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Messages - GREGMT

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1451
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: December 03, 2018, 11:04:29 PM »
First half we should have been out of sight...but we weren't. It will happen at times, it's how the manager reacts to it and ours is not up to it. They change their system at half time and Moore has no answers to it. We were on our feet after 70 minutes, manage to go ahead against the run of play second half and he still changes nothing, just invites the pressure.

We will never have a better chance of winning this league but our manager is not up to it. Our squad gets no better next season if we don't go up, it only gets worse. If he can't get us promoted with this squad, I dread to think what he'd be like with worse players.

Why not blame the players for tonight?  It was absolutely criminal not to win that match.  Moore put on Gayle at HT which most of the stadium would've done.  Brentford were never going to be as poor / us so good again 2nd half. 

I don't see how the options from the bench would've seen us over the line?  The one criticism would be people nominated on bench.

Agreed should be wetting this league as we are the best team in it.  He finally saw the light with Brunt and Bartley when argubly that experiment was at least 6 games to long.

1452
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: December 03, 2018, 10:53:57 PM »
The guy who would have scored them started on the bench again, despite it being obvious in the last few games that J Rod and HRK aren't clinical enough. Surely that is on the head coach?

It'd be like starting Palmer over Johnstone and not blaming Moore when he makes mistakes.

I agree that HRK and Rodriguez are not clinical enough.  Gayle is too good to be left out.  You are really looking at 2 from 3 from Rod, HRK, Mozza.  Thats if you think its possible for 1 of HRK or Rod to play conventional CM instead of Mozza.  If not tjen straight choice between Rod and HRK.  In that case Rod wins surely?

1453
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: December 03, 2018, 10:43:27 PM »
has to take most of the blame tonight if he can't see that Brentford had taken control of midfield second half, Rodriguez should have been pulled for a central midfielder so Gayle could play up top and Phillips played out wide

Yes but Darren Moore didn't miss those bloudy sitters himself.  Ive criticised Moore loads but we ripped Brentfird to shreds 1st half and HRK played a reasinable part in that.  Gayle still had 45 mins you could argue we eere more disjointed 2nd half.  Moore should be sending the teacups flying in the dressing rioom we must mever be that wasteful again.

1454
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: December 03, 2018, 10:35:29 PM »
You have to question why Hoolahan, Brunt, Barry, Sako, Burke are still at the club?

Brunt - found wanting in CM and inferior to Morrison.  Has abour 10 starts under his belt.

The Other 4 - virtually no contribution all season.

Time to be ruthless in January.

1455
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: December 03, 2018, 10:28:54 PM »
Goal was easy to defend against, but the guy closing down the cross has just played 3 games in a row off the back of a potentially career-ending injury. A fresh Barry/Brunt close that down and we win.

We've let a few late clean sheet-busters in this season because Moore changes nothing, Ipswich springs to mind as the most recent - again a fresh sub scoring against a tired defence.

Would Brunt / Barry have closed the cross down?  No is the answer they ain't quick enough.

We need  Sako and Burke on the bench for sure.

1456
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: December 03, 2018, 10:23:51 PM »
I don't see how anyone can blame Moore for tonight.  At HT it should've been 5-0.  The miss by Rodriguez on 3 mins and the free header from HRK later was appalling. 

Our midfield is so much superior for having Morrison in it, so much better balanced.  The trouble is you bring on one of Brunt, Barry or Hoolahan and not one has any speed.  It is a real worry coming up to Xmas.  We simply have to sign a midfelder with legs in January.

I fear for us if either Livermore or Morrison are injured.

1457
General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD
« on: November 26, 2018, 01:09:14 PM »
Xmas / New Year period will be massive and sort the men from the boys.

Personally I think Sheff Utd will fade they did so last season also.  Also I don't see Leeds threatening the top as I don't think they're good enough.  I'm very interested to see if Norwich can maintain their form.  They have a German Manager who won't be complacent and driving them on in every game.

I think the Top 2 will come from this list:
WBA
Aston Villa
Middlesbrough
Norwich
Derby County
Nott'm Forest


1458
General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE THREAD
« on: November 25, 2018, 06:08:28 PM »
Very fit team Huddersfield and tsctically very well set up by Wagner. 

1459
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Graeme Jones in tonight's Express & Star
« on: November 22, 2018, 07:55:24 AM »
I think certain fans are concerned as the "possession based methods" have failed in recent games.

Also when was the last time we used "possession based methods"?  Hardly ever in the Premier League.

The problem is most of the sides are inferior to us and will therefore expect us to force the game instead.  A possession based game is only any good if you have the midfield to enforce it.  The general evidence has been one of our midfield been too slow moving the ball and getting caught in possession.

Also, fans are concerned and confused by the management talking about rotation in personnel / formation in the next batch of games.  Really we should have a pretty settled starting 11 by now.

Let's see what Ipswich brings......

1460
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Graeme Jones in tonight's Express & Star
« on: November 21, 2018, 09:38:21 AM »
Why state Leeds are tbe best team in the division?  Isn't that discrediting our current squad?  I thought we were the ones freshly relegated from the Premier?

We failed against Hull and Wigan because the midfield were too damn slow to dictate the tempo of the game.

If Moore and Jones can't identify that Morrison's selection was a major factor then we have massive problems.

1461
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: November 18, 2018, 02:00:30 PM »
The "Horses for Courses" comment can be taken any number of ways. I doubt whether there is a split in the Moore/Jones relationship it goes way back and is based on genuine mutual respect they are on the same page when it comes to coaching philosophy.

The 4-3-3 isn't so far removed from the 3-3-1-2. In possession Gibbs gets into far more advanced positions than Adarabioyo so at some points we are playing with 3 Centre Backs. Equally Leeds are a unique challenge in that they are probably the only team in the Division whose default style is the high press. Some teams have adopted the style specifically against us e.g. Derby and Bristol one worked well the other didn't.

 The key difference was not the shape of the team but the fact that they we didn't dwell on the ball at the back specifically to counter Leeds high press. The same style might not work against a deep sitting team trying to chisel out a point because they will get numbers back behind the ball in a deep sitting block. At this point we need to move the ball around to work positions. I suspect the first test of this is Ipswich next Friday. 

The games come thick and fast through Christmas we won't get through the programme without being forced to rotate out some players. Team selection will be a juggling act but on the back of the International break it will be interesting to see if Darren keeps the team that beat Leeds.



I think formations are overrated.  The number one factor for determining how successful a team is the overall quality of the players.  And as we have arguably close to the best set of players this division has to offer than we should be targeting top 2 and nothing less.

The appalling losses to Wigan and Hull originated from a desperately slow midfield that was shut down from kick off.  The game was turned into a scrap and we were bullied into submission. 

As you alluded to the best way of combating inferior opposition is with quality possession and moving them around the pitch to tire them out.  That is why Moore has to get the midfield selection correct as number 1 priority.  As I see it, Morrison is just coming to the fore he has missed the first 3 months so in theory shouldn’t need a break.  Barnes has young legs and will always want to play.  Livermore is the one that should be under threat, but he does have more energy than Brunt, Barry and Hoolahan.

Not getting promoted will probably cost this club about £80m next season alone.  Moore needs to pull out all the stops and that means picking the best players.  Horses for courses maybe at Xmas when the games are thick and fast?

1462
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: November 16, 2018, 08:11:41 PM »
The jury is still out on Moore i believe.

The unavailabilty of Bartley and Brunt forced his hand v Leeds and we had a much more mobile / fluid team.  We should be one of the leading lights in this division.  I don't understand the horses for courses statement, we should be imposing our will on teams not the other way around.

Do we teally want to back to a slow dsyfunctional midfield which resulted in recent disjointed performances.  Theres a lot to be said for finding your best 11 and standing by it.  Yes there will be 15min cameos by the support cast but poor performances should not be tolerated.

1463
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley
« on: November 12, 2018, 07:36:03 AM »
The criticism of Bartley is OTT.  Peiple need to realise the midfield balance must be Priority No1. 

That means a strong robust unit with running power that supports the flair provided by Phillips, Barnes and Gayle.

1464
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: James Morrison
« on: November 10, 2018, 08:26:39 PM »
Morrison was good tonight.  Surely deserves a run of games after which he’ll get fitter after a fairly long period out.

1465
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Chris Brunt
« on: November 10, 2018, 08:06:16 PM »
Not sure its the end for him, he's been played out of position. His experience and ability will become prominent towards the end of the season but only in his proper position

His proper position which is where?

Last year or season before he made a switch to left back which we all assumed was permanent.  Then a switch back to midfield has been enforced.

I think he has been such a prominent player (credit for this) then there is that assumption that he will get picked.

I don’t think he’s a 20 minute impact player, his fitness will suffer for one thing.

Darren Moore needs to be strong, tough and single minded on his best team and if there are casualties along the way then that is how it is.

1466
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Chris Brunt
« on: November 10, 2018, 07:50:06 PM »
I think we saw v Leeds that this man’s Albion days must surely be behind him.  I’d seriously think about paying up the rest of his contract in January if I was Moore.

Jimmy Morrison when fit is a couple of years younger and has greater mobility in this position.  He must be the preferred option going forward.

There is something with Brunt in that if he is fit he expects to play the majority of games.

No one is being disrespectful or deriding what we has done for WBA over a long period of time.  I just think a parting of the ways is in everyone’s interests.

1467
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 10, 2018, 07:43:00 PM »
Crazy that we won 4-1 v Leeds and lost 1-4 v Derby when there wasn’t much difference between the sides in both matches.  We took our chances and that was crucial.

1468
General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD
« on: November 04, 2018, 02:48:51 PM »
If Moore plays the same team then Leeds to win at The Hawthorns is the biggest banker you will see.  Strrets ahead of us.

1469
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 03, 2018, 07:17:07 PM »
Whatever the team selection, whatever the tactics there has to be belief. This squad has none. They look and play like they are scared stiff of trying something different, of trying to change things on the pitch. This is not american football where everything is done by numbers it needs inspiration, imagination and most of all confidence. We have none. Not sure Darren is totally behind the system either, the team selection is very safety first with a majority of 'old heads' with unfortunately old legs as well.The younger players are not being given any chance to develop, make their mistakes in games, learn from them and improve. It all seems as hidebound in its own way as pulisball and is far less effective though sometimes more entertaining. when Gayle Barnes and Phillips are on song the attacking is more intuitive and less contrived. when they are not - as in recent games no one has taken on the responsibility of getting forward with the ball quickly. drawing defenders to them and releasing an equally quick thinking and athletic team mate with a simple short accurate pass. It is this safety first aspect that makes us easy to defend against and puts pressure on the weakest part of our team. For me there appears to be  too much coaching and players don't seem to be allowed to do what is most natural for them, within the team framework. We look like a bunch of individuals trying to carry out a set of instructions written in a foreign (to most of them) language. Over to you Mr Moore this is the basic problem head coaches have to solve, and it never works using just your mates.

Good post.  I’m absolutely sure the team has been run by a clique of senior players for a fair few seasons now.  These senior players have far too much influence and ultimately there is not enough accountability for when they do play badly.  We held onto Olson for too long, possibly Fletcher and would certainly say that’s true of Brunt and Morrison now.  Whereby other clubs evolve naturally and players go past their sell-by-date, WBA seem to lack authority in this decision making. 

Surely the likes of Brunt must know deep down they are falling short?  We need a Manager who’s brave enough to make hard decisions based on what he sees.  I don’t see Moore doing it, therefore ditch any thought of promotion.

1470
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 03, 2018, 06:29:08 PM »
Absolute masterclass from Moore.  Set up with 2 slow central midfielders, another one Livermore is only a little quicker and play an inside forward (No10) instead of a proper centre forward.  All you have done is create a muddle with no space to effectively pass the ball. 

All those hammering the defence need to understand the lack of protection from midfield contributes to the problems.

Bringing on Sako and Burke in the 66th minute is too late.  The pattern of the game is set by then.  It was clear a limited team were going to try and scramble a goal then defend for their lives after.

When is this man actually going to stand up to senior players and drop them for a poor performance?  It was crying out for Sako to start up top with Gayle ruled out.

1471
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: October 28, 2018, 06:26:53 PM »
I don’t buy this thing about being inexperienced and learning.

Derby’s Lampard looked like he made errors early on which are now being rectified.  We look as if we are going backwards.

15 games in you wouldn’t thought he would’ve nailed a starting 11 and decided which players excel at this level and the ones that look out of their depth.  There can be no sentiment whatsoever. 

You are talking about someone being paid about £2m a year to do a job.  Some of our recent Managers have shown they hardly have any more idea than the man in the street.

1472
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: October 24, 2018, 10:15:42 PM »
Very poor from Moore.  Why HRK?  Why no Hoolahan?  Brunt 180mins in 4 days?  We are in big trouble if Gayle and Gibbs are injured.

1473
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: October 20, 2018, 08:03:28 PM »
I think as time goes on most fans can see what works and what doesn’t.

1) Surely Mears has seen his last action in a WBA shirt.  We have Phillips on the verge of returning and Sako almost ready.
2) The partnership of Brunt / Livermore is clearly not effective enough even at this level.  I’d like to see Hoolahan given a start.
3) Why always use HRK as a sub when he rarely is effective.  I’d rather have one of Sako, Burke or Leko come on to replace Gayle.

Moore should have learnt from the first 13 games and react accordingly.  I don’t really see any signs of this which I find worrying.

1474
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: October 06, 2018, 11:32:17 AM »
I think within the club there is an understanding that we are going through a fairly substantial change in culture and playing style and I would hope that Darren is given the time to see that process through. That means he has to be given at least another season almost regardless of how this season turns out. I don't think any other outcome is fair.

 I believe that this squad is capable of making the play-offs but it is going to be broken up at the end of the season regardless of which Division we find ourselves in. I remember posters commenting on Pulis being given time to bring his players in although I might have not been that sympathetic to that argument because no coach starts with a blank sheet of paper and a measure of a coaches ability is getting the best out of what they have got rather than hand picking talent to match their style. However if that argument has any validity then Darren needs to be given the same latitude.

I would argue that had club appointed a quick fix manager (like Steve Bruce) bet the house on getting out of the division at the first attempt then the whole dynamic is different. Either the manager is delivering or they aren't. If results aren't going your way fire the manager while there is still enough of the season for the next quick fix manager to come in and turn things round. However we did not do that so Darren needs to be given time.

I agree in essence with what you said in that Moore needs to be given time.  I think what DM brings is honesty, integrity, passion, motivation, team ethic and all round good nature.  I would hazard a guess that Graham Jones is having a lot of impact with game awareness and tactics.  You do wonder how “bright” many of the British managers actually are and to what level of detail they go into the game generally.  For instance, you can imagine Guardiola just being a naturally intelligent person.

One thing I don’t agree on is why should we set the bar at Top6?  We have players with vast experience.  I reckon the captures of Hoolahan / Sako will prove to be inspired and no other Championship clubs have done this.  I think we should be aiming to win the league.  Who is there to scare us?  No one is being deluded it’s important to be confident.

1475
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: October 03, 2018, 10:36:46 PM »
Great game really enjoyed it.  A fair result.  No way did they deserve 2-0 at the break.  Good strike by Reach.  Barnes goal was just superb.  Just a bit concerned on the lack of pace in central midfield.

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