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Il Pirata

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Posts posted by Il Pirata

  2. Posted

    Our performances against the better sides (top 6) this season isn't great. 

    We've lost away to Bournemouth, Watford and Swansea. We we're very fortunate to take a point against Brentford with a hugely deflected goal. We beat Reading away, but they were without several first team players including the two key forwards (I appreciate we've had our own adversity through injuries, but we had a strong side against them). Also beat Swansea at home, but that really could have gone either way and it was a late goal to win. 

    Our record is W2-D1-L3, not horrendous. Particularly with more games played away. But it's the performances against them which have been a worry. Plus we tend to play better away! With the gulf in quality between the top 6 and the rest of the division, it really is key we win the majority of the remaining top 6 games. 

  3. Posted · Edited by Il Pirata

    No Vrancic, No Buendia, Nothing from Cantwell. 

    We win games when Vrancic plays without Buendia and Cantwell. We win games when Buendia plays without Vrancic and Cantwell. We don't  win games when Cantwell plays without Vrancic and Buendia. 

    I'll stick to my view earlier in the season, Cantwell does not effect games enough. And when he's without creative teammates he's largely ineffective. He can't take a game by the scruff of the neck and make it happen for us. Vrancic has had a slating over the last couple of games, but as soon as he's dropped we lose. 

    Cantwell is great player, if conditions allow. But people overate him, and fail to recognise his limitations. The last two games we're so predictable as soon as Buendia was ruled out. 

  5. Posted

    On 31/01/2021 at 18:39, GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary said:

    We've got more points at this stage of any other season in our history.....but

    Its a low quality league, there are 5 or 6 clubs in it which are clearly a level above everything else , which is by and large dross.

    What that means is that the top 6 are unlikely to drop too many points against anyone other than each other, the need fir points will be relentless for the remaindee if the season, with not such a big a margin for error than perhaps with previous seasons as there will be 4 other clubs who will not let up

    Agree with this. 

    It's important the likes of Blackburn, Boro and Bristol City stay in touch of the playoffs, otherwise there will be a lot of 'on the beach sides to play.' 

    I guess it all depends on how the fixtures fall. 

  8. Posted · Edited by Il Pirata

    Krul and Gibson back in, clean sheet. 

    As many others have said, we need to be more clinical. For all the flair of Buendia and Cantwell we need a touch of pace and directness. Placheta and Hernandez will offer that, and once one returns to the side I think we'll open teams up more. I also think that'll help Pukki find space too, and hit the goal trail again. 

    We're stuck in 3rd gear.. with the occasional shift to 4th, which produces  game changing moments. It feels like we're really close to moving into top gear, but then again we've been saying that for a while now! Hernandez could be the missing piece. 

     

  11. Posted

    22 minutes ago, BroadstairsR said:

    Brentford, Bournemouth, Watford, Reading, Swansea, Norwich.

    That's the league title race as it now seems. Cannot even see a late arrival, which can often happen.

    Our good friend Benjamin Button never ceases to mention the strength of parachute clubs in his enthusiastic and well-informed broadcasts. He currently sees the Championship currently aping the Premier League with six elite/moneyed outfits pulling away from the rest.

    Whether this is a temporary phenomena, or whether it is in fact the case is not for me to argue with, but he does tend to live and breath the game.

    As far as the top six goes, there doesn't seem to be the width of a sheet of Kleenex between them. It's anybody's guess as to who will come out top, imo. We do seem to currently have the strongest armoury overall, but then I'm biased.

    Agree, bar Reading. I don't think they're good enough for top 2. Hard to split the rest. Barnsley are a team to watch for a play off place! On a terrific run, could be the surprise package. 

  13. Posted · Edited by Il Pirata

    I don't think we'll see any incomings, but if we did how about a couple of ready made loans from the Baggies; 

    Karlan Grant - Only one goal in 12 since joining WBA. Doubtful, but a loan move until the end of season could work.

    Kamil Grosicki - 32 years old, not really the right age profile. But another loan opportunity like above? Brilliant at this level and very fit. Look at the way Hull nose dived immediately when he left with Bowen. Could be a good for Placheta too. 

  14. Posted

    6 minutes ago, Graham Paddons Beard said:

    Behind most football success stories there is usually a stack of cash. In the case of Brentford it’s Mathew Benham. Googling him suggests he made his “multi millions” from online gambling but he is sufficiently private enough not to reveal his  income sources . There is even a suggestion of additional family money . I’ve no idea. 

    No question that Brentford have spent money successfully, but spend it they have . The new stadium , underwritten by Benham , is estimated at £80m . Key here seems to be Brentford owned Griffin Park . 
     

    interesting twist on the academy set up . A few clubs already starting to follow this . 

    True. But they've been operating sustainably. Look at the money they've received in transfer fees for the likes of Watkins, Benrahma, Neal Maupay, Scott Hogan, Harley Dean, Romain Sawyers, Jota, Chris Mepham, Konsa, Andre Gray, Ryan Woods and many more.... All players they've recruited for next to nothing. Very impressive, and glad to see Norwich now operating in a similar way, albeit with emphasis on an academy too. 

  15. Posted

    5 minutes ago, sonyc said:

    They have been a progressive side for a number of years now. I would like to see them in the EPL (with us). Good manager too who plays attractive attacking football. All there looks a good fit.

    Yeah, I wouldn't be disappointed with that! My gut feeling though, is that Brentford will be joined by Bournemouth in the top two. Playoffs for us with Swansea, Watford, and one other. Not trying to be too negative about our chances, but the way we've snuck results recently can't go on for ever. We've definitely ridden our luck, which is probably deserved due to our rotten luck with injuries. Furthermore, I feel January could be a disruptive window for us again, especially with Max and Emi being heavily linked away. 

    I think once we get (touch wood) Hernandez, Rupp and Placheta up to full fitness, we will improve again. But by that point we may be without the likes of Emi, and be into February. 

  16. Posted

    3 minutes ago, Downloads said:

    I don't think he would be consistent enough for Arsenal, too many misplaced places on his off days and he has several of those in a season, i see him being on the bench after a bit

    Possibly, but equally he could flourish. With better players around him, he will get more time on the ball. Having said that, Buendia seems to flourish in hectic, fast moving and tight spaces, where a flash of brilliance leaves a defender for dead. I guess it won't be too long until we're forced to find out. 

    I consider Buendia as 'one of our own,' for some reason! Real affection for him. 

  17. Posted · Edited by Il Pirata

    Been saying this for a while, but what Brentford have done over the last 5 seasons has been incredible. Knocked the academy on the head, and focused on a 'B' team and better player recruitment through innovative means. The result has seen them turn into a top Championship side, turning over a huge profit in player sales, whilst keeping the conveyor belt moving with near enough identical replacements,  both in terms of ability and style. Very impressive, especially considering the size of club they are. They make the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest a laughing stock with their huge unsustainable player wage bill, and lazy, predictable signings. 

    I think Brentford will win the league this year. I think our style is similar in many ways, but Brentford have the edge in terms of team balance. They've beaten four EPL sides this year, as well as Bournemouth and a recent draw with ten men away to Watford. It's form you can't really back against. 

  19. Posted

    19 minutes ago, Mullet said:

    He has only had one start for a reason, he's no good. Farke see's him every day and must have concluded despite his goal tally last year he does not cut the mustard at Norwich. 

    How confident are you that if Hugill played 90 minutes he would score?

    Pretty confident. In fact, I think he scores tonight. 

    And I really doubt Farke has concluded he's 'no good.' He's back up to Pukki. Every striker at this level would be in the same position when Pukki is fit. 

  20. Posted

    Our squad is huge, and full of talent when fully fit. Webber and Farke have talked before about having a close knit squad. I'd say Farke has a tough job on his hands keeping everyone happy and motivated with a fully fit squad. I wouldn't be surprised to see no incomings, and a couple of outgoings. Perhaps a loan recall or two if possible. 

  21. Posted

    16 hours ago, Mullet said:

    I'm also of the opinion we need a back up for Pukki.

    I think for now and looking ahead it will be Pukki, Omatoye, plus one addition. Soto will fit in when he gets a permit. I would get rid of Hugill in January he hasn't done anything and is unlikely too. He hasn't scored from open play and he's basically cost the club 2.5 million for scoring a penalty. Apparently he's a joker in the dressing room, they could have employed me to crack a few pranks for a lot less than 2.5 million.

    I'm not sure about Idah he needs to be better than he is, so out on loan and assess it from there.

    As someone else suggested if we lose Pukki to injury or a dip in form and we don't get a decent alternative we are screwed

    I can't believe some people would really think this. He's only had one start to date (from memory), and suffered an injury. Hugill hasn't got going yet, sure, but that does not mean he won't. His record at this level is good and proven. 99% more so than Idah, Soto and Omatoye! Absolutely no way we'll get rid of him in January. 

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