I've been on these boards recently and I have been reading the many different articles which say we are going down, and how bad we are and so on. To be honest after 8 games and 1 point, the most optimistic fan can't help but feel let down by his team. For me that's what it really boils down to, disappointment. I am generally a glass half full type fan, but even I have felt bitterly disappointed and it weren't for what I am about to write afterwards, I think a part of me would have given up, as some seem to have done here. I only seldom write on these boards because I feel for the most part the others give us everything we need and I don't have much to add. The people that may remember know that I don't live in Sunderland, I support from overseas and work in Football. What I have never written, simply because it was never in relation to a topic, is that I come from a family full of closet Brighton supporters. Sunderland first and foremost, but always casting an eye over Brighton results and also catch a few games every year. And that brings me to my next point which is that in Gus Poyet, I believe we have an excellent manager both tactically and man-management wise. The change I saw in Brighton over the last 3 years were second to none, and at times unbelievable. I could not fathom the fact that a League 1 side could play football with skill and guile of the very best with players, who, before Poyet could barely get a proper first touch. Now a lot of people have brought up the lack of Premier League experience as a huge downfall. Granted if I had a choice of the same manager with Premier League experience, ofcourse I would choose that manager but such a rich choice was not available. However for me this is by no means a deal breaker. Every manager/player lacks 'premier league experience' until they set foot on the pitch in one of our season. Writing a manager/player off simply because he hasn't played in our league for me is quite ignorant. Quality is quality whether it be in South America or other parts of Europe. If the premier league experience factor is so massive then players like Messi, and Ibrahimovic could be stated as 'risks' when we all know all that they would be brilliant here, there or anywhere. I completely understand that these are exaggerated examples, but true nonetheless. I look to the likes of Laudrup, Pochettino (who thus far has to be manager of the year) and others to prove my point. Ofcourse we should not sign blindly from overseas, but then again we should be signing blindly whatever country they come from. I don't know many managers that did what Gus Poyet did with Brighton over the last 2 and half years. He took them from the cellars of League 1 to the brink of Premier League promotion, and also did well in the Cups by beating premier league opposition. People will say that it was a lower level and so on, but for me the fact that it was a lower level makes even more impressive. He took the players of supposed 'lower quality' than what we have here and beat teams around and miles above them. I can only begin to imagine what he can do with better players at his disposal. From what I have seen first hand he is tactically astute and knows how to get the best out of players. And this is the most important point for me, because we can only play with what we have in the time being. I, like every other fan on this board, have massive question marks over various players in the squad, but they are what we are stuck with and we have to hope they can come together and play as a unit. Gus Poyet's side with Brighton were exactly this, they were a unit. 11 men who shared the same philosophy as the manager and executed it. If you took one of those players out and placed him in a different team, they would not be able to replicate the same style of play. And this is the key for us moving forwards. As long as the players believe in the system being implemented and execute it, we will play a better game and will be a million miles better off than where we find ourselves now. This coming weekend marks one of the most important derbies that I can remember because of our overall predicament and I await with hope. I do so because I believe in this manager and hope the players do too. I don't think the Swansea game was a true reflection of what Gus will bring to the club in both the short term and long term because he had no ideas who his best players were for his system. He will have an entire week to assess and prepare and I pray to God he doesn't make me eat my words. I won't bother with a predicted line up because ultimately I have no idea who will come out the tunnel come Sunday, however I do know that whoever they are, whether I personally like them or not, will have my full support. Hope a few others will feel the same!
Canny post bonny lad. "I only seldom write on these boards because I feel for the most part the others give us everything we need and I don't have much to add." Translated as there, are enough gobshites on here all ready. To me everybody should post their views even if it is only "I agree" now and then, makes it easier to see which way the the wind is blowing, opinion wise. After all being a gobshite doesn't make you right, I should know.
Thanks for the insight Jesus, I hope your words of wisdom see the SoL !! I sincerely hope that a full week with the Lads will bear fruit and at least grab a lucky draw against them on Sunday. I do have my doubts though...... but I never saw the 3-0 reverse with PDC either !! All we can do is entrust those who have the privilege of leading the sermon on Sunday lunchtime ..... in our own little Holy piece of land we call Sun'land !! KTF
I will when you do. A very reasonable post by a very reasonable poster, as he has proved in the past. And not some reams of copy and paste from some non entity in journo land, which would have been apt for your tart remark.
The american version is much, much better... [video=youtube;pAnY3YRKn1A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAnY3YRKn1A&feature=player_detailpage[/video]
Can we have a like or dislike, thumbs up or thumbs down button. Anybody not arsed to type can surely press a button to give some feedback.
Good post lad. Enjoyed your insight. I like Poyet but he has a helluva job here and he needs some luck this weekend too. I'd take a win where we are battered for 89 mins and sneak an og from Taylor in injury time. That's shat we need right now a fluked win and 3 points.
Don't think anyone has given up Jesus. You need to have very big gahoonas to support our shower of ****e. That said a loss Sunday would see us in a fight we simply will not win. We have a bunch of Cowboys playing under their third manager and it's only October. That's three different systems they have had so it's not surprising it all fell apart on Saturday. The big worry for me is our best two performances were under Bally. We already know our work shy squad didn't like PDC, they got rid. Many wanted Bally, Ellis got rid. What happens if they don't like Gus?
There was a guy at Swindon called Paolo Di Canio who done well, his team even beat Brighton 3-0 in the cup.
Good post Brighton played some good football last season and I totally agree with all this nonsense about premier league experience. Gus has his opportunity now, we all need to support him and the team so that we can turn this around.
