Brighton v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Kalvin Injured

[Cjay]

To be fair, he looked a class above when he was fit. Watch him go next season after a proper pre-season.

He looked ok wouldnt say a class apart.

He has never had the impace Raph has had.

Never thought he was the right player, wrong Rodrigo.

He is a square peg no matter where we play him.

[Orange Box]

Mrs OB has just walked in and asked me if I enjoyed the game. How should I reply? Answers on a postcard please

[Lumiukko]

I think it is very unfair to single Rodrigo out today? Came into a team already having a stinker on the field and working back from injury. People's ire should be directed at the players who played the vast majority of minutes and did sod all, and definitely Bielsa for tinkering too much. Also some credit to Brighton for stopping us playing our game (though it's the same blueprint many teams have used against us).

[Cjay]

I was shocked when he replaced Paddy; I'd have thought it would have been Roberts.

I expected Roberts.

We are weirdly reliant on Bamford for shape even when he isnt playing well.

Taking him off never works.

[SG90]

I expected Roberts.

We are weirdly reliant on Bamford for shape even when he isnt playing well.

Taking him off never works.

I wasn't surprised, it's always Bamford who's subbed off not Roberts.

[Cjay]

I wasn't surprised, it's always Bamford who's subbed off not Roberts.

Dont rate Roberts or Harrison.

In a team that isnt playing that well you can see their lack of real class and creativity.

Raph would have made something happen today, they did naff all.

The style protects so many of our players but games like this show how much quality we lack in key areas.

[Cjay]

Oh and can we talk about the crap defending, runners not being tracked, simple long balls not being watched.

Awful all round.

[John in Louisiana]

Goes to show how good Kalvin is. He raises the level of play of all those around him.

[Lorimer46]

Very disappointed with that, been a sh**e day football wise as Hibs lost too so it’s double misery tonight, hopefully a few beers might drown my sorrows

[Orange Box]

I think it is very unfair to single Rodrigo out today? Came into a team already having a stinker on the field and working back from injury. People's ire should be directed at the players who played the vast majority of minutes and did sod all, and definitely Bielsa for tinkering too much. Also some credit to Brighton for stopping us playing our game (though it's the same blueprint many teams have used against us).

I don’t think Rodrigo has been singled out, my interpretation is that he isn’t a great fit for this team and/or the style we play. I don’t know enough about his previous career or style to comment on why Bielsa/Orta thought he would be the answer. At his age he doesn’t seem like good value for money.

[John in Louisiana]

I don’t think Rodrigo has been singled out, my interpretation is that he isn’t a great fit for this team and/or the style we play. I don’t know enough about his previous career or style to comment on why Bielsa/Orta thought he would be the answer. At his age he doesn’t seem like good value for money.

Rodrigo was not the problem today. Can't draw any conclusions about his value from today's game.

I still expect good things from him.

[1964white]

I was shocked when he replaced Paddy; I'd have thought it would have been Roberts.

We generally lose when Bamford is subbed.

[DDB220]

Some really dire performances- Klich second touch was always a tackle. Roberts similarly was too slow and indecisive in possession. Harrison has put his club foot on today. Why was he repeatedly launching high balls into their box which went beyond the far post ? He can be sublime and inept in equal measure. His body language indicates he is struggling mentally. He has really lost form since Christmas.

I can’t bring myself to comment on Alioski. I will be very surprised if we see him again in the team.

[Lumiukko]

I don’t think Rodrigo has been singled out, my interpretation is that he isn’t a great fit for this team and/or the style we play. I don’t know enough about his previous career or style to comment on why Bielsa/Orta thought he would be the answer. At his age he doesn’t seem like good value for money.

Can't be bothered going too far back, but Danhirons in response to Cjay's question, "Can we call Rodrigo a flop yet?", to which was answered (to the effect) "Looks like one".

I'm not saying Rodrigo had a great game, but he reminded me of when I played and would be subbed on just when all the other plodders in my team would be subbed on (7 aside, unlimited subs) and I'd be already knowing we'd struggle.

[Orange Box]

Rodrigo was not the problem today. Can't draw any conclusions about his value from today's game.

I still expect good things from him.

Hope so, I would love to be proven wrong

[Lumiukko]

Rodrigo was not the problem today. Can't draw any conclusions about his value from today's game.

I still expect good things from him.

I'm in agreement. Many more negatives to focus on from that game.

[Fridge]

Not good enough today

[White Riot]

Some really dire performances- Klich second touch was always a tackle. Roberts similarly was too slow and indecisive in possession. Harrison has put his club foot on today. Why was he repeatedly launching high balls into their box which went beyond the far post ? He can be sublime and inept in equal measure. His body language indicates he is struggling mentally. He has really lost form since Christmas.

I can’t bring myself to comment on Alioski. I will be very surprised if we see him again in the team.

Yeah, we were dire all round mate.

Doesn't matter how bad Alioski was Bielsa will still start him at LWB next week, put your house on it

[Boo Radley]

Bielsa has to take a big share of the blame for that debacle today. On what basis could you start Klich, he’s looked jaded after 10 minutes as a sub recently, and then compound the error by moving Dallas wide to accommodate him. He’s a beaten docket - I’d love for it to be otherwise but he’s gone. Persisting with Roberts for 90 minutes was just bizarre. The tin hat was taking off Llorente for Pablo, instead of Roberts, and Brighton said thank you very much.

It’s a wake up call for how much squad strengthening is required in the months ahead.

[Cjay]

The issue with Rodders is he doesnt fit the system.

Said it before but he simply isnt a natural for this style.

He isnt a number 9 in the traditional sense and doesnt do the stuff Bamford does which impacts the team.

He isnt a number 8/10 who has to do the tracking back and box to box stuff that a number 8 does but also create like a number 10.

Even during his good games creatively the midfield has been far to open and people have spoken about how Klich has to do twice the work.

Imo the fact is we signed a near 30 year old who is definitely talented but fundamentally is not a natural in the style we use.

Thus we are having to try and retrain a guy who isnt that far away from being past his prime.

Its not an ideal situation imo when you think about it logically and does bring into question the thinking of the recruitment process.

Was signing a 29/30 year old with the aim of retraining him really sensible?