Brighton v Blackpool Official Matchday FA Cup Thread 23.01.21

[20togo]

what did we learn. Their squad players are better than our L1 players. it's hard and tiring when you've not got much possession and you are constantly being shifted around all over the pitch. We didn't play as well as we would have liked and we missed some key players. We only lost 2-1 which realistically is not a bad result. That's it.

 

[seasiderjohn]

What if the opposition have problems? Should we get it postponed until they can also fulfill the fixture with their strongest team? All teams will get injuries and suspensions over the course of the season so you win some, you lose some, it's part and parcel of a season.

but other teams cancel their games sunderland cancel every time the internationals are on

 

[Seasidesupporter]

No need for the first sentence but the rest makes sense.

My meaning was that you and me don’t know what we are trying to achieve wasn’t having a go at you

 

[1966_and_all_that]

Thought we were quite good first half but seemed to be too wide open second half. Gabriel was my MOTM.

Maxwell and Gabriel. Also Madine if he'd been given more to bite on.

 

[EagleDay]

I genuinely have no idea where the level of expectation we're seeing has come from.

Maybe it's because Brighton was beatable? We didn't really test them with that formation. Look at how Chorley performed against Wolves, also a beatable Prem. team.

 

[BigHandsOliverKahn]

all other teams are cancelling games as they should do remember this virus is highly contageous and playing when so many of the squad have the virus is dangerous as those who tested negative might test positive the next day due to being in contact with the infected players at the time of testing

If it's Covid in general we are talking about then maybe all of football needs to take a rest. I thought we were talking about the list of players we have out with football injuries.

 

[LeedsSeasider]

How the hell could Simms have done anything? The whole time he was on we were under pressure from Brighton! Astounding that some are writing him off already. I thought he looked like he was running his socks off but clearly I watch a different game to most on here.

 

[we_need_a_bob_hatton]

Heres my view on things...I thought it was a workman like performance against an average premier league team whose class shone through in the end, shame it was to lose to a flukey goal but Brighton could have buried us in the last 20 minutes.
I thought Maxwell and the back 5 did well today apart from the tendency to back off when they should have been putting afoot in.
we are desperately in need of creativety in midfield...Williams I thought was poor...Robson hardly seen and Virtue played too deep and our best moments came down the flanks...Yates and Madine worked their socks off and caused them a few problems but I thought they were isolated too often. It looked like the 3 midfielders were all trying to play the Dougal roll.
Once critch took Madine off...I think he threw in the white flag as we were never in it the last 15 minutes.
It was hard to pick a MOTM...Maxwell made some good saves...Gabrial was just about the pick of our back 5 and Madine finished off Blackpools best move of the match.A mention for Thorniley who played well (considering he hasnt played much this season )and was well composed for his time on the pitch.
The Team can hold their heads up with pride as it isnt easy going to any Premier league team and making a fight of it.

Now regarding young Simms the striker...Im sure he is one for the future...and Im certainly not writing him off based on 1 substitute appearance but Im disappointed in Critches Direction for this position as I think an experienced striker in the mold of a Paul Dickov would have benefited Blackpool more.
IMO of course

Onwards and Upwards
UTMP

 

[BigHandsOliverKahn]

I genuinely have no idea where the level of expectation we're seeing has come from.

Don't you remember when we were sat on top of the Premier League after the win at Wigan?

 

[BlackpoolsFinest]

Maybe it's because Brighton was beatable? We didn't really test them with that formation.

Point proven.
They're a Premier League side who could have probably stepped it up a gear had they needed to, especially in the second half.
What makes you think they were beatable? If it wasn't for a couple of Maxwell saves and them missing good chances they could have put 5 past us.

The reason we played that formation was down to the amount of players we had missing, the late disruption to the side caused the totally understandable lack of cohesion we had.
The usual driving force from midfield, Dougall and Ward, weren't available. And we're missing our best player.

On a good day, with a full strength team and luck on our side, we may have stood a chance of beating them, such is the beauty of the FA Cup.

I think a reality check is needed for a few people.

 

[thedevilsadvocate]

I'm not knocking Simms but if he was running his socks off then he's got less pace than Madine, which is a worry for a 20 yr old !

 

[BigHandsOliverKahn]

So you think its perfectly ok for Shrewsbury to have had games called off for one covid related player, yet Blackpool who now have 6 to have succumbed to the virus shouldn't be allowed games postponed.
May I remind you that Blackpool had two players out with covid going on 3 with woodburn at the time but carried on their league obligations.
I personally think 6 warrants postponements

I'd question Shrewsbury.

 

[BlackpoolsFinest]

Don't you remember when we were sat on top of the Premier League after the win at Wigan?

I often wonder if some posters on here haven't been to a game since that season.

 

[AllOrNothing]

Every team gets injuries, this season most teams will suffer with Covid... I don't get all this second choice did OK... All the players in the squad should be good enough to go in the team or what is the point of having them in the squad? Are we a mid to lower table team with the squad we have or are the players better than they are showing? If its the former then recruitment isn't up to scratch, if its the latter then questions should be asked of the coaching team

 

[1966_and_all_that]

How the hell could Simms have done anything? The whole time he was on we were under pressure from Brighton! Astounding that some are writing him off already. I thought he looked like he was running his socks off but clearly I watch a different game to most on here.

I thought he was a hostage to fortune by the time he went on. Poor decision.

 

[mull]

Game plan was obviously to stay in it as long as possible and then see if we can nick something. All going well till deflected goal.
If we had opened up and just gone for it(whatever that means) they would have ripped us apart.
A lot of the squad not had 90 mins most of the season and were blowing out their arse at the end. No disgrace in that. Did us proud and scored a great goal.

At last a post talking a bit of sense. 3 or 4 players who haven't played in weeks. Did OK. Yes would have been nice to have attacked but we were struggling to contain Brighton pace wise as it was. Overall a very decent effort.. As the BBC commentary team said

 

[EagleDay]

Heres my view on things...I thought it was a workman like performance against an average premier league team whose class shone through in the end, shame it was to lose to a flukey goal but Brighton could have buried us in the last 20 minutes.
I thought Maxwell and the back 5 did well today apart from the tendency to back off when they should have been putting afoot in.
we are desperately in need of creativety in midfield...Williams I thought was poor...Robson hardly seen and Virtue played too deep and our best moments came down the flanks...Yates and Madine worked their socks off and caused them a few problems but I thought they were isolated too often. It looked like the 3 midfielders were all trying to play the Dougal roll.
Once critch took Madine off...I think he threw in the white flag as we were never in it the last 15 minutes.
It was hard to pick a MOTM...Maxwell made some good saves...Gabrial was just about the pick of our back 5 and Madine finished off Blackpools best move of the match.A mention for Thorniley who played well (considering he hasnt played much this season )and was well composed for his time on the pitch.
The Team can hold their heads up with pride as it isnt easy going to any Premier league team and making a fight of it.

Now regarding young Simms the striker...Im sure he is one for the future...and Im certainly not writing him off based on 1 substitute appearance but Im disappointed in Critches Direction for this position as I think an experienced striker in the mold of a Paul Dickov would have benefited Blackpool more.
IMO of course

Onwards and Upwards
UTMP

As I said, it's unfair to say anything about Simms, he was just thrown on not knowing the team and without any apparent clue of what to do.

 

[we_need_a_bob_hatton]

He did ok today but there’s just something about him that doesn’t say footballer.

You could say that about Lubala

 

[BlackpoolsFinest]

Every team gets injuries, this season most teams will suffer with Covid... I don't get all this second choice did OK... All the players in the squad should be good enough to go in the team or what is the point of having them in the squad? Are we a mid to lower table team with the squad we have or are the players better than they are showing? If its the former then recruitment isn't up to scratch, if its the latter then questions should be asked of the coaching team

Don't even know where to start with this post.

Are you seriously suggesting that all teams should be able to put together squads of 22, made up of players who can seamlessly transition in and out of the first team with no disruption?

Name me one team in the history of football that have managed this. The closest you'll get is a team like City that have an unlimited amount of money so are able to spend £50m on a back up left back. And even then if you took out De Bruyne, Laporte and Sterling you'd get a massive drop off in quality.

I'll wait.

 

[Insider]

Jammy bustards.

We definitely want Tues called off.
more time to get CJ back

If we get Tues called off we must get Sat called off as well because that only 10 days after the positive tests.
It won't be detrimental IMO.

 

[Chunkylad]

Jammy bustards.

If we get Tues called off we must get Sat called off as well because that only 10 days after the positive tests.
It won't be detrimental IMO.

Agree Insy
Get them both off. We need recovery time and signing player’s time more than 90 mins right now.

 

[AllOrNothing]

Don't even know where to start with this post.

Are you seriously suggesting that all teams should be able to put together squads of 22, made up of players who can seamlessly transition in and out of the first team with no disruption?

Name me one team in the history of football that have managed this. The closest you'll get is a team like City that have an unlimited amount of money so are able to spend £50m on a back up left back. And even then if you took out De Bruyne, Laporte and Sterling you'd get a massive drop off in quality.

I'll wait.

Man City

 

[BlackpoolsFinest]

Man City

I don't know what I find more amusing, the fact you use the example I have already given stating that if you took 3 players out of their team there would still be a huge drop off in quality........ or the fact you're claiming we should be doing what Man City are doing

 

[AllOrNothing]

Calling for games off isn't the answer, we need to play on with what we have... Who's to say we won't be in an even worse position injuries and Covid wise later in the season

 

[BlackpoolPuma]

And your thoughts on the performance were what exactly ?

Not at all in agreement with yours. Let’s leave it there.

 

[Insider]

Of the starting 11, 10 did well. Virtue was the exception, pulling a trailer from the start. We got tired, to be expected, with so many not having game time.

Well done to Williams and Robson, not easy covering the middle.

Gabriel class.

Only one comment on the subs - Sarkic is rank bad.

You really don't like Virtue do you? but big up Kaikai, who, despite his ability shows nothing and did nothing
As for Williams I'm not criticising his performance today but I never seen a player that looks less ungainly.
We do agree on Sarkic.

 

[AllOrNothing]

The point is why are we, yet again, carrying so much deadwood?

 

[Insider]

Maxwell had another very good game. Superb goal by Madine. Pool workmanlike, but no creativity in the likes of Virtue, Robson, Williams. Our subs made no impact whatsoever. The players put a shift in but posed little threat in the second half and tired badly late on.
Signings needed or it'll be mid table in the league again.

That's actually not a bad assessment.
Just to let you know we had 5 players missing with Covid because I think you missed that earlier.

 

[Dark_Side_of_the_Lune]

In other news, we’re still 16th

 

[td53]

Always next year... Brighton and Hove Albion vs the Mighty

Here we go. Fourth round day. Another stop on the road to Wembley. Cos we are going to Wembley and we're winning the thing. Fucking hell, i...

mclfoot.blogspot.com

Have a match report if you like. If you don't, ignore it.

 

[62years&counting]

That's actually not a bad assessment.
Just to let you know we had 5 players missing with Covid because I think you missed that earlier.

No I didn't, I said affected by injuries and covid.

 

[Insider]

I'm a bit surprised that so many posters think we did OK, even under the circs.
We showed no fight!
I can understand the difficulty of a set of players melding together when regulars are out but so we're Brighton, with some of theirs being non-regulars.
All this, pass sideways, play across the back four; It's going f**king nowhere. Every match commentator we get can see it. It's becoming so bloody obvious. We're a team without fight.
Madine played well...but with little service. Ekpiteta...I wouldn't want to receive a pass from him for fear of ending up crippled. All the midfield were content to play sideways and backwards. Virtue...he was poor when I expected better. Gabriel...a decent performance but little of his work resulted in good shots or headers.
I'm sorry but if Critchley can't put some thunder into us he may as well go back to playing tikka takka with his kids.

Of all the criticisms you could have levelled at today's performance I don't think lack of fight is one of them.
Watch it later and come back and let us all know if you've changed your mind.

 

[1966_and_all_that]

Of all the criticisms you could have levelled at today's performance I don't think lack of fight is one of them.
Watch it later and come back and let us all know if you've changed your mind.

I'm surprised by your post but yes, I will take another look.

 

[thedevilsadvocate]

Not at all in agreement with yours. Let’s leave it there.

So you don't have an opinion ? If you criticize mine then at least give an argument to the contrary if you have one.

 

[Insider]

Well I watched Chorley give a better account if themselves last night against a better Prem team. It's that level of fight I'm after. All the slick passing in the world is no good if there's no purpose behind it.

1966.
You are close to being ignored and you will be the first.

 

[TimperleyTangerine]

You really don't like Virtue do you? but big up Kaikai, who, despite his ability shows nothing and did nothing
As for Williams I'm not criticising his performance today but I never seen a player that looks less ungainly.
We do agree on Sarkic.

I’ve not bigged up Kaikai, he’s been poor, but he’s not a winger. Today, he came on when Madine went off. Not sure what he could have done. I think in another team / system he’d be much more effective.

Virtue was playing in his position. He has no pace, he looked knackered from the start. Williams was doing 2 jobs. He has no positional sense and is always arriving when the ball has been moved on. Four times today, and for both goals, he got easily sidestepped for shots. He plays in slow motion. On the ball he’s poor.

Williams is not for me, but today thought he was quite effective, to 60 minutes.

 

[Wizzerboy]

Always next year... Brighton and Hove Albion vs the Mighty

Here we go. Fourth round day. Another stop on the road to Wembley. Cos we are going to Wembley and we're winning the thing. Fucking hell, i...

mclfoot.blogspot.com

Have a match report if you like. If you don't, ignore it.

Ignored

 

[Tangerinemoss]

Been staying away from the madhouse today, can't be arsed with the in depth analysis.

L1 Blackpool, with numerous injuries to first team players, and some positive COVID tests, lost to a Premiership side by a weird deflection.

I sometimes wonder if some think we are still in the Prem.

Well done to the team UTMP

 

[Syseasider]

Maxwell MOM Garbutt and Gabriel very good. Williams was terrible. Critchley terrible for taking Madine and Yates off should have given it a go with those 2 plus Simms for the last 20 mins.

Absolutely
Worried about our defending at set pieces and closing down attackers and blocking shots
Are they not coached on this?
It’s been dire since beginning of the season
Not too disappointed with result
But could possibly have salvaged something with Madine and Yates staying on
In my mind very poor use of substitutions (again!)
Wonder what Simms made of being alone upfront??
Williams Husband Robson Virtue Sarkic Kaikai not good enough

 

[Seasidesupporter]

If it's Covid in general we are talking about then maybe all of football needs to take a rest. I thought we were talking about the list of players we have out with football injuries.

Calling for games off isn't the answer, we need to play on with what we have... Who's to say we won't be in an even worse position injuries and Covid wise later in the season

If we stop my fear is we won’t restart we all have big squads use them

 

[BlackpoolsFinest]

The point is why are we, yet again, carrying so much deadwood?

Firstly, there is a salary cap, we couldnt go in to the season paying just 14 really good players the total amount of how much we are allowed to spend on the entire squad.
Since football began squads will have consisted of certain players who are there to make up the numbers, who are rarely called upon, yet if they perform well it is a pleasant surprise. Generally if one player comes in to a settled side, they are able to play fairly well due to the rest of the players knowing their roles and being familiar with each other.
A fact of football, sport and life is that some players are better than others, it always has been and always will be, place 5 or 6 of these lesser players in a team at the same time and it is inevitable that they will struggle.

 

[1966_and_all_that]

1966.
You are close to being ignored and you will be the first.

So be it but that would be silly.

 

[JJpool]

If we can learn anything from that game it's how Brighton had men in fluid triangles, available to move things on; the end of one set of three passes became the start of the next set of three, and so on.

The ball control, awareness ability to take on the half turn and also formation was clearly and literally leagues above.

I dont buy this were league 1 so we cant do it, yes the quality is worse etc but if setup correctly you can pass your way out and create with some style.

Its about being brave, being drilled, confident.

We saw it with Holloway side. What other clubs consider average players were transformed by playing attacking possession football, dont panic on the ball, teammates spead wide, good first touch or pass with confidence.

I'm a little disappointed after the way we started the season, yes it didn't work at first but we dominated possession then have up on it, rather than master it by playing on.

Yes we need to mix it up but even with our vest team at times we pass along the back, pass back and the hoof. Too many aimless balls.

I expect the know how of how to get from back to front to improve and am a little surprised it hasn't overall as much as I thought it would.

 

[TheSeaWord]

what did we learn. Their squad players are better than our L1 players. it's hard and tiring when you've not got much possession and you are constantly being shifted around all over the pitch. We didn't play as well as we would have liked and we missed some key players. We only lost 2-1 which realistically is not a bad result. That's it.

We learnt that Gabriel is a better right back than Turton.

 

[Insider]

No I didn't, I said affected by injuries and covid.

You said
"A strange selection. Affected by injuries and covid?"
There's a big ?

 

[Goforgoal]

We just gave up, seemed happy to lose 2-1 to me. We may as well have gone for it, 2-1 or 6-1 and you’re out. For me we seem back to accepting that small club mentality that Holloway talked about when he first came in. Happy with a day trip to a premier league ground and a narrow defeat, didn’t we do well. Forget tactics I wonder what kind of teamtalks are going on, is Critch they type to give chest thumping inspiration or just a meek and mild mouse ?

He’s the second of those.

 

[td53]

what did we learn. Their squad players are better than our L1 players. it's hard and tiring when you've not got much possession and you are constantly being shifted around all over the pitch. We didn't play as well as we would have liked and we missed some key players. We only lost 2-1 which realistically is not a bad result. That's it.

Spot on.

I just said on twitter to someone that we've got better things to worry about than whether a scratch team of players, some of which haven't played a game for months can beat a Prem side who just brought better players on as the game went on. As we tired, they brought on class, we had no fresh legs for the midfield and no alternative to big Gaz.

We need to worry about whether the first XI can find a way to break down stubborn league one sides, not pick the bones out of this one as it's literally pointless. They did ok, we didn't show as well as we could but we had half the fucking best players missing! That's it. The end.

 

[62years&counting]

Every team gets injuries, this season most teams will suffer with Covid... I don't get all this second choice did OK... All the players in the squad should be good enough to go in the team or what is the point of having them in the squad? Are we a mid to lower table team with the squad we have or are the players better than they are showing? If its the former then recruitment isn't up to scratch, if its the latter then questions should be asked of the coaching team

Questions need asking of both the recruitment and coaching team. It's been a poor season so far. Too many mistakes all round, that's why we sit 16th out of 24.

 

[62years&counting]

We just gave up, seemed happy to lose 2-1 to me. We may as well have gone for it, 2-1 or 6-1 and you’re out. For me we seem back to accepting that small club mentality that Holloway talked about when he first came in. Happy with a day trip to a premier league ground and a narrow defeat, didn’t we do well. Forget tactics I wonder what kind of teamtalks are going on, is Critch they type to give chest thumping inspiration or just a meek and mild mouse ?

The latter.

 

[JJpool]

Maybe it's because Brighton was beatable? We didn't really test them with that formation. Look at how Chorley performed against Wolves, also a beatable Prem. team.

Yes but away on their big pitch is a bit different to playing on a smaller on in Chorley. I think we would have done a bit better at home also especially with the first team if possible.