1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: February 08, 2023, 01:17:06 AM »

Congratulations Carlos on signing a new contract through  2027
 There was clearly never any doubt you'd stay!

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: West Brom seek loan from MSD Holdings

« on: October 29, 2022, 01:29:49 AM »

MSD Holdings are a huge investment firm in the States that are heavily involved with Dell Technologies and their assets.
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2021/02/12/Finance/MSD-Partners.aspx
They have been linked to a takeover of Sunderland in the past.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: League One

« on: October 22, 2022, 10:58:12 PM »

I don't believe Dike and Ajayi returning will make much difference.  Dike can't last one game before getting injured.
Albion have to stop giving easy goals to teams. As boring as it sounds we need a back five and two defensive midfielders until we stop the rot and start getting some points. I know it's Pulisball but sneaking one nils may be all we can hope for with what we have.

4

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: October 22, 2022, 05:17:03 PM »

Always look on the bright side... we took the lead

5

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: October 15, 2022, 07:36:34 PM »

I watched Bristol City 1-2 Millwall today instead of the Baggies at Reading.
I cannot believe either of these teams have so many points this season
All I can say is BC have one of the poorest defenses I've seen in a long time.
Up front all they have is Semenyo who has plenty of speed but lacks finishing quality.

After watching the Albion highlights I predict a 3-0 win at home.

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA Next Manager/Head Coach Thread

« on: October 12, 2022, 11:25:19 PM »

It doesn't please me to say this but we are not a BIG club anymore.  We have little money available, an average playing staff and an ownership that shows little interest.
I keep seeing people mention we re a bigger club than other teams. With the parachute payments ending we will only be more mediocre in this division.
Don' t expect an EPL manager or someone with a good track record. I think we have dropped to lower division managers or  first time sorts.
Sad how the Albion are fading.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA Next Manager/Head Coach Thread

« on: October 10, 2022, 04:55:05 PM »

Maybe make Hodgson DOF

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA Next Manager/Head Coach Thread

« on: October 10, 2022, 04:52:40 PM »

As much as I would like a young eager manager I don't see it happening. Lower league managers are playing against weaker teams than Albion face so if they  are successful it doesn't mean they have great managerial talent, perhaps they play bad teams.
IMO we need a manager than has results from a team that plays in a higher division, experienced in almost no budget, has a focus on defense , cam grind out 1-0 wins ( I don't want Pulis back) and most importantly can admit their mistakes to the media instead of saying everything is bad luck.
That being said... left field appointment  Mark Warburton
47% wins rate with Brentford, Rangers (had a budget), Forest and QPR. Currently a coach at West Ham

9

General Football & Sports / Re: Steve Bruce - Manager

« on: October 08, 2022, 10:18:31 PM »

I'm fine with Bruce going but IMO we haven't had a decent manager in a decade.
The team has gradually filled up with has been / old players or not not good enough to begin with.
My gut feeling is even if we replace Bruce we will still be having the conversation of how poor the team is in two years from now.
Its sad to see how we continue to get worse every year.

10

General Football & Sports / Re: Steve Bruce - Manager

« on: October 08, 2022, 06:40:23 AM »

I can't see Bruce being fired unless we lose by 3 or 4. My gut feeling is Ron is waiting for Dike to return and then stumble through to the next transfer window

11

General Football & Sports / Re: Steve Bruce - Manager

« on: May 25, 2022, 06:53:23 AM »

I agree about the manager merry go round. I would have kept Bilic and Ismael. But to give  Bruce 46 games regardless is asking for trouble. Good job other clubs don't see it that way. If Forest had not sacked Hougton in September and got Steve Cooper in, would Forest be playing in the play offs ?  If we are in the bottom 6 come the end of September he has to go !!

There are no guarantees he will get 46 games. If he has a bad team then he will be gone a lot sooner.

12

General Football & Sports / Re: Steve Bruce - Manager

« on: May 25, 2022, 06:50:35 AM »

Think we should of parted ways with Bruce especially if there is a break clause as he failed miserably in his task to hit the road running and make an immediate impact on his arrival.  Ron the will have a lot to answer for if next season goes tits up.

I think ANYONE who came in at that point of the season with the cr*p we were producing as a team would have had trouble turning the tide. We have a team full of older , overpaid, average players who were just awful to watch. Give Bruce a chance to sign some players before you throw him under the bus.

13

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Players or Manager?

« on: February 21, 2022, 01:35:26 AM »

After watching various games this season I can see a huge problem with the team. We have zero midfield.
Mowatt was good in an average Barnsley team but we signed him because he was free.
Livermore has become a liability with his tackling and is slowing like a cart horse.
Reach has become a first choice player and shouldn't even be in this division.
TGH has heart but lacks experience even if he makes most of the team look like stiffs.
Molumby runs and runs but never does anything of value.
The midfield is padded out with two average full backs.

Truth is you can't expect to score goals with a non existent midfield leaving attacking players to chase long balls up the pitch with no support.
Add that to the fact that apart from Carroll everyone else up front looks like they couldn't give a sh*t.
We have enough points to stay up but sure as heck will not get near the playoffs.

Most of the players wouldn't get near starting in other teams and successive managers at the Albion have signed average or poor performers.

14

General Football & Sports / Re: Steve Bruce - Manager

« on: February 09, 2022, 11:35:43 PM »

Stop defending Bruce.  He had 7 days to work with the players not 1 day.

He has video footage of all the last dozen games where we have been awful with Livermore and Mowatt as a midfield 2.

He has had the benefit of players for years under one of the greatest of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson.

He has managed professional teams for 25 years.

And he picks the worst 2 midfielders on our books in Livermore and Reach.

It's rubbish, every WBA fan knows it.

Seriously?!? He inherited a team that is awful and you expect miracles?

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Times story - sale of Pereira

« on: June 29, 2021, 02:48:08 PM »

It does seem weird that we have always been quite well run with no hint of trouble, we then employ a manager for six months who has a history of dodgy dealings with agents and in the one and only transfer window he is here, dodgy events happen, he then leaves as does the bloke who employed him, maybe a massive coincidence…..

The accusation is there was a previous deal that had already taken place. From what has been put forward there was a second discussion along these lines. I don't believe Big Sam sold anyone to China so perhaps your veiled accusation should be withdrawn towards him.
Now if you want to accuse Dowling of being involved in wrongdoing I will agree with you. In fact I'm would hazard a guess he may well be the leak as payback for not getting his way.

16

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

« on: June 24, 2021, 09:30:04 PM »

Pleased it has been done. Bit odd that he was given a 4 year deal. A 12 month rolling contract would have made more sense. From comments on OS sounds like Ken will be effectively running transfers / acting as DOF alongside him.

I'm not sure many coaches would come to Albion on a rolling 12month contract. A 4 year deal; although unusual for Albion; is a sign of support and wanting a long term appointment. 12 month contracts with this club IMO would discourage a lot of coaches.

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Manager Thread

« on: June 19, 2021, 05:29:35 PM »

I wonder if the board realise just how much money they will need to spend if VI is given the job? Firstly three central midfielders, two new forwards, centrebacks, full backs and the list goes on. If he gets the job and we dont spend the required money it could be a very very short stay as our manager.

Completely agree with our needs for the squad. However I see one or two of our more respected/talented players leaving to finance any moves with incoming transfers. That will leave big holes to fill. I'd be looking at available money before coming to the Albion. Makes me think Big Sam worked wonders in the January transfer window.

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Manager Thread

« on: June 18, 2021, 01:34:11 AM »

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/17/crystal-palace-sound-out-former-borussia-dortmund-manager-lucien-favre

Palace are in for ex Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre.  Wish we were as ambitious.

The problem is we are a yo-yo team again and no experienced/top rate/ however you want to say it manager wants to be with a team that is playing for 17th place in the Premier League, now even less likely as we are back amongst the lower level.

Football is not what it used to be. I seem to remember managers applying for jobs with us in days gone by, now we draw up short lists of unlikely targets just to appease some egos higher up.

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Manager Thread

« on: June 11, 2021, 01:22:23 AM »

Just going to throw a name out there. After the latest failed manager search it seems Albion still like the cheap route.
I would not be surprised to hear Craig Shakespeare suddenly being mentioned.
Has ties to the Albion, has done reasonably well coaching and now sits waiting with bags packed at the Vile.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Shakespeare#Coaching_career

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Rekeem Harper

« on: June 10, 2021, 01:01:24 AM »

Maybe Brunt can out of retirement 

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Manager Thread

« on: June 09, 2021, 03:33:40 AM »

Many of us have seen some interesting appointments over the years. A lot of them ended as we expected,
Whether its Wagner, Wilder or the tea lady lets see what the preseason shows in terms of strengthening the team and performances.
I will be backing whomever gets the job and hope for improvement on last season.
We ARE NOT a big club anymore and we DO NOT attract star players or managers.

Lets at least give the new manager a chance before we condemn them.

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Manager Thread

« on: June 03, 2021, 05:53:50 AM »

I am so tired of this every 12-18 months. How difficult can it be to find a new manager especially after we were set for relegation at Christmas and the last hire was only going to be a temporary fix anyway.
This club is a circus.

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Released list 2021

« on: May 27, 2021, 09:10:37 PM »

My only question is how much did all these released players knock off the wage bill?
Any ideas?

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Manager Thread

« on: May 20, 2021, 01:53:38 AM »

Thought I'd throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
How about Mark Warburton?
Worked well at Brentford and Rangers.
Not so good at Forest but turned QPR around at the start of the year.

25

General Football & Sports / Re: Matheus Pereira

« on: May 10, 2021, 03:21:56 AM »

So if someone comes calling for Pereira there are two things I see that may be introduced.
Is there a release clause, if so what is it?
If he goes to one of the mercenary clubs how much of a look in will he get?
Yes he looks good in an Albion team because he has more talent than most of them. At a club full of mega buys I think he would see a lot of bench time.
I'd take 30 mil right now but hope for more.