A defeat on the pitch but a visual win is what we saw on Friday night against Aston Villa.
I've never seen such a dramatic change in playstyle in such a short period of time; it is utterly staggering to me that within two hours and one training session, Potter has managed to transform the team from what looked like headless chickens running around, to a controlled tempo and the players have an actual idea of where to pass the ball.
We were very unlucky to come away with being out of the cup, for the first half, we had total control, and the game was in free flow.
A counter-attack saw Fullkrug pull his hamstring, and to make things worse, Summerville was injured in the 35th minute, suffering an injury from a defensive tackle he made. Both players were crucial to the style of football Potter plays, but Summerville was mesmerising to watch. For the period before he'd gotten injured, he was causing havoc to Villa, and without the injuries, the game could've been a different outcome.
It is a shame that once those injuries were sustained, we were ultimately forced to use Ings and Coufal, now, if that doesn't scream the need for squad depth and signings, then I don't know what does.
Fullkrug and Summerville both received scans today for their injuries, the extent of the injuries should be released tomorrow.
The game was pretty much dead and buried in the second half due to the injuries and the referee. It was criminal to give that as a corner, one of the worst decisions I've seen in recent times, and not only did they score it, but they also had an offside player involved.
Due to that goal and our lacklustre replacement striker, the momentum swing went Villa's way, who quickly grabbed a second, sealing the game and sending us back home but with positive signs.
Despite the result, you have to say that the performance held identity and passion. We ran out of gas in the 70th minute or so, but considering the 'style' of football that we had been playing previously, that wasn't too much of a surprise to me. These players haven't been fighting under Lopetegui because they had no clue what they were doing, but under Potter, we saw a fight which we didn't give up on.
If this is what Potter can provide to the team within one training session, I look forward to seeing what he can implement in the future with many more. You do just have to sit here and wonder what Lopetegui was doing in the training ground. These players look completely different than what they have in the past weeks, and I'm honestly all for it. New manager, new energy.
Now we have the nervous wait till tomorrow to see the extent of the injuries sustained.
Comments
Agreed
It shows Potter has ideas and will be able to adapt them to suit players. Lop seemed intent on that laid back no pressing style unsuitable for English league unless you're man c or arsenal.
Amorim at United has insisted he's not changing his formation and style. To me a manager who won't adapt to suit his players is useless. What is he expecting? The board to buy him an entire squad to fit?
Potter looks to have identified summerville kudus as key in terms of pace. How many times did we win the loose ball n turn it to attack in wide areas?
Refreshing and gives hope.
Display was very good
But when you consider Loppy and his staff paid vast amounts of money for there expertise and knowledge of football and they could not see what was staring them in the face you have to wonder at times.
A happy work place makes for a better environment for staff/players and that was clearly one if not the biggest difference to happen.
Tactically i don't believe any of us saw Jimmy out on the right wing but we did and he was a revelation but again the whole body language of the players was so different and if you had any doubts before that players were not playing for Loppy it was clear to see from the display.
We suffered a defeat yes but like many others i was encouraged and enthralled to see us further up the pitch playing good football no player seemed to be standing watching and strolling about nope they were all moving and happy to receive the ball and pass it on not sideways not backwards but forwards!
Now Potter(Mr Sullivan)needs to be given time to assess the players in the first team and the Academy work out who he does and does not need and like it or not it is next season we have to judge him on as the rest of this season is about getting our ducks in a row for a new campaign...yes another season wasted because of the dwarf but that is how it is at our club. COYI
Even with the loss,it was a
Even with the loss,it was a pleasure to watch,it looks like we now have some kind of direction.
The overwhelming impression I
The overwhelming impression I got was that Loppo had never got these players fit enough. I really think Potter was thinking about saying that in his post match comments. But showed his class by not going there.
Pinging hamstrings and the team collectively blowing out their arse in the second half made that point very obvious to me. Potter will be a breath of fresh air from now. Just hope little Jimmy is not seriously crocked.
Pretty sure we'll see Kudos up front now with Guilherme getting a chance with Jimmy, on either flank. First thing Potter needs to do is pull Paqueta aside and tell him to stop acting like a fairy and stand the fvck up. We're not having that shit here!!!
Brilliant what Potter was able to do with a few hours on the training pitch and in the classroom. Cant wait for Fulham now!!
yes agree
made A change to see the enthusiasm in the team ,just proves that loopy had no idea how to play these players ,looking forward to the rest of the season now where as before i had given up hope .must also give a big shout out to Scarles, my M.O.M up the hammers
Not sure...
Loppy started with the same score against the same team. I wasnt at that match but the feeling was the same, better attacking but issues at the back and we look no different!
The referring mistake was huge, however, I thought he had a good game overall!
Sullivan
I'm more angered by the fact sullivan feel for all Lopi's bullshit at the interview considering sullivan is full of bullshit himself how on earth could he even understand him properly because the players couldn't and i couldn't either and to think the amount of money wasted on some of the players brought in it amazes me how sullivan actually built a empire because his acumen falls short on his football knowledge of how to run a football club properly.I hope under Potter he will get rid of all the deadwood players and bring in young enthusiastic players because when you look at our squad at present including the loan out players i can name 19 players that should be got rid of at the end of season it goes to show what a mess moyes made at the end and Lopi added it even more Steinden has a few questions to answer too so he will have to get his arse moving otherwise he will be gone by this june and i can see ashworth coming in to replace him if he doesn't get he finger out soon?
Porn sells mate
Look at the youth today selling there bodies(and souls)for people to perv on and so Sullivan easily made his empire grow on that easy money so no real business acumen needed...as for Tim i do not think he is as bad as been painted and with Sullivan never wanting him in the first place life was always going to be difficult for him....lets see how his relationship goes with a manager who is used to working in such a structure....that is of course if Sullivan can keep his hands off.
Your right Mac,ive always
Your right Mac,ive always said this,Sullivans way of making money is much different from other business methods,so how he conducts his business deals would be completely different.
Sullivans business sense and
Sullivans business sense and acumen is basic at best. Sure he's made an empire and millions upon millions. But dildos, buttplugs and massive double enders. Are not really something to shout about today. Couldn't see him going on Dragons Den. Can you see Deborah Meaden holding a giant rubber cock?
I'm amazed anybody would want to do business with somebody who spent most of his time up Soho making a fortune. Not exactly kudos is it??
I would envisage Potter avoiding going anywhere near his inner ring!!!
Lol!!! Very eloquently put
Lol!!! Very eloquently put Boogers lol