1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Darnell Furlong

« on: August 02, 2024, 09:12:02 AM »

I’m guessing any contract extension would be on significantly reduced terms. Would he be better off just sitting tight and wait to be released next summer? He will probably get a better deal from a new club if they don’t have to pay a transfer fee to us. It might also motivate him this season as he’ll be in the shop window.

We did this quite well in the past before the previous regime.

Each player is different but many at 28-30 will already have had that 'good' contract and if families are settled will look for stability.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: April 09, 2023, 08:23:19 AM »

It must be so difficult for a manager to motivate the squad at the moment, especially when the accounts released cast massive doubts on where the majority of this team will be this year.

This is the same path other clubs in our perilous position have found themselves in.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Ian Pearce

« on: April 09, 2023, 08:19:57 AM »

For me on the outside it looks like our recruitment department needs a complete overall, however with the lack of investment and clear view of the extent of our financial problems then you have to ask if we are identifying players but they either wont come or the owner wont or cant stump up the cash.

4

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

« on: February 01, 2023, 08:05:23 PM »

Is he?

There's no way we've signed Albrighton - and on his wages - for him to provide competition to Furlong at right back.

Given the soundings from the local media he's very much playing on the left.

My view is he will either play right back or right midfield with Wallace moving over. to the left

I say competition in the terms of im always very much that the person who currently has the shirt should keep it if performing, but for me a right hand side of Wallace and Albrighton would be so strong at this level.

As you say though local media are suggesting hes going to play on the left but personally Im not sure.  However as I say hes key to the situation we find ourselves in especially as he adds depth in 2 positions on his favoured side and potentially one on the left aswell.

5

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

« on: February 01, 2023, 10:52:48 AM »

The signing of Albrighton is very key to our current situation.

I believe he will provide competition to Furlong whilst allowing more flexibility with the use of Wallace both in terms of position and also minutes on the pitch to keep him fresh.

I understand the argument about him being an aging player, however the argument is only valid if its an aging player with no fitness or motivation, Albrighton appears to be non of these.

I see that signing as abit like when we signed Darren Flecther, providing the leadership and experience that a seasoned pro who is still playing semi regularly at a decent side gives you.

Chalobah provides great cover for Yokuslu but also reduces the issues should O Shea or Pieters get suspended or injured especially as Bartley is constantly injured and Ajayi just seems to be going backwards given his performances in the cup games.

If the lad had come in from Chelsea the options from midfield would have been very balanced.

I would loved to have seen a striker come to balance that part of the squad but perhaps he sees Malcolm as a player worth developing.

All in all they seem players suited to the new managers tactics which can also only be a good thing.

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Karlan Grant

« on: January 28, 2023, 04:46:58 PM »

He is the laziest player I have ever seen.

So many comparables to Nathan Ellington, whoose motivation disappeared after his so called 'big' move. 

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Matty Phillips

« on: January 15, 2023, 10:27:21 AM »

Im sure it was Strachan and Holloway that spoke in depth a few years ago around Phillips and his mental fragility.

They said he has it all, the issue is his owned self belief that vanishes very quickly, this would probably explain how long it has taken him to recover from injuries in the past.

He produced very good and consistent spells under managers like Redknapp who are well known for boosting confidence of players and our new manager appears to be of a similar type when it comes to motivation of players and getting the most out of them.

That said I would be looking to replace at the end of the season.

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: January 15, 2023, 10:18:59 AM »

I said the same as soon as I saw the goal.

Watching BTA and Dike (albeit in his small amount of appearances), they both are typical of forwards at this level in that they make up for what they may lack in certain areas of their game by workrate, grit, determination and application to succeed.

These last three have been missing in Grant for the majority of his career here.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: November 06, 2022, 08:08:39 PM »

When CC took over at Huddersfield there were players that their fans had wrote off under the previous management who really adapted to his methods and prospered according to the Yorkshire Media.

That said Bartley could not be shocked at the lack of support he has had from the stands especially this season, other than yesterday hes been woeful when started and his legs looked to have left him.

Whether that was down to Bruce's outdated training methods or not remains to be seen.

10

General Football & Sports / Re: Ron Gourlay - CEO

« on: October 30, 2022, 05:29:19 PM »

The issue is although Ron Gourlay isnt fully the problem he clearly does'nt help.

There are so many parallels with Reading, it will be interesting to see how this 'new' approach changes things, but I just do not see him being strong enough with the current owner.

Lets face it like Bruce his last job has tarnished him to a degree so he will know this could be his last administrative job in football that pays decent money so will not want to push the owner too much.

11

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: May 15, 2022, 12:47:52 PM »

It shouldn't be needed, but is needed if that makes sense.

Well done to whoever this is, and lets hope it helps more players to not have to try and hide something that in todays day and age shouldn't have to be hidden at all.

12

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Last Home Game Theme

« on: April 03, 2022, 05:41:59 PM »

Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz....certainly sums up the vast majority of this squad.

13

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: April 03, 2022, 04:36:03 PM »

Need desire. Need someone to explain what the word "desire" means to the players too.

The manager can have as much desire as he likes but these players know there isnt a pot to p*ss in so know they wont be replaced no matter what their attitude is like.

14

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: April 03, 2022, 04:25:36 PM »

Where are the players from the Fulham game?! Ah yes, they're all there...

Without investment it will still be the same, the players are far too inconsistent and happy with that in the knowledge the club wont replacement them by the looks of it.

15

General Football & Sports / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: March 13, 2022, 09:39:37 AM »

My biggest issue isnt so much the mistakes they have always been there and will be long after he leaves us, it must be remembered that we have only conceeded 34 goals all season, the issue is the lack of quality further up the field that has meant we have only seen us score 39 goals all season. My concerns are the fact its becoming increasingly obvious he wont be here next season, we should be looking at our options already here in the games we have left. 

16

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: January 15, 2022, 04:54:54 PM »

Neither can I.
The inability to deal with the lack of discipline in the squad that has meant we are now woefully short due to suspensions.

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Darnell Furlong

« on: December 18, 2021, 10:02:35 AM »

Taylor Gardner Hickman must be thinking what do I need to do to start ahead of a player who is clearly woefully out of form.

18

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: December 18, 2021, 10:01:20 AM »

Very much my thoughts which is why I find it more frustrating that Val continues to refuse to even try a young player who has scored 18 plus goals in the U23s and U18's this season, any other club would try it.

However I cant help but think if we get a striker with instinct in January we will finish in the automatic place.  This isnt an indication that all Vals issues will be sorted with his team selections but more of how poor this league is.

One positive is the defence looks far more secure.

19

General Football & Sports / Re: Footballers Collapsing on the Pitch

« on: December 18, 2021, 08:57:20 AM »

I think it's the case that fitness levels in football have gone through the roof in the last 3-4 years with triple sessions pre season under some coaches. It's also the age of pressing and wing backs bombing up and down the pitch. Footballers are generally much fitter these days but that seems to raise the danger of these sudden collapses.

I fully agree with this, ive said for quite a while that my belief is the fitness levels and amount players are expected to play now with no real break causes as much pressure on the heart that being morbidly obese does.

People complain about how much many of these players earn but they are also treated as commodities by the clubs and authorities.

20

General Football & Sports / Re: New technical director - Nick Hammond

« on: December 18, 2021, 08:48:34 AM »

I am not sure why people are shocked, football is one of the only employments where you can constantly fail and still get a lucrative job.

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Taylor Gardner-Hickman

« on: December 12, 2021, 05:05:38 PM »

Is it just me who is also impressed by his reading of the game, seems to player with an head on his shoulders alot older than his age.

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Reyes Cleary

« on: December 12, 2021, 05:02:48 PM »

Fully agree there Baggies.

We were crying out for a striker yesterday, for me Cleary should have been brought on at 60 minutes, however when that didnt happen we did go and score from the first move in the game that any of our forwards made a goalscorer like movement in the box.

You have to ask why he then didnt want to bring him on with say 10-15 minutes to go where in all fairness we were quite in control but needed fresh legs up top.

23

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: November 27, 2021, 06:32:03 PM »

This reminds me of the mid part of the 2003/4 season where Megsons 3-5-2 formation clearly wasnt working and he was eventually forced into a change, sides below us hardly beat us but we struggled to beat them resulting in frustrating draws or late winners by the opposition.

The difference was we had Lloyd Dyer (who came in from nowhere) and we brought in The Horse.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: October 30, 2021, 04:28:59 PM »

Our board and owner clearly have no ambition at this level let alone the one we are aiming to get too.

Big Val is stubborn with his selections and tactics but it doesnt take away we are battling for promotion with a thread bare squad and a forward line who beyond Robinson and Grant has no depth to account for loss or form, fitness or injuries.

I was told pre-season online that I was wrong in this assessment but for me its still not resolved.

 

25

General Football & Sports / Re: Valérien Ismaël - Head Coach

« on: October 24, 2021, 10:27:25 AM »

Chatting yesterday at the game the argument could be made to have three in midfield against Fulham, but cannot see Val changing tactics.