1

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

« on: January 17, 2025, 10:29:13 PM »

Great appointment, maybe fate stepped in . It will certainly create a buzz we’ve been missing and I think the players might enjoy themselves , particularly our midfielders

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 14, 2025, 06:22:08 AM »

IF Mowbray is fit I’d jump at him. It’s impossible to not be sentimental about his Albion team as it was just amazing to watch but objectively his recent record at Sunderland and Blackburn are enough of a reason for us to seriously look at him as an 18 month appointment. Experienced at this level, knows the club, no work permit issues ; we could build a younger coaching team around him. Also why not also get Roy involved - partly tongue in cheek but good clubs build legacies

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 13, 2025, 05:30:25 PM »

I cannot see Dyche or Cooper being realistic options at all? Why would they leave a long, very well paid holiday to take on a championship club on lower wages who are beginning a period of massive transition?

It's telling our apparent short list were foreign coaches I've never heard of and who seem to want to make a name for themselves in England. Nothing wrong with that on paper but I'm not sure Wicky or Hake for example are better than Schumacher, Edwards or Lowe - it just seems they're unknown as championship managers so carry a bit of excitement vs those who have all done well in the past but have also failed. The last time I had to research a head coach we appointed was Alan Irvine so not the best memories..........

Often simple is the best and I can't help think a coach who has already managed in this country, achieved a promotion, built a team with younger players and on a budget would be worth a go at the moment e.g. Schumacher, Lowe, Edwards to name three out of work who immediately spring to mind.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 13, 2025, 03:41:14 PM »

Disappointing this wasn't clear earlier in the process? Maybe Wicky got cold feet and used this as an excuse as it doesn't sound right? Either way, I'd hope the club's lengthy process has given them at least one or two fall back options by now.

You wonder if we've over-complicated this appointment when there are in and out of work coaches who have managed successfully in the championship and are available quickly?   

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: January 09, 2025, 03:41:39 PM »

This is the first appointment by the new ownership so they want to get it right - if anything the amount of time and due diligence they're putting into the process shows how committed they are to trying to get it right. We could be like Gourlay used to be or Stoke are now and take the next available name on the list after a short interview - what could go wrong!

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: December 24, 2024, 09:39:19 AM »

Carlos did a cracking job and leaves with his head held high. The club has new ownership and the squad is decent enough to challenge for play offs.it has felt like the end of his time recently though so I’ll be glass half full and hope the club can rebuild with a much more solid structure and one which doesn’t rely on ‘a boss’ coming in. Will be very interesting to see which way Neator and Shilen go

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: December 02, 2024, 03:21:57 PM »

Spot on Baggies 24 - we've massively missed Yokuslu. A classy player who could break up play and help the team play out from the back. Look at City after losing Rodri - I'd put losing Yokuslu in the same bracket for us in terms of impact to the team. The replacements have not (unsurprisingly) been able to fill the void.

It will take a change or formation and set up I think for Carlos to turn this around - I hope he does it as he's been the best thing to happen to the club for a long while but even he is not immune from criticism the longer the performances don't pick up. I think he's on the right lines with three at the back but needs to stick with it and properly bed in wing backs and try to fit in all of the forward players - some of who have not been at it (Swift, Diangana, Johnston) and maybe replace Dobbin  in Jan for a proper striker try to get the best out of Fellows again. Tough job but I'm not sure who else we could attract would be better without plenty of time! 

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA NEW OWNERS - Bilkull football

« on: February 29, 2024, 09:20:01 AM »

Massive relief to be rid of Lai, a horrible period for the club.

I have great hopes that the pragmatic approach Patel is talking about will suit us. We have done it before (rising from difficult times) and we’ll do it again , although maybe over a few years of solid stewardship. I have a feeling this is the very beginning of a new , long term successful period for us.

Come on yow baggieeeeees

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA NEW OWNERS - Bilkull football

« on: February 19, 2024, 07:19:35 AM »

The club need a smart strategy not necessarily big money/wage transfers but the structures that a good club has - Dof, scoutin network,  youth set up with a pathway to the first team and a club culture that is about development would be a start. This club was running well for a number of years, I’m sure we have people who are around still who could help and /or others who’ve done similar jobs at clubs which copied our old model (Brighton, Brentford, Luton).

The best thing I think the club could do is understand what worked for us in the past and other clubs recently and implement a new structure and strategy which isn’t about lashing fees in late 20s players who might not cut it.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: February 16, 2024, 01:19:52 AM »

Lai over and out

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Action For Albion/ Potential Takeover

« on: February 16, 2024, 01:19:07 AM »

Fantastic news and hope again that we can rebuild the club after Lai had decimated it . The Lai era will go down as my least favourite time as an Albion fan , the club seemed to get ever distant from what I’ve always been attached to even compared to the days of 90s obscurity on the pitch . Carlos as coach and a strong team on and off the pitch around him gives us a great chance of being proud of the club again. Come on you baggies

12

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: September 16, 2023, 05:07:01 PM »

Classic tale of two halves , as bad as Bruce’s days in the first but much better second . I’d love Carlos to take the handbreak off the team before 75mins to see what they can achieve. Interesting we arguably played better with Wallace , Yok and swift off the pitch. Mowatt looked decent when he came on and Maja alongside BTA worked. Sarmiento should start if fitness permitting. The makings of a good team but CC needs to be a bit braver with selections in my view. If he does a rank mid table team could challenge the top 8?

13

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: August 25, 2023, 02:47:05 PM »

I think what A4A is doing is fantastic, thank you and  keep going please!! It is making an impact as people are talking about it.

Lobbying politicians to change football club ownership regulation has to be something nearly every fan of every club wants . Clubs in this country are not business ventures first but the heart and soul of  communities and need to be regulated that way , maybe even not for profit or with a cooperative approach of fan majority ownership like in Germany .

Self regulation doesn’t work so there needs to be a game-wide change in this country. Albion are one of many clubs with shocking owners who have used clubs for their own purposes and the club comes second.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: August 23, 2023, 02:13:34 PM »

I think we have to accept clearing the deadwood means at best treading water for a year or two and then trying to build. I'd be amazed if we finish above 8th this year unless we somehow sign 5 or 6 first team starters who have real quality (dreamland)

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: August 23, 2023, 11:26:57 AM »

As always , we should judge by who comes in.

I think Bartley has been poor overall and has surprised me at times with his attitude on the pitch (blaming others etc) for a 'senior' pro. I wouldn't be surprised if Carlos didn't like his attitude and thought it best to shift him on. Carlos strikes me as someone who puts a lot of emphasis on attitude and so there are a few players here who are hopefully on the way out.  For those players who are overpaid and hanging around, Phillips is a current example of at least seeming to try for the team.

We're hopefully the seeing the recognition and undoing of signing/ re-signing the likes of Bartley, Mowatt, Bryan, Kelly, Reach and other 'senior pros' who have stunk the place out long enough or have added very little.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: August 23, 2023, 11:04:24 AM »

As 'senior' squad member and apparently one of the highest paid, we didn't see enough quality or leadership on the field from Bartley.

Hopefully , we'll also see Martin Kelly, Adam Reach , Mowatt and Chalobah let go or sold to make way for players that can improve the team / squad

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread

« on: August 23, 2023, 10:35:26 AM »

Corberans team at Huddersfield consisted of a number of late teens and early 20's so completely dismisses the idea he doesnt like youth, as with most coaches, if they are good enough or better than the rivals for their position they will play, nothing to do with age.

Who are the the mistakes we have made letting go? Same discussion is had every time a young player goes, Sam Field seems to used as the benchmark, currently playing in a poor championship team, by all accounts doing well and linked with a move, (key word being linked he was linked with a move last summer and in january but is still there now) assuming he is still at QPR start of september he will be playing for a poor to average championship which is slightly below where we are now.

TGH is 22 in December, he is 4-5 years into his pro career and still doesnt have a set position.

If the players who supposedly dont get chances and get overlooked for senior players are that badly treated then surely they would prove themselves when they move on?

Recent years -

Tyler Roberts - now at Blues, same level as us, championship last season without doing mucn
Kyle Edwards - Ipswich squad player - same level as us
Rakheem Harper - Burton Albion in league one
jonathan Leko - MK Dons in league two
Nathan Ferguson - was offered a new deal, he chose to leave

Sam Field is perhaps the one who may get a move upwarss but out of 6 players thats one who may do better than us.

It's not about letting the youth go if they're not good enough - they can provide funds to re-invest in younger players who will develop but more it's about keeping the likes of Bartley, Phillips, Pieters and signing Chalobah. It just fills a squad with players who are just not going to improve and will hang around to get a payday

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: August 23, 2023, 10:27:33 AM »

It's not just academy players managers haven't trusted , they've generally signed players nearing 30 or extended contracts of existing players past 30.

Where other clubs have developed by signing younger players and developing , Albion have got worse with our 'strategy' (there is no strategy).

It's not difficult to see we need to change to signing players like BTA , younger, hungrier whereas we end up with a Chalobah

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread

« on: August 23, 2023, 10:21:28 AM »

Yes, just because a player has reached 28 or older and has been frequently poor/ injured obviously means Albion believe he can become a World beater.

The youth set up is just about generating a bit of income to sign a has been or never will be. From Ashworth to Pearce in just over 10 years wow (from vision to blindness)!

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Action For Albion/ Potential Takeover

« on: August 23, 2023, 10:12:29 AM »

For me, the end result has to be new ownership, new CEO , a new football 'structure' at the club. We desperately need a clean slate without those who have been party or made some awful decisions over the past few years. Money would be nice but we seem so devoid of a strategy the past few years it's painful to watch but also inevitable.

It's all a bit Crooked House at the Albion

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Taylor Gardner-Hickman

« on: August 23, 2023, 10:09:01 AM »

TGH is not a World beater in my opinion but selling a younger player who showed promise at times and should only get better if coached well vs signing/ keeping Chalobah, Mowatt and others (if Hayden is the answer what is the question) is just indicative of how badly the club has been run over a number of years. We're obviously desperate and as a result are easy pickings for other clubs I imagine.

The kind of mess we're now in will resonate for a long while unfortunately - I'd liken it to the 90s 'wilderness' years where we signed journey-men players lacking in drive or quality and had to really reach some dark depths before re-building. We're not the sort of club a rich benefactor will invest in so there will be no quick fixes.

I could see a strategy built around signing/ keeping young players (on low wages) to develop them but our current strategy (is there one?) is just an absolute mess and built around a seemingly one year window of wheeler dealing to release quick cash. What business is run that way except Albion currently?

You've got to look at those running the club - Miles has been here for a long time and on the board so I understand so there's no excuse for him if it implodes badly (relegation/ administration etc).

Can we not just get a proper football person running the football side and a better team around him so that we can make some informed decisions. Pearce is just awful and doesn't seem to have any idea?

22

General Football & Sports / Re: Ron Gourlay - CEO

« on: May 31, 2023, 05:57:33 PM »

I was no fan of Gourlay after his appointment and sticking with Bruce for too long, failure to appoint any decent 'football people' (what football board?) and lack of comms in spite of this being a key aim but it's clear he knows what is coming in the near future and wants nothing to do with it. Horrible time for the club and potentially worse than the 90s where we were incompetently run but at least by people who had some affection for the club. Lai is the worst of all owners - incompetent and disinterested.  Shame it wasn't an announcement of new ownership bringing in their own CEO...............

23

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: February 21, 2023, 05:28:11 PM »

I think the squad is top 8 quality overall but with CC we could just creep into the play offs if we can keep our best first 11 fit for the run in. Dike would also need to hit some better form to stand a chance of making the play offs as I think as BTA would have too much to do on his own up front for a few months.

Albrighton and Chalobah seem to be (decent) squad players to me and the Molumby / Okay/ Wallace / Swift / Diangana midfield seems to be the best option as there is movement and dynamism we lack with Albrighton and Chalobah there.

Both players could be useful to slow down the game if we're winning but don't seem to add anything huge to the first 11.

Last night showed where we are I think - maybe a top six first 11 but probably a top 10 squad if our better players are left out.
 

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: February 21, 2023, 09:50:55 AM »

I think the Chalobah and Albrighton signings made sense from a squad perspective but we were getting good results and looked balanced with Moloumby motoring around the pitch and Okay doing his thing with Wallce, Swift and Diangana in front of them. It's clear trying to shoe-horn Chalobah and Albrighton in has affected the balance so hopefully Carlos reverts back to what worked. I could see the need for the new signings if we played three at the back and needed Albrighton as a wing-back and Chalobah as a second deeper midfielder but otherwise, sometimes the simple solution is the best one!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: February 08, 2023, 09:44:45 AM »

The thing with us is, even with Lai as owner (in spite of him) , we have the potential to get promoted in the next couple of years and Carlos has the opportunity to build a team (like Frank at Brentford) to really make a name for himself. Ideally, Lai will leave in the short term and we'd have a new owner who can support this longer term approach too!?

I'm sure a luke warm , short-term commitment from Leeds who could well get relegated this year is not necessarily as attractive as a club who (surprisingly) are in the play offs and looking up the leagues again?

I think Carlos has potential to be a top coach but he's not there yet and he realises that our club offers a great opportunity to develop him/ us - happy days all round!