Poyet ready to wield the axe (From The Argus)
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Poyet ready to wield the axe
5:00pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Abdul Razak could make his debut tomorrow night
Gus Poyet is ready to ring the changes at play-off rivals Hull tomorrow night after Albion’s FA Cup capitulation at Liverpool.
Jara Gonzalo Reyes and Joe Mattock, both ineligible for the 6-1 demolition at Anfield, will return to the full-back positions.
Other changes are likely as well against Hull, who will test whether the Seagulls can put behind them an error-riddled display on Sunday, compounded by what Poyet called “comical” defending.
He told The Argus: “We will see on Wednesday. The only good thing is I’ve got options to play other players, so it’s not as if I need to play exactly the same players.
“It is going to be very difficult against a good team. They are very organised, they are powerful, they have got great players, but they don’t have Luis Suarez, Carroll and Gerrard, so it should be easier but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If we make more or less the same mistakes we are going to lose for sure.”
Liam Bridcutt, the victim of two own goals at Anfield, left the pitch nursing a back injury while Will Buckley, who has been plagued by hamstring problems this season, was replaced by Craig Noone at half-time.
Poyet’s options against Hull include the introduction of latest loan captures Abdul Razak and Gai Assulin. The Manchester City pair travelled to Liverpool and took part in the warm-up but were not part of the 18-man squad, having only signed on Friday.
Goalkeeper Peter Brezovan’s place could be in jeopardy and Matt Sparrow is available again after a three-match ban to freshen up the midfield.
Read the full story plus an interview with Albion's recently appointed head of football in The Argus today
Comments(15)
farside
says...
10:08am Wed 22 Feb 12
Very very negative article in my view. Considering Andy is a Stoke fan you would expect him to be more positive but perhaps the gloom from Albion fans following Sunday's debacle has spread.
As it stands we have some exceptional talent available for the rest of the season. Silly not to play them...... Reyes, Mattock, Razak, Assulin and Vicente. Of course it does require us to play our two best forwards to take advantage of the chances that we can create but Play-Offs? Why not!
pte
says...
12:22pm Wed 22 Feb 12
farside
says...
12:37pm Wed 22 Feb 12
pte wrote:Ask West Ham for a view on that! Word is Henri Lansbury has asked to keep his place for the next game :)
To increase options on the bench I wish Gus not have a goalie amongst subs. How many times have we needed a goalie to come off the bench this season? Play the odds and have an extra outfielder. If it back fires once it doesnt matter because over a season you win more than you lose.
Hovite
says...
12:39pm Wed 22 Feb 12
This would give us much better strategic options and would certainly raise the chances of the likes of Caskey and Toby being involved. Who I would like to see much more of.
If Gus ever looked at this comment board, which I doubt, this is one suggestion that Gus should take on board.
It's the sort of move that if one team in the league tries it, it would catch on fast and they would all do it.
I like the thinking outside the box pte ;o)
seagull31
says...
1:14pm Wed 22 Feb 12
Hovite wrote:As Farside says, West Ham did not have a reserve keeper last night. Neither did Blackpool. Ultimately 4 outfield subs should still be fine, especially with folk like Vincelot who are flexible. Big match tonight.... there's no such thing as a must win game at this stage of the season, but how much better is the table gonna look tonight if we do! I feel like the top 4 will stay there, so the fight is on for places 5 and 6.
Interesting concept pte, it would certainly make up for only being allowed 5 on the bench. This would give us much better strategic options and would certainly raise the chances of the likes of Caskey and Toby being involved. Who I would like to see much more of. If Gus ever looked at this comment board, which I doubt, this is one suggestion that Gus should take on board. It's the sort of move that if one team in the league tries it, it would catch on fast and they would all do it. I like the thinking outside the box pte ;o)
ballantrrae
says...
1:46pm Wed 22 Feb 12
Hovite wrote:Hovite and Pte, I recall Poyet back in June/July when the 5 subs rule was announced saying that not having a back up keeper was an option but one he thought was probably not worth adopting - too risky.
Interesting concept pte, it would certainly make up for only being allowed 5 on the bench.
This would give us much better strategic options and would certainly raise the chances of the likes of Caskey and Toby being involved. Who I would like to see much more of.
If Gus ever looked at this comment board, which I doubt, this is one suggestion that Gus should take on board.
It's the sort of move that if one team in the league tries it, it would catch on fast and they would all do it.
I like the thinking outside the box pte ;o)
Just hoping the Albion 'bounce back' tonight and get a positive result.
Hovite
says...
2:34pm Wed 22 Feb 12
As pte said play the odds.
20% more options on the bench has a massive advantage because one player would add to an extra 2 - 3 extra strategic options, not just an extra pair of feet.
At 6ft 4 Dunk might do a good job, if not Barnes would do quite well as a backup GK, he plays every other position on the pitch during the game. This would just make him a complete all rounder?
Trying them out in GK training for a start, wouldn't be risky.
ZD
says...
2:38pm Wed 22 Feb 12
Hovite
says...
2:52pm Wed 22 Feb 12
Barnes is a natural 2nd GK option then?
seagull31
says...
5:12pm Wed 22 Feb 12
Hovite wrote:I presume you're joking, but to be honest, I am not sure that you are!
That's very interesting about Barnes ZD, it is quite common for natural sports people to have a wide skill set so I am not surprised. Barnes is a natural 2nd GK option then?
Hovite
says...
5:50pm Wed 22 Feb 12
If I had suggested Noone or El Abd, that would be daft. But ZD mentioned Barnes was a GK before he became a striker.
What do you reckon 4 or 5 outfield players on the bench?
saraman
says...
7:12pm Wed 22 Feb 12
pte wrote:Example. West Ham last night.
To increase options on the bench I wish Gus not have a goalie amongst subs. How many times have we needed a goalie to come off the bench this season? Play the odds and have an extra outfielder. If it back fires once it doesnt matter because over a season you win more than you lose.
seagull31
says...
9:22pm Wed 22 Feb 12
Hovite wrote:4 is fine for me. Having Barnes as a back up 'keeper because he once did nets in the park when he was 8 doesn't work for me! But I know your views on Barnes, there is nothing he can't do.
seagull31; only in the context of the debate in of whether a GK on the bench is needed. And if not who could be used in an emergency? If I had suggested Noone or El Abd, that would be daft. But ZD mentioned Barnes was a GK before he became a striker. What do you reckon 4 or 5 outfield players on the bench?
jonsyl
says...
9:29pm Wed 22 Feb 12
your no. 1 fan in south africa
click2find
scottishb;ue says...
9:37am Wed 22 Feb 12