1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: November 06, 2022, 08:19:13 PM »

My 2 cents is that a proportion of our fan base cannot stand it when Bartley plays well and are desperate for him to fail to reinforce their narrative.

Yeah, you're right. We meet up in The Blue Gates each Thursday night to share our anti-Bartley tales and toast his inept performances.

In reality, I feel you're overthinking it a little.

Many, like myself, think Bartley has been a bit of a liability whose attitude has been debatable. Many, like myself, feel that O'Shea and Ajayi would be a better partnership moving forwards. Many, like myself feel that when his contract is over, it is time for a clean break for all involved. That doesn't mean I want him to fail, because, unlike some, it isn't personal. Just business.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: November 06, 2022, 07:46:25 PM »

The PR machine is in full flow to give Bartley his redemption moment: interviews, twitter posts, his fans flooding internet forums.

Look he played well yesterday, but was still getting caught out, worryingly.

When Ajayi is fit, he should be ushered out of the team, and in no way should he be given a new contract.

Just my 2 cents.

3

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: October 23, 2022, 03:34:19 PM »

And on another note - the MET police are a joke. A totally incompetent outfit. Supporters were still being contained outside the ground an hour after kick off. They are solely responsible for the crush they caused yesterday.

The police were a shambles for sure. They do that every time at Millwall though so not sure why so many people were surprised mind.

As for the s*******e who dropped the nut on a fellow Albion fan who clearly didn't want a scrap - I'd love to see you try that against some of the other Albion around.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: October 22, 2022, 10:41:54 PM »

It's only fair I give Bartley some credit as I am one of his main detractors. I thought he was pretty solid today until his sending off.

That said, his stupidity cost us again.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: October 05, 2022, 10:27:01 PM »

Everything that is going wrong with this club starts with this parasite. I'd genuinely rather be watching the club I love in non-league free of this cancer than where we are now with him in charge. It's high time that we all stand up to this thief.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Battle of the Legends: Brunt vs Mozza

« on: September 27, 2022, 08:26:30 PM »

Miller was great fun to watch, not the most clinical by any stretch but the speed he could get up to considering his size was remarkable.
Opposition centre-halves bouncing off an speeding American fridge-freezer was glorious to watch when he got going.

Curtailed by injury sadly.

He certainly was. You know what, one of my favourite memories supporting Albion was when I was at Blackpool for a night match (think we won 3-1); he was unplayable, doing exactly what you described.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Battle of the Legends: Brunt vs Mozza

« on: September 27, 2022, 06:22:18 PM »

I am no fan of Grant but these 3 weren't the best either!

Bednar was a pretty damn good striker for us. He was quality in the Championship and provided some memorable goals. Miller was less prolific but very exciting at times.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Battle of the Legends: Brunt vs Mozza

« on: September 24, 2022, 10:36:38 PM »

Yeah, I just wanted to echo what other posters have said - it was a brilliant day. I was a little unsure about it beforehand, but to see many of the players who made supporting Albion so much fun during the Morrison and Brunt years was rather affirming actually. Was great to see so many smiles at the ground and on the pitch.

Just a quick point on the crowd size: look, I am not trying to rile anyone up, but I am hugely disappointed that our fanbase could not show the loyalty to two players who showed the loyalty to us. The Hawthorns should have been packed out today to show our appreciation so it was sad to see so many empty seats. Those there did the club proud, though.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: September 17, 2022, 10:15:12 AM »

In '82s defence it might be worth a look at page one of this thread to get his Leeds supporting mate's view of Bartley and his own subsequent feelings thereafter.

Meanwhile given his misgivings I'd love to know what's happened to Bartley's game over the last four seasons to make him our best centre back too (that particular pearler comes a few pages back  ).

I suggest that the Leeds supporting friend is a pretty good judge of a footballer.

I shudder at the thought of how many goals Bartley has cost us in his 150 games with us.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: September 16, 2022, 09:17:12 PM »

Bruce confirmed in his press conference today that Bartley had not been training in the days leading up to the Birmingham match but was desperate to play and Bruce admitted it was the wrong decision as he wasn't fit. Then of course he gets booed during the match and slagged off on here for not having the right body language, including comments that he was a disgrace and should never wear the team shirt again! Just goes to show, two sides to every story.

I'm sorry to say this, but you lost any objectivity when it comes to Bartley a long time ago, baggie82. 

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: September 15, 2022, 11:18:45 PM »

Are we going to apply the same 'death sentence' standard to O'Shea for his awful display at Huddersfield or does he get special treatment for coming through the academy? The reality is that a) the central defenders pick themselves thanks to our small squad and b) booing your own players during a game only harms the club you supposedly support and should never be condoned as acceptable. The time to give any 'feedback' of that kind is the final whistle.

You're missing the point. The three you have been mentioned have been bad, not Bartley bad granted, but bad, but at least they look like they care. Bartley's level of care is non-existent, unless it's when he's trying to blame his teammates of course.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: September 15, 2022, 11:16:00 PM »

Those who remember my posts will know I have been calling out Bartley's despicable attitude for years. Not only is he a calamitous defender, his lack of respect for his teammates and our fans is truly deplorable. The amount of times I have spent good money to follow us up and down the country and this clown is always first down the tunnel, rarely giving the fans even a look, let alone a clap of appreciation. 

I truly hope we never see him in an Albion shirt ever again - he is nothing short of a disgrace. I personally find booing a bit juvenile, but fair play to everyone who booed him last night; it's about time he realised his pathetic "efforts" have been noticed.

#rantover

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: February 20, 2022, 01:49:17 PM »

I think if a good proportion of the crowd is giving pelters its hnfair to expect players to come over and just accept it.  If a player did come over and it all kicked off even more they'd be blamed for inciting it.

I disagree, but respect your opinion.

I think, as captain, you should be coming over to the Albion fans, many of whom were not being abusive, and show some appreciation for those who have travelled - no matter what the result.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: February 20, 2022, 01:05:35 PM »

Jake Livermore did exactly that after the final whistle at Millwall. From what I've read online he got absolutely slaughtered by the supporters he went to acknowledge.

I was at Millwall and this is not entirely true. Livermore was on the half way line and did a token clap before heading straight down the tunnel. Yes, people were giving him pelters, but as I say, he was a long way away.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: February 20, 2022, 11:06:59 AM »

Since Reading in 2016, I don't blame our players for not going to the away end after a loss.

Nah, sorry. Not having that. Just because 1 **** can't behave himself, doesn't mean that the players can't show just a little bit of gratitude to those of us that spend a hell of a lot of money following them around the country.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: February 20, 2022, 10:23:06 AM »

First down the tunnel at the end, as usual. Just what you like to see in a captain.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 02, 2022, 04:27:54 PM »

There are thousands of words I could write to describe how bad that was, but the overriding thought is centred around the complete lack of quality we seem to possess.

The overhit crosses, the poor first touches, the erratic shooting, the clumsy nature of our possession play, the wayward kicks from the goalkeeper, the aimless headers, the careless tackles...Do you want me to carry on?

The single bit of quality was the build up and finish for our goal, so why can't we show this with any consistency?

All in all, it makes me question what is happening on the training ground as morale appears to have disintegrated too.

Awful. Just awful. 

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Which areas are WBA and which are Wolves?

« on: January 01, 2022, 11:13:28 PM »

No different really - aside from Wolves having a particular purple patch then West Midlands football is back in the pecking order it has been for forever and a day.

The demise of Villa wasn’t sufficient enough for any of the demographics to change. Such changes are generational and not merely off the back of a poor season or two.

It appears that way.

This is a huge generalisation, I admit, but I always have seen us and the dingles as more similar in the fact that our fan bases are very loyal and proud, whereas as Blowee has alluded to, much of Villa's seems to melt away when they aren't doing great.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Which areas are WBA and which are Wolves?

« on: January 01, 2022, 11:10:21 PM »

I may be wrong but having moved from Dudley to Stourbridge around 15 years ago my feeling is that Stourbridge is divided fairly evenly between us and Villa with a significant  Wolves following too. I’ve only met the odd Blues fan. Villa fans seem quite prominent when they are doing well but they go very quiet when they aren’t doing so well.

Yeah, Stourbridge is a proper melting pot, isn't it. I spend quite a bit of time over there with my old football team pals and our mix of Albion, Villa and Wolves seems to mirror the town's (well the folk in the pubs, anyway). Stourbridge Albion always well represented on away days in the past.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Which areas are WBA and which are Wolves?

« on: January 01, 2022, 10:36:53 PM »

Ahh I knew I remember posting in this thread from the past...

Anyhow, my mates and I were just discussing "Albion areas" in the pub and whether they would have been changed with the dingles and veela's recent resurgence.

What do people reckon - have our noisy neighbours seen an increase in fan base or are we still holding our own?

For what it's worth, I now live in Stirchley which is dominated by Villa and Blues as you would expect, although there are a few of us Albion about. Not many dingles at all, thankfully.

21

General Football & Sports / Re: Jake Livermore

« on: October 27, 2021, 02:27:36 PM »

I don't think there are many who question his commitment, it's his ability that is contested. He tries hard and gives his all but, technically we need an upgrade and have done for years. IMO. Would never wish him ill though.

Sean Flynn was a committed trier but I wouldn't want him in our midfield either.

Molumby showed on Saturday that you can work hard and be technically good. Not saying that one game makes him a world beater but he certainly deserves to keep his place.
Snodgrass also showed that it's not all about legs and pace, a footballing brain can compensate for that.
I think bringing Jake back would set us back, without a doubt.

Top post. Saved me a few minutes typing something similar.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: October 16, 2021, 12:48:19 AM »

Not the first time this season his calamitous mistakes have almost cost us. Not a fan of his body language either. Constantly moaning at the ref and other players. One season in the Premier League in which he was constantly embarrassed as obviously made him think he’s too good for this division.

Absolutely bang on. Unpopular opinion, but it's true.

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General Football & Sports / Re: The Cricket Thread

« on: February 14, 2021, 01:17:26 PM »

I imagine the Indian team will be pretty happy.

I'm not particularly looking forward to seeing us bat on this deck, put it that way.

Mercifully, I forgot to set the alarm.

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General Football & Sports / Re: The Cricket Thread

« on: February 13, 2021, 08:31:27 PM »

I imagine the Indian team will be pretty happy.

I'm not particularly looking forward to seeing us bat on this deck, put it that way.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Anything Birmingham City

« on: February 13, 2021, 08:29:15 PM »

Always enjoyed the touch of 'frisson' experienced at St Andrews particularly on the walk back into town after a win

Not one for the faint-hearted, that's for sure.

Being from the West Birmingham - Sandwell border, quite a few of my mates are Blues fans. They used to wind me up proper when we were younger (when they had that successful period) but they've mellowed in their older age, as has my animosity towards their club.

They are a very passionate fan base and deserve a hell of a lot better from their owners - very similar to ourselves, actually.