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Topics - AlbionFan

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1
West Bromwich Albion FC / Action For Albion/ Potential Takeover
« on: October 27, 2022, 12:24:04 PM »
For anyone that might be interested, a new Twitter Account has been set up called:

"Action For Albion" @actionforalbion

Their objectives are to scrutinise the actions of the absent owners, they have recruited and have support from local Councillors.

A pressure group that can, hopefully, organise various protests (peaceful), raise awareness and hold the ownership to account at some level

2
General Football & Sports / Blessing in Disguise
« on: October 20, 2022, 10:55:01 AM »
I really do think that the timing of the 2022 World Cup could not have been better and may be a blessing in disguise for a struggling West Bromwich Albion

The Championship will pause for about 4 weeks during November and December, our last game, before the World Cup, is at home on Sat-12-Nov-2022, when we face Stoke City and we go again on Sat-10-Dec-2022 away to Sunderland.

If we can appoint, at the very minimum, a “competent” Manager, that 28 day period is like a mini pre-season and should allow him time to work with the majority of our squad, access them, put his footballing philosophies over, start embedding his playing style, formation, training regime and drills etc. and improve the squads fitness levels.

So, I think we have a second chance to improve on our season and with the 25 games that remain, the first objective must be to put as much distance between ourselves and the relegation zone, then let’s see where that takes us as we will have 75 points to play for.

3
General Football & Sports / Euro 2024
« on: October 09, 2022, 12:19:36 PM »
The Draw for Euro 2024 has been made and the Home Nations Group and opponents are as follows:

Group C England, Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta

Group A Scotland, Spain, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus.

Group D Wales, Croatia, Armenia, Turkey and Latvia

Group H Northern Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan and San Marino

4
General Football & Sports / Violence at Football Matches
« on: September 22, 2022, 04:03:20 PM »
Reported incidents of disorder at matches across England and Wales were up by 60 per cent compared to the last full season before the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2022/09/22/violence-on-the-rise-at-west-midlands-football-matches/

“Albion saw one pitch incursion arrest, one pyrotechnic offence and nine public disorder arrests.”

5
General Football & Sports / "Sacked in the Morning" (Premier League)
« on: September 18, 2022, 09:26:04 AM »
There have already been changes at three clubs in the Premier League with Scott Parker and Thomas Tuchel both receiving their P45.

Gary O'Neil was appointed Caretaker Manager at Bournemouth and Graham Potter leaving Brighton to take up the reins at Chelsea.

Its getting hot in the "Premier League kitchen", whose next? Brendan Rodgers looks to be in a precarious position. So, I'm going for Brendan Rogers, who might be a good appointment for an underperforming Championship club if he is sacked and the underperforming Championship club sack their unlucky manager :D

6
General Football & Sports / Chris Kamara
« on: September 13, 2022, 08:22:40 AM »
This is a heartbreaking video to watch of Chris (Kammy) Kamara talking about illness.

When on SSN he was always lighthearted, fun loving, never took himself too seriously and enjoyed jokes at his own expense. As a player, he was rugged and uncompromising midfielder, I wish we had someone like him in our line up.

I sincerely hope they can cure him.

Get well soon Kammy

https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1569319416118087680

7
West Bromwich Albion FC / Martin Kelly
« on: September 01, 2022, 07:34:37 PM »
We're delighted to confirm the signing of experienced defender Martin Kelly. ✍️

Welcome, Martin! 💙🤍

8
For me, Michael O’Neil

9
West Bromwich Albion FC / Burnley Ticket Sales
« on: August 07, 2022, 07:18:01 PM »
Burnley FC just Tweeted

Tickets for our game against West Bromwich Albion will go on sale on Monday 8th August.

🎫 1,906 tickets
🗓️ Friday 2nd September
🕗 8pm Kick-Off

WBA have agreed to our price cap of £25 and Baggies fans will get the same when they visit Turf Moor 🏟️

Sorry Mods, didn’t know where else to post this update

10
General Football & Sports / Lewis Cox New West Brom Reporter at E&S
« on: August 02, 2022, 09:36:29 AM »
Lewis Cox Tweeted


I’m chuffed & proud to be taking on the role of West Bromwich Albion reporter for E&S, following the brill work of my Salop-bound pal @JosephMasi_Star! Look forward to a new challenge, a privilege to cover the club from the town I was born. See you on the road Baggies! #wba

11
General Football & Sports / Joseph Masi
« on: July 26, 2022, 05:35:05 PM »
Joseph Masi tweeted

Personal news🚨 After 15 years with the Midland News Association, I've decided to leave my role as Albion correspondent - a job I’ve truly loved. I can't put into words how enjoyable it has been to cover such a wonderful football club that is so dear to my heart...

For a while now I’ve had ambitions to work inside a football club so I’m delighted to have accepted the role of head of media with Shrewsbury Town which I’ll be starting very soon...

I just want to say a huge thank-you to my amazing colleagues on the sports desk at the E&S. And also to the brilliant media team at Albion – all of whom do a wonderful job and who I’m going to miss terribly...

But I also want to say I’m going to miss all you guys. Twitter has – by and large - been an amazing place for me and I’ve loved interacting on here. I’ve still got this week to go – and one last Baggies Broadcast to record tomorrow. Hopefully we and can make it a banger  💙🤍

Very best wishes in your new venture Joe

12
West Bromwich Albion FC / Tony Strudwick
« on: July 05, 2022, 10:30:07 AM »
West Bromwich Albion Tweeted

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Tony Strudwick as the club’s Director of Medical.

13
West Bromwich Albion FC / R.I.P Joe Brandrick
« on: June 27, 2022, 08:02:22 AM »
Former Baggies Director Joe Brandrick has passed away

R.I.P Joe a real Baggies man

14
West Bromwich Albion FC / Carabao Cup
« on: June 20, 2022, 12:06:04 PM »
We will be ball No.35 in the Carabao Cup first round draw, taking place later on this week.

15
General Football & Sports / OFFICAL NATIONAL LEAGUE
« on: May 28, 2022, 02:29:04 PM »
I'm just watching the National League play-off semi-final:

Wrexham v Grimsby and its the best match I've see all season.

After 90 minute it's all square at 4-4.

I really don't want this game to end as we prepare for extra time, it's a great advert for the National League

The owners of Wrexham, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are at the game and its been an emotional rollercoaster for them and everyone involved with both clubs and for neutrals like me.

And tomorrow, it's Solihull Moors v Chesterfield, if it's half as good as this game it will be a cracker

16
West Bromwich Albion FC / John Swift
« on: May 26, 2022, 06:19:05 PM »
John Percy just tweeted

Steve Bruce is set to make former Reading midfielder John Swift his first signing at #wba. Swift was Reading’s top scorer this season and will join West Brom on a free transfer

17
General Football & Sports / UEFA Announce New Championship Format
« on: March 03, 2022, 08:00:10 PM »
UEFA announces new format for club competitions to be introduced as of 2024/25 season

https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/0268-1213f7aa85bb-d56154ff8fe8-1000--uefa-announces-new-format-for-club-competitions-to-be-introduce/

Looks like a submission to the Super League cabal


18
General Football & Sports / John Toshack
« on: February 28, 2022, 07:56:07 PM »
John Toshack is suffering from Covid-19 and is reported to be seriously ill.

Thoughts and prays with him and his family and hoping for a full and speedy return to good health


19
General Football & Sports / A Glimpse of Things to Come
« on: February 19, 2022, 09:53:26 AM »
Man City begin building world’s first football stadium inside the metaverse

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/man-city-world-first-football-stadium-metaverse-1469810

Is this the beginning of the end of football as we know it, or a natural progression of the game or just another alternative in how to watch football in the 21st century?

One thing for sure, it's all about revenue streams and making even more for the richer clubs.

And it does have a Si-Fi feel to it!


20
General Football & Sports / English Football League
« on: February 17, 2022, 06:45:30 PM »
Meeting of EFL Championship Clubs

Official Statement


EFL Championship Clubs have today approved a number of changes to the division’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (P&S) that will take effect immediately. The amendments come following a period of consultation and take into consideration a range of representations from Clubs.

In total 8 proposals were put forward and were passed, requiring a two-thirds majority of Championship Clubs. The main changes are summarised below.

COVID

As a result of a number of Clubs highlighting that the pandemic continues to have an adverse financial effect despite a return to full capacity stadiums, Clubs have opted to reintroduce COVID add backs into the P&S calculation for season 2021/22.  The impact is that Clubs will be able to claim lost revenues or exceptional costs directly relating to the pandemic up to a value of £2.5m for the reporting period 2021/22. Clubs can claim up to £5m for seasons 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Accounting for Player Registrations

Clubs are now required to provide a Player Registration schedule that will ensure greater transparency in respect of information that includes but is not limited to players wages, sell-on rights, registration costs and amortisation.  These new requirements follow the principles of the UEFA Club Financial Fair Play Regulations.

In addition, EFL Clubs have agreed that a mandatory requirement for the amortisation of Player Registrations on a straight-line basis should be included.

Introduction of Monitoring for Forecasted Breaches

With a priority to ensure future compliance with the P&S rules, Clubs have agreed that where a breach is forecasted in future years then the League should have the ability to impose a business plan or appropriate monitoring requirements.

Trevor Birch, EFL Chief Executive said:

“Over the past two years of unprecedented challenges and upheaval, the priority of the EFL has been to support Clubs practically wherever possible while maintaining the ongoing integrity of our competitions and the League as a collective. I’m pleased to say that the changes agreed by Clubs will help them manage ongoing financial issues in the short term, while providing the League with additional powers to assist Clubs in complying with their P&S obligations going forward.”


https://www.efl.com/news/2022/february/meeting-of-efl-championship-clubs

21
West Bromwich Albion FC / Who Should Be Captain?
« on: February 10, 2022, 08:48:05 PM »
It may well be we will need to appoint a new Captain if Jake is suspended.

Should Jake return as Captain after his possible suspension or should he be stripped of the Captaincy and we appoint someone else?

I’ve voted for And Carroll, from what I’ve seen of him and read about him since joining us, I think he would lead by example and be vocal, which is what we have lacked for awhile now.

If I’ve missed an obvious candidate, let me know and I will include them in the poll

22
General Football & Sports / Videos of Anything Albion
« on: February 03, 2022, 03:09:02 PM »
Albion Fan's have had a tough old time of it of late, so I thought a look back at happier and more successful times might lift our spirits.

So, to this end, I thought I'd start this "Videos of Anything Albion" thread and post some outstanding moments in our clubs history and hope they can be repeated in future.

1968 FA Cup Final: Albion Post match interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5AUcQvg210

23
General Football & Sports / Blue Print For Success
« on: February 03, 2022, 03:00:38 PM »
I’ve had this document for awhile now and thought this was as good a time as any to share it. I think we, as a club have been found wonting in many of these areas over the years. It was presented over 10 years ago, so some of the areas raised may not be entirely relevant to day, but the overall ethos is imv.

Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager at Old Trafford reveals his secret in a series of interviews with a Harvard Business School professor.

The conditions that allowed him to be so successful at Manchester United are unlikely ever to be replicated. Over a series of interviews with the Harvard Business School professor Anita Elberse in 2012, Ferguson went into detail about what he believed to be the eight key elements of his job.

In doing so, Ferguson said he did not believe a manager would be given four years to achieve success, as he was at United, and that the manager should always remain in control of the dressing room, a situation that does not apply at all clubs.

He also outlined his natural instinct for taking risks, which led to so many dramatic late victories and, in direct contrast to his successor David Moyes, said he felt observing training sessions, rather than running them, was essential to his own managerial ability.

This is an edited version of his theories, which appear in full in the October edition of the Harvard Business Review.

1 Start with the foundation
"From the moment I got to Manchester United, I thought of only one thing: building a football club. I wanted to build right from the bottom. The first thought of 99% of newly appointed managers is to make sure they win – to survive. They bring experienced players in. At some clubs, you need only to lose three games in a row and you're fired. In today's football world, with a new breed of directors and owners, I am not sure any club would have the patience to wait for a manager to build a team over a four-year period. Winning a game is only a short-term gain – you can lose the next game. Building a club brings stability and consistency."

2 Dare to rebuild your team
"We identified three levels of players: 30 and older, 23 to 30, and the younger ones. The idea was that the younger players were developing and would meet the standards the older ones had set. I believe that the cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years and then some change is needed. So we tried to visualise the team three or four years ahead and make decisions accordingly. Because I was at United for such a long time, I could afford to plan ahead. I was very fortunate in that respect. The hardest thing is to let go of a player who has been a great guy – but all the evidence is on the field."

3 Set high standards – and hold everyone to them
"Everything we did was about maintaining the standards we had set as a football club – this applied to all my team building, my team preparation, motivational talks and tactical talks. I had to lift players' expectations. They should never give in. I said to them all the time: 'If you give in once, you'll give in twice'. I used to be the first to arrive in the morning. In my later years, a lot of my staff members would already be there when I got in at 7am.
"I expected even more from the star players. Superstars with egos are not the problem some people may think. They need to be winners because that massages their egos, so they will do what it takes to win. I used to see Ronaldo, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes practising for hours. They realised that being a Manchester United player is not an easy job."

4 Never, ever cede control
"If the day came that the manager of Manchester United was controlled by the players – if the players decided how the training should be, what days they should have off, what the discipline should be and what the tactics should be – then Manchester United would not be the Manchester United we know. I wasn't going to allow anyone to be stronger than I was. Your personality has to be bigger than theirs. There are occasions when you have to ask yourself whether certain players are affecting the dressing-room atmosphere, the performance of the team and your control of the players and staff. If they are, you have to cut the cord. There is absolutely no other way. It doesn't matter if the person is the best player in the world. Some English clubs have changed managers so many times that it creates power for the players in the dressing room. That is very dangerous. If the coach has no control, he will not last."

5 Match the message to the moment
"No one likes to be criticised. Most respond to encouragement. For any human being – there is nothing better than hearing 'Well done'. Those are the two best words ever invented. At the same time you need to point out mistakes when players don't meet expectations. That is when reprimands are important. I would do it right after the game. I wouldn't wait until Monday and then it was finished. My pre-game talks were about our expectations, the players' belief in themselves and their trust in one another. In half-time talks, you have maybe eight minutes to deliver your message, so it is vital to use the time well. Everything is easier when you are winning. When you are losing, you have to make an impact. Fear has to come into it. But you can be too hard; if players are fearful all the time, they won't perform well. You play different roles at different times. Sometimes you have to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a father."

6 Prepare to win
"Winning is in my nature. There is no other option for me. Even if five of the most important players were injured, I expected to win. I am a risk taker and you can see that in how we played in the late stages of matches. If we were still down with 15 minutes to go, I was ready to take more risks. I was perfectly happy to lose 3-1 if it meant we'd given ourselves a good chance to draw or win. So in those last 15 minutes, we'd go for it. We'd put in an extra attacking player and worry less about defence. We knew that if we ended up winning 3-2, it would be a fantastic feeling. And if we lost 3-1, we'd been losing anyway. All my teams had perseverance – they never gave in. It's a fantastic characteristic to have."

7 Rely on the power of observation
"Observation is the final part of my management structure. One afternoon at Aberdeen I had a conversation with my assistant manager and another coach who pointed out I could benefit from not always having to lead the training. At first I said no but deep down I knew he was right. So I delegated training. It was the best thing I ever did. It didn't take away my control. My presence and ability to supervise were always there and what you can pick up by watching is incredibly valuable. Seeing a change in a player's habits or a sudden dip in his enthusiasm allowed me to go further with him. Sometimes I could even tell that a player was injured when he thought he was fine."

8 Never stop adapting
"When I started, there were no agents and although games were televised, the media did not elevate players to the level of film stars and constantly look for new stories about them. Stadiums have improved, pitches are in perfect condition now and sports science has a strong influence on how we prepare for the season. Owners from Russia, the Middle East and other regions have poured a lot of money into the game and are putting pressure on managers. And players have led more sheltered lives, so they are much more fragile than players were 25 years ago."

24
General Football & Sports / THE ENGLISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL ARCHIVE
« on: January 28, 2022, 07:15:22 PM »

25
General Football & Sports / Andy Carroll (Released)
« on: January 28, 2022, 08:05:25 AM »
John Percy just tweeted

Andy.Carroll set for medical at West Brom this morning

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