls ,,,....uta..

VegasSeagull wrote:
Sorry Mr. Poyet but this statement of your's doesn't make sense to me.
If you wanted to see more of CMS with Ulloa why didn't you start with them? The refereee had nothing to do with your team selections.

Spot on VS - when is Mr Naylor going to start asking the same questions?

If Gus spent half as much time really thinking as he does talking he'd do a lot better.

That's why the local media love him - they don't have to do anything except switch on their tape recorders and allow him to waffle - then they reproduce the waffle in the Argus and other's who also don't think too much swallow it.

When we've bee inundated with mid fielders why hasn't he played all number of forward players to support CMS - because he's riddled with fear.

I feel really sorry for CMS - I think he's been destroyed since he's been with us under Gus. He's not the same person on or off the pitch.

He gave his all as usual yesterday but looked really fed up understandably at the end.

have to agree with all hear. If gus wanted to see more he should of played them all from the off.
Going now fed up with Gus drivel .

VegasSeagull wrote:
Sorry Mr. Poyet but this statement of your's doesn't make sense to me. If you wanted to see more of CMS with Ulloa why didn't you start with them? The refereee had nothing to do with your team selections.

thats right the ref did not have anything to do with team selection but the player ulloa has taken over from suarez at diving the ref spoke to him many times poyet had to take him off or he would have been sent of pity quite a skillfull player but like to dive 8point 8

I have always been a staunch supporter of Gus, but his latest quotes above are nothing short of rubbish. Put up or shut up Gus and play the team that all of us here are crying out for. For starters, CMS and Ulloa up front from the off and two wingers. We all know you'll not do that and we will have to endure another frustrating 90+ mins on Saturday. Come on Gus be brave and we'll cheer you to the rafters.

Gus's comment about Barnes after the match says it all:- "I've no complaints about Ashley's sending off. I'm not going to kill him, even though what he did hurt us. Really I love him - he has passion, enthusiasm and lots of ability, which normally serves us well."

Guys, I'm afraid we are going to continue to be saddled with an abundance of versatile workaholics in midfield, with CMS and probably Ulloa trying to feed off scraps from slow build ups and telegraphed passes - but rarely from incisive, creative,inventive and perfectly weighted passes cleverly played into space nor expertly timed little one-twos, nor from midfilders running with the ball glued to the feet drawing defenders, before timing the release of the ball forward for CMS, Ulloa or Buckley to run through beating the offside trap (like Leeds twice did to Spurs the other day).

Oh for a bit of guile and exciting forward movement - only occasionally seen in glimpses largely through the INDIVIDUAL brilliance of players like Buckley, Lua Lua and Orlandi.

Methinks that the undoubted talent Gus has at his disposal is being suffocated and under-utilised, and is frustrating players with good football brains like CMS, Buckley and Hoskins.

Pretty unanimous that GPs alleged comments don't make sense. In fact I find that a lot of the time. Is something lost in translation...must say his English and accent is pretty poor given the amount of time he's lived here.

I have left it until now to post as knee jerk reactions are easy straight after a loss. Went to the game yesterday and I have to say Wednesday are probably the worst team we have played this season. Having said that I have no complaints over the result as we played into their hoof ball style with three soft goals conceded, Barnes deserving to be sent off and yet again Gus fielding the wrong team. Our bench was brimming with talent, CMS, Lua Lua, Vicente & Hoskins from an attacking point of view. When if at all will Gus go for teams with 4-4-2 with two wide/wingers and two strikers. I am convinced if we did we would destroy teams. To me there is no point having all this talent if you do not use it and play to your strength. Gus continues to be too cautious which seems strange to me when he was such a fantastic attack minded player.

Forgot to add on my last post and this may cause a stir but did anyone else at the game yesterday notice how once Bridcutt was taken off at half time we moved the ball a lot quicker through midfield and to the front players. When Liam is out there and we play through him and Hammond everything seems ponderous and laboured allowing the opposition time to get men back behind the ball. When we attack with pace we are a different proposition as no defence likes pace at them. Wednesday were full of cart horses at the back especially the numpty with the skull cap. Thoughts anyone?

Spot on Vegas and spot on Tonytowner. A good couple of posts to start the thread.

I think that most are now in agreement that we really do need to be positive from the outset.
I've harped on about it for weeks and I'm pleased to hear more people feeling as I do.

I was thinking about our players this morning and tried to put guys into categories of what they are good at and who is their competition for a place in the starting 11.
Some are without a challenger, namely Kuz, Bridcutt, Bridge and Ulloa but every other player in the squad has some kind of completion.

Buckley or Lua Lua
Bruno or Calderon
El abd or Dunk, now Upson too
Cms or Barnes or Hoskins.

I've saved the interesting one until last though and that is the midfielders that can make a pass without necessarily making a huge impact, you know the sort, they play good football and play great triangles but can't really beat a man or have much pace. Of these we have many.

Orlandi
David
Dicker
Hammond

Vicente is in the same role but does have all of the skills I mention and can make a difference.

So my point?

They are all good players Infact very good players but surely there is only room for one of them in the team, arguably 2 if Orlandi plays wide left. Fact is though that at least 3 have started each match and this IMHO is where the problem lies.
I'm all for playing the guys and all will do well, it must be just one of them though.
We all remember England's failing when trying to squeeze both Gerrard and Lampard in to the team and I see this as a similar problem.

It is time to release the shackles and it is time to pick Vicente over Hammond and Buckley or Lua Lua over David.
In my mind it will be problems solved and full steam ahead.

As always just my opinion.

Uta

4everaseagull wrote:
I have left it until now to post as knee jerk reactions are easy straight after a loss. Went to the game yesterday and I have to say Wednesday are probably the worst team we have played this season. Having said that I have no complaints over the result as we played into their hoof ball style with three soft goals conceded, Barnes deserving to be sent off and yet again Gus fielding the wrong team. Our bench was brimming with talent, CMS, Lua Lua, Vicente & Hoskins from an attacking point of view. When if at all will Gus go for teams with 4-4-2 with two wide/wingers and two strikers. I am convinced if we did we would destroy teams. To me there is no point having all this talent if you do not use it and play to your strength. Gus continues to be too cautious which seems strange to me when he was such a fantastic attack minded player.

I could not agree more

Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:-


Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond
CMS Buckley/Barnes
Ulloa/Barnes

I should have said CMS/Hoskins

Vince wrote:
Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:-


Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond
CMS Buckley/Barnes
Ulloa/Barnes

I like it Vince

It's Orlandi to start over Lua Lua for me just so the latter can rip them to bits in the second half.
Vicente v Hammond is a no brainier even though I like The latter.
Cms and Buckley get my vote sitting behind the big guy and obviously Ulloa up top.

Lets try it :)

SMF20 wrote:
Spot on Vegas and spot on Tonytowner. A good couple of posts to start the thread.

I think that most are now in agreement that we really do need to be positive from the outset.
I've harped on about it for weeks and I'm pleased to hear more people feeling as I do.

I was thinking about our players this morning and tried to put guys into categories of what they are good at and who is their competition for a place in the starting 11.
Some are without a challenger, namely Kuz, Bridcutt, Bridge and Ulloa but every other player in the squad has some kind of completion.

Buckley or Lua Lua
Bruno or Calderon
El abd or Dunk, now Upson too
Cms or Barnes or Hoskins.

I've saved the interesting one until last though and that is the midfielders that can make a pass without necessarily making a huge impact, you know the sort, they play good football and play great triangles but can't really beat a man or have much pace. Of these we have many.

Orlandi
David
Dicker
Hammond

Vicente is in the same role but does have all of the skills I mention and can make a difference.

So my point?

They are all good players Infact very good players but surely there is only room for one of them in the team, arguably 2 if Orlandi plays wide left. Fact is though that at least 3 have started each match and this IMHO is where the problem lies.
I'm all for playing the guys and all will do well, it must be just one of them though.
We all remember England's failing when trying to squeeze both Gerrard and Lampard in to the team and I see this as a similar problem.

It is time to release the shackles and it is time to pick Vicente over Hammond and Buckley or Lua Lua over David.
In my mind it will be problems solved and full steam ahead.

As always just my opinion.

Uta

Good points made. 4-4-2 it has to be for me with the shackles off. I appreciate we can all play the role of the manager and pick a team but how about this for starters if all fit and well for the Hull game.

TK
Calderon
El-Abd
Upson
Bridge
Buckley
Bridcutt
Vicente
Lua Lua
CMS
Ulloa

Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four, then let Vicente have the ball to run things with us having pace and width to scare the living daylights out of Hull. We can then have two out and out forwards which we must do. I am confident that this will put us on the run we need to get a play off place.

Has anyone noticed how little air time is given to The Albion on the football league show? Gus was not interviewed after the SW game.

All of the top 5 teams have hit runs in recent weeks and this is something Albion have not been able to do and this season has familiar traits with last seasons tail off when in a challenging position.
I cannot recall the last time we played with the same starting eleven(injuries aside) and the only way to hit a run is to play your strongest team each week,the problem is Gus does not seem to know his strongest team,nor do his assistants.consisten
cy is the key and this will not happen ,as has been shown,until we play a setteld side.
With Middlesborough faltering that 6th spot is up for grabs but unless Gus bites the bullett and plays an attacking game from the off,especially at home,and I mean play 2 wingers and two strikers at the expense of the non prolific midfielders.Too often we keep possession at home for 20 mins without converting a chance and then concede an only seem to come alive in the second half. In my mind the problem has been too many similiar players vying for positions and as said Gus still does not seem to know his best line. Lets change the home tactics and go for it, currently the way we are set up nothing will change unfortunately.

If we continue as we are and don't get promotion it will be, in many people's minds, because we have not fielded a more attacking team with a more attacking frame of mind. If that happens then many will look at Gus and ask why.

If we were to adopt a more attacking line up and go for the win by way of pounding our opponents into submission, but still not get promoted, then people might say, well at least we gave it our best shot.

I think fans can accept dissapointment if they feel that other options were not available but right now, many think that there are options and Gus is refusing to try them.

If we accept that Barnes has been turned into a very useful utility player buy Gus, and many of us do, then why is a utility player playing as the second striker when we have strikers on the bench.

Have Barnes in midfield, put him next to Hammond and have him drive forward when the situation allows, I can see that but surely CMS or Hoskins has to be in front of him along with Ulloa.
Today we have strikers, we don't need a utility player filling in. I wouldn't leave him out, he will score more goals, but it's time for two orthodox strikers to start the matches with his extra threat coming from midfield.

Vince wrote:
Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:-


Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond
CMS Buckley/Barnes
Ulloa/Barnes

Vince you’re your starting 11 doesn’t make sense coz you’ve got 15 if you include Barnes twice
Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond
CMS Buckley/Barnes
Ulloa/Barnes

4everaseagull wrote:
Forgot to add on my last post and this may cause a stir but did anyone else at the game yesterday notice how once Bridcutt was taken off at half time we moved the ball a lot quicker through midfield and to the front players. When Liam is out there and we play through him and Hammond everything seems ponderous and laboured allowing the opposition time to get men back behind the ball. When we attack with pace we are a different proposition as no defence likes pace at them. Wednesday were full of cart horses at the back especially the numpty with the skull cap. Thoughts anyone?

I have always said the best form of defence is attack and as you say, when faced with some old ponderous defenders, why dont we implement our pacy, skillful wingers. There's no point keeping the wraps round your match winners Gus. Use or lose them. They are here to win matches so give them a chance before it's too late

Look if everyone wants to stick their necks out on the next starting 11, list them clearly, and we can see how much they will vary.

You can also include 3 2nd half planned substitutions.

Come on Vegas, Vince, Neville, tug, SMF20, Far gull etc etc I want a full consice list of your prefered option.

4everaseagull has gone for;

TK
Calderon
El-Abd
Upson
Bridge
Buckley
Bridcutt
Vicente
Lua Lua
CMS
Ulloa

Ok Hovite here is my starting 11.

Ulloa - CMS

Lua Lua - Buckley

Dicker - Bridcutt

Bridge - Upson - El Abd - Bruno

TK

Subs. Ankergren - Hoskins - Calde - David - Orlandi - Vicente

Hovite wrote:
Look if everyone wants to stick their necks out on the next starting 11, list them clearly, and we can see how much they will vary.

You can also include 3 2nd half planned substitutions.

Come on Vegas, Vince, Neville, tug, SMF20, Far gull etc etc I want a full consice list of your prefered option.

4everaseagull has gone for;

TK
Calderon
El-Abd
Upson
Bridge
Buckley
Bridcutt
Vicente
Lua Lua
CMS
Ulloa

Happy to go similar to this in the absence currently of having someone more obvious that El Abd. Happy too to have Bruno in for Calde but it's close. Midfield could probably do with Dicker for Buckley or Lua Lua too with the other coming on at 60 mins unless we are 4 goals clear at that point!!!!


TK
Calderon
El-Abd
Upson
Bridge
Buckley
Bridcutt
Vicente
Lua Lua
CMS
Ulloa

No `Barnes` for three games, it should prove something.

Hovite wrote:

Vince wrote:
Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:-


Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond
CMS Buckley/Barnes
Ulloa/Barnes

Vince you’re your starting 11 doesn’t make sense coz you’ve got 15 if you include Barnes twice
Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond
CMS Buckley/Barnes
Ulloa/Barnes

You might as well put in Barnes three times then this will match the next three games he misses through suspension.

4everaseagull wrote:

SMF20 wrote:
Spot on Vegas and spot on Tonytowner. A good couple of posts to start the thread.

I think that most are now in agreement that we really do need to be positive from the outset.
I've harped on about it for weeks and I'm pleased to hear more people feeling as I do.

I was thinking about our players this morning and tried to put guys into categories of what they are good at and who is their competition for a place in the starting 11.
Some are without a challenger, namely Kuz, Bridcutt, Bridge and Ulloa but every other player in the squad has some kind of completion.

Buckley or Lua Lua
Bruno or Calderon
El abd or Dunk, now Upson too
Cms or Barnes or Hoskins.

I've saved the interesting one until last though and that is the midfielders that can make a pass without necessarily making a huge impact, you know the sort, they play good football and play great triangles but can't really beat a man or have much pace. Of these we have many.

Orlandi
David
Dicker
Hammond

Vicente is in the same role but does have all of the skills I mention and can make a difference.

So my point?

They are all good players Infact very good players but surely there is only room for one of them in the team, arguably 2 if Orlandi plays wide left. Fact is though that at least 3 have started each match and this IMHO is where the problem lies.
I'm all for playing the guys and all will do well, it must be just one of them though.
We all remember England's failing when trying to squeeze both Gerrard and Lampard in to the team and I see this as a similar problem.

It is time to release the shackles and it is time to pick Vicente over Hammond and Buckley or Lua Lua over David.
In my mind it will be problems solved and full steam ahead.

As always just my opinion.

Uta

Good points made. 4-4-2 it has to be for me with the shackles off. I appreciate we can all play the role of the manager and pick a team but how about this for starters if all fit and well for the Hull game.

TK
Calderon
El-Abd
Upson
Bridge
Buckley
Bridcutt
Vicente
Lua Lua
CMS
Ulloa

Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four, then let Vicente have the ball to run things with us having pace and width to scare the living daylights out of Hull. We can then have two out and out forwards which we must do. I am confident that this will put us on the run we need to get a play off place.

Shows what you know about football....
You say lets play 4-4-2...'Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four' etc ...THAT is not 4-4-2... its what Gus is playing now .
If we play 4-4-2, then Bridcutt has to be left out of the team..and he is our player of the seasonm by a country mile.
So....what do you want ..4-4-2, or 4-1-3-2, with Bridcutt in the team , and no wingers to supply the crosses to Ulloa and CMS ?

Are we picking our team to play in the same style as normal? i.e. Slow build up from that back. Gus won't ever change that so I will assume we are and that everyone is fully fit.

Ulloa

Orlandi - Vicente - Buckley

Bridcutt - Dicker

Bridge - Upson - Greer - Bruno

Kuszczak

Sorry to not jump on the 2 striker bandwagon! With our style of play, I don't think we'd fully benefit from a second striker. If we counter-attacked, CMS would be 1st on my team sheet but we don't.

The only way I'd incorporate a second out-and-out striker playing in the style we do would be to sacrifice a wide player, probably Orlandi from the team above, and play lopsidedly (if that's a word!) with Bridge providing the width down the left.

Sorry!

Don't quite understand why Barnes hits rich vein of goalscoring form and so the knockers return to gloat that he's out for three games. CMS has been struggling yet now everyone wants him back. I'll be as delighted as the next fan if Ulloa is the key to a goalscoring return to form for CMS, particularly as we can't afford to wait another three matches for Barnes to return before we win again. But it's just pathetic to welcome the loss of Ash for three matches as welcome news - I really wonder what people like Vegas actually grasp about football.

To everyone here..(apart from Weststander ) .... When Greer is fit he will be back and probably replace AEA...and if we play two up front , and two wide men , then as far as i can work out it means dropping Bridcutt...and that will not happen !
So....i think that we can safely say that normal service will be resumed on Saturday .

The way I saw is it this: Gus was never going to experiment with playing two up front from the beginning in an away game. Never has, and wasn't going to start yesterday. Sheffield Wednesday - according to their fans - are at their best when a team really comes on at them, in a less talented version of Watford. Therefore Brighton's more methodical, keep-ball approach was the better option, and one the players are comfortable with; Gus was only going to play one striker from the beginning. Once we were goals and men down it made sense to make the gamble, so he played two up front. Again, this makes perfect sense.

And if Gus EVER starts an away game with two striker and two wingers I will eat my hat.

The game has moved on SO very far from a traditional 442 and we have to move with it. The Dave Jones and Neil Warnocks of this world are a dying breed and I for one will not lament their passing (or lack of!).

Ok my team selection for Hull would be:

Ulloa CMS

Lua Lua Bridcutt Orlandi Buckley

Bridge Upson El Abd David

Kuszsak

Subs
Vicente,Hammond,Brun
o,Hopkins,
Ankergren,Calderon,C
rofts

WestStander17 wrote:
Are we picking our team to play in the same style as normal? i.e. Slow build up from that back. Gus won't ever change that so I will assume we are and that everyone is fully fit.

Ulloa

Orlandi - Vicente - Buckley

Bridcutt - Dicker

Bridge - Upson - Greer - Bruno

Kuszczak

Sorry to not jump on the 2 striker bandwagon! With our style of play, I don't think we'd fully benefit from a second striker. If we counter-attacked, CMS would be 1st on my team sheet but we don't.

The only way I'd incorporate a second out-and-out striker playing in the style we do would be to sacrifice a wide player, probably Orlandi from the team above, and play lopsidedly (if that's a word!) with Bridge providing the width down the left.

Sorry!

I would play Lopez instead of Buckley, but I think Buckley is out injured for the next game.

Neville wrote:
Ok my team selection for Hull would be:

Ulloa CMS

Lua Lua Bridcutt Orlandi Buckley

Bridge Upson El Abd David

Kuszsak

Subs
Vicente,Hammond,Brun

o,Hopkins,
Ankergren,Calderon,C

rofts

Buckley won't be available, so we could put Orlandi on the right and Vicente central?

wenners wrote:
To everyone here..(apart from Weststander ) .... When Greer is fit he will be back and probably replace AEA...and if we play two up front , and two wide men , then as far as i can work out it means dropping Bridcutt...and that will not happen !
So....i think that we can safely say that normal service will be resumed on Saturday .

With all the options we have I think that is the conclusion.

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:
The way I saw is it this: Gus was never going to experiment with playing two up front from the beginning in an away game. Never has, and wasn't going to start yesterday. Sheffield Wednesday - according to their fans - are at their best when a team really comes on at them, in a less talented version of Watford. Therefore Brighton's more methodical, keep-ball approach was the better option, and one the players are comfortable with; Gus was only going to play one striker from the beginning. Once we were goals and men down it made sense to make the gamble, so he played two up front. Again, this makes perfect sense.

And if Gus EVER starts an away game with two striker and two wingers I will eat my hat.

The game has moved on SO very far from a traditional 442 and we have to move with it. The Dave Jones and Neil Warnocks of this world are a dying breed and I for one will not lament their passing (or lack of!).

Agree, two strikers later on in the game is always an option, and Ulloa and CMS would have both been on against SW, but for the sending off.

Gus said this was his plan.

Skipped most of the boring/unoriginal comments so apologies.

Just because gus said he wants to see more of ulloa/cms together doesn't mean he was wrong to not start them together. Gus has his own ideas from watching the guys in training and probably thought digger and ulloa were the better pairing. However with AB's red and us down to 10, his best move was cms & ulloa to get something out of the game, which might have happened had he not been forced into a change. Some of you guys on here seem to think you know more than gus and its just embarrassing.

I'm with the majority of fans who want to see us play 2 up top, but do we have the midfielders suitable? I mean, Bridders is out best player for me without a doubt, but going with just 2 central midfielders nullifies his ability to break up play to some extent - he's forced to mark more than he does now. Also who would play alongside him that gives the right balance? Vicente maybe? But then you lose some of his influence by making him be more disciplined defensively. It's not as straightforward as you guys seem to think. I'd like us to generally play 4-4-2 at home and 4-5-1 away from home, with some exceptions depending on who we are up against.

Good post BHAFC_SHAUN, what you gain on one hand you lose on the other. We had a make shift defence, with El Abd out of postition.

Starting 11 looked as good as it possibly could, bench was sorted.

All we needed was 11 players for the 90

Yes lets have some widemen home and away.This packing the midfield with lazy players hoping for a draw does not work.Can you see sucessful clubs like Man U Man C Arsenal liverpool or even Saints playing this way.

Sorry Shaun - have you actually watched Albion this season? We play 4-1-4-1. Bridcutt has been tried occasionally higher up the field and looks less than ordinary.

To anyone calling for 4-4-2 it means dropping Bridcutt. He cannot play effectively in a flat midfield 4.

Gazza by the sea wrote:
Sorry Shaun - have you actually watched Albion this season? We play 4-1-4-1. Bridcutt has been tried occasionally higher up the field and looks less than ordinary.

To anyone calling for 4-4-2 it means dropping Bridcutt. He cannot play effectively in a flat midfield 4.

Maybe Bridcutt can learn to be more flexible in what role he plays for the team. He's young, an intelligent player, and admittedly he's struggled when asked to play further forward or in a more attacking style, but why are people assuming he can't develop? Might not work straight away, but given time.....? Just a thought.

Hovite wrote:

Vince wrote: Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:- Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

Vince you’re your starting 11 doesn’t make sense coz you’ve got 15 if you include Barnes twice Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

Hovite

My selections with "/" mean "OR" Vicente (or Hammond sub), Orlandi (or Lua Lua sub), Buckley (or Barnes sub) Ulloa (or Barnes sub). I COULD ALSO HAVE SAID Upson (OR Greer sub) or El Abd (orDunk sub) etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etcetc!!!!!

Gazza - didn't mean to quote you in particular, just a general comment,

wenners wrote:

4everaseagull wrote:

SMF20 wrote:
Spot on Vegas and spot on Tonytowner. A good couple of posts to start the thread.

I think that most are now in agreement that we really do need to be positive from the outset.
I've harped on about it for weeks and I'm pleased to hear more people feeling as I do.

I was thinking about our players this morning and tried to put guys into categories of what they are good at and who is their competition for a place in the starting 11.
Some are without a challenger, namely Kuz, Bridcutt, Bridge and Ulloa but every other player in the squad has some kind of completion.

Buckley or Lua Lua
Bruno or Calderon
El abd or Dunk, now Upson too
Cms or Barnes or Hoskins.

I've saved the interesting one until last though and that is the midfielders that can make a pass without necessarily making a huge impact, you know the sort, they play good football and play great triangles but can't really beat a man or have much pace. Of these we have many.

Orlandi
David
Dicker
Hammond

Vicente is in the same role but does have all of the skills I mention and can make a difference.

So my point?

They are all good players Infact very good players but surely there is only room for one of them in the team, arguably 2 if Orlandi plays wide left. Fact is though that at least 3 have started each match and this IMHO is where the problem lies.
I'm all for playing the guys and all will do well, it must be just one of them though.
We all remember England's failing when trying to squeeze both Gerrard and Lampard in to the team and I see this as a similar problem.

It is time to release the shackles and it is time to pick Vicente over Hammond and Buckley or Lua Lua over David.
In my mind it will be problems solved and full steam ahead.

As always just my opinion.

Uta

Good points made. 4-4-2 it has to be for me with the shackles off. I appreciate we can all play the role of the manager and pick a team but how about this for starters if all fit and well for the Hull game.

TK
Calderon
El-Abd
Upson
Bridge
Buckley
Bridcutt
Vicente
Lua Lua
CMS
Ulloa

Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four, then let Vicente have the ball to run things with us having pace and width to scare the living daylights out of Hull. We can then have two out and out forwards which we must do. I am confident that this will put us on the run we need to get a play off place.

Shows what you know about football....
You say lets play 4-4-2...'Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four' etc ...THAT is not 4-4-2... its what Gus is playing now .
If we play 4-4-2, then Bridcutt has to be left out of the team..and he is our player of the seasonm by a country mile.
So....what do you want ..4-4-2, or 4-1-3-2, with Bridcutt in the team , and no wingers to supply the crosses to Ulloa and CMS ?

"Shows what you know about football". Clearly a lot more than you from your response. We can play 4-4-2 with Bridcutt in the team doing a defensive role with Vicente the more attack minded of the two to supply the ammo to the wingers and front two. If you would prefer it to be called 4-1-3-2 then fine by me but its the same eleven with two wingers. Liam should be good enough in any system. So yes 4-4-2 with Bridders. I agree it is unlikely that Gus will not play that way as he is concerned that we will get over run in midfield. That being the case why did he not buy a Liam Trotter type central midfielder to team up with Bridcutt.

Vince wrote:

Hovite wrote:

Vince wrote: Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:- Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

Vince you’re your starting 11 doesn’t make sense coz you’ve got 15 if you include Barnes twice Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

Hovite

My selections with "/" mean "OR" Vicente (or Hammond sub), Orlandi (or Lua Lua sub), Buckley (or Barnes sub) Ulloa (or Barnes sub). I COULD ALSO HAVE SAID Upson (OR Greer sub) or El Abd (orDunk sub) etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etcetc!!!!!

but or's "/"isn't a defined starting 11 selection?

Gus can't put or's on his team sheet.

Come on what's your starting 11 and finishing 11?

Cms and ulloa must because forward but I am concerned about Buckley and Lualua fitness. As the Dutch u 21 van Dijk did not happen wonder if Gus will play our Latvian signing maksimenko alongside Upson might give us the pace.
Will we get a winger in the loan window when it opens or could jfc be the man to sort the issue?
I see Chelsea have released rohan Ince who played for our development team recently wonder if we will get him . think we can still get into play offs but need to beat Hull to keep us in the frame. Vicente you owe us now.Albion win 2 nil on Saturday.
Seagulls!!!

Hovite wrote:

WestStander17 wrote: Are we picking our team to play in the same style as normal? i.e. Slow build up from that back. Gus won't ever change that so I will assume we are and that everyone is fully fit. Ulloa Orlandi - Vicente - Buckley Bridcutt - Dicker Bridge - Upson - Greer - Bruno Kuszczak Sorry to not jump on the 2 striker bandwagon! With our style of play, I don't think we'd fully benefit from a second striker. If we counter-attacked, CMS would be 1st on my team sheet but we don't. The only way I'd incorporate a second out-and-out striker playing in the style we do would be to sacrifice a wide player, probably Orlandi from the team above, and play lopsidedly (if that's a word!) with Bridge providing the width down the left. Sorry!

I would play Lopez instead of Buckley, but I think Buckley is out injured for the next game.

Sorry, Hovite, I was meaning a general starting 11. For Saturday, El Abd will be in my team instead of Greer. If Buckley is injured, I would also play Lopez or take the opportunity to try my lopsided line-up with CMS up with Ulloa. Orlandi would be the 1 winger that way and could switch sides.

Someone said Bridcutt couldn't play in a flat 4-man midfield. I don't agree with that. Clearly, he is brilliant in his normal anchor position and probably is less effective in a flat 4. But, I think they all would be. That's why we play 3 in midfield!

I think we need to get behind Gus. The way we play is brilliant to watch, I think brings about far more debate and when we go up to the Prem, we will do so with complete pride that we outplayed, out thought and outclassed everyone. When Gus took over, how many years would we have given him to reach the Prem from League 1? Five? No reason to change that. I have no doubt we will get there if we stick with him and he sticks with us.

4everaseagull wrote:

wenners wrote:

4everaseagull wrote:

SMF20 wrote: Spot on Vegas and spot on Tonytowner. A good couple of posts to start the thread. I think that most are now in agreement that we really do need to be positive from the outset. I've harped on about it for weeks and I'm pleased to hear more people feeling as I do. I was thinking about our players this morning and tried to put guys into categories of what they are good at and who is their competition for a place in the starting 11. Some are without a challenger, namely Kuz, Bridcutt, Bridge and Ulloa but every other player in the squad has some kind of completion. Buckley or Lua Lua Bruno or Calderon El abd or Dunk, now Upson too Cms or Barnes or Hoskins. I've saved the interesting one until last though and that is the midfielders that can make a pass without necessarily making a huge impact, you know the sort, they play good football and play great triangles but can't really beat a man or have much pace. Of these we have many. Orlandi David Dicker Hammond Vicente is in the same role but does have all of the skills I mention and can make a difference. So my point? They are all good players Infact very good players but surely there is only room for one of them in the team, arguably 2 if Orlandi plays wide left. Fact is though that at least 3 have started each match and this IMHO is where the problem lies. I'm all for playing the guys and all will do well, it must be just one of them though. We all remember England's failing when trying to squeeze both Gerrard and Lampard in to the team and I see this as a similar problem. It is time to release the shackles and it is time to pick Vicente over Hammond and Buckley or Lua Lua over David. In my mind it will be problems solved and full steam ahead. As always just my opinion. Uta

Good points made. 4-4-2 it has to be for me with the shackles off. I appreciate we can all play the role of the manager and pick a team but how about this for starters if all fit and well for the Hull game. TK Calderon El-Abd Upson Bridge Buckley Bridcutt Vicente Lua Lua CMS Ulloa Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four, then let Vicente have the ball to run things with us having pace and width to scare the living daylights out of Hull. We can then have two out and out forwards which we must do. I am confident that this will put us on the run we need to get a play off place.

Shows what you know about football.... You say lets play 4-4-2...'Bridcutt can sit in front of the back four' etc ...THAT is not 4-4-2... its what Gus is playing now . If we play 4-4-2, then Bridcutt has to be left out of the team..and he is our player of the seasonm by a country mile. So....what do you want ..4-4-2, or 4-1-3-2, with Bridcutt in the team , and no wingers to supply the crosses to Ulloa and CMS ?

"Shows what you know about football". Clearly a lot more than you from your response. We can play 4-4-2 with Bridcutt in the team doing a defensive role with Vicente the more attack minded of the two to supply the ammo to the wingers and front two. If you would prefer it to be called 4-1-3-2 then fine by me but its the same eleven with two wingers. Liam should be good enough in any system. So yes 4-4-2 with Bridders. I agree it is unlikely that Gus will not play that way as he is concerned that we will get over run in midfield. That being the case why did he not buy a Liam Trotter type central midfielder to team up with Bridcutt.

Playing 2 in central midfield, whoever they are, makes playing the way we do very difficult as you have 2 opposition midfielders taking you man for man. Our extra man allows us to pass the ball through midfield.

I think it's brilliant we play like this, it's the way forward. Please let's not revert to the old fashioned English 4-4-2, kick and rush even if we take a little longer to go up.

Hovite wrote:

Vince wrote:

Hovite wrote:

Vince wrote: Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:- Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

Vince you’re your starting 11 doesn’t make sense coz you’ve got 15 if you include Barnes twice Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

Hovite My selections with "/" mean "OR" Vicente (or Hammond sub), Orlandi (or Lua Lua sub), Buckley (or Barnes sub) Ulloa (or Barnes sub). I COULD ALSO HAVE SAID Upson (OR Greer sub) or El Abd (orDunk sub) etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etcetc!!!!!

but or's "/"isn't a defined starting 11 selection? Gus can't put or's on his team sheet. Come on what's your starting 11 and finishing 11?

It's pretty obvious from what I was saying - or are you trying to wind me up?!!!

Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Bridcutt
Orlandi Vicente CMS Buckley
Ulloa

Finishing 11

Kuszac
Bridge Upson El Abd David
Lua Lua Bridcutt Orlandi Barnes
Hoskins CMS

Upson and El Abd won't play together because they are both left sided centre halfs.
I would love
Kuszac
Bruno, Greer, Upson, Bridge,
Buckley, Bridcutt, Vicente, LuaLua
Mackail-Smith, Ulloa

. . . but that would leave the defence exposed so Hammond or Crofts would need to be in there. Plus Dicker, because he is the best "hybrid" attacking/ defensive midfielder. I'd probably go for the following, at least at home, with LuaLua, Dicker and Orlandi coming off the bench when the opposition gets tired (injuries notwithstanding)

Kuszac
Bruno, Greer, Upson, Bridge
Buckley, Bridcutt, Hammond, Vicente
Mackail-Smith, Ulloa.

. . . meant to say Upson and El Abd "shouldn't" play together, not "won't".
In Greer's absence we're probably stuck for choice.

Seagull John wrote:
Don't quite understand why Barnes hits rich vein of goalscoring form and so the knockers return to gloat that he's out for three games. CMS has been struggling yet now everyone wants him back. I'll be as delighted as the next fan if Ulloa is the key to a goalscoring return to form for CMS, particularly as we can't afford to wait another three matches for Barnes to return before we win again. But it's just pathetic to welcome the loss of Ash for three matches as welcome news - I really wonder what people like Vegas actually grasp about football.

I am some what surprised by the last line of your comment. As far as Barnes goes I am a fan, I have long advocated him starting matches. I have applauded how he has been able to adopt the utility role that Gus has carved out for him.

I don't think it's good that the lad will miss three games but I do question why he would make a rash tackle when one is not needed.

The fact thta he is missing the next three matches means that Gus will have to make a change, and it is my hope that the change is one which gives us more fire power at the start of the match.

I have said on a post in this very thread that I would like to see Barnes be tried as an attacking center midfield player, one thta can drive forward and link up with CMS and or Ulloa.

Your comment leaves me wondering.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Ok Hovite here is my starting 11. Ulloa - CMS Lua Lua - Buckley Dicker - Bridcutt Bridge - Upson - El Abd - Bruno TK Subs. Ankergren - Hoskins - Calde - David - Orlandi - Vicente

For the record the reason Barnes and Greer are missing from my eleven is that they are not available. I include Bruno as I think he will be available for the next match.

Blimey Vegas - Dicker s good but a one man central midfield. Radical indeed.......

Baldseagull says...
3:11pm Sun 3 Feb 13


Freeloaders wrote:
Anyone that has read you know what this week can see there is a big problem at the club with how the players behave away from the club.We need to deal with it like Peterborough did.You must all see you don't read about this kind of thing at many other clubs,and if you do the clubs deal with it asap.Iv never known a club have so many players go before the courts for drink driving.The thing is the rest of the football world knows about it.Did Southhampton just give Dean Wilkins son a free job when he still worked there?NO.
Arsegravy. As usual.”

Absolutely - 'Freeloader' is none other than the deliciously ironically named 'Never wrong Dave'. You will remember of course that when Mark McGhee was at the club he met good old 'never wrong' at a petrol station and quickly given a comprehensive run down on the club's internal situation. Well that's about as credible as his pet theory that rich parents pay the club to take their sons on as youth trainees. So remind me again - how does this benefit the club? Bearing in mind that the club would have to pay wages to the players and end up with a totally unproductive youth set up.

Weploughandmow wrote:
. . . meant to say Upson and El Abd "shouldn't" play together, not "won't".
In Greer's absence we're probably stuck for choice.

this pairing will be the 2 slowest centre backs in the c,ship.

Hi all,

There are some good post on here but I have a couple of observations.

Why all the doom and gloom? Last weekend after the Arsenal game people were worrying that gus might be offski, especially when he was quoted as 6/4 for the Chelsea job!! Now everyone is slating him for not playing 4-4-2 with flat midfield 4, two wingers & two up top.

How fickle we as fans are!! We should just chill out and enjoy the ride, especially considering where we were when Gus arrived!! He is still learning and I believe his system is the right one and will be even more effective in the premiership. I just think he may just need to change personnel in one or two places.

As for those clambering for 4-4-2 it's not going to happen. Gus plays the way he does for a reason. The system allows for the flexibility of having more support and penetration when attacking and assistance when defending.

When in possession from the back we spilt the CBs wide and push the full backs on & ensures Bridcutt holds as an outlet, this allows for the wider players in midfield to push on and support forward play. However when we lose possession these same midfielders get back into position effectively creating a midfield 5 with a flat 4 in defence.

I do believe it's the way to go and if CMS is to play then he is going to have to become more flexible like Barnes, i.e. support and get back in when we don't have the ball.

The system is the right one, we just need the right combo of players which would then bring about continuity.

I think the Ulloa signing was a great bit of business and believe we only need a box to box midfielder (Liam Trotter would be my choice) and a CB that is ours (the Durch guy sounds like a good prospect) to be the complete team capable of getting up. I personnelly think it won't be this year though unfortunatly! I follow the boys home and away and don't quite feel that we are consistent enough to be a deservid top 6 side.

This project was always going to be a five year project, i.e. getting to prem, so chill the f**k out!! Nothing has changed except our own expectations.

Gus is learning and so is our team. To benefit us in the future we need to stick with our manager and support our team through both the good times and the bad.

I love the journey we are on and am so grateful for having a chairman, who cares, an amazing stadium, great passionate fans and a potentially very successful manager and team that can complete at the highest level.

Come on guys positives please!!

UTA

Hugothepug wrote:
Hi all,

There are some good post on here but I have a couple of observations.

Why all the doom and gloom? Last weekend after the Arsenal game people were worrying that gus might be offski, especially when he was quoted as 6/4 for the Chelsea job!! Now everyone is slating him for not playing 4-4-2 with flat midfield 4, two wingers & two up top.

How fickle we as fans are!! We should just chill out and enjoy the ride, especially considering where we were when Gus arrived!! He is still learning and I believe his system is the right one and will be even more effective in the premiership. I just think he may just need to change personnel in one or two places.

As for those clambering for 4-4-2 it's not going to happen. Gus plays the way he does for a reason. The system allows for the flexibility of having more support and penetration when attacking and assistance when defending.

When in possession from the back we spilt the CBs wide and push the full backs on & ensures Bridcutt holds as an outlet, this allows for the wider players in midfield to push on and support forward play. However when we lose possession these same midfielders get back into position effectively creating a midfield 5 with a flat 4 in defence.

I do believe it's the way to go and if CMS is to play then he is going to have to become more flexible like Barnes, i.e. support and get back in when we don't have the ball.

The system is the right one, we just need the right combo of players which would then bring about continuity.

I think the Ulloa signing was a great bit of business and believe we only need a box to box midfielder (Liam Trotter would be my choice) and a CB that is ours (the Durch guy sounds like a good prospect) to be the complete team capable of getting up. I personnelly think it won't be this year though unfortunatly! I follow the boys home and away and don't quite feel that we are consistent enough to be a deservid top 6 side.

This project was always going to be a five year project, i.e. getting to prem, so chill the f**k out!! Nothing has changed except our own expectations.

Gus is learning and so is our team. To benefit us in the future we need to stick with our manager and support our team through both the good times and the bad.

I love the journey we are on and am so grateful for having a chairman, who cares, an amazing stadium, great passionate fans and a potentially very successful manager and team that can complete at the highest level.

Come on guys positives please!!

UTA

At last, someone who actually understands the modern game and it's intricacies.

Hugothepug wrote:
Hi all, There are some good post on here but I have a couple of observations. Why all the doom and gloom? Last weekend after the Arsenal game people were worrying that gus might be offski, especially when he was quoted as 6/4 for the Chelsea job!! Now everyone is slating him for not playing 4-4-2 with flat midfield 4, two wingers & two up top. How fickle we as fans are!! We should just chill out and enjoy the ride, especially considering where we were when Gus arrived!! He is still learning and I believe his system is the right one and will be even more effective in the premiership. I just think he may just need to change personnel in one or two places. As for those clambering for 4-4-2 it's not going to happen. Gus plays the way he does for a reason. The system allows for the flexibility of having more support and penetration when attacking and assistance when defending. When in possession from the back we spilt the CBs wide and push the full backs on & ensures Bridcutt holds as an outlet, this allows for the wider players in midfield to push on and support forward play. However when we lose possession these same midfielders get back into position effectively creating a midfield 5 with a flat 4 in defence. I do believe it's the way to go and if CMS is to play then he is going to have to become more flexible like Barnes, i.e. support and get back in when we don't have the ball. The system is the right one, we just need the right combo of players which would then bring about continuity. I think the Ulloa signing was a great bit of business and believe we only need a box to box midfielder (Liam Trotter would be my choice) and a CB that is ours (the Durch guy sounds like a good prospect) to be the complete team capable of getting up. I personnelly think it won't be this year though unfortunatly! I follow the boys home and away and don't quite feel that we are consistent enough to be a deservid top 6 side. This project was always going to be a five year project, i.e. getting to prem, so chill the f**k out!! Nothing has changed except our own expectations. Gus is learning and so is our team. To benefit us in the future we need to stick with our manager and support our team through both the good times and the bad. I love the journey we are on and am so grateful for having a chairman, who cares, an amazing stadium, great passionate fans and a potentially very successful manager and team that can complete at the highest level. Come on guys positives please!! UTA

Great post!

Hugothepug wrote:
Hi all,

There are some good post on here but I have a couple of observations.

Why all the doom and gloom? Last weekend after the Arsenal game people were worrying that gus might be offski, especially when he was quoted as 6/4 for the Chelsea job!! Now everyone is slating him for not playing 4-4-2 with flat midfield 4, two wingers & two up top.

How fickle we as fans are!! We should just chill out and enjoy the ride, especially considering where we were when Gus arrived!! He is still learning and I believe his system is the right one and will be even more effective in the premiership. I just think he may just need to change personnel in one or two places.

As for those clambering for 4-4-2 it's not going to happen. Gus plays the way he does for a reason. The system allows for the flexibility of having more support and penetration when attacking and assistance when defending.

When in possession from the back we spilt the CBs wide and push the full backs on & ensures Bridcutt holds as an outlet, this allows for the wider players in midfield to push on and support forward play. However when we lose possession these same midfielders get back into position effectively creating a midfield 5 with a flat 4 in defence.

I do believe it's the way to go and if CMS is to play then he is going to have to become more flexible like Barnes, i.e. support and get back in when we don't have the ball.

The system is the right one, we just need the right combo of players which would then bring about continuity.

I think the Ulloa signing was a great bit of business and believe we only need a box to box midfielder (Liam Trotter would be my choice) and a CB that is ours (the Durch guy sounds like a good prospect) to be the complete team capable of getting up. I personnelly think it won't be this year though unfortunatly! I follow the boys home and away and don't quite feel that we are consistent enough to be a deservid top 6 side.

This project was always going to be a five year project, i.e. getting to prem, so chill the f**k out!! Nothing has changed except our own expectations.

Gus is learning and so is our team. To benefit us in the future we need to stick with our manager and support our team through both the good times and the bad.

I love the journey we are on and am so grateful for having a chairman, who cares, an amazing stadium, great passionate fans and a potentially very successful manager and team that can complete at the highest level.

Come on guys positives please!!

UTA

You make some good points here my friend. Although I and many others would like to see a 4-4-2 and us go at teams from the off and be more positive I accept that it will not happen as Gus prefers not to go that way. The only thing I will say is that Gus has often gone with one winger and with Buckley injured surely Lua Lua should therefore be starting. This can be accommodated in our system, whichever you wish to call it whether it is 4-1-3-2, 4-2-3-1 or even 4-1-4-1. I will also repeat what I said earlier is our esteem leader too cautious which is odd considering how he was as a player. I am fully behind him and everything he is doing and yes Rome was not built in a day, however we have the quality in this squad to get into the play offs.

Thanks chaps, enjoyed reading the starting 11 options. Vince, no it wasn't a wind up.

Good post Hugo.

SMF20 wrote:

Vince wrote: Gus has purchased Ulloa as a target man to get on the end of crosses, to hold or lay the ball off to colleagues and link up with CMS. This is fine in itself and may well bear fruit, but it must be supplemented by creativity from midfield and by playing specialist widemen like Buckley /Lua Lua rather than relying totally on overlapping runs down the flanks by Bruno/Lopez and Bridge. Like many others,I think Gus should be more adventurous from the off. My team selection would be:- Kuszac Bridge Upson El Abd David Bridcutt Orlandi/Lua Lua Vicente/Hammond CMS Buckley/Barnes Ulloa/Barnes

I like it Vince It's Orlandi to start over Lua Lua for me just so the latter can rip them to bits in the second half. Vicente v Hammond is a no brainier even though I like The latter. Cms and Buckley get my vote sitting behind the big guy and obviously Ulloa up top. Lets try it :)

And maybe drop Bridcutt to the bench ??? Controversial maybe but we are set up so defensively , lets get some more attacking midfielders involved ....Even play Hoskins as a link up for Ulloa and CMS ??? and use the attacking midfielder infront of the midfield instead of behind the midfield??? Crazy maybe ....but worth a think ....

saraman wrote:
Has anyone noticed how little air time is given to The Albion on the football league show? Gus was not interviewed after the SW game.

Don't get too paranoid, saraman but yes I have noticed it as well! Back to the thread, I will throw my non-existent Season Ticket away if Gus doesn't pick Hoskins on Saturday....No excuses now, Gus, IMHO of course...UTA

wiltshire seagull wrote:

saraman wrote:
Has anyone noticed how little air time is given to The Albion on the football league show? Gus was not interviewed after the SW game.

Don't get too paranoid, saraman but yes I have noticed it as well! Back to the thread, I will throw my non-existent Season Ticket away if Gus doesn't pick Hoskins on Saturday....No excuses now, Gus, IMHO of course...UTA

It's not just your opinion, Wiltshire. One of lifes enduring mysteries how Hoskins has played just a few minutes after his Newcastle cameo. Gosport Gull suggesting Hoskins as link up for the front two is not a bad suggestion. I did suggest a few weeks back that such is Hoskins versatility, that he could play the attacking midfield role. Boldness in our hour of need is required!

its the manager and his team selection thats the problem.the team appears to be disjointed.he will chop and change until he thinks hes cracked it.i dont think his one touch football is working another manager could work wonders with the team that on paper should be pushing for promotion.

In the absence of Buckley, we lack a bit of pace over 20 yards plus. Macca might be the best alternative. Suarez is now playing behind Sturridge for Liverpool. Could Macca play this role?

Gazza by the sea wrote:
Sorry Shaun - have you actually watched Albion this season? We play 4-1-4-1. Bridcutt has been tried occasionally higher up the field and looks less than ordinary. To anyone calling for 4-4-2 it means dropping Bridcutt. He cannot play effectively in a flat midfield 4.

If you read my post properly then you will realise that I said the exact same thing - playing 4-4-2 nullifies bridcutts game. This is why gus sticks with his one up top policy.

You can't have your cake and eat it all the time. I'd be reasonably happy to cash in on Bridders (even though I love him!) if it was a high fee that gave us the money for the 2-3 players we are short off (IMO). Plus it should then give us the option to play 4-4-2 at home and attack teams.

Hovite wrote:

wenners wrote:
To everyone here..(apart from Weststander ) .... When Greer is fit he will be back and probably replace AEA...and if we play two up front , and two wide men , then as far as i can work out it means dropping Bridcutt...and that will not happen !
So....i think that we can safely say that normal service will be resumed on Saturday .

With all the options we have I think that is the conclusion.

Sorry to join the party late Hovite.
However assuming everybody is fit and available I would want to try the following:-
Kuszczak,
Bruno, GG, Upson(or El Arb) Bridge,
Bridcutt
Buckley, Hammond, Orlandi
CMS (or Vicente)
Ulloa.

To that 13 (two would be on the bench) I would add Brezovan, Dicker, David, LuaLua, and Hoskins or Barnes to the bench, although I wouldn't want to ignore JFC for the odd game.
I would consider David as a possible alternative to Hammond depending on the opposition. Buckley and Orlandi would provide the width with LuaLua coming off the bench to replace one of them. Depending on whether CMS or Vicente started the other would be brought on as a sub.
Suspensions and injuries would of course have an impact...

That cool ballantrrae, however GG and Buckley are out, and it's cheating saying CMS or Vicente.

Gus can't put that on the team sheet ;o)

We don't even know if Bruno is back either?