Adjusting to PL

[LingfieldBee]

So we're 4 games in and adjusting to the PL on and off the pitch. I wondered everyone's initial thoughts? Could be anything, something maybe you expected or didn't expect.

For me on pitch it will still take time for the squad to adjust. But we need to learn quick. Made a solid start and under Frank I know he'll have to as prepared as we possibly can be.

Off pitch plenty to iron out. Walking away from ground on Saturday needs to be a better segregation from exit towards Kew bridge. Left hand side for trains right for everyone passing through.

Quickly realised in the PL its all about top 4/6 in the media and if we get even a minute mention we're lucky. I knew would be the guess just frustrating.

Plenty more to mention but thought I'd ask the question.

 

[BFC1997]

We are competing in games fine so far.

- Positive GD
- WDDL
- Just two goals conceded
- A maximum of one goal conceded per game

Carry on like this and I think we will just about be okay, won’t be safe by Christmas though.

Note, we’ve not played anyone from this seasons nailed on top four but we aren’t really competing with those guys. Expect zero points from those games with anything extra as a bonus.

 

[Simon W]

I arrived early at the stadium and was watching from the concourse window at the going ons outside .. with the new stadium and now being in the PL the whole match day operation is massive compared to GP and with the amount of match day staff needed, I’m not surprised there have been teething problems.

 

[AB]

Took my son for his first game at the new stadium on Saturday and he commented he’d never seen so many Bees fans. Which, having not been to any of the Finals in his lifetime, he wouldn’t have. In fact there were probably twice as many Bees as he’d ever seen at a game.

 

[OrchardBee]

Overall an encouraging start, plenty to be positive about and in no way out of our depth. Very close in three games to having more points. Too early in the season to extrapolate from a few results to season end, but the headline stat for me is that we’re currently 10th in the table (having already played Arsenal and A. Villa) and that will do for me. Points to address 1. DMs will need to add even more creativity to their game and/or creative midfielders more bite. 2. Strikers will need to get used to having fewer (and harder) chances, which will need to be buried. All in all, though, plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

 

[Stanley]

Off the pitch issues would have happened irrespective of our PL status given our ground move. As an established and leading Championship club we were experiencing bigger crowds etc anyway. The move to LR from GP was clearly affected by the pandemic and no surprise to me that there are teething problems which I am sure will be resolved in the main. The move to LR has required massive adjustments by the club, fans, local businesses and support services which will take months no doubt if not the rest of the season.

As for on the pitch it has so far not been as big and adjustment as I expected so far. Liverpool in two weeks will be a big test of where we are IMHO. Far point about media coverage, obvious now of course but I hadn't realised how much the sports media is so focussed on the European Super League wannabee clubs.

 

[BEESRULE]

Overall an encouraging start, plenty to be positive about and in no way out of our depth. Very close in three games to having more points. Too early in the season to extrapolate from a few results to season end, but the headline stat for me is that we’re currently 10th in the table (having already played Arsenal and A. Villa) and that will do for me. Points to address 1. DMs will need to add even more creativity to their game and/or creative midfielders more bite. 2. Strikers will need to get used to having fewer (and harder) chances, which will need to be buried. All in all, though, plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

Agree with most of that.

Still a learning process for us, but we should be unbeaten and have had chances to win all four games.

I expect us to be fine and finish 12th-15th, but even with that, we are going to lose a lot of games. Every team that has finished 10th-17th in the last five seasons has lost at least 13 games and as many as 21 .

We have all got out of the habit of losing (9 defeats post lockdown in 54 Championship league games) and it felt odd leaving the stadium on Saturday, but defeats are going to be far more commonplace and I think that the biggest adjustment for supporters, especially newbies, will be accepting that . We don't need a melt down after every loss.

 

[LingfieldBee]

We have all got out of the habit of losing (9 defeats post lockdown in 54 Championship league games) and it felt odd leaving the stadium on Saturday, but defeats are going to be far more commonplace and I think that the biggest adjustment for supporters, especially newbies, will be accepting that . We don't need a melt down after every loss.

This is bang on. Will be a shock to the new-ish fans who haven't endured the "bad times". But even some of us long serving fans, the losing feeling will still take a while to accept.

I don't want to see as you said a meltdown after every loss.

 

[Invipai]

The biggest thing for me is the adjustment to the fact that we'll be out of possession in most games. Even when we've lost over the past 8-9 years, we very often had control of the game and that's been a main component of how we've played. Being out of possession for decent spells of games is harder and more nervous to watch to be honest, we're less in control over the tempo and what happens.

I think our current approach is the right one, it will make us competitive in this division, but hopefully we can stay up and start to add that genuine quality into the team to allow us to express ourselves more.

 

[Debut1949]

Quickly realised in the PL its all about top 4/6 in the media and if we get even a minute mention we're lucky. I knew would be the guess just frustrating.

Bill Shankly and Brian Clough among other successful managers would say that the cure to such frustration is to make sure that the Bees are in the top 4/6!!! The top 4/6 have succeeded in cajoling a star-struck media into believing that this 4/6 alone are the successful ones and that this is part of the natural order of things. This has created an inferiority complex in teams outside the 4/6 which automatically places them at a disadvantage and the 4/6 at an advantage. It need not be like that!

 

[A Real Mysteron]

You begin to realise why so many strikers, ie Andre Gray, fail at the higher level.
You have to be so clinical as chances are few and far between.

 

[Paul USA]

my only complaint after the Arsenal game was getting to Platform 1 for train to Staines - took about an hour.

After Brighton game I stayed in my seat for 20 minutes reading BBC football pages, took a stroll to a bar in the ground that was open on the way to the tunnel, cup of coffee, sausage roll (2 actually as ther were offering 2 for price of 1 to get rid of them), spoke to a few familiar faces and then walked unencumbered to the station and caught one of the extra trains laid on at 17.39.

very pleasant experience

 

[Ghost]

Let's be honest, we would have all taken the results and position we are in before the start of the season. You need only look at Norwich!
Frustrating that we didn't manage to bring in a creative attacking midfielder and I would be very disappointed if we don't in January.

 

[Doovster]

On the pitch generally very pleased. We have been competitive in every game and do not look like conceding bucket loads of goals. The flip side is how difficult it is to make and take chances in the PL which is something we will no doubt work on and develop. Also the sheer intensity of games is unreal, a massive step up from the Championship in every sense.

Off the pitch is the sheer scale and interest in the PL. I've never been an avid follower of 'Prem' football and always thought to myself that 'one season would be nice to experience it and then happily back to the Championship which is more interesting'. Well that way of thinking has gone completely, I love the sheer buzz of a match-day with larger crowds and atmospheres, the amount of coverage across all forms of media and I hope we can stay here at this level for years to come.

 

[Braemarroad_Bee]

The biggest thing for me is the adjustment to the fact that we'll be out of possession in most games. Even when we've lost over the past 8-9 years, we very often had control of the game and that's been a main component of how we've played. Being out of possession for decent spells of games is harder and more nervous to watch to be honest, we're less in control over the tempo and what happens.

I think our current approach is the right one, it will make us competitive in this division, but hopefully we can stay up and start to add that genuine quality into the team to allow us to express ourselves more.

Yes agree with this. The style has definitely changed, so many games in the championship we would dominate the ball and be very easy on the eye. Obviously the Premier League that wasn't going to happen, and defensively we're so much more solid now which you definitely need. Hopefully as time goes in, we can get a bit more possession in games though. A lot less games in the prem than championship but working so hard off the ball can't be easy for 90 minutes.

 

[AB]

Let's be honest, we would have all taken the results and position we are in before the start of the season. You need only look at Norwich!
Frustrating that we didn't manage to bring in a creative attacking midfielder and I would be very disappointed if we don't in January.

And/or a RB to make 433 a realistic option without exposing Sergi/Mad R there or playing Kris out of position.

 

[SH]

You begin to realise why so many strikers, ie Andre Gray, fail at the higher level.
You have to be so clinical as chances are few and far between.

You spurred me to look at the 'chances' to date. If you take xG as a proxy for chances, we've "only" had ten in four games with a 1-in-10 or better chance:



We've converted two of the best three (and Christian's late header vs. the Arse didn't matter). Brian's had a 1-in-4 and a 1-in-5 against Brighton and Villa respectively. Other than that, slim pickings.

The good news is that we've been even meaner: only allowing four chances in four games with better than a 1-in-5 chance. Just a shame Trossard pulled off that special something late on Saturday.

 

[TG51]

I am heartened by the fact that all of our players are getting match fit. So with the physically demanding pressing and work being done by our wing back and midfield players, we should stop seeing the 65 minute drop off of work levels. I think that our offensive game will improve from this point. That is once all are at full fitness.

 

[UnsungZero]

...

The good news is that we've been even meaner: only allowing four chances in four games with better than a 1-in-5 chance. Just a shame Trossard pulled off that special something late on Saturday.

Second only to Man City in terms of defensive xG so far. Has obviously come at a price re chances created. However, there are only 6 sides with a better xGD score (chances created minus chances conceded). The next three games are against sides in that top 6.

 

[Raise The Roof]

I’ve felt really confident for 4 matches, until Janelt was substituted by Jensen. Seemed incredibly risky to have both Jensen and Baptiste. Was righted when Onyeka came on for Shandon. But this limited Franks time to settle into the game, which am not sure he managed to do. From the point of Jensen coming on we were on the back foot, which is surely the opposite of what was intended. Think we have to stick to the game plan of a rock solid midfield to protect the defence. The creativity and the chances (and scoring the chances) will come, if we are patient. As Brian Reiner said, if we don’t concede we will win points !

 

[Billy Hunt]

I’m finding this season far less stressful than the last few in the Championship

It’s lovely to see so many Brentford supporters, and we’re not looking out of our depth on the pitch
????

 

[Bangor Bee]

The most positive thing is that we've deserved to get something out of all four games. The most obvious issue is how to create more chances while maintaining defensive solidity. I'm hopeful that including Baptiste more regularly could help solve that. Otherwise, we paid a lot for Wissa but it's hard to see how he can be integrated into our current system. I was hoping we might switch to a 4-3-3 during the second half on Saturday, allowing Wissa to get on the field. The implication is that TF doesn't wholly trust a back four for us at the moment.

 

[badgerbee]

I’m finding this season far less stressful than the last few in the Championship.

100% agree with this!!

The last couple of seasons I've been in an absolute state watching our games!!! Probably made a lot worse by not being able to be there, and having to watch on TV, but even before that, the whole experience was massively stressful!!!

After the win at Wembley it felt like a massive weight had been lifted. It was very much as if we NEEDED to prove we could actually get promoted. (To me at least.....)

This has made the whole experience this season much more pleasurable!!
(Although I'll probably revert back to being a mess if we get to the stage where we need points (for whatever reason.....) towards the end of the season......)

 

[AB]

The most positive thing is that we've deserved to get something out of all four games. The most obvious issue is how to create more chances while maintaining defensive solidity. I'm hopeful that including Baptiste more regularly could help solve that. Otherwise, we paid a lot for Wissa but it's hard to see how he can be integrated into our current system. I was hoping we might switch to a 4-3-3 during the second half on Saturday, allowing Wissa to get on the field. The implication is that TF doesn't wholly trust a back four for us at the moment.

I wonder whether he might spring a surprise and go for it in some of the extra tough fixtures coming up. 352 and being very solid against teams we have a chance against has given us a good base. It might be in vain against the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea where we could go to 4 at the back (Ajer at RB) play Jensen as the fulcrum to get the ball out to either winger, have Sergi instructed to go full pelt for 60 and Wissa to come on for him.

Shock 3-0 and first on MotD.

 

[SE5Bee]

Been very impressed with how composed we have been when the opposing teams have pressed us.
A few years ago in our first year back in championship, the manager said after Bournemouth away (I cannot remember how many game in that was), that the players started to believed they belonged in the league.
With this team it seems like our players may already feel this. I do think though there is much more to come.

 

[JasonBee]

I’m enjoining life in the prem, I don’t care about being last on MOTD full stop. Whatever happens, happens. We are defensively sound and not really been opened up too many times. Both Goals against us good finishes from edge of area. Although we’ve not played a top team so will be interesting to see how we fair against Liverpool as they ripped Leeds apart yesterday.

Only downside is we’ve got one of the best finishers in the country up front and we’ve not given him much to feed off. I’m sure we’ll get braver and more fluid though. I still think we’re only in 3rd gear.

 

[josht]

We've got the third best expected goals against in the division so far - although we've yet to play against any of the very attacking sides.

I reckon this should indicate that we're more than a match against quite a number of the sides in this division.

Whilst I'd like us to create a few more opportunities - no goals in four games from non-set piece situations is a bit of a concern - I think we've started very encouragingly.

 

[rebus]

I listen to five live sometimes and they mention Liverpool and Manchester United and I still shake my head in disbelief we’re in the same league!

 

[AB]

We've got the third best expected goals against in the division so far - although we've yet to play against any of the very attacking sides.

I reckon this should indicate that we're more than a match against quite a number of the sides in this division.

Whilst I'd like us to create a few more opportunities - no goals in four games from non-set piece situations is a bit of a concern - I think we've started very encouragingly.

And we’re also 11th for xGF so while not prolific we’re still attacking at a midtable level. We might actually get a little more out of higher teams who will be very likely to be quite open in playing us (though far more deadly when attacking us!).

 

[IslandBee]

The biggest thing for me is the adjustment to the fact that we'll be out of possession in most games. Even when we've lost over the past 8-9 years, we very often had control of the game and that's been a main component of how we've played. Being out of possession for decent spells of games is harder and more nervous to watch to be honest, we're less in control over the tempo and what happens.

I think our current approach is the right one, it will make us competitive in this division, but hopefully we can stay up and start to add that genuine quality into the team to allow us to express ourselves more.

This is spot on but I think (and I am pretty sure TF will as well) we need to improve on this a bit. Our midfield is incredibly competitive and energetic but we are going to need a bit more composure, particularly against teams we have a decent chance of beating.

Saturday, our loss of any real control in the last 15 minutes was really what cost us a point, and there had been other times in the game where similar had happened (eg last ten of the first half). I am not sure whether it is a personnel issue or one that will be addressed gradually with more game time, but we will do better if this aspect of our play is improved

 

[IslandBee]

I listen to five live sometimes and they mention Liverpool and Manchester United and I still shake my head in disbelief we’re in the same league!

Yeah, I watched Saturday's MoTD yesterday and had the same thought watching Ronaldo and co at Old Trafford.

 

[Castleview]

This is spot on but I think (and I am pretty sure TF will as well) we need to improve on this a bit. Our midfield is incredibly competitive and energetic but we are going to need a bit more composure, particularly against teams we have a decent chance of beating.

Saturday, our loss of any real control in the last 15 minutes was really what cost us a point, and there had been other times in the game where similar had happened (eg last ten of the first half). I am not sure whether it is a personnel issue or one that will be addressed gradually with more game time, but we will do better if this aspect of our play is improved

I felt the same about the last 20 mins. I think Mbuemo & Toney worked their socks off before that and had nothing left. As a result we couldn't keep the ball as well as we had been earlier in the game.

 

[Raise The Roof]

I felt the same about the last 20 mins. I think Mbuemo & Toney worked their socks off before that and had nothing left. As a result we couldn't keep the ball as well as we had been earlier in the game.

Clearly the 3 substitute rule is a big limiting factor compared to what we were spoiled with in EFL last year. So not able to replace enough tired legs.

 

[CrispBiscuit]

Seeing the intensity of the premier league live is crazy but it’s really promising that we’ve coped well with it and the midfield set up has certainly helped. This does mean though that we don’t have the luxury of playing Jensen who would bring a range of passing we’re currently missing.

I also think we need to speed up the pace of our passing, Prem players zip the ball to each other when transitioning play across the width of the pitch which creates more space as the opposition shift across. Our passes are a little slower particularly across the back which results in players being able to close the space and limit our options.

I liked the look of Baptiste in the midfield three until (he got knackered) as he gave us that drive through midfield that we haven’t really had since DaSilva got injured.

All in all I’m really enjoying it and think it’s fascinating watching us adapt to this environment.

 

[Mr Cynical]

I think we've started as well as can be expected but we really need to step up a level again in the next month. Steep learning curve in this division! Defensively we've been very good but as others have pointed out we need to be less frantic in possession and we also need to be less predictable going forward. Running out of steam in the last 15 is a worrying issue. We can fix that, but we need to a) keep the ball better, b) pick and choose our moments to go for the jugular (this will mean some more nail biting 'sitting back' moments but it'll be better for us in the long run), c) make the most of when we do win the ball back high up. I hope that as the weather cools down and we get more games under the belt we'll gradually reign in that 15 minutes but clearly that's going to be difficult when we're chasing the ball v the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Man U..

I think our wing backs are a bit of a conundrum. No-one in their right mind would drop Henry but he's nowhere near as much of a threat going forward on that side as Sergi was and subsequently Sergi is struggling a bit going forward on the right side. He cut in on Sat but obviously onto his left and looped a tame ball into the arms of the keeper.. Given an awful lot of our best attacking play at the end of last season in this system came from Sergi cutting in from the right we're having to make major adjustments which will take time..

I think Brighton showed us the way a bit (and I don't mean falling around all over the place). They moved the ball quickly in midfield but kept it well and had a player in Trossard who could go past a man and open up space in a tight midfield. Frustratingly JDS would have brought us that and I'm surprised we didn't look to strengthen in that area but there were signs that Baptiste could fill that role. Might take a while though..

 

[Indian Bee]

I think we have adjusted superbly but appreciate it is only 4 games gone.

Just watching the Everton Burnley game and what I noticed was that Everton changed their formation at HT and has paid dividends.

Whilst 5-3-2 have reap us rewards more recently I’d like TF to be more braver and go to a 4-3-3 if need be and push harder for that win.

All in all nothing to fear in this league.

 

[AB]

Clearly the 3 substitute rule is a big limiting factor compared to what we were spoiled with in EFL last year. So not able to replace enough tired legs.

True but it’s a double edged sword as most other PL teams will have much deeper squads and having 5 subs would give them an even bigger advantage over us unless we went all Barnsley about things.

 

[mattbee]

You spurred me to look at the 'chances' to date. If you take xG as a proxy for chances, we've "only" had ten in four games with a 1-in-10 or better chance:

View attachment 27565

We've converted two of the best three (and Christian's late header vs. the Arse didn't matter). Brian's had a 1-in-4 and a 1-in-5 against Brighton and Villa respectively. Other than that, slim pickings.

The good news is that we've been even meaner: only allowing four chances in four games with better than a 1-in-5 chance. Just a shame Trossard pulled off that special something late on Saturday.

Was Ricos chance against villa less than 9 per cent

 

[SH]

Was Ricos chance against villa less than 9 per cent

6% according to infogol:

Today's Live Football Scores, Fixtures and Results | Sporting Life

Get today's live football scores, results, fixtures and goal scorers across all major competitions from Sporting Life

www.infogol.net

 

[LingfieldBee]

One thing I am adjusting to is the media. Mentioned it in my opening of thread.
It is very swayed to top 4/6 but even then I still find myself wanting to read any latest gossip the "hype" of the PL.

I haven't watched any football on TV other than Brentford in probably 15yrs just doesn't interest me. My brother will watch any game that's on but I've found myself this season if a PL game is on I'm switching on to watch.

I've definitely been sucked into the hype of the PL and it's actually the one thing I disliked about it before. Lol

 

[AB]

One thing I am adjusting to is the media. Mentioned it in my opening of thread.
It is very swayed to top 4/6 but even then I still find myself wanting to read any latest gossip the "hype" of the PL.

I haven't watched any football on TV other than Brentford in probably 15yrs just doesn't interest me. My brother will watch any game that's on but I've found myself this season if a PL game is on I'm switching on to watch.

I've definitely been sucked into the hype of the PL and it's actually the one thing I disliked about it before. Lol

I’m the same. I’ve had very little interest in the PL for a long time and found myself watching Everton v Burnley last night as a bit of scouting and for FPL purposes. I never played FPL before because I had no real idea who was any good beyond headline figures for stars and didn’t really care.

 

[LingfieldBee]

I’m the same. I’ve had very little interest in the PL for a long time and found myself watching Everton v Burnley last night as a bit of scouting and for FPL purposes. I never played FPL before because I had no real idea who was any good beyond headline figures for stars and didn’t really care.

It is a odd thing. Literally zero interest in anything PL before. But now I'm sucked in! I refused to have SkySports for so long, and I've signed up to a Now TV monthly pass got a good deal for next 6months.

 

[horshambees]

I wonder whether he might spring a surprise and go for it in some of the extra tough fixtures coming up. 352 and being very solid against teams we have a chance against has given us a good base. It might be in vain against the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea where we could go to 4 at the back (Ajer at RB) play Jensen as the fulcrum to get the ball out to either winger, have Sergi instructed to go full pelt for 60 and Wissa to come on for him.

Shock 3-0 and first on MotD.

I like all of your post except for the last 3 words.
"FIRST ON MotD!!!" have you gone mad?
Get a grip get back to reality.
?

 

[AB]

I like all of your post except for the last 3 words.
"FIRST ON MotD!!!" have you gone mad?
Get a grip get back to reality.
?

Stick 3 past Liverpool and we will be. But obviously they’ll just talk about what Liverpool did wrong and whether they need to drop £100m on a holding midfielder in January rather than how good we were.

 

[vcmazz]

I'm finding it hard to adjust to the lack of football in a 20 team league, international breaks etc. Four games in? It's nearly Christmas ffs. I've found it rather dull not playing twice a week and having to wait ages between games. But hey, me and my first world problems. Let's hope we stick around long enough for me to get used to it.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

Agree with most of that.

Still a learning process for us, but we should be unbeaten and have had chances to win all four games.

I expect us to be fine and finish 12th-15th, but even with that, we are going to lose a lot of games. Every team that has finished 10th-17th in the last five seasons has lost at least 13 games and as many as 21 .

We have all got out of the habit of losing (9 defeats post lockdown in 54 Championship league games) and it felt odd leaving the stadium on Saturday, but defeats are going to be far more commonplace and I think that the biggest adjustment for supporters, especially newbies, will be accepting that . We don't need a melt down after every loss.

I haven't noticed any evidence of a meltdown, maybe I haven't read enough posts.

 

[AB]

I haven't noticed any evidence of a meltdown, maybe I haven't read enough posts.

Not yet and not on here but if (when?) we lose three or four in a row I think it’ll be best to avoid fb and twitter!

 

[LingfieldBee]

Not yet and not on here but if (when?) we lose three or four in a row I think it’ll be best to avoid fb and twitter!

Toally agree unfortunately we do have some following that seem deluded and uneducated in football. Brighton only won 9 games last season. I suspect if we perform well we will follow similar. So will be periods in the season we might not win for 4-5 games or even lose 4 on bounce. Staying positive will be a challenge for us all considering we've been on the upward curve for last 10years. Whatever happens it still beat rainy Tuesday night away somewhere up north lol

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

Not yet and not on here but if (when?) we lose three or four in a row I think it’ll be best to avoid fb and twitter!

Bound to happen there will be some heavy defeats, just hope fans will realise this.

 

[GuyBee]

Two things for me

1) I miss having so many matches to watch. By now in the champ we would have played 4 more matches

2) I didn't expect to ever be in a position to want Man U, City, Chelsea, Spurs etc to win. Found myself disappointed that Spurs lost to Palace for example