Poyet thinks Albion look the business (From The Argus)
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Poyet thinks Albion look the business
9:30am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Sport By Andy Naylor
Craig Mackail-Smith does his goal celebration
Albion boss Gus Poyet has hailed a hard-fought win at Watford as a sign of his team’s promotion credentials and the improvement they have made since last season.
Craig Mackail-Smith’s second-half penalty at Vicarage Road last night was enough to keep the Seagulls in third spot in the Championship and encourage Poyet to believe they can sustain a challenge.
He told The Argus: “These are the games that put you up in the table. These are the games that last year we couldn’t win, simple as that.
“Last year in this game we would probably have conceded two or three. The quality and character of the team is totally different. The experience of some players on the pitch making decisions is totally different.
“There are two teams playing as well and Watford created a lot of problems. They were unlucky not to hit the target a few times.”
Mackail-Smith took over as penalty taker to convert his sixth goal in four games, with Ashley Barnes watching from the bench.
Poyet said: “They decide between themselves. It’s been like that for a while.
“We have got many options now so during the week Dobs (Stephen Dobbie) and Andrea Orlandi are taking penalties as well and David Lopez but, with the players that were on the pitch, Macca was probably the one to take it.”
Barnes’ replacement Andrea Orlandi, Mackail-Smith and Bruno were all substituted as Watford pressed for an equaliser. Bruno left the pitch in the closing moments clutching his hamstring. Poyet said: ““He was really tired. He had to defend and defend. We didn’t know how to keep the ball or kill the game with the breaks we had but when a team like Watford are so committed and put you under so much pressure you need to use the space to go and finish the game.”
Kazenga LuaLua was an absentee from the squad due to discomfort following recent surgery in Germany to remove a plate from the ankle he broke two seasons ago.
Comments(37)
Dr Baldhead
says...
10:21am Wed 19 Sep 12
Hovite wrote:I don't think it will be an issue. Gus had Calde lined up for well over 5 mins as the final time wasting sub. He was in no rush to bring him on and Bruno was showing no sign of injury until his number was held off. He tried to walk off at snails pace and when the ref urged him to go quicker he then clutched his thigh before leaving the pitch with a cheeky guesture to the fans.
Hope Bruno will be ok
Hovite
says...
10:27am Wed 19 Sep 12
Out of interest I heard the radio read out a comment from a Dr Baldhead last night, was this you?
Dr Baldhead
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11:17am Wed 19 Sep 12
dave from bexill
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11:20am Wed 19 Sep 12
Hovite
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11:22am Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull
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12:02pm Wed 19 Sep 12
The good thing is that our defense stood up to the pressure.
Watford will improve as the season goes on and they will take points from some of our promotion rivals, at least we got our three points before that improvment takes place.
tinker000
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12:04pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Too many Harveys
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12:22pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull
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12:25pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Millwall are another team that ship too many goals but facing three losses in a row can have an effect on defenders.
Sky betting have Brighton as fav, the draw second best and Millwall to win is the outside bet.
Brighton will have some tired bodies today but come saturday, I fancy them to win by two.
Long Eaton Gull
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12:46pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull
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12:58pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Too many Harveys wrote:I would imagine that our back four would tell you that it wasn't lucky that Watford didn't score, I think they would say, it was darn hard work that kept them out.
I think Vegas that we were slightly lucky to win 1-0 but with better finishing could have won 4-1. Defending was valiant and great commitment shown but we really weren't at our best. Watford were unlucky not to get at least one penalty and ours wasn't a stonewall by any means. For the last 20 minutes it was like the Alamo and our ability to retain possession completely deserted us. So a little lucky and we need to be more clinical as if we had been two up I doubt Watford would hve found the energy to come at us like they did at the end. A major plus though is all promotion winning sides need a little luck and to grind out wins like we did last night. All bodes well for the coming months.
The down side of the match is that we did create good chances to score more goals but failed to do so. I guess if you don't convert your chances but get a penalty goal then yes, it might be called a lucky win.
I think Gus will have some mixed feelings but that said, he knows a good result when he sees one.
VegasSeagull
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1:10pm Wed 19 Sep 12
If a defense does all the right things and keeps out a strong sustained attack are they, 'lucky,; or good defenders.
If the forwards create chances but fail to finish them off are they, 'unlucky,' or did they under perform.
There are times when, 'luck,' playes it's part, the defense gets beaten all ends up but the strikers miss the target, lucky defense and under performing strikers. If the shots that are coming in are on target but the defenders get the blocks in or the keeper makes the great saves, that's not luck, that's two units of the game both playing well.
Gazza by the sea
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1:18pm Wed 19 Sep 12
tinker000
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1:26pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Long Eaton Gull wrote:Who ????got to be on T/Table waiting to go back to home land
Forgive my ignorance, but where is Vicente?
VegasSeagull
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1:38pm Wed 19 Sep 12
When you bring in sixteen new players I think you are asking for trouble, trouble at the start of the season. The Gus approach to signing players is by far the right way to go. One here and one there and known quality. The final three all arrived at the same time but three has to be easier than sixteen.
Zola has created a nightmare for himself, it will probaly some ten or twelve matches before he knows his starting line up. .
dave from bexill
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1:50pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull wrote:Not sure how much Zola actually had to do with bringing in all the signings from Italy. He's a good guy and I hope he gets it right eventually.
Today Watford are playing a behind closed doors friendly with QPR, six games into the season and they still need to play friendlys.
When you bring in sixteen new players I think you are asking for trouble, trouble at the start of the season. The Gus approach to signing players is by far the right way to go. One here and one there and known quality. The final three all arrived at the same time but three has to be easier than sixteen.
Zola has created a nightmare for himself, it will probaly some ten or twelve matches before he knows his starting line up. .
tug509
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1:54pm Wed 19 Sep 12
tug509
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2:03pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull
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2:05pm Wed 19 Sep 12
I, like you, expect a win on saturday, all the stats point to it. Millwall are another team that leaks goals. Millwall's captain will not play, he is injured. The local press are quoting the manager as saying he is unhappy about the performance of his back line. Apparently for both goals they had players behind the ball but they failed to do their job.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Kazenga take the field on saturday, his pace will cause them problems, they didn't deal with a pace injection by Hull and lost 4-1.
Take any bets on Lopez getting a start Tug?
VegasSeagull
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2:10pm Wed 19 Sep 12
tug509 wrote:I like cruel.
Off the point but,a Leeds fan i know was watching the sky news down the pub,and saw a comment about Udinese,and i swear this is true,he turned and asked me,who does Udinese play for these days.A little cruel perhaps,but irresistable nonetheless.UTA
tug509
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2:16pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull
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2:16pm Wed 19 Sep 12
dave from bexill wrote:Agreed but someone created the nightmare and now it falls to Zola to try and sort it out.
VegasSeagull wrote: Today Watford are playing a behind closed doors friendly with QPR, six games into the season and they still need to play friendlys. When you bring in sixteen new players I think you are asking for trouble, trouble at the start of the season. The Gus approach to signing players is by far the right way to go. One here and one there and known quality. The final three all arrived at the same time but three has to be easier than sixteen. Zola has created a nightmare for himself, it will probaly some ten or twelve matches before he knows his starting line up. .Not sure how much Zola actually had to do with bringing in all the signings from Italy. He's a good guy and I hope he gets it right eventually.
VegasSeagull
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2:29pm Wed 19 Sep 12
tug509 wrote:Good morning Tug 6.20am here.
Afternoon Vegas,apparently we have lost once in seven at the new den,those are great stats.I was talking to a lad in the pub yesterday who follows the Wall,he did`nt seem to be looking forward to facing us.I think your`e right about Lopez,whether he will start or not is another thing.Nooney played well again last night for the Taffs and scored their second,so again i agree speed is the key and Kaz is imho as good as they get.Last season we totally dominated the game at theirs but only ended with a draw,not this time.UTA
For me Lopez has to start a match at some point, the reports on him are good and I am sure Gus wants to get him on. Myabe he comes on for half an hour on saturday and then starts at home against Birmingham.
I am not sure any team wants to play us right now and Millwall seem not to be ready to take on a quick and lethal attack force.
The two cards handed out to Dobbie and Barnes are a tad annoying. I am hoping that someone who was at the game can give us the story on them.
The work done last season by Gus and his crew is certainly paying dividends this season. Not only have the retained players improved but the new signings are perfoming as well and I think that they are improving those playing around them.
.
Too many Harveys
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2:55pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull wrote:Not disputing the hard work put in by all, but on at least two occasions the ball took a deflection and flashed a yard wide with TK rooted to the spot, and being given a penalty and then getting away with two similar challenges in your own box is the element of luck that wins extra points on nights like last night. Regarding the bookings, Dobbie made a clumsy challenge a few minutes after coming on - nothing malicious but fairly booked. Barnes reacted to a challenge on him in their area and literally picked the defender up and threw him on the ground. When the defender got up and rounded on Barnes, Barnes then pushed him away. Ashley was a very lucky boy to stay on the pitch. Looked a bit over fired up having been left out to me. He does have that in him though - I saw the friendly against Cordoba and was actually quite embarrassed at how he snarled and squared up to their players throughout. It was only a pre-season run out on a sparsely populated training ground and there was really no need.
Too many Harveys wrote:I would imagine that our back four would tell you that it wasn't lucky that Watford didn't score, I think they would say, it was darn hard work that kept them out.
I think Vegas that we were slightly lucky to win 1-0 but with better finishing could have won 4-1. Defending was valiant and great commitment shown but we really weren't at our best. Watford were unlucky not to get at least one penalty and ours wasn't a stonewall by any means. For the last 20 minutes it was like the Alamo and our ability to retain possession completely deserted us. So a little lucky and we need to be more clinical as if we had been two up I doubt Watford would hve found the energy to come at us like they did at the end. A major plus though is all promotion winning sides need a little luck and to grind out wins like we did last night. All bodes well for the coming months.
The down side of the match is that we did create good chances to score more goals but failed to do so. I guess if you don't convert your chances but get a penalty goal then yes, it might be called a lucky win.
I think Gus will have some mixed feelings but that said, he knows a good result when he sees one.
Alan G Skinner
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3:23pm Wed 19 Sep 12
ballantrrae
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4:34pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Long Eaton Gull wrote:Still being nursed back from injury - tendon I think.
Forgive my ignorance, but where is Vicente?
Glad that we have Dobbie whose best position according to some reports is just behind the main striker(s) ie the position Vicente might play.
I'm not sure that Dobbie is quite suited to the front strikers role like CMS and wonder if a forward with more physical presence that Poyet apparently wants wouldn't be a better option as a sub for CMS. Such a player might unsettle opposition defences thus creating more opportunities for our bunch of talented midfielders.
Interested to see that LuaLua wasn't in the squad last night because he's still feeling some discomfort from the surgery he had a couple of weeks ago.
ballantrrae
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4:42pm Wed 19 Sep 12
VegasSeagull wrote:Living where you do VegasSeagull I will defer to you as the Guru as far as 'Luck' and all its nuances are concerned.
I think the word, 'lucky,' is used too much in football.
If a defense does all the right things and keeps out a strong sustained attack are they, 'lucky,; or good defenders.
If the forwards create chances but fail to finish them off are they, 'unlucky,' or did they under perform.
There are times when, 'luck,' playes it's part, the defense gets beaten all ends up but the strikers miss the target, lucky defense and under performing strikers. If the shots that are coming in are on target but the defenders get the blocks in or the keeper makes the great saves, that's not luck, that's two units of the game both playing well.
One question though. If a player/punter is having a good run at the Roulette table is he lucky or just a skilful punter ?
Also remember that Napolean said he would rather have a lucky General than a good General.
bruce beckett
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4:43pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Hovite
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5:08pm Wed 19 Sep 12
It sounded like he should have been sent off and we were lucky not to have been down to ten.
I would say definately stick to the side that beat Burnley to start in away matches, barring injuries, and give the new players a run out at home for the moment.
Gus has to decide who plays in the physically harder fought matches.
We could also do with Bobby Z for games like last night, so hopefully if QPR are still fighting relegation at Christmas, it could be the right time for him to join our promotion chase.
Captain Haddock
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5:12pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Too many Harveys wrote:Thanks for this (and to others for their feedback). Only second match I've missed this season so was feeling withdrawal symptoms regards detailed insight.
I think Vegas that we were slightly lucky to win 1-0 but with better finishing could have won 4-1. Defending was valiant and great commitment shown but we really weren't at our best. Watford were unlucky not to get at least one penalty and ours wasn't a stonewall by any means. For the last 20 minutes it was like the Alamo and our ability to retain possession completely deserted us. So a little lucky and we need to be more clinical as if we had been two up I doubt Watford would hve found the energy to come at us like they did at the end. A major plus though is all promotion winning sides need a little luck and to grind out wins like we did last night. All bodes well for the coming months.
This feedback paints the picture nicely.
bruce beckett
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5:13pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Captain Haddock
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5:28pm Wed 19 Sep 12
1) we score early and open them up as the game progresses, winning easily (1-3?)
2) we don't score early and have to tough it out for the result.
Obviously it was the latter scenario!
I'm as delighted at this result as I was the Barnsley and Weds scores as this is the sort of game we could have dropped some points against what I imagine will be a lower mid-table side.
Tricky night and a but if luck as the second half wore on....will I take that with relish? Absobloodylutely!
VegasSeagull
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5:36pm Wed 19 Sep 12
ballantrrae wrote:Simple question but the answer is not so simple.
VegasSeagull wrote: I think the word, 'lucky,' is used too much in football. If a defense does all the right things and keeps out a strong sustained attack are they, 'lucky,; or good defenders. If the forwards create chances but fail to finish them off are they, 'unlucky,' or did they under perform. There are times when, 'luck,' playes it's part, the defense gets beaten all ends up but the strikers miss the target, lucky defense and under performing strikers. If the shots that are coming in are on target but the defenders get the blocks in or the keeper makes the great saves, that's not luck, that's two units of the game both playing well.Living where you do VegasSeagull I will defer to you as the Guru as far as 'Luck' and all its nuances are concerned. One question though. If a player/punter is having a good run at the Roulette table is he lucky or just a skilful punter ? Also remember that Napolean said he would rather have a lucky General than a good General.
If luck exists then it exists in a situation where you have no control of events, that might apply to the roulette wheel, it depends on what bet was placed.
A general might be considered lucky if his enemy makes a bad military decision but is that luck? I say the winning general benefitted from a decision that was wrong, there was no gamble on behalf of the winning general.
If Gus has eleven players that win five in a row but then he makes seven changes for the next match, a match that they lose, were the opponents lucky that the original eleven didn't take the pitch? I would say no, I would say that they benefitted from a bad decision.
The striker was unlucky not to score, the keeper made a great save to deny him his goal.
The striker didn't place the ball in the right place and the keeper did what he is there to do.
Luck had no part in it.
Hovite
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5:43pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Aye Aye Cap'n H,it won't always be plain sailing on these choppy Championship waters.
bruce beckett
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6:51pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Hovite
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7:00pm Wed 19 Sep 12
Hovite says...
10:02am Wed 19 Sep 12