Completely correct assessment...

[MrFizz]

I think i'm going to struggle a bit with Eric. Not because i don't think he's any good, he clearly has a plan, a structure and standards, as well as in-game tactical nous. I think he'll do well here, especially with Molumby and Mowatt fit and firing and a few additions that suit the system.

But i have an aversion to sitting deep and letting the opposition have posession. I hated it under Pulis (because it was mind-numbing), i tolerated it under Hodgson (because it got us results and we played decent football when we had it) and i'll have to find a way to put up with it under Eric. That will be easier if results are coming.

Might need some advice from Derek, Birdy on how they tolerated Bilic and Mogga MK1.

[B68Baggy]

I think i'm going to struggle a bit with Eric. Not because i don't think he's any good, he clearly has a plan, a structure and standards, as well as in-game tactical nous. I think he'll do well here, especially with Molumby and Mowatt fit and firing and a few additions that suit the system.

But i have an aversion to sitting deep and letting the opposition have posession. I hated it under Pulis (because it was mind-numbing), i tolerated it under Hodgson (because it got us results and we played decent football when we had it) and i'll have to find a way to put up with it under Eric. That will be easier if results are coming.

Might need some advice from Derek, Birdy on how they tolerated Bilic and Mogga MK1.

I'm pretty sure his vision of what 532 looks like was on show the first 15 minutes, wing backs high, the team snapping into challenges with a real threat on transition.  Rather than when the players dropped all eleven into their own final third and just sat off.   This is reinforced by the fact the players did exactly the same thing to concede at the end with a back 4, dropping everyone back to the box but defending passively.  I have always enjoyed watching a back 5 when it is working well.

[Derek Hardballs]

Whilst it’s too early to criticise it’s also too early to go ott with the optimism. We still have imo a very disjointed and cobbled together squad that has no real rationale for how it’s been put together and I don’t share the belief we have replaced with similar standard players than we have lost. The head coach/manager can only do so much with this squad and I don’t see that been a great deal.

[B68Baggy]

Whilst it’s too early to criticise it’s also too early to go ott with the optimism. We still have imo a very disjointed and cobbled together squad that has no real rationale for how it’s been put together and I don’t share the belief we have replaced with similar standard players than we have lost. The head coach/manager can only do so much with this squad and I don’t see that been a great deal.

I'm going with the Bielsa? quote.  A good coach can only add 10% effectiveness to the players he has BUT a poor coach can reduce their effectiveness by 50%.

Not as good as we have had previously but not as bad as relegation candidates. We can initially improve by just not having Mason in charge if Eric shows some good coaching chops.

[CIM]

I think i'm going to struggle a bit with Eric. Not because i don't think he's any good, he clearly has a plan, a structure and standards, as well as in-game tactical nous. I think he'll do well here, especially with Molumby and Mowatt fit and firing and a few additions that suit the system.

But i have an aversion to sitting deep and letting the opposition have posession. I hated it under Pulis (because it was mind-numbing), i tolerated it under Hodgson (because it got us results and we played decent football when we had it) and i'll have to find a way to put up with it under Eric. That will be easier if results are coming.

Might need some advice from Derek, Birdy on how they tolerated Bilic and Mogga MK1.

Same. I think longer term it will test fans patience. To an extent I can appreciate 10 behind the ball vs City or Arsenal. But if we're doing it at home in the Championship...

[sickParrot]

Only just watch the post match press, can’t remember the last time our manager said anything to suggest he’d been at the game.

[Tom Joad 25]

Whilst it’s too early to criticise it’s also too early to go ott with the optimism. We still have imo a very disjointed and cobbled together squad that has no real rationale for how it’s been put together and I don’t share the belief we have replaced with similar standard players than we have lost. The head coach/manager can only do so much with this squad and I don’t see that been a great deal.

I'm going with the Bielsa? quote.  A good coach can only add 10% effectiveness to the players he has BUT a poor coach can reduce their effectiveness by 50%.

Not as good as we have had previously but not as bad as relegation candidates.  We can initially improve by just not having Mason in charge if Eric shows some good coaching chops.

Great quote that, B68.
Also, I don't think it was as simple as Albion just sitting back. Boro played very well and twice pulled themselves from being on the back foot to them running the game. Personally  I don't think the 1st goal was unlucky,  I think we'd have been lucky to make HT level. 2nd half was different,  a change in our shape then numerous substitutions and we were eventually overcome late on by a better 11. Good coaching should help eradicate conceding goals like the 2nd and definitely the 3rd. Our squad has its limits no doubt, but should not be relegation candidates by any measure.

[Birdman1811]

I think i'm going to struggle a bit with Eric. Not because i don't think he's any good, he clearly has a plan, a structure and standards, as well as in-game tactical nous. I think he'll do well here, especially with Molumby and Mowatt fit and firing and a few additions that suit the system.

But i have an aversion to sitting deep and letting the opposition have posession. I hated it under Pulis (because it was mind-numbing), i tolerated it under Hodgson (because it got us results and we played decent football when we had it) and i'll have to find a way to put up with it under Eric. That will be easier if results are coming.

Might need some advice from Derek, Birdy on how they tolerated Bilic and Mogga MK1.

I tolerate winning football.

I loved the first few months of Bilic because we were winning, and watching the likes of Pereira and Grady absolutely humiliate teams was great fun. Then lockdown happened, he allowed our players to come back unfit and ill-prepared and that then defined him as a manager going into the Prem too. 

Mowbray mk1, the warning signs were there all through that season, no team condeding that many goals should ever be promoted, next season teams just gave us the ball knowing they could attack and score whenever they really felt like it. We were used as a bit of a in season break of a match by many teams, it was absolutely embarrassing and humiliating to watch.

If we're winning games, I never understand how fans can complain, I really, really don't it's so ridiculously illogical it baffles me. I get it when the wins aren't there to some extent. But we've been playing possession-heavy football under Mason and fans still turned very quickly, ultimately, results matter most.

[Majas magic]

I think i'm going to struggle a bit with Eric. Not because i don't think he's any good, he clearly has a plan, a structure and standards, as well as in-game tactical nous. I think he'll do well here, especially with Molumby and Mowatt fit and firing and a few additions that suit the system.

But i have an aversion to sitting deep and letting the opposition have posession. I hated it under Pulis (because it was mind-numbing), i tolerated it under Hodgson (because it got us results and we played decent football when we had it) and i'll have to find a way to put up with it under Eric. That will be easier if results are coming.

Might need some advice from Derek, Birdy on how they tolerated Bilic and Mogga MK1.

Same. I think longer term it will test fans patience. To an extent I can appreciate 10 behind the ball vs City or Arsenal. But if we're doing it at home in the Championship...

It was testing fans patience last night. Can’t play as negatively against Norwich. 

Saw interviews on how the ground was bouncing. The support was terrible last night until we scored. Lack of attacking didn’t help but the fans must do more to support the team & actually get a chant or two going. 

Boro fans on the other hand were class.

[Birdman1811]

I also do not get 'lack of attacking'. We had the most chances in the first half last night.