1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Callum Styles Joins Albion

« on: January 18, 2025, 10:15:01 PM »

Only time I've sat in MILLENIUM CORNER !!!! corner but it was mix of family and the other half rowdy, inebriated up skinny teenagers keen to give away fans grief.

Could just have been a bad day for it but plenty of people getting escorted out

The Millennium Corner has become the place to be for nutters just interested in giving v signs to opposition fans.

Not the nicest place in the ground. Anyone remotely civilised is best advised to get tickets elsewhere.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tony Mowbray appointed as Head Coach

« on: January 18, 2025, 03:37:30 AM »

I've kept quiet through this whole manager search. Offered no opinion, made no judgements, just left Bilkul to do their job.

They've appointed Tony Mowbray. We all thought Raphael Wicky was set to be appointed and he appeared to be Bilkul's first choice. However, at the time Mowbray hadn't had his all clear whether or not that played any part in Bilkul's initial (apparent) decision we'll never know.

I always think with head coaches it's all about the fit, about what a club needs at that time. Corberan was the perfect fit at the time he was appointed but I think he'd probably reached his ceiling with us, I was never convinced he could ever get us promoted.

I think Mowbray could be the perfect fit right now. It's such a shame that Josh Maja's injury has come along and it might mean we struggle to get into the play offs this season. It's not all about this season though, it's about a longer term than that.

With Mowbray in charge it should at least see an end to sitting back, trying to see out a one goal lead for half the game against inferior opposition that have caused us no threat. That has really irked me this season.

Welcome back Tony and good luck.

3

Last Match Forum - 18/01 Stoke City (H) / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: January 15, 2025, 11:38:25 AM »

I don't think we have much choice other than to play Grant as the lone striker unless we partner him with Swift, Diangana, Cole or Wallace. I don't fancy either of them at all.

I'd rather go 4-3-3 and make sure we don't have any passengers to carry:


                         Palmer

Furlong  Bartley    Heggem    Styles

          Molumby  Diakite  Mowatt

Fellows           Grant                 Johnston

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 13, 2025, 01:36:04 PM »

Its all off. Surprised to be honest.

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 13, 2025, 01:25:28 PM »

Its too quiet, something weird is afoot in the wind.

This is Albion, it's always the same. I'd given up on Heggem signing as it dragged on and on and on. Just as I'd given up hope he was announced.

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: January 12, 2025, 10:25:14 AM »

Would you consider giving the lad more of a chance than one game since his return? I know Bournemouth made changes but it was Prem opposition,

It's not my decision to make what happens with him next. If he pulls on the shirt I will support him then give an honest assessment of what I see.

I hope I'm wrong and I hope Caleb progresses into a good centre back for us.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: January 12, 2025, 10:21:45 AM »

Martin Bennet was 19 when he first played for West Brom, regular first team player the following year aged 20.  Bobby Hope 17  - Are we too cautious in player development, over coaching and over protecting

I don't mean to sound disrespectful to Caleb but Martyn Bennett was a different level, a top class defender who but for persistent injuries would've had a very successful career.

I'd like to answer your question but it's too complex for my little brain. I think it's all about quality. If they are good enough they will force their way in. So many almost make it but never actually do.

8

Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 12, 2025, 06:14:08 AM »

I have no problem losing away to an in form team from a higher division.
 However I am so annoyed about team selection.
 Last week against Swansea Brunt said we were tired and even blamed the travelling as if we were Plymouth or Sunderland yet he played Styles,Grant and Fellows when he could have played Labrotta,Cole and Bostock.
As I recall Whitwell played quite well when brought on against Aldershot last season yet unless injured why wasn't he involved yesterday.Hasn't he developed at all?and why no Cleary?
 It seems that we now have a professional ownership and The Foundation is excellent but we don't seem to be getting any benefit from young player development.

Whitwell has a knock according to Lewis Cox.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: January 12, 2025, 05:10:40 AM »

I don't think he'll ever be good enough much as we all want him to be.

There is a racehorse called Ahoy Senor. He is a steeplechaser who falls apart too often over his fences because his brain can't get the message to his legs quickly enough. Caleb reminds me of him.

There were several moments yesterday where he hadn't got a clue mentally what he was doing. The first goal, the incident where he tried to head a clearance and almost chest flopped it. The time where he got caught on the ball and Bournemouth messed up a 2 on 1. All of these because his brain didn't think quickly enough so he just ends up with an ungainly physical reaction. Plus he turns like a snooker table.

I actually thought he looked OK with the ball at his feet but any time he was under any pressure defensively he couldn't cope.

Caleb isn't a kid anymore he's 22 sometime this month.

By all accounts he did very well at Wycombe. League one is probably his level.

10

Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 11, 2025, 05:35:37 PM »

Shocking team selection from Brunt. Hopefully his last game in charge. He's not a manager as we all know so won't go hard.

If Brunt was a goalkeeper that would be the played out definition of 'he doesn't know whether to come out for it or stay on his line'

Spoke as if we were going to give it a go and come out fighting but selected Racic, GRady AND Swift to start. 3 biggest passengers in the squad and boy was it obvious. No team can carry those 3 against the 7th placed Cherries.

Selected Caleb Taylor to play against PL opposition for the first time but then selected Holgate who's not a proper CB to start alongside the kid. Holgate had an absolute stinker to boot.

Game highlighted the growing difference between the PL and Champo each passing season. Vital we get promoted to get rebuild money ASAP. We will have too take our licks every other season a few times but that's the only way to get back up there and remain there.

Thankfully there's no one in our division anywhere near the levels of Bournemouth and the magic of the cup is a thing long gone.

This to a word.

We have a squad of about 13 or 14 that are good enough, the rest of them aren't, even for the Championship. When we have to use them our levels drop alarmingly.

Wallace, Swift, Holgate (unless used as back up RB), Racic, Diangana all need to go. Its like playing with 10 men when
one of them plays. We had absolutely no hope today starting with most of them.

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Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: In Game Chat

« on: January 11, 2025, 04:52:31 PM »

They even get a fifth. So bad even Jebbison scored.

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Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: In Game Chat

« on: January 11, 2025, 04:51:02 PM »

Even allowing for the difference in levels this showing has been little short of abysmal. Thankfully Bournemouth gave up at 4-1.

13

Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: In Game Chat

« on: January 11, 2025, 04:48:56 PM »

Wallace just awful.

I think I might actually be better. 

14

Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: In Game Chat

« on: January 11, 2025, 04:07:47 PM »

I'm dreading the final score.

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mason Holgate joins on loan

« on: January 11, 2025, 03:56:05 PM »

He's an adequate back up right back. As a CD he's awful. You can see why he keeps getting loaned out.

16

Last Match Forum - 11/01 AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup 3 - A) / Re: In Game Chat

« on: January 11, 2025, 03:46:47 PM »

This could turn embarrassing.

Swift, Racic, Diangana, Holgate, Wildsmith all awful.

17

Last Match Forum - 04/01 Swansea City (A) / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 04, 2025, 02:30:58 PM »

Reminds me of the Oxford game earlier on in the season. Game management cost us. Grady particularly annoying for the goal he has got to make an effort to stop the first cross, he just does nothing.

It's a point away from home but it shouldve been three. We've got to sort out our mentality when we're winning tight games late on. We're creating our own problems.

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: January 02, 2025, 10:50:48 PM »

To be fair there have been some judged on one match
Luke Moore was …
Andy Hunt had some right stick
Diakite started world war 1 and 2 according to some last week

Am I remembering wrong? I'm sure Andy Hunt scored a hattrick on his debut?? Maybe it's time playing tricks with my memory?

He went on to be a fans favourite so I think it's wrong to say he was judged overall on one performance.

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Alex Palmer

« on: January 02, 2025, 02:30:23 PM »

Given the choice between a top reflex keeper who commands his box and one who is just good at kicking, I'd take the first type every time.

Yep me too. He does frustrate me at times because he's too slow sometimes with his distribution but as a shot stopper he's a top, top 'keeper and he comes and catches crosses as well.

Sam Johnstone played for England ??. Weird.

Palmer better.

20

Last Match Forum - 01/01 Preston North End (H) / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 01, 2025, 06:09:49 PM »

Three welcome points. We've played better than this though. I didn't think we were great first half despite the scoreline. We took our chances. Diakite played well and its good to know we now have another option in midfield. I'd much rather have him than Racic.

Second half we didn't get going perhaps a subconscious foot was taken off a pedal then we started seeing the game out. Its understandable this time of the year with games coming thick and fast and another game coming up Saturday lunch time.

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mason Holgate joins on loan

« on: January 01, 2025, 01:20:03 PM »

I like him
Was a regular for Everton under Ancelotti
He's way better than Semi IMO

Semi isn't great but he's better than Holgate at CB. If you look at the goals we concede Holgate is usually at least partly responsible.

When he was here previously he played RB. That is his best position.

22

Last Match Forum - 01/01 Preston North End (H) / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: January 01, 2025, 01:17:40 PM »

See i dont get this "were not ready for the Premier League" chat.
Can any team be ready for promotion?

No, you're absolutely  right. It's just another football cliché that people come out with.

You don't pick and choose your time to get promoted you grab the chance when you can for the financial rewards promotion brings.

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mason Holgate joins on loan

« on: January 01, 2025, 06:39:21 AM »

Holgate is absolutely fine, infact pretty good, as a right back understudy for Furlong. As a first choice centre half he's a no no, as a back up he's OK for the odd game but not over a period.

I'd bring him in if the deal suited us financially because we have no back up for Furlong otherwise.


If the deal doesn't suit move on and find, predominantly, a recognised right back.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: December 29, 2024, 03:21:59 PM »

Above 2 comments are why i love football!

Yep. It's all about opinions.

Oldbury is chatting poo poo in this case though. 😄

25

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: December 29, 2024, 03:14:42 PM »

Thought the shirt pull by Molumby on the lad who did the overhead kick at the end could have been a pen as well.

No. That would've been ridiculously soft.