Ismael

[Lost city albion]

I know it's early days but does anyone think we're building something special that we haven't felt in a long time.Valerien is a strict manager but the players love and respect him which is showing on the pitch think we're having our wolves Nuno moment lol and may it long continue

[WBA123]

I know it's early days but does anyone think we're building something special that we haven't felt in a long time.Valerien is a strict manager but the players love and respect him which is showing on the pitch think we're having our wolves Nuno moment lol and may it long continue

I think its far too early to say. We probably need one or two dozen games to analyse properly. Also, with this system against a good side there is a very good chance we could be on the wrong side of some thumping's. It will be interesting to see how fans and players react to those times.

But its a promising start. I like pressing from the front, I like us being on the front foot and its thoroughly entertaining.

[DaveP67 is back!]

Very early days but I agree, my only cause for pessimism is our owner and backing of the manager.
COYB
FOL

[bordering]

Very early days but I agree, my only cause for pessimism is our owner and backing of the manager.
COYB
FOL

Think this style would be unpicked by top half of premiership but think this way of playing will work where we are.
The lack of investment is of most concern a midfielder and a striker who play Val's way would be essential to get us home. Where are the parachute payments & Pereira money?- well I can guess & it is not in the transfer kitty

[boingy]

Think this style would be unpicked by top half of premiership but think this way of playing will work where we are.
The lack of investment is of most concern a midfielder and a striker who play Val's way would be essential to get us home. Where are the parachute payments & Pereira money?- well I can guess & it is not in the transfer kitty

Don’t know about being unpicked because a lot of teams play the high press in the Prem. We are playing one of them in the cup. Arsenal. Also Barnsley pushed Chelsea to the limit at Chelsea with Val and this method.

[Barrera]

I am more worried about the lack of investment than style of play. A couple of injuries or suspensions to key players like Mowatt, Livermore, Robinson, Clarke and we could easily unravel as I don’t see the back-up. As for the style of play is seems to be a blue print for quite a few clubs nowadays .....

Commentators were going on the other night about balls over the top to turn our big defenders .... but when these balls are being played from deep they have to be great balls to get past our defenders .... and in the Championship few teams will have this quality.

[mickd1961]

Don’t know about being unpicked because a lot of teams play the high press in the Prem. We are playing one of them in the cup. Arsenal. Also Barnsley pushed Chelsea to the limit at Chelsea with Val and this method.

Hopefully if we go up we sign better players to play this same style.

Pressing isn’t just about the physical effort, the higher the level the more game intelligence you need to play that system.

[WBA123]

Think this style would be unpicked by top half of premiership but think this way of playing will work where we are.
The lack of investment is of most concern a midfielder and a striker who play Val's way would be essential to get us home. Where are the parachute payments & Pereira money?- well I can guess & it is not in the transfer kitty

I think certain teams in the top half could pick us off, basically sides who can counter with speed and quality. But Arsenal finished 8th last season and couldn't cope with Brentford's pressing first game in.

This style has a good chance of working against maybe 12/13 sides in the Prem, mostly the bottom half sides. But I'd rather see us try this style and have a go at the top sides - even if we lose, rather than defend Pulis style against them.

[Prando]

Notwithstanding his style of play (which clearly I am enjoying) I also like his apparent disciplinarian approach. Much needed and it appears the majority of the players have bought into it.
I hope he continues to have no truck with those who don’t.

[baggiematt]

The style might have to be tweaked for the prem, but most top level teams have some form of press these days. We're unique as Val combines high press with very direct play and a big focus on set pieces. They waste absolutely no time on the ball which suits us as we don't have many who are composed on the ball, compared to others in the league.

It's early days but there is a really good vibe around the club at the minute. Bring a striker and competitive midfielder in to compete with Livermore and we could be scary.