3751
General Football & Sports / Re: Romaine Sawyers
« on: December 04, 2019, 01:38:14 PM »More goals required perhaps?
That and lack of pace.
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That and lack of pace.
3752
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: December 04, 2019, 08:16:32 AM »
Wednesday morning update:
Smethwick: Sold Out
West Stand: 324
Brummie Road: 1,365
East Stand: 1,386
Remaining: 3,075
Sold: 20,400 approx.
Smethwick: Sold Out
West Stand: 324
Brummie Road: 1,365
East Stand: 1,386
Remaining: 3,075
Sold: 20,400 approx.
3753
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Diving
« on: December 03, 2019, 12:26:36 PM »
Bottom line is everyone does it. You have to in the modern game or it will cost you. Like it or not that's the way it is. So much of football is mental this is all part of it Edward's last night tempted their keeper and the keeper failed the test he got outsmarted and it cost his team two points.
3754
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: December 03, 2019, 09:28:53 AM »
Tale of two halves for me. I thought we were superb first half but without the killer ball. Totally controlled the half.
Second half not so good we stopped keeping the ball and Preston had a go at us. Massive credit to Sam Johnstone for a very good stop and to Ferguson for throwing himself in the line of another Preston shot. Without those interventions we do not win that game. That though was just about all Preston could manage by way of a threat.
The penalty was never a penalty but the keeper was really naive diving at Edwards feet. He gave the ref a call to make whereas had he stayed on his feet and jockied Edward's his team would've come away with a point.
Another fantastic result. Bring on the Swans.
Second half not so good we stopped keeping the ball and Preston had a go at us. Massive credit to Sam Johnstone for a very good stop and to Ferguson for throwing himself in the line of another Preston shot. Without those interventions we do not win that game. That though was just about all Preston could manage by way of a threat.
The penalty was never a penalty but the keeper was really naive diving at Edwards feet. He gave the ref a call to make whereas had he stayed on his feet and jockied Edward's his team would've come away with a point.
Another fantastic result. Bring on the Swans.
3755
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: FA Cup 3rd round draw
« on: December 02, 2019, 12:33:33 PM »
Same as always for me the worst team possible at home. It's the first round on our way to being potential cup winners so the easier the better.
I continue to live in hope!
I continue to live in hope!
3756
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: December 01, 2019, 01:15:24 PM »
Last season:
Attendance: 20,282
Home: 19,707
Away: 575
Smethwick: 7
West Stand: 438
Brummie Road: 1,603
East Stand: 1,597
Remaining: 3,645
Sold: 19,800 approx.
Last season was a midweek game a few days after Darren Moore left and was our lowest league gate of the season. Sunday and live on Sky will no doubt affect the attendance again but it will be higher than it was for the corresponding fixture last season that's for sure.
Attendance: 20,282
Home: 19,707
Away: 575
Smethwick: 7
West Stand: 438
Brummie Road: 1,603
East Stand: 1,597
Remaining: 3,645
Sold: 19,800 approx.
Last season was a midweek game a few days after Darren Moore left and was our lowest league gate of the season. Sunday and live on Sky will no doubt affect the attendance again but it will be higher than it was for the corresponding fixture last season that's for sure.
3757
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 28, 2019, 10:04:16 AM »
Atmosphere was Ok without the type of volume we can sometimes create. Bristol didn't out sing us.
3758
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Charlie Austin
« on: November 28, 2019, 08:15:52 AM »He at last got the slice of luck for his goal, maybe his luck has now turned.
Yeah to be fair to him things haven't run for him all season. He deserved that bit of luck.
3759
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 28, 2019, 08:09:53 AM »That was a superb performance last night, and when I think about what we have been watching over the past couple of years I have to pinch myself.....
Everyone else has summed up our play, so I won't repeat it here, but Tomm, the atmosphere was excellent in the ground. We had a bit of lip from the Bristol fans but that soon went quiet
There are two things that really please me about this team, firstly players that last year were scapegoats for many have improved to the point that you do not want to see them out of the team, and secondly our bench is now a lot stronger and more experienced.
I could watch Sawyers all night to be honest. His languid style and ability to read the game is on a different level. Someone said to me last night 'he just knows where to be at the right time'...…
Slaven is an absolute genius. Thank you.
And hats off to the board for having the foresight to sanction all of this, much maligned in the past [sometimes deservedly so] but what we have at the moment is superb. Just Loving it!
The job Bilic is doing is astonishing at the moment. At the start of the season everyone was saying how Bartley has improved. I didn't agree with that and still stand by that opinion, he was no different to last season IMO until the last five or six games, since then he's been absolutely superb, almost faultless. Livermore is a totally different player and Robson-Kanu where do you start with him? He's actually looking like a good striker, not just holding the ball up, he's now making intelligent runs off the shoulder, something he's never been much good at. Sam Johnstone is another one, once error prone now he's looking rock solid.
All of this is down to the manager and his coaching staff, absolutely incredible how they have transformed these players.
Confidence is now soaring. There was a move first half last night where we played five or six passes inside our own area and looked like Barcelona doing it. At the start of the season either Bartley or Johnstone would've messed up here but now they are making the right decisions instead of hesitating or being caught in two minds.
Lets hope this continues right through the season.
3760
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 27, 2019, 11:41:09 PM »
For the record:
Attendance: 22,157
Home: 20,590
Away: 1,567
Lowest home attendance of the season. That is really poor given the position we're in.
Attendance: 22,157
Home: 20,590
Away: 1,567
Lowest home attendance of the season. That is really poor given the position we're in.
3761
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 27, 2019, 11:08:41 PM »
Worst performance of the season Saturday followed by the best tonight. Some of the football second half was technically some of the best I've ever seen from an Albion side. Romaine Sawyers was absolutely majestic.
I've been waiting for a ninety minute performance like that. Bristol had a go at us first five minutes of the second half but we managed the game well and weathered the storm. After that is was an absolute mullering but without the goals.
2-1 was a ridiculous scoreline we should've been out of sight but Kanu's clearly offside goal and Austin's gave the score a more realistic look.
Fantastic performance.
I've been waiting for a ninety minute performance like that. Bristol had a go at us first five minutes of the second half but we managed the game well and weathered the storm. After that is was an absolute mullering but without the goals.
2-1 was a ridiculous scoreline we should've been out of sight but Kanu's clearly offside goal and Austin's gave the score a more realistic look.
Fantastic performance.
3762
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 26, 2019, 10:36:10 AM »
I agree with the posters above it was the worst I've seen Wednesday's support.
3763
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 26, 2019, 09:37:50 AM »
Tuesday morning update:
Smethwick: Sold Out
West Stand: 406
Brummie: 1,498
East Stand: 1,466
Remaining: 3,370
Sold: 20,100 approx.
Smethwick: Sold Out
West Stand: 406
Brummie: 1,498
East Stand: 1,466
Remaining: 3,370
Sold: 20,100 approx.
3764
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 24, 2019, 09:00:23 AM »
Sunday morning update:
Smethwick: 6
West Stand: 468
Brummie: 1,665
East Stand: 1,648
Remaining: 3,787
Sold: 19,700 approx.
Smethwick: 6
West Stand: 468
Brummie: 1,665
East Stand: 1,648
Remaining: 3,787
Sold: 19,700 approx.
3765
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Team
« on: November 23, 2019, 11:26:43 PM »
Hegazi needs game time but at the moment he's not going to get it. He was much better second half once he'd got used to the pace of the Championship again (except that dilly dallying moment). 100% Sawyers and Livermore return on Wednesday.
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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Semi Ajayi
« on: November 23, 2019, 11:19:54 PM »Hegazi is clearly rusty so gets the benefit of the doubt at this stage due to past performances.
I've heard mixed reports on Ajayi today, several people saying we've now seen him in his best position, many others saying he's not cut out for a centre midfield role.
I'll wait for some more concrete evidence either way before rushing to judgement.
Who the hell said that? I thought he was awful today, the game just passed him by.
He's a far better centre back than he is a midfielder.
3767
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 23, 2019, 10:24:46 PM »
For the record:
Attendance: 25,566 (Season highest)
Home: 23,584 (Season highest)
Away: 1,982
Attendance: 25,566 (Season highest)
Home: 23,584 (Season highest)
Away: 1,982
3768
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 23, 2019, 09:29:32 PM »Sorry but I’m not having that. We controlled the game the entire first half and looked comfortable until the questionable penalty was given.
Did we? I seem to remember them hitting the woodwork twice and I can't remember their goalkeeper having to save anything.
I thought first half we were poor in general then second half we were worse until we started making substitutions. Never at any point did I think we were in control of the game or looking comfortable.
3769
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate
« on: November 23, 2019, 06:12:03 PM »
Wow, how did we win that?
Possibly our worst performance of the season overall. I'm not sure Slav got the team right but we won so can't ask for any more.
Hegazi looked rusty as hell first half. Second half much improved apart from dallying on the ball once which nearly cost a goal.
Ajayi was woeful in midfield, just doesn't seem to have a midfielders brain and he's not aware enough nor do his feet move quick enough to play there. Much better at the back.
Krovinovic did OK for the most part but he can't allow himself to be caught on the edge of the area like he did.
Townsend was poor today, Phillips also.
We just didn't really get started. The best we looked was when Barry and Brunt we're paired together in the middle -FINALLY our passing improved and we started manipulating the ball and moving it around Wednesday.
We were forced into making changes and it affected us, we never got going all game. Bartley and Pereira won us that game, Bartley holding the defence together and Pereira creating both goals.
Those are the games you have to win o be a successful side and we did.
On to Bristol City in midweek. Surely we can't play as badly again?
Possibly our worst performance of the season overall. I'm not sure Slav got the team right but we won so can't ask for any more.
Hegazi looked rusty as hell first half. Second half much improved apart from dallying on the ball once which nearly cost a goal.
Ajayi was woeful in midfield, just doesn't seem to have a midfielders brain and he's not aware enough nor do his feet move quick enough to play there. Much better at the back.
Krovinovic did OK for the most part but he can't allow himself to be caught on the edge of the area like he did.
Townsend was poor today, Phillips also.
We just didn't really get started. The best we looked was when Barry and Brunt we're paired together in the middle -FINALLY our passing improved and we started manipulating the ball and moving it around Wednesday.
We were forced into making changes and it affected us, we never got going all game. Bartley and Pereira won us that game, Bartley holding the defence together and Pereira creating both goals.
Those are the games you have to win o be a successful side and we did.
On to Bristol City in midweek. Surely we can't play as badly again?
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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat
« on: November 21, 2019, 02:01:45 PM »Brunt in center of midfield is a big no for me, Flip is to lightweight better in number 10 role. Barry and Harper partnership would do the job.
Barry isn't match fit and Harper isn't even performing for the U23's, how on earth can you think that is the correct pairing?
Krovinovic is a seriously good player who could play in the Premier League. He had a bad injury and there is plenty more to come from him. He was magnificent at Hull as soon as he came on we dominated the ball and took all the sting out of Hull City. I expect him to fit in just fine.
3771
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 20, 2019, 09:59:02 PM »
Last Season: 22,051
Home: 20,227
Away: 1,824
Smethwick End: 17
West Stand: 499
Brummie Road: 1,810
East Stand: 1,790
Remaining: 4,116
Sold: 19,300 approx.
A midweek game this season as it was last season. It will be interesting to see if Bristol City bring similar numbers this year. I would doubt it as we we're newly relegated last season and we hadn't played them for a few years so that would've attracted a few fans.
Last midweek home game there were a surge in home ticket sales in the couple of days leading up to the game, I would expect the same again. Almost 21,400 Albion fans attended the Barnsley fixture, I expect it'll be a similar turn out for this game.
Home: 20,227
Away: 1,824
Smethwick End: 17
West Stand: 499
Brummie Road: 1,810
East Stand: 1,790
Remaining: 4,116
Sold: 19,300 approx.
A midweek game this season as it was last season. It will be interesting to see if Bristol City bring similar numbers this year. I would doubt it as we we're newly relegated last season and we hadn't played them for a few years so that would've attracted a few fans.
Last midweek home game there were a surge in home ticket sales in the couple of days leading up to the game, I would expect the same again. Almost 21,400 Albion fans attended the Barnsley fixture, I expect it'll be a similar turn out for this game.
3772
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 20, 2019, 09:45:13 PM »
Fewer than 500 left now, despite Albion keep finding extra tickets (presumably returns) allover the place. Anyone wanting tickets is advised not to leave it too late.
3773
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next 4 Games
« on: November 19, 2019, 01:22:15 PM »
All games are difficult in this league and none can be taken for granted.
One game at a time.
One game at a time.
3774
General Football & Sports / Re: Nathan Ferguson
« on: November 18, 2019, 10:41:43 PM »
Looking at this from Albion's point of view it is the sensible thing to sell Ferguson if he's not going to sign a new contract and it'd by no means be the end of the world.
The first thing to consider is the effect such sale would have on the team because at the end of the day the team needs to be successful. Ferguson has sprung onto the scene from nowhere - a young centre back becoming a make shift right back then left back and he's done very well. Defending is his strong point particularly in one to one situations. On the ball however, going forward he offers next to nothing. For a modern day full back that's OK if you want to play a way that suits that type of player or if you can accommodate that type of player but in a lot of cases the modern day full back is required to offer more than that. Ferguson has been suspended for the last two games, have we missed him? I'd strongly argue that we haven't. Townsend has come in and done very well and I'd again argue that following his suspension Ferguson would by no means certain to regain his place in the starting line up. It is only two games so not a large sample but we finished forth in the league last season without Ferguson and with the left back options of Gibbs and Townsend so I'd argue that Ferguson is far from indispensable.
From the lads point of view - what on earth would he be thinking leaving his home club for the fleetingly bright lights of somewhere like Tottenham only to have his career stalled? I understand the money issue but if you want to make it as a professional footballer you want to play games surely and he has more chance of that at Albion than at the likes of Spurs.
Personally I would've sold Gibbs in January had we received a suitable offer, to get his wages off the books but if Ferguson leaves then we retain Gibbs, we have Townsend and at right back we have Furlong with the likes of maybe O'Shea, Fitzwater to fill in if necessary. Losing Ferguson wouldn't have that big an impact on the club.
The first thing to consider is the effect such sale would have on the team because at the end of the day the team needs to be successful. Ferguson has sprung onto the scene from nowhere - a young centre back becoming a make shift right back then left back and he's done very well. Defending is his strong point particularly in one to one situations. On the ball however, going forward he offers next to nothing. For a modern day full back that's OK if you want to play a way that suits that type of player or if you can accommodate that type of player but in a lot of cases the modern day full back is required to offer more than that. Ferguson has been suspended for the last two games, have we missed him? I'd strongly argue that we haven't. Townsend has come in and done very well and I'd again argue that following his suspension Ferguson would by no means certain to regain his place in the starting line up. It is only two games so not a large sample but we finished forth in the league last season without Ferguson and with the left back options of Gibbs and Townsend so I'd argue that Ferguson is far from indispensable.
From the lads point of view - what on earth would he be thinking leaving his home club for the fleetingly bright lights of somewhere like Tottenham only to have his career stalled? I understand the money issue but if you want to make it as a professional footballer you want to play games surely and he has more chance of that at Albion than at the likes of Spurs.
Personally I would've sold Gibbs in January had we received a suitable offer, to get his wages off the books but if Ferguson leaves then we retain Gibbs, we have Townsend and at right back we have Furlong with the likes of maybe O'Shea, Fitzwater to fill in if necessary. Losing Ferguson wouldn't have that big an impact on the club.
3775
Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests
« on: November 18, 2019, 10:26:24 PM »
809 tickets left now.