London Irish
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![[*]](./images/onepoint9/default_icon.gif) posted on 17/7/2010 at 18:01 |
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Eastbourne
Bizarre game - and a little troubling.
We were excellent in the first half with Navarro and our new Argentine and Bulgarian totally bossing the game in central midfield, we deserved to be
much more than 1-0 up.
Eastbourne then threw on a raft of fringe and triallist players in the second half and exposed our defence quite badly - worrying because Poke, Greer,
Elphick and Calderon you'd expect to make up 4 of the back line 5 against Swindon.
While pre-seasons are not a reliable guide to success or failure in the regular season, it's wrong to say performances in these games are
meaningless. It highlights problems and gaps that intelligent managers act to fix before the main action starts.
Gus was much calmer watching today's loss than he was last night in Bognor. Quite possibly the progress in midfield we made today was more important
than the defensive lapses, but that's an optimistic view. Barnes struggled to make any impact as the lone striker against his old club and the need
for a fast, mobile proven finisher becomes ever more pressing if we really want to be in among the big boys this season in League 1.
[Edited on 17/7/2010 by London Irish]
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Woodingdeangull
THE EAST STAND TERRACING
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| posted on 17/7/2010 at 18:45 |
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how did the Norwegian trialist play today LI?
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London Irish
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| posted on 17/7/2010 at 21:39 |
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He was unfortunate to play in the second half when the team shape fell apart and hence he saw little of the ball. Bennett set up one decent chance for
him, which he pushed wide from about 20 yards when the Eastbourne goalie was struggling to get back into position. So not a great deal for Gus to go
on here and you suspect a decision will be now have to be made on how well he has done in training.
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Woodingdeangull
THE EAST STAND TERRACING
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| posted on 18/7/2010 at 08:57 |
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Fair enough...thanks for that. We still have a little time to get it all to gel but I suspect Gus will have to take one or two gambles on personnel as
you say...
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WH Seagull
THE SOUTH STAND
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| posted on 18/7/2010 at 12:51 |
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I am going to take a slightly controversial view and say that the ball is partly in Bloom's court. Yes, I am glad that he is not going to bust the
bank and put the club at risk, in the Portsmouth model for example, but I think if he realistically wants to go up, he is going to have to get his
cheque book out (Greer was presumably funded by the Crofts money), which he seems to have a marked reluctance to do. We are up against the likes of
Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday, Peterborough, Huddersfield, etc, all of whom have large budgets. If a leading forward is going to cost a bit, I
think he will just have to pay the bill. I will be the first to acknowledge what he has done for the club, but I don't think the "he's paid for
the stadium" argument will wash any more than, "but Dick saved the club" did when signings were not being made. This time, the expectation has
come from the chairman himself, not the fans. From my own point of view, I think there is a lot more to do and it is a bit early to be talking about
play offs, etc. However, Bloom has stoked the anticipation by his previous comments.
As for the friendlies, no the results don't count, but I fear for Gus a bit if we don't get off to a much better start than last year. I only went
to the Crawley game and we were dire, which set the scene for the first part of the season.
Seen scrawled in the dirt on an East Croydon Station window: "East Croydon Station is a dirty hole"
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Seaford Tar
FALMER STADIUM
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| posted on 18/7/2010 at 13:49 |
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It was quite windy and did effect play.
Far o'er the seas we wander,
Wide thro' the world we roam;
WE WUN'T BE DRUV!!!
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Wardywonderland
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| posted on 18/7/2010 at 18:59 |
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There is still another 5 weeks of the transfer window left. We didn't get Bennett until well into August last season. I suspect there is a lot more
going on than is being revealed by the club. I can't honestly see Bloom saying he has high expectations and then not providing the funds.
Gus hasn't spent much at all up to now. Player negotiations must be a bit like a poker game at times, so we must play a waiting game for now. Stick
or twist? (Yes, I know I'm mixing my card games)
“I do want to play the short ball and I do want to play the long ball. I think long and short balls is what football is about.” Sir Bobby Robson
Brighton v Palace League Games played 84 - Brighton won 34; drawn 20; lost 30
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WH Seagull
THE SOUTH STAND
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| posted on 18/7/2010 at 21:56 |
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I agree Wardy, it's just that my expectations are not especially high; not that I expect us to struggle like last season, but that I think some
people are expecting instant promotion, whereas I think it's a longer term project - play offs would be great, but I would far rather have a
promotion push in our first season at Falmer than a relegation battle. Certainly not panicking and as you say, there is still 5 more weeks of the
transfer window. Just feel Bloom has raised expectations to far higher levels than before so of course possible signings are coming under a great
deal of scrutiny. To be honest though, pre-season friendlies are mostly of use for meeting up with mates after the break. They don't really tell
you a lot, especially with the Albion, where we mix up the team so much. I thought the one exception last season was Crawley, where we had most of
the first team on the field, we were absolutely dire and continued on being so during the season. No doubt that will not happen with Gus.
Seen scrawled in the dirt on an East Croydon Station window: "East Croydon Station is a dirty hole"
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glasfryn
THE NORTH STAND
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| posted on 19/7/2010 at 10:23 |
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It seems to me that Gus and Bloom are definitely playing a waiting game,Gus has said that a player has been identified but might be to expensive,but
obviously no one else has been in for him otherwise he would be looking elsewhere.
the Lua-Lua business if not sorted I think Gus might go the Nordic route and lets face it it will be a lot less expensive leaving room for another to
bought in if necessary.
on another tack last nights film and documentary on Cloughie were great and I could not help but make the analogy with the Gus thing now both like/
liked to have things right and don't/did'nt stand fools gladly.
And if Gus has a little of Cloughies success I for one would be happy 
last nights film and documentary showed that both needed one another to be truly successful and that when Taylor left and then died poor old Cloughie
was lost
lost your cat? http://www.soyouhavelostyourcat.co.uk
In Egypt,the cats...afford evidence that animal nature is not altogether intractable, but that when well treated they are good at remembering
kindness.
Aelian (roman writer) |
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Cheshire
THE SOUTH STAND
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Location: Liverpool
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| posted on 19/7/2010 at 14:26 |
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Can only remember one really ambitious Chairman who dared believe Albion could go on to much bigger things than being an average third tier side and
that was Mike Bamber.
Now we have Bloom, a relational link to the Bamber days, also daring to say I want better times for this football club. There is money available, but
that includes, wages, fees and keeping the club afloat for one more year at money draining Withdean - but by all accounts the playing budget is a good
one for this league. There has been some poor buys of late by previous managers where the cash has been splashed for no real return - but you have
the feeling that once again if the right player came along in Gus's eyes the money would be put up - but not silly money.
Of course we all want instant success and would like promotion this year - but it took Bamber three seasons of good progress and higher crowds to get
promotion since he declared his aim in getting Clough and Taylor, then only one season before the promotion season into the old First Division (now
Premier League).
Can Gus achieve in one season having only saved us from relegation last season?
A big achievement if he can and time will tell on that one - but for now we can dream with Bloom that in the next few years we can become an
established Championship side and then see if we can even go higher.
I for one believe there is a noticeable belief change in and around the club not really seen since the Bamber Glory days.
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London Irish
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| posted on 19/7/2010 at 15:05 |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cheshire
I for one believe there is a noticeable belief change in and around the club not really seen since the Bamber Glory days. |
Yes, the funding of the stadium has transformed everything. Like you I don't believe it's vital we get promotion straight away to maintain the
momentum.
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