Simms and Assante (1 Viewer)

[Jimmy87]

I missed that, the Turkish transfer window was open slightly longer than ours, isn’t it?

It’ll be a huge loss if Rudoni needs surgery and immediately changes the recruitment priorities. Eccles has fitted in well these last 2 games but it’s an obvious downgrade on goals and assists. Eccles himself is also managing his workload because he’s not 100% yet. Lampard mentioned post-match tonight that it was good to have the option to sub Eccles out tonight for that reason.

As an eternal optimist, it pains me to say that without proactive recruitment in Jan, injuries could derail our season down the line.

Yeah totally agree, i guess a lot will ride on Rudoni, but also on where we are in the league. If we are still up there and pushing, you would hope that would encourage what needs to be done.
I think DK knows what we need and he will want to see us pushing for promotion just as much as we do, the added incentive of us owning the ground, the money etc, i believe he would go for it.

 

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[Perennial Lurker]

Yeah totally agree, i guess a lot will ride on Rudoni, but also on where we are in the league. If we are still up there and pushing, you would hope that would encourage what needs to be done.
I think DK knows what we need and he will want to see us pushing for promotion just as much as we do, the added incentive of us owning the ground, the money etc, i believe he would go for it.

It's apparent he isn't a fan of the loan market but most promoted teams in recent years have had some decent loanees
I know that doesn't add to squad depth but the financial rewards must be worth exploring that avenue in January

 

[Mercian In Anglia]

It's apparent he isn't a fan of the loan market but most promoted teams in recent years have had some decent loanees
I know that doesn't add to squad depth but the financial rewards must be worth exploring that avenue in January

I think the difference is if we do get loans in Jan it won't be the 'have a youngster for a bit to help him develop' like Doyle etc. in the playoff final season, it'll either be out of favour Prem squad players* or a top quality loan with an obligation to buy like Sunderland did with Le Fee.

To quote a great man, we're not loaning from Woolworths, from now on we'll be loaning from Harrods.

*Jan 26- Viktor has a massive set to with Arteta and refuses to play for him again. Madders needs game time to recuperate from his ACL and Spurs have a full 25 man squad...

 

[Jimmy87]

It's apparent he isn't a fan of the loan market but most promoted teams in recent years have had some decent loanees
I know that doesn't add to squad depth but the financial rewards must be worth exploring that avenue in January

Yeah, i've just seen Lampard again has commented on the depth, so i'm guessing they have had their chats and he will have made it clear what he needs. Hopefully DK will do whatever needs to be done, it's reasonable to say he has given him the backing so far, okay a couple of moves haven't made it over the line, but with the rumoured offers being put in it is clear we can do more.

 

[Hincha]

I asked him when we played Brum, he said they had already had agent contact about a winger, no other whispers yet.

Good to hear we’re already making contact about a winger. Hopefully a midfielder too

Interesting about a few players carrying injuries last season. Think we’re going to end up with similar this season as we seem to be getting a knock every other game

Fans need to be aware that they don’t suddenly become shit players and there is probably something else going on

 

[Covkid1968#]

Well maybe not but there are such things as context clues! He never looks like he's sulking he seems happy and part of the squad. His deal was extended, can't remember if that was just triggered or not but it to me it feels like he knows the role he has to play.

Its more than context clues....Lampard describes these players as model professionals who go abut their work quietly. In other words they arent moaning!!

 

[skybluecam]

I’d be happy if we get Raj-Sakai (Palace) over the line as rumoured on deadline day. My “optimistic” hope is that we go for someone with real ‘X-factor’, in a similar vain to when Burnley signed Edwards last Jan.

Depending on Rudoni’s situation too may dictate if we go for a AM. I think Oggy mentioned on CWR tha he’d heard his shoulder is in a bad state and seemed to imply surgery is a possibility!

Rudoni is out due to a calf injury isn't he? It's not his shoulder keeping him out.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Rudoni is out due to a calf injury isn't he? It's not his shoulder keeping him out.

I’m just going on what Oggy said post-Birmingham on CWR so it is probably out of date/inaccurate info. I’ve been a bit out of the loop of info coming out of the club for the past week or so.

 

[clint van damme]

Rudoni is out due to a calf injury isn't he? It's not his shoulder keeping him out.

Yes. Though it sounds like there's a longer shoulder related absence coming down the line.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Always liked BTA. Outstanding tonight in attitude and contribution AND out of position.

100%, tracking back and helping out in Defense, scoring goals and assists.

So improved since last season.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Yes. Though it sounds like there's a longer shoulder related absence coming down the line.

I think that’s what Oggy was referring to post-Birmingham. Rudoni will go as long as he can with shoulder strapping before getting surgery if it’s actually needed.

Shoulder joint/muscle injuries are awkward to get other. I had one injury that was ongoing for 3-4 years.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

Asantes a man possessed atm. Brimming with confidence

 

[Lamps]

I have stayed off this forum, after being absolutely battered supporting Simms and Assante. Got total abuse. How are people feeling? Tomtrad43 ( from memory slaughtered me)..Any comments?

Don't worry about it. But when it gets to you just start blocking those doing it. I could guess most of them that did it.

I saw what was coming this season with us keeping a good squad together added to poor manager choices and poor transfer window signings for those who were supposed to be our big rivals. I guessed wrong about KKH. I got non stop abuse for it. I got someone acting the idiot just for daring to suggest that the Millwall game was winnable. But if you dare to give a post back using the same tone as you keep getting yourself you get the same 6 or 7 suddenly go into attack mode making it look like its yourself who is the argumentative twat.

Back on subject.....I always liked the way that BTA attacked with the ball but there was rarely an end product. He would get the ball, keep his head down and run then see where he would end up. It seems to me that like with other players like Torp and Rudoni quality coaching has ironed out the bad parts of his game. He is now more alert to what's going on around him. His assist for Wright was a great bit of play. Only those without a clue would want to drop him. A big part of how well we are doing.

 

[Mcbean]

One things for sure you can see the improvement in BTA and Simms - has to be a direct influence from Frank - masterstroke from Doug for me

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Asante is one of those players who's going to give his best every time. His work rate is unquestionable really. I think sometimes he can be a bit clumsy, and his finishing can leave us a bit frustrated, but he's doing so much and contributing to so many goals that it doesn't matter really.

I wouldn't be considering dropping him at this point. If anything it would be Sakamoto's place that could be under threat with EMC coming back (although not sure how it would quite work).

Simms has had a couple of respectable cameos, but I do feel there's a contigent of our fans trying to over-exaggerate them. Probably partly due to us being 2 or 3 goals up each time he comes on. Personally, I wouldn't really want him in the starting 11, but he's doing a reasonable job of coming on having an impact later in games.

 

[TomRad85]

Asante is one of those players who's going to give his best every time. His work rate is unquestionable really. I think sometimes he can be a bit clumsy, and his finishing can leave us a bit frustrated, but he's doing so much and contributing to so many goals that it doesn't matter really.

I wouldn't be considering dropping him at this point. If anything it would be Sakamoto's place that could be under threat with EMC coming back (although not sure how it would quite work).

Simms has had a couple of respectable cameos, but I do feel there's a contigent of our fans trying to over-exaggerate them. Probably partly due to us being 2 or 3 goals up each time he comes on. Personally, I wouldn't really want him in the starting 11, but he's doing a reasonable job of coming on having an impact later in games.

EMC, Wright, BTA is a powerful front 3.

 

[covboy9]

BTA is limited but does best he can and seems a good team player

Simms is Simms unless it’s from 1 yard he’s not scoring

 

[Mcbean]

BTA is limited but does best he can and seems a good team player

Simms is Simms unless it’s from 1 yard he’s not scoring

We will need Simms - Haji is quite fragile - it’s a long season

 

[wingy]

BTA is currently favoured, there's even a thread on him,#maladroit!

 

[oscillatewildly]

I have stayed off this forum, after being absolutely battered supporting Simms and Assante. Got total abuse. How are people feeling? Tomtrad43 ( from memory slaughtered me)..Any comments?

Well, as the old football saying goes - If you hang around beneath a cross bar long enough something will eventually drop for you.
Tommy Assante's work rate Wednesday night was exceptional.

 

[Hincha]

I wouldn't be considering dropping him at this point. If anything it would be Sakamoto's place that could be under threat with EMC coming back (although not sure how it would quite work).

BTA-Wright-EMC was our front 3 for Derby, QPR, and Oxford

Scored 14 in 3 games - that’s how it would work

 

[Jimmy87]

Good to hear we’re already making contact about a winger. Hopefully a midfielder too

Interesting about a few players carrying injuries last season. Think we’re going to end up with similar this season as we seem to be getting a knock every other game

Fans need to be aware that they don’t suddenly become shit players and there is probably something else going on

Yeah hopefully they're on top of things and we'll see a couple come in for that important push second half of the season.

It's a shame to see some already picking up knocks but always to be expected, especially with the intensity we now seem to playing with. The way i try to look at it is, we thought we were in trouble last year with injuries but the coaching staff adapted, changed the formation when needed and players who some didn't necessarily rate, came in and got us right back up the table.

This season there seems to be an improvement in a lot of players, that's what a good coaching team do, they come in and develop players.
Kitching and Thomas right through to the front line have all improved since then too, so i've got faith we can keep it up. There is something different about all of them, the togetherness and hunger is clear to see. Long may it continue.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Yeah hopefully they're on top of things and we'll see a couple come in for that important push second half of the season.

It's a shame to see some already picking up knocks but always to be expected, especially with the intensity we now seem to playing with. The way i try to look at it is, we thought we were in trouble last year with injuries but the coaching staff adapted, changed the formation when needed and players who some didn't necessarily rate, came in and got us right back up the table.

This season there seems to be an improvement in a lot of players, that's what a good coaching team do, they come in and develop players.
Kitching and Thomas right through to the front line have all improved since then too, so i've got faith we can keep it up. There is something different about all of them, the togetherness and hunger is clear to see. Long may it continue.

We’re making far more use of direct passing. V Blues and Millwall, a lot of action came from quick passing down the wing and over the top of defenders.

It shows a tactical evolution from last season where at times, we got stuck in doom loops of side-to-side without creating chances.

We had 31% possession against Millwall and just dug in after we went 1-0 up - great pressing from BTA but cheap goal to giveaway from Millwall’s POV.

 

[Offhegoes]

They were a decent partnership last season, which kickstarted our rise up the table. BTA's work rate allows Simms to be the poacher he is, and always was. He may be 6'3 and strong (when he wants to be), but he's a fox in the box, not a target man.

Looking at our squad, we are well equipped to pay 5-3-2, with Woolf slipping into the back 3.

Plenty of choice at WB (MVE, KKH, Bidwell, Brau, Dasila), and 3 central strikers (BTA, Haji & Simms).

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

We’re making far more use of direct passing. V Blues and Millwall, a lot of action came from quick passing down the wing and over the top of defenders.

It shows a tactical evolution from last season where at times, we got stuck in doom loops of side-to-side without creating chances.

We had 31% possession against Millwall and just dug in after we went 1-0 up - great pressing from BTA but cheap goal to giveaway from Millwall’s POV.

It's how football's meant to be played and not only is it more effective, it's more entertaining. Possession is such a meaningless statistic, I'd go as far as to say it shouldn't be included in the other baseline stats you get in a match report.

If I recall, MR said going into the 23/24 season that he wanted to get a possession based game into the new squad of players he'd assembled because he felt it was more sustainable in the long term. All it really did was lead to 2 seasons of shuffling it around the back watching the opposition get set in place.

 

[wingy]

They were a decent partnership last season, which kickstarted our rise up the table. BTA's work rate allows Simms to be the poacher he is, and always was. He may be 6'3 and strong (when he wants to be), but he's a fox in the box, not a target man.

Looking at our squad, we are well equipped to pay 5-3-2, with Woolf slipping into the back 3.

Plenty of choice at WB (MVE, KKH, Bidwell, Brau, Dasila), and 3 central strikers (BTA, Haji & Simms).

Yeah it may not be a hindrance however change come about , might be a bit less pleasing on the eye and maybe score less overall, but if the end result is the same then why not in the interim?

 

[wingy]

It's how football's meant to be played and not only is it more effective, it's more entertaining. Possession is such a meaningless statistic, I'd go as far as to say it shouldn't be included in the other baseline stats you get in a match report.

If I recall, MR said going into the 23/24 season that he wanted to get a possession based game into the new squad of players he'd assembled because he felt it was more sustainable in the long term. All it really did was lead to 2 seasons of shuffling it around the back watching the opposition get set in place.

I got to be honest I thought he was following the dogma of it, coaches too?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I got to be honest I thought he was following the dogma of it, coaches too?

There has been a tendency for what Pep does to be copied by other top flight clubs and then it filters down the pyramid. The problem has always been that he is working with world class players who can manage the technical and mental demands of playing that way. In our division the teams who've done well with it have generally had some of the best teams in the league, then got slaughtered for it in the league above when they were technically outclassed.

You see it in other sports as well, copying what the top level players do, but they have the skill sets beyond the vast majority of teams. I'll maintain that throughout the history of the game, the most dangerous and exciting teams to watch have done 'pass and move' football which is hard to cope with regardless of how you set up.

 

[Jimmy87]

We’re making far more use of direct passing. V Blues and Millwall, a lot of action came from quick passing down the wing and over the top of defenders.

It shows a tactical evolution from last season where at times, we got stuck in doom loops of side-to-side without creating chances.

We had 31% possession against Millwall and just dug in after we went 1-0 up - great pressing from BTA but cheap goal to giveaway from Millwall’s POV.

Yeah exactly this! Said a few times on here but all of our strikers last season struggled in that loan role due to the lack of direct play, constant checking back and playing sideways.
The direct play this season has been a welcome sight, really enjoying watching us at the moment.
Add in the little things like tenacity and winning mentality and it leaves us shaping up nicely.

 

[shmmeee]

They were a decent partnership last season, which kickstarted our rise up the table. BTA's work rate allows Simms to be the poacher he is, and always was. He may be 6'3 and strong (when he wants to be), but he's a fox in the box, not a target man.

Looking at our squad, we are well equipped to pay 5-3-2, with Woolf slipping into the back 3.

Plenty of choice at WB (MVE, KKH, Bidwell, Brau, Dasila), and 3 central strikers (BTA, Haji & Simms).

Only problem is finding three fit CMs