Brighton vs Crystal Palace match thread

Teddy Eagle said:
We're on the same points as Man United despite their longest winless start for 40 years and Sky Sports this morning pointed out they're still only 5 points off 5th place.
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Exactly

We're actually 14th in the league, we finished 15th last year.

Its not good but we weren't that good last year.

We don't need to panic just yet
 
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RubinsCube said:
Agreed and this is key for me.

When you play a high press you need centre backs who are both good in the air and also have the recovery pace. We had Guehi and Lacroix who both scored well on these attributes. The replacements do not. Additionally, Canvot is weak in the air and arguably our quickest defender (Riad) is out long term.

Put all this together and we do not have the team to be able to play a high press in my opinion.
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Agreed but does Sage recognize this and will he adapt accordingly to at least reduce the damage.
 
If it could happen to Leicester, it could happen to us. Especially with our hapless spending of the money for our jewels on dross like JSL and Brennan. The blame does not lie with Sage, it’s with the board.
 
If a team is going to lose 5-0, is it better that it happens with one player booked, or about six?

Clearly the former.

And yet... Imagine the response of a Revie, an Allardyce, or even a Pulis to a statistics such as that.
 
Teddy Eagle said:
Everyone knows that defence is a major problem but it's compounded by having a non-combative midfield. Timber looks as though he can put himself about but Wharton, Pino and, to a lesser extent, Kamada can't do much more than be vaguely in the way. Add in that Khalaili is a poor tackler as well and we're always inviting pressure. We really need a fit and in form Doucoure to come in. If not him who else have we got?
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Agree. Five goals shipped and just the one booking.
 
samprior said:
Yes it's not a great sign.

With the disgruntled rumblings about Sage from before the international break I think he's on thin ice personally.

Unless there's clear unrest in the squad then I'd say it's fair to give him the next two games to show he can turn it around. But if he's lost the dressing room, then he'll be gone sooner.
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Three goals down in the first ten minutes, perhaps the dressing room has lost itself. Sage did well at Lyon and exceptionally well at Lens. It's not the Premiership, but these are very good teams. The players need to take responsibility.

A former Wolves manager, Major Buckley, used to make the team run through the town on a Monday morning after a heavy defeat in the hope that it would be pelted with rotten fruit and vegetables. Of course, we're so sophisticated now, we no longer have Greengrocers. Or even High Street shops...
 
We could do much worse than bring Will Hughes in for an extended run in the team. Work rate. Tackling. Hunger. Leadership. Passion. We might sacrifice a little bit in terms of attacking ability, but we'd be a damn sight harder to beat.
 
Wouldn't Mitchell be more valuable in the back line than Canvot? Mitchell at his best was a good enough defender to be considered for England. And despite his improved crossing, surely we wouldn't lose much if we played someone else at wingback. (Even Canvot, who is good on the ball though prone to make misplays.)
 
CT Charlie said:
Wouldn't Mitchell be more valuable in the back line than Canvot? Mitchell at his best was a good enough defender to be considered for England. And despite his improved crossing, surely we wouldn't lose much if we played someone else at wingback. (Even Canvot, who is good on the ball though prone to make misplays.)
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Not sure. Wing back and CB are very different positions. You have to be far more aware, without the safety net of the touchline beside you all game. (Sorry, I know you probably know this.) I don't think one can necessarily just transfer there seamlessly, with no prior experience playing there.
 
sprites said:
We could do much worse than bring Will Hughes in for an extended run in the team. Work rate. Tackling. Hunger. Leadership. Passion. We might sacrifice a little bit in terms of attacking ability, but we'd be a damn sight harder to beat.
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A straight swap for one of our middle two without changing the present set up / tactics makes no difference if Hughes plays or not. Timber and Wharton were both terrible on Sunday and they are better players than Hughes. It’s much, much more than just bringing in a different player I’m afraid!
 
doombear said:
Yes, I was aware of that and was genuinely pleased that he came to us on a free. BUT, having seen him close up more than once he's been very disappointing in his defensive duties and defence was supposedly the stronger side to his game.
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Gets turned easily and lacks acceleration pace
 
MarkA333 said:
My great concern here is that our best players like Wharton and Mitchell look like shadows of their former selves. The team is shot to pieces in terms of confidence. This is why I think Sage has to go now before further longer term damage is done.
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Yeah you have kept on saying since about 3 games in
 
OneStevePerrin said:
A straight swap for one of our middle two without changing the present set up / tactics makes no difference if Hughes plays or not. Timber and Wharton were both terrible on Sunday and they are better players than Hughes. It’s much, much more than just bringing in a different player I’m afraid!
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They are 'differen't players than Hughes. Better going forward, but inferior at defending and making us solid. Arguably Timber is better. But what we lack more than anything right now is standards and leadership - someone barking orders and holding players to account. That undoubtedly WILL make a difference, in my opinion.
 
Adrift said:
Exactly

We're actually 14th in the league, we finished 15th last year.

Its not good but we weren't that good last year.

We don't need to panic just yet
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We are only 3 points off 6th place. Its going to be an odd season. Lots of teams are in transition. Palace are just one of a dozen having an iffy start Arsenal will win the league, City will get their points deduction, Brighton might get a Champions League spot. Any 3 from 12 could go down, including City. Enjoy the ride.
 
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