1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next 6 Games.

« on: March 31, 2024, 11:55:54 AM »

I agree with Overseas Baggies approach, you dont go up accepting your fate but like Luton, be sensible, give it your best shot and if you do go down by being sensible you have built foundations for the future and another promotion shot (like we used to do)

It shouldnt be like that but the Premier league has created that monster, most teams going up sole aim is to just stay up.

I think Corberan would be a huge asset over a lot of coaches IF we were to go up, Kompany has tried to be too idealistic, last year they were the best team so could out football teams, this year they are playing against teams who do what they do but have a lot better players yet Kompany wont seem to change.

I get the feeling if Southampton go up they would be the same as Burnley, Martin seems idealistic too, they would get some decent results but over a season i think that approach would cost them.

Farke's track record isnt great in the Premier league with Norwich, may be different at Leeds but i have a feeling he is a very good championship manager but not quite premier league (a footballing teams Neil Warnock!)

Hard to say with Maresca, Mckenna looks a top coach but i think Corberan would be our best hope, he is so meticulous and adapts his approach to whoever we are playing rather than just one way of playing.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread

« on: March 14, 2024, 03:54:38 PM »

I think Harrison and Hopcroft going there was a perfect storm, Dowling started to put pressure on and wanted to change things, they didnt like it and at the same time Villa were looking for people who could come in restructure their setup.

I would imagine the fact Harrison ans Hopcroft had access to players from about 6 upto 19 and were based on a few miles up the road meant it was a no brainer for the new owners at Villa, it was a ready mades setup, i think they have targeted our lads more than Blues and Wolves due to their existing relationships from their time with us.

They have had a nationwide push, they have poached players from English and Scottish clubs academies but ours has been their main supplier!

They did well out of Azaz as that has paid for him and made a small profit, he is the exception at the moment, the other lads Balis Pen mentioned who have done well either at Villa or sold on for good fees were already in their academy system.

The pressure is on for the ones Harrison and Hopcroft have poached and spent fees for, not just fees but these lads are getting paid a lot more than other lads their age at other clubs, when you operate that way it brings higher expectations.

I have no issue wity young lads going, there will be a high percentage chance that most wont make it with a small amount making a career possibly at lower levels and an even smaller amount playing premier league and being able to be an asset to the first team and / or sold for big money.

Thats the same at most big academies to be fair but Villa excessive spending at it means they need big results, cant blame the players, they get big money guarenteed at a young age and it could be all over with a bad injury or becoming unwanted a few years down the line.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread

« on: March 14, 2024, 02:33:22 PM »

I am not too bothered about youngsters going into another academy, so much changes between early and late teens, there will always be the odd one who goes onto better things but the vast majority dont really progess, what they do is cash in now whilst their potential and reputation is high, football is a business, its not like it was 30 years ago, a lot of lads have 'advisors' from early school age, i dont like it as football should be about enjoyment especially at that age but thats the way it is.

To give an example i am mates with the dad of one of the kids who have gone to Villa (i wont name him) both are Albion fans and he enjoyed being at the Albion but Villa approached him, he went there and they blew us out the water. He said Albion are very good with the resources they have but Villa just flexed their power, the way he was looked after, what he was promised, how he was made to feel, his head was turned.

He said Harrison and Hopcroft were both top blokes and done as they promised they would (i have worked with Steve Hopcroft and he is a good bloke) but to give an idea what we are up against, my mates son at 17, earns double what his dad does, each year that increases until he is 21.

My mate said he wanted his son to stay at Albion as he knows parents who's sons have gone to Villa and its not going to plan, he said however with the financial rewards and that his son wanted to go they went with this advisors and basically with the contract he has, he can lead a nice lifestyle (without being too OTT) and with the advisors help will be not far off not needing to work again by the age of 21 and thats even if doesnt kick a ball for Villas first team, its hard to reason against tbat.

The downside though and my mate has noticed it, is that his son has started to ease off a bit and thats what some of of the other parents have said, Villa now is like we were when we has Field, Leko, Harper, etc they were all good players for that time but its all a bit comfortable and the hunger isnt quite what it was, its not intentional but giving young lads a lot of money and security and pampering them for every one of their needs isnt good for their motivation, they think they have made it (he said the stuff Villa do for them is embarassing, they cover everything but as my mate said if they dont make it they are not prepared for the real world)

He said the coaching and pathway isnt as good as the Albion, a few years ago my mates son could of gone to any of the top english clubs as well as Athletico Madrid ans Inter to name a few (they were offered relocation, wages, etc) but after meeting Richard Stevens they were so impressed he stayed at Albion, he said he is brilliant at what he does and Stevens and the other coaches are on the reasons he wanted him to shun the money and stay at Albion but his sons head was turned.

The issue Villa have got is that they used their financial power the last few years to blow everyone out the water, the downside to that is that people then expect results and i have been told through a good works contact that Harrisons job is starting to get asked questions and unless something major happens (ie - a real breakthrough star from the lads they have poached from other teams for large fees) he will probably be gone within the next 18-24 months as part of an academy restructure, supposedly there is somebody who Villa have taken on who will ruffle a few feathers and he wants results, its not gone down too well with Harrison (similar to Dowling, what Dowling did was correct in questioning what was going on, how he went about it was where he went wrong)

I think we are in good hands with Stevens, people will always get their head turned by money but he seems well respected and i got told Fenton Heard turned down a big offer from Villa despite being a Villa fan.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: March 07, 2024, 12:24:52 PM »

I agree Gaz, i have always liked Weimann, he has been a decent championship career forward, he was never prolific but he was clever and his movement was good.

However other than his couple of goals i have been disappointed, he may need a run of games but you need to show something in the minutes you do get and i havent seen anything to suggest he could do that number 9 job, he has never been a mains striker, he played across the forward positons.

The goals he has scored probably means job done from that side, he will probably get another goal or two before the end of the seaso, but I always felt january we made a mistake not signing an out and out striker with the way we play, we had BTA but Maja was injured for the season near enough and it was always going to be a risk relying on Dike.

We obviously didnt have loads of money but we did have some hence our signings, i never understood why we signed Marshall who plays on the left and Weimann who plays across all three when we had BTA, Wallace, Fellows, Reach, Johnstone and Diangana coming back from the AFCON.

We were well stacked in those positions anyway so to sign another two seemed odd, it has meant we are now playing a winger as this false 9 / Striker with limited other options whilst BTA is out, why we didnt sign one of Marshall or Weimann and use the other funds on a proper striker i dont know.

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: March 07, 2024, 11:42:22 AM »

I would let him go end of the season regardless.

I think he has had a good season but he is an old school centre half, head and kick everything, he has been decent for us overall but his skillset is nothing special, i would hope our scouts are out looking for young versions of him who are cheaper and will get better with good coaching.

I would offer Kipre a new deal and we have Ajayi still under contract and as nobody bid for him last summer i dont see that changing this as he has played even less, we have Taylor to come back and i would like us to sign somebody Bartley esq maybe mid 20's so got games under their belt but will still get better.

Regarding players out of contract i would offer Kipre a new deal, perhaps Mowatt but on a one year deal and reduced terms which i doubt he would accept but again he has had a good season but i would hope we are looking for younger versions of him who will improve, i dont see him ever being a premier league player which is where our aim is to be, can say that about a lot of our squad but some are still under contract.

We have a chance to overhaul an aging squad this summer, cut the wage bill and get some younger legs in, i think it would be lazy to just renew what we have.

I would imagine Phillips and/ or Reach may get new reduced deals because of how Corberan works, they can cover in several positions, its not something i am a fan of, i think you can have maybe one of those type of players but CC seems to like that type of player.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: March 06, 2024, 11:44:43 PM »

Terrible performance but a really good point.

QPR are in good form and were really up for it, they were relentless and their fans were really good, constant backing and an atmosphere, not sure if its like that all the time but it goes to show it does make a difference, we dont do that at the Hawthorns very often anymore.

They were very positive and played with a lot of pace and intensity, no coincidence three of our worst performances have been Sunderland away, Southampton at home and tonight, all against teams who are very mobile and move us around, we looked an old tired team at times tonight.

That said you cant play well every game, we got a point when we didnt deserve too, there have been games such as Southampton away when we battered them and lost so wont be turning my nose up at a point when we play as bad as that and QPR played as well as that.

Same with the Kipre save, of course it was a penalty and he should of been sent off, but when we played Blues he got a penalty given against him for nothing when we were in complete control, they scored and the game changes so swings and roundabouts, great when it goes for you, rubbish when it dont but give me that over VAR everytime.

Thought it was strange putting Reach against Smyth who is very quick and direct, the onus was always going to be on QPR as they at home and flying at the moment, Reach would of been fine there if the onus was on us and we were having a lot of the ball going forward.

Mowatt has been brilliant lately but the game bypassed him tonight, Yok was poor too but again when he goes off we fall apart, he just seems to control things, not sure why he brought Chalboah on there, him and Mowatt never work well together, thats why M'Vila was signed, if he was fit enough for bench he should of been able to play 15 mins at the end.

Johnstone was probably pick of the forward players, i feel for Wallace as he a winger playing as a centre forward and taking one for the team and struggling, that said Weimann took his two goals well but even in those games he scored, plus others i havent been impressed by him so we are just making do until BTA is back.

Hindsight is easy though, i think CC is doing a great job and from this position it would be disappointing not to make the playoffs which shows what a good job he is doing.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Grady Diangana

« on: March 04, 2024, 02:10:37 PM »

I am not really sure what Gradys best position is any more.

He has and probably will always be skillfull, when he first joined he also had a accelerarion and pace so he could beat somebody with his skill and get away.

However since that injury before lockdown he has never recaptured that acceleration and pace and likely probably never will, quite often now he does the nice footwork but cant get away and gets tackles.

He probably has relied on that skillset throughout his career as a winger, he isnt a Wallace, Fellows or Phillips type winger who can whip powerful crosses in, his way was always taking a player or two out the game with his runs and then pulling back or laying it off, now he isnt able to do that very often.

Every now and then he has those moments and he gets into better scoring positions than our other wingers but i can see why CC is trying him in a new central role, he has struggled the last couple of games but i would persist with him and give him a run, especially as Swift hasnt been in good form.

He is different to Swift there too, Swifts passing means he can hit a pass from anywhere and cut teams open, Grady cant, but he can work in tighter positions, he probably needs to do that, beat a man to create space and lay it off right away especially as he doesnt seem to be able to get away from opponents, when we struggle to break teams down i would try both Swift and Grady behind the striker.

I dont think his effort or attitude can be questioned, he works so hard, i would probably say he tries too hard at times but the skills are still there its just working out if he can fit into CC's system.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: John Swift

« on: March 04, 2024, 02:00:05 PM »

Technically he is probably our best player and on his day he is a class above most in the league.

Unfortunately his issue is consistency and its whats blighted him through his career, that may be due to a lot of injuriess but he is late 20's now and never played higher than the championship so this is probably about his level.

On the ball he is good, off the ball i am not sure he suits Corberans style, he isnt lazy but he isnt intense which CC seems to favour, if he has time on the ball he can dictate a game and create stuff out of nowhere but english football you dont tend to get time.

I actually think he would be better suited to playing in serie A or La Liga wher its a bit slower, if we go upi would look to sell him on as he likely isnt going to get any better, if we stay down then probably keep him for the days when he is brilliant.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: February 24, 2024, 03:08:49 PM »

A good point but slightly disappointed we didnt win.

First half we were a bit better than them and had some good chances - Wallacr hit the bar, a good save from the keeper from 12 yards out and Kipres header which think Grady could of got (need to see a replay) they had two long range efforts, one for the goal thought Palmer could of done better and the other you expect him to save and he did.

Second half they were the better side til the last 15 min, they hit the post and had a chance from a header, however we finished stronger and also hit the post with Reach, Swift should scored the rebound and dont know what Weimann was thinking with his effort, that was a real chance.

Palmer kicked a ball out of play early and seemed a bit shaky and although it wasnt a mistake for the goal, he could of done better but he has been brilliant mainly this season.

Thought all the defence played well, as did Yokoslu and Wallace i thought did a decent job, Mowatt was a bit quiet but again been very good this season, Fellows and Johnstone were just okay, both never quite got going but didnt play bad.

Grady was disappointing, he chased hard and put in a shift but he seems to give the ball away a lot, he has done for seasons now, this season he has the odd moment where he can create something few others can but if that moment doesnt happen, unfortunately he is a bit of waste of a shirt.

Reach did well, not just his shot but he did what Reach does, steady and keeps the ball, i thought we were shutting up shop when he came on but we were actually more positive, Chabloah did well, when he has the ball he is a very good player, its off the ball he struggles but his passing and technique are quality.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: February 24, 2024, 01:39:36 PM »

Just thinking that, Earnshaw said Hull have created chance after chance and we need to step it up!

They have had two long range shots and scored one, we hit the bar, keeper made a good save and a header from kipre that flashed wide when Grady could of tapped it in!

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: February 21, 2024, 10:33:38 AM »

A good professional performance, three goals and a clean sheet, with our away form we needed a convincing win and we got it.

First half it felt we were very casual, not sure if thats tactical or whether CC gives them a rollocking half time and we start playing second half, it happens a lot!

I thought Mowatt was superb, he drove us forward with his runs and his passes were a lot more positive instead of side to side, its good we have options on the wing too, second half it was relentless.

Sets up saturday nicely, would take a point but if we won what a confident boost that would be!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Yann M'Vila signs short term deal

« on: February 20, 2024, 12:49:59 PM »

I think this is a sensible signing, especially the contract length.

Corberan has obviously learnt from this time last year that we miss Yokoslu more than anyone, we tried bodging it last year and it cost us.

Yok is our best player in my opinion, his only real weakness is his stamina and thats probably stopped him playing higher than he already had, he commands the midfield, M'Vila is a similar type of player and was of similar quality.

Obviously he is older and not played for a while but i would imagine his role will be come on as sub and  give Yok a break when possible.

I imagine his sub roles will gradually increase in time length so build up his match fitness that way, if it was a long term deal might be concerned but its short term low risk and not sure you will get many free agents of similar quality to M'Vila who are fully match fit.

I know people shout for the youngsters but although we have some good ones, we dont have any who play the Yokoslu role, if Mowatt or Chabloah get injured we will probably see Whitwell on the bench.

People may say CC doesnt like youth but i disagree, our two  highest rated youngsters Taylor and Whitwell have been unlucky as they  actually play in positions where we have been really strong this season, Mowatt and Kipre have been bonuses and you would be hard picked to drop any of those two or Bartley and Yok based on form this season.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Callum Marshall Joins Albion on loan

« on: February 17, 2024, 12:11:59 PM »

I have some sympathy, he had played one senior game before coming to us, now he is being asked to lead the line against an experienced and inform defence in Southampton.

I also am sure i read he plays more out wide, so to then go centre forward along with above details, it was always going to be a big ask.

He did look out his depth but i wouldnt judge him just yet, i think he should be brought on when we are a couple of goals up and in his correct position.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: February 16, 2024, 10:53:20 PM »

Overall its been a great 24 hours for us as a club, it may all end in tears but we have hope again and thats more important than tonights game!

However tonights game panned out how i thought, i fancied us to win tonight until the takeover was announced, soon as it was announced i knew we would lose, it became a big occasion and the last 15 or so years whenever there is a big occasion, we dont tend to perform.

I dont critiise refs normally as its a hard job but tonight common sense could of been used, i believe the rule book states Corberan should of got a red, however, it was very close to being out and some are still saying it was (i havent seen it back) a yellow card and warning would of been suffice but it seemed the Ref couldnt wait to become the talking point.

I imagine it did affect us as Corberan does a lot of ingame management with his tweaks and formation changes, but he will have to look ar himself and make sure he doesnt give refs a decison to make, i thought the ref was generally poor with no consistency to most of his decisions.

That said Southampton were just far better than us, they move the ball a lot quicker and are a lot more dynamic than us, there is a real gulf in class with the three relegated teams, Ipswich are doing great to be in the mix, be great for football if they could go up automatic, not so much for us if we make the playoffs.

We just never got going, we are quite a workmanlike team, we dont create lots of chances anyway as we dont have lots of creative players, we get the ball wide most of the time and thats our main tactic, we normally can nick a goal or two and are well orgnanised to see games out, especially at home.

I am a big Corberan fan and think he is doing the best with what he has, however it was concerning with all out wide player options, we ended up with Reach at wide, i am not a Reach hater but he should really be bottom of the queue when it comes to coming on.

I do think CC sometimes over thinks things, we had started to build a bit of momentum and the subs changed that, if a player is playing well, leave them on when the game is close,worry about future games after the current one, if your comfortable then rest players by bringing them off but not games like tonight.

I would love to know our corner conversion rate, we have so many and hardly ever score! I hadnt realised Weimann had a knock, i did wonder why Marshall came on, in the centre forward position first impressions are he looks out his depth but if i recall West Ham said he plays out wide left and comes inside, be interesting to see how he does in that role but first impressions are he is somebody you could bring on when a couple of goals to the good and he can get you another, his record with West Ham shows he knows where the net is.

Tough night tonight but we are still 5th and doing far better than i thought we would and we also have a new era starting!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: February 12, 2024, 01:46:12 PM »

Its been nice to see some of the players putting messages of support for him, BTA said it wasnt just a token instagram post for likes, he said he is their friends and they will support him in every way possible.

We will have to wait and see what the future brings for him, if he does give it another go it would be great if he got back to any pro level playing, let alone the championship.

The worry is, is that the last two injuries have been caused when he lands (i cant remember how he did the first) its not been bad tackles or being reckless, its just jumping for the ball, for a big bloke he jumps high too.

He is obviously a powerful bloke and when he lands its obviously too much, i dont know a way round it, i was thinking of possible alternate training to help with that but only sports i could think with his physique who jump are rugby players and american footballs, whether there is something they do that he could replicate.

I hope he is given some realsitic hope that he can play again, its something to aim for, if it doesnt happen then he cant of done anymore, i have never met him but know people who work with him and they said he is a such a ncie bloke, very positive and well liked, i hope for his sakes more than the Albion that he can recover and do things on his terms.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: February 10, 2024, 03:29:13 PM »

I thought we were the better team until we scored but after that Ipswich were a much better side and probably should of won it.

The Bartley injury was unlucky, most of the season we have had Ajayi or Taylor available and they havent been needed, the time we do get one, neither are available! Can only think it was a height thing and Kipre preferring to play on the left as to why Pieters didnt play, if that was the case personally i would of moved Furlong to centre half (he is excellent in the air and got pace) and put Pipa right back but hindsight is easy!

Problem with moving Yokoslu back was we missed him so much in midfield, i think he is our best player and Ipswich were getting on top towards the end of the first half even with him there but second half they controlled it, Mowatt and Chabolah are both similar, both nice footballers but not really dominant or influential, just neat and tidy, Yok dominates and controls things, can see why we are after another midfielder as we looked lost without him (as we did last season)

Weimann and Johnston were good last week coming on but both struggled today, shows how hard being a manager is! One thing we did do was battled really hard and never gave up, Ipswich are a good side, they have been top two most of the season and so its a very good point.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: February 10, 2024, 03:17:47 PM »

So gutted for him, his reaction says everything.

If its as bad as it seems i would imagine he would look at retiring for his own body and pyschological benefit, there is only so much the body can take.

I think most fans are fully supportive of him, somethings are more important than football, this is a bloke who is close to having his lifelong dream of being a footballer taken away from by the age of 23, forget the finacial side, to have your dream taken away through no fault of your own, three bad injuries in two years, all the work and effort that goes in to get back on those occasions and for it all to happen again within weeks of coming back, its heartbreaking.

It seems a good group in the dressing room, sure they will support him and he will have access to the best medical options and then will be the time to decide his future.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: February 01, 2024, 03:32:26 PM »

Seems a sensible move, he will hopefully play reguarly at a team challenging for promotion and come back better preseason.

In an ideal world the older players would go but people have to want them and we arent in a position to pay them up, fortunately a few are out of contract in the summer.

We have a centre back overload, CC was happy for any of one Kipre, Ajayi or Bartley to go but nobody came in, and then Kipre and Bartley have gone on to form a good partnership, Taylor may get a few mins here and there but Ajayi and Pieters can do that role and let Taylor get regular game time.

Not sure its a youth or experience thing, current centre backs have played well and dont deserve to be dropped, let Taylor get mins elsewhere.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Action For Albion/ Potential Takeover

« on: February 01, 2024, 02:59:57 PM »

Some lad has tweeted Patel has pulled out but he doesnt seem to be verified.

Perhaps more worrying is Chris L tweeted he has heard there is some unease at the level of debt we have and thats involved.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: February 01, 2024, 02:29:08 PM »

Apparently Bolton are trying to sign Caleb Taylor on loan.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Ex Players Thread

« on: January 31, 2024, 02:00:31 PM »

Lino Sousa who Arsenal poached from us a couple of years ago is now having a medical at Villa! (surprise surprise)

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Alex Palmer

« on: January 30, 2024, 08:21:39 AM »

I think Palmer is one of our key players and no way we should consider letting him go.

I think Corberan made a mistake playing Griffiths, cup keeper or not, it was a big game than was more than just a game because of the occasion, buildup, etc and we needed our best chance to win the game, we needed characters and big game players, we dont have many in the squad but Palmer is one.

Also from what i have seen even before sunday, Griffiths hasnt impressed me, he should of done better for Aldershots goal and if i recall he should of done better with one of Stokes goals earlier in the season and he should of done better for both goals sunday.

Last season when he got a run of games, we conceded a lot more and had a poor run, he made the odd mistake which all goalies do, but the more worrying this was he conceded a lot of goals where again he should do better.

This season he is rusty for lack of game time so there is some leeway there but last season he played half a season at Portsmouth before his games with us, he is a very nervous keeper and that spreads.

As his save showed sunday at the end he has plenty of good qualities but he needs regular games, he is 23 this year, has played over 100 career games, he had a couple of good seasons with Lincoln (i think) but Portsmouth fans were delighted to see him leave and it seems with his performances with us, he is going backwards.

Unless Palmer iis injured or suspended then Griffiths likely wont play a competitive game for us til the cup in August, its not good for him or us, thats why i would sell him especially in our current financial position, if we were well run could keep him and loan him out again and see if he improves but we aren in that position, he is one of our few sellable players as clubs will still buy because of potential, his value will be dropping because he doesnt play so i would cash in now and use at least some of the money to strengthen the team for now (like we have done with the TGH money by getting Weimann and Marshall)

Palmer is a good age and could potentially be our keeper for a while, its not a fluke when he came in the team last year we improved and that he has most clean sheets in the league this year, its not just saves, its the confidence and organisation skill, the odd bits i have seen Ted Cann is more like Palmer than Griffiths so i would be happy to run with them, if Palmer was injured can always get an emergency loan for keepers if needed..

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 29, 2024, 04:07:06 PM »

Unfortunately today its already been discussed on Talksport breakfast show, featured on itv and bbc news and an article in the mirror (quite probably other media outlets too)

The media will exagerrate it but the Mirror says we are culpable and if as it sounds the Wolves fans in the Albion end got tickets through Albion connections, its hard to argue.

Whatever the whos and whys, there is no doubt this is bad coverage of the club when we need it the least, i love the derby games, that bit of atmosphere and edge, lots of banter and stick but thats where it should end.

Its worrying people cant sit in other stands in the first place, and if they do they cant keep quiet and that some of our fans solution was to batter them, i like the passion but how can you risk your freedom, watching the team you support, etc for a game of football?!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tom Fellows

« on: January 29, 2024, 01:44:10 PM »

I think the midfield is fine until we go behind, thats when we need a different type of player to what we have.

Yokoslu plays his role better than anyone, protects the defence and controls things, i thought he was man of the match yesterday. Swift has one brilliant game, two average and one poor in every four games but still in the average games he is one of the few we have that can produce a bit of magic (that said it does seem we get better results when he doesnt play, i may be wrong)

The is the others, Chabolah and Mowatt are both nice footballers, neat and tidy but both very safe, a lot of sideways and keep the ball, thats fine when your winning or level but when you need to open a team up when behind, they dont have the attributes to do it.

When we are behind we are predictable, we are quite a slow team, we take an extra pass a lot more than we need (usually a safe one) and hope Swift does something or get it out wide and hope a bit of magic from there, even when the ball comes in we rarely have enough players in the box anyway.

We need a energetic centre midfielder who can break, pick a pass and get in the box, they are out there, other teams will have them.

However with our lack of funds i dont see that happening so think its even more important Fellows plays, either him or Wallace have to be an outball alongside BTA, get the ball and get it to them quick and let them use their pace and get teams turning, Fellows is very quick, get him 1 v 1 and use his pace, i think we have been used to having Phillips and Diangana, both are good players and they arent slow but also not rapid (Grady used to be rapid but has lost a bit since his injuries)

We arent a massively creative or quick  team anyway but when we are behind we are worse, we have to find a different way, ideally a new centre midfield and Fellows starting but for the time beingi  think Fellows starting will have to do.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 29, 2024, 09:53:58 AM »

I hope your right PHbaggie but i am not so sure.

I think the fact it was on terrestial tv and not sky, that its all over the media has made it worse, thats before all the social media stuff, nowadays its hard to miss.

Also the fact the game was suspended due to crowd trouble, i cant remember the last time a game was suspended due to crowd trouble, the cup draw having to be moved back and the tv companies kept refering to itas due to incidents at the Hawthorns.

Over here we know about the crowd trouble a lot more, not sure a lot of people in america do though.

The worry is the FA try and make an example of us (not for the first time) its all guesswork but if we were made to play behind closed doors, again i cant remember the last time that happened in the domestic game (not including covid) it would be a lot more negative publicity.

Fingers crossed the takeover its close and we can ride the next days bad publicity out, i would imagine any investigations and FA actions would take time so hopefully we will of already been taken over before any of that comes to light.