My Thoughts on Saturday

[WBA123]

I'm not a TP basher, I do appreciate what he has done for us in the last couple of seasons. And I do appreciate the art of defending, which not many managers do. However, he got the team selection completely wrong on Saturday.

I was quite excited after the window to see what side he would put out, the only thing I was really keen on him doing was to leave Nyom at right back because I think he's a better RB than LB and it gives us more balance. Obviously that didn't happen.

A lot of people slating Rondon, not just on here but also at the game. I've always defended him, but he was especially poor on Saturday. Again, no clue why TP would play him, he was playing in Beunos Aires on Wednesday. Anyone would be knackered. Phillips and Livermore were completely innefective, Especially Livermore. I think its time he was dropped.

Brunt, Chadli and McClean, where were they? Especially Brunt, he's done nothing wrong in the first 3 games and his delivery makes us dangerous from set pieces. McClean gives us energy and Chadli gives us quality. I hope he's not doing to Chadli what he did to McManaman.

Burke, I see potential in him. But someone sitting near me at the ground described him perfectly...he's a bit raw. He has the attributes to be a great player in a couple of years. He's big and pacey. Be patient with him though, he could go on to be brilliant but his control, passing and awareness needs to improve. He did almost the same thing every time he had the ball, which was to push the ball past the full back on the outside and cross it. Most of them were blocked out for a corner or throw. He also gave the ball away for their 3rd goal.

Krychowiak looked tidy enough, the whole of our midfield went missing for their 2nd goal though. And I thought Gibbs came on and looked very assured. He should be starting from now on.

At least we saw a bit of attacking intent late on in the game but otherwise there weren't many positives to take from the game. I'm scratching my head to think of our MOM....

Let's hope TP has learned a lesson from Saturday and plays a balanced team vs West Ham with a couple of Saturdays subs involved in the starting XI...

[Roymit]

Sorry 123, just posted the same thoughts about Rondon re playing South America having not read your post. I'm amazed he wasn't rested after flying there and back so close to the game.

[Leicesterbaggie]

I think everybody was amazed and disappointed at the side that was selected for Saturday. Most of us expected the back four would consist of Nyom, Dawson, Evans and Gibbs. Most fans were surprised at the selection of three holding mid-fielders. The majority didn't expect Rondon to play up front. As soon as I saw the side selected I was concerned and my fears were fully justified by the performance. The internationals had to be taken into consideration but that seemed inconsistent as to who played and who didn't. I'm not a Pulis basher and I fully understand that he is the professional who sees the players day in and day out but as fans, we also watch them week in, week out and I feel that, as fans, are capable of making an informed judgement on the side selected and the way we play. This may sound arrogant but surely the majority of us who regularly watch Albion can't be wrong.

[Yarmbaggie]

I think everybody was amazed and disappointed at the side that was selected for Saturday. Most of us expected the back four would consist of Nyom, Dawson, Evans and Gibbs. Most fans were surprised at the selection of three holding mid-fielders. The majority didn't expect Rondon to play up front. As soon as I saw the side selected I was concerned and my fears were fully justified by the performance. The internationals had to be taken into consideration but that seemed inconsistent as to who played and who didn't. I'm not a Pulis basher and I fully understand that he is the professional who sees the players day in and day out but as fans, we also watch them week in, week out and I feel that, as fans, are capable of making an informed judgement on the side selected and the way we play. This may sound arrogant but surely the majority of us who regularly watch Albion can't be wrong.

As your designated Asst Manager Leicester I was in full agreement with you before the game and still am after it.

I am hoping that as TP has everyone together this week then we will see a more balanced and effective team on Saturday with players playing in their best positions as well as us getting more players in the top third of the field, something we did manage to do in the last 20 minutes when the match was all but over.

[Whicka_Mon]

I'm totally amazed that Rondon is anywhere near the first team whether he had just come back from Venezuela or just nipped back from the shop.
He has shown no form at all since December last year.
He is completely useless. I really don't see what more evidence we need. He cannot score or hold the ball up. I bet centrehalves are rubbing their hands together when they face him.

[holmleighchris]

I'm totally amazed that Rondon is anywhere near the first team whether he had just come back from Venezuela or just nipped back from the shop.
He has shown no form at all since December last year.
He is completely useless. I really don't see what more evidence we need. He cannot score or hold the ball up. I bet centrehalves are rubbing their hands together when they face him.

If he does hold the ball up there is no one anywhere near for him to lay it off to.
That line up Saturday was the worst TP has put out. Not necessarily the players but the roles they were being asked to play. Nyom wrong side, Phillips wrong side, Rodriguez out of place. That added to the fact that we fielded 3 defensive midfielders leaves mer wondering what TP was playing at.

[WBA123]

If he does hold the ball up there is no one anywhere near for him to lay it off to.
That line up Saturday was the worst TP has put out. Not necessarily the players but the roles they were being asked to play. Nyom wrong side, Phillips wrong side, Rodriguez out of place. That added to the fact that we fielded 3 defensive midfielders leaves mer wondering what TP was playing at.

He was shocking on Saturday, yet I still find it hard to criticise Rondon. Whenever I fly more than 8/9 hours I'm knackered for about a week. Add to that, that he spends most of his time with 2/3 defenders around him and our nearest midfield 'support' about 30 yards behind him means I understand why he struggles sometimes in games. Genuinely I think even the best striker in the world would look poor in our team sometimes.

I'm not going to slate players or manager. If we win on Saturday v West Ham, then that's 10 points out of the first 5 games, a return we would all have snapped up at the start of the season. Adding onto that the best transfer window and squad of players we've had for years means I'm still excited and optimistic about the season, despite how poor we were on Saturday.