1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Head Coach Thread

« on: December 25, 2024, 09:16:30 AM »

Robins; if you listen to their owner, his impact fell off a cliff after his coach/assistant manager left.
Mowbray; sadly he's had serious cancer and again is at the wrong end of his career.  We need a younger modem approach with an upside like CC.
Potter;too expensive and temporary for Patel IMO.

I like Rosenior but I think compensation will rule him out.  The sensible expensive option is Cooper. He has done well most of his career and knows how to coach players, but probably too expensive for Bilkul.

I expect an unknown quantity via the analysis tools used at Bologna that Nestor trusts. I also expect they'll make a good choice as we are now in professional hands once again.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: December 24, 2024, 10:56:06 AM »

CC is one of only a few managers we have had in my lifetime (a long one) to improve the players he inherited. Furlong, Grant, Mowatt, Palmer and BTA, IMO, have all played better under him than they did before he came. John Giles & Ozzie Ardiles are the only 2 that spring to mind to improved players.
I'm not surprised he's off to Spain, if true. It's what I always predicted. Thanks, Carlos, good luck and on we go

Spot on!

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: December 24, 2024, 10:51:05 AM »

To me, judging any manager in any walk of life is about assessing what they have done with the resources available.  On that bench mark I think Carlos Corberan has over achieved.

For example by comparison; Southgate had good results but with outstanding resources and can't get a look-in for a top job as a result.

Look at what CC had to deal with;

- Ownership actually taking money out of the club let alone putting some in.
- A squad recently dumped out of the PL with no PL assets but an unsustainable commitment to wages.
- New players coming in earning a fraction of the failures on our books (not good for morale)
- His predecessor being one of the most incompetent mangers in the past 20 years (and we've had a few).
- High levels of injuries to key players.
- New ownership needing to balance the books and fill squad positions with cheap replacements (hence poor quality recruited this summer overall).

CC has consistently put out a team that is organised and committed.  Very hard work from the forwards and wide players have supported the defense and together achieved decent results.  Valencia sounds like a tough place after 15 years of failure, but I'd be very surprised if CC does not go on to have a very successful career.  He's a professional in all that he does.

So in summary, I'm really disappointed that we've lost him (if so) and thank him for his amazing commitment, particularly considering his young family are based in Spain. As for our future; it may be in short term jeopardy, but I still have 100% faith that our new owners (overtime) will make good business decisions that will be reflected on the field.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: December 20, 2024, 03:18:46 PM »

I'll happily admit that I'm still very much in the pro CC camp. However, I think it is fair to say that he has been very unlucky both last season and this with injuries.  We just can't cut a break and this makes the workload on the other players unsustainable.

I hope we can move one or both of Swift and Wallace this window and also Diangana in the summer.  High wage earners that now rarely contribute and take up too much of our budget.

My only disappointment with CC is that he does not rate/utilise more of our up and coming youth players.  I'd like to see more of Whitwell and think we should integrate Taylor into the squad rather than short term fixes like McNair.  We have so many problems at CB I'm sure he would get some game time if he returned.

Anyway, I'm glad we did not lose CC to Saints and hope he will get better backing (quality) in the winter transfer window. 

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tom Fellows

« on: August 28, 2024, 06:36:00 AM »

At this stage I would not sell unless the price would transform the finances of the club.  Whatever we reject now will be his starting price for bids in the next transfer window, so by being strong his value increases accordingly.

We have got off to great start and that is our key objective. To take away the most effective provider at the club will only hold back our chances of top 6 and keeping CC.  Also, over recent years we have been a low price selling club.  You can be sure we are targeted by the transfer analysts as an easy mark. Under Mr. Patel we must change that perception and become a high price selling club. 

Back to Tom, he has a unique skill.  He consistently delivers killer balls into the box, not just crossing with blind hope.  This is a very special skill and a decent striker will eat up these chances. On top of that, he works hard, never dives, is rarely booked and seems very clam and mature.

Ref Mikey Johnson, he had a great spell with us but was marked out of the games later in his loan spell, plus he couldn't make it in the mickey mouse SPL, so i wouldn't assume he could replace TF effectively, even though I'd still welcome him back.

My price for Tom this week would be 25m and only that would move me. 

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: State of the Squad - (Championship 2024/25)

« on: August 01, 2024, 11:53:37 AM »

Mr. Patel is doing what we have needed since JP left.  That is; running the club to a plan with a sustainable budget.  I can see that our squad overall could be weaker than last years and expectations need to be set accordingly.  However, it does mark a fresh start with a future where transfers make a positive contribution and revenues are increased through smarter commercial activities.

If (and we should certainly be able to) we acquire at least some players with appreciating values our financial situation will turnaround quite quickly.  But unfortunately 'patience' which is always unpopular will be required.

In summary, I'd be surprised if we don't have 4 or 5 (2 already done) new players aged 21-24 who have genuine potenatial to grow in value when the squad is complete.  If we add some loans and with KC in charge, that should still provide some hope of success this season.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Brandon Thomas-Asante Joins Coventry City

« on: July 29, 2024, 04:14:25 PM »

Offer in from Hull

Lyall Thomas
@SkySportsLyall

#Hull interested in #WestBrom's Brandon Thomas Asante. Understood to have made a £2.5m offer. Among several clubs keen on the striker.

If that's true he's gone, just a matter of when and who to.  We have to move high wage earners or get fees and he's one of the few where a fee is possible.  He's done really well for us, but he's not quite a striker and not a winger either, so we need to replace him with someone who scores more or who can hold the ball more effectively and match his return.

Hull have money and ambition so 4m+ should be possible. 

8

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

« on: June 26, 2024, 11:18:07 AM »

I see Tim Iroegbunam is rumoured to have gone from Villa to Everton for 9m.  If true I'm sure it will encourage even more poaching. Also, it shows our prospects that this route can be very productive.

The rules currently still don't protect the development club, so we reamin very vulnerable. Let's hope they don't offer Harry Whitwell an offer he can't refuse!

As for Tim, good luck young man.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: State of the Squad - (Championship 2024/25)

« on: May 30, 2024, 07:55:24 AM »

I think it would be wise once and for all to operate a transfer strategy with solid rules.

Example

- No contract extensions beyond one year on 30+ year old players.
- No transfer fees on players over 25.
- A maximum of 4 players 30+ in the squad.
- A minimum of 4 ex academy players in the main squad.
- Manager to have a 5M release clause.
- Academy manager to have a 2.5m release clause.
- Operate a maximum squad size of 23 (including loans)

On that basis i would not renew Barkley (despite his good form). We still have enough older players.

My hope is that Mr Patel will increase our commercial income over time with more ambitious sponsorship deals and this could improve our competitive position.  Plus, we can sell assets from time to time due to investing in youth.

10

General Football & Sports / Re: Adam Reach Released 22/5/24

« on: May 23, 2024, 02:45:37 PM »

Another shocking bit of scouting. He scored a couple of screamers against us over the years, but that didn't justify a signing.

Wednesday fans on mass described him as 'soft' and ineffective.  He was beyond an age where you could expect improvement and unlikely to be a sell-able asset.  No doubt as a free transfer we paid a big fat signing on fee plus high wages to compound the error. This is a typical example of our post Ashworth incompetence.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Grady Diangana

« on: May 18, 2024, 09:57:14 AM »

Clearly GD is a very talented footballer, but he's got weaknesses that keep getting exploited.  Apart from his first loan spell he's been the ultimate in inconsistency.  I can't see how any manager can trust a player like that over a full season and expect success.  As he's now being played centrally (not his fault/choice) he's even more of a defensive liability and you could see Saints swoop on him as soon as he got the ball.  Sometimes he gets away with it, but it happens too often.

We spent 40m + on GD, Grant and Robinson and that has sealed our fate economically until now.  I hope Patel will financially support the cleaning out of these errors and move onto more consistent and hungry young players that might be EPL standard one day (like Fellows).

12

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mark Miles new CEO

« on: March 01, 2024, 02:17:20 PM »

Based upon his actions and CC feedback, he seems an honest and committed employee.  But based on his CV and interviews, I can't imagine employing him as a CEO of a business of this scale. 

If we are going to compete (and we start from a very hamstrung positions due to Lai's financial incomptence) we need a dynamic leader, with class leading experience and drive who can support the owner in developing a plan for the future. Then he has to deliver it! The stadium manager is not fit for such a task IMO.

I hope we retain MM in his previous capacity and employ a new CEO as soon as possible.  The new dawn is here and we need to exploit the opportunity. 

13

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: December 23, 2023, 02:55:43 PM »

No sign of the game on the official site?

14

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: October 31, 2023, 10:14:18 AM »

i just hope there's no fire sale in Jan, he would still work his magic mind

If we can stay near the play-offs I expect the perception will be that we are not as desperate as perhaps financially we are.  That should enable us to hold out for better prices if Diangana/BTA/Palmer are back on someones radar.  We could lose Mulumby, but personally, if we get a fee I think we can live with that.

15

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: September 23, 2023, 03:10:18 PM »

me neither!

16

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA tv

« on: August 15, 2023, 07:37:45 PM »

My subscription lapsed due to debit card expiry date. The website is not working properly to reset payment details and no new account works either. Have contacted the club 6 times in the past two weeks with no help provided.

So not surprised others having problems!

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: The summer / next season

« on: July 24, 2023, 07:55:41 AM »

I'm pleased so far that some dead wood has been moved on.  When I hear Jake celebrating another contract for his impact on the dressing room, it fills me with relief!  A shame that Chalobah was not sold to Israel, but maybe someone else will take him off our hands.  Button going is promising too, as they were wasted wages.  Many many more can go from my perspective, as we need a fresh start with fresh faces/attitude so that CC can use his undoubted skills to improve players who want to improve.

The cushion of the DOS sale should mean we are in a stronger position to haggle when small offers come in for our so called 'assets'. After that, we can get some younger players in.  The one silver lining of our current crisis is you would imagine contract extensions for the 'bang average' will stop being offered!
 

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Grady Diangana

« on: July 05, 2023, 08:19:47 AM »

Sounds like the club want it out there that he's available, but want reasonable money for him.  In reality we are desperate to get out as many as possible.

I feel Grady is not happy with us, needs to return to his home area and restart his career.  He has failed to deliver the past two seasons (assists/goals) and its time for us to take the hit (financially).

Many others are worse than GD for sure, but we need a fresh start too.  So for me, the more players that leave the better.

19

General Football & Sports / Re: Dara O'Shea

« on: June 23, 2023, 09:47:23 AM »

We have in general a very poor record of selling players at normal market values.  When we finally get new owners somebody needs to review our profile as a club.  It has always been that certain clubs demand and get crazy fees and others don't, there must be reasons for this.  Somehow we need the world to know/think we have a super academy and that we buy quality that will appreciate.

Pereira was a great example.  if he'd of played for Leicester/Brentford/Everton/Brighton he would have been 30m-40m.  We got next to nothing.  Even in the past JP (who did better overall), but could not get a reasonable price for young England center forward Berahino.... why is that?  In the press this week there was an article titled 'a strange one' Josh Griffiths to NUFC. How the hell is that strange. He's been a leading goalkeeper at England age levels for 5 years plus.  He's currently in the U21 squad and has played 100+ games, seems to be very mature and focused.  If he played for anyone else they'd be asking 5m-10m  but its 'a strange one' according to the press.

I know our main problem is management, pathetic recruitment strategy and execution, but even if we get that right, we need to get top dollar for any sales that occur. 

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Jayson Molumby

« on: June 18, 2023, 02:01:22 PM »

When I first saw Molumby, I thought he was League One standard. Run's like a pub player, no vision or natural ball striking technique. 900k seemed like robbery at the time, but time changes many things.  He's still very limited, but through pure effort, commitment and the ability to learn and improve he's become an important player for us.  Having said that, when I hear Adrian Goldberg suggest he should be playing regularly in the EPL, I think that's a step too far.

We are in a terrible mess, so again, I'd sell almost anybody this summer at the right price.  I'd say based on age and contract situation that 3m+ for Molumby is acceptable.

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Josh Griffiths

« on: June 18, 2023, 01:47:56 PM »

This is typical Ashworth; showing us how things should be done.  We have financial problems and his son knows Josh's character.  Seems he's a 'good un' based on age group progression with England to U21.

On our side, I think we'll have to sell him.  I'd hope for 4m plus add-ons (10% future transfer) worst case I'd take 2m based on our current perilous situation.  We need to pay loans fees and wages to improve the squad short term and 2m+ should do that. 

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: The summer / next season

« on: May 10, 2023, 10:12:13 AM »

Big Val to Watford; followed by Mowattt for a decent fee?  Well, we can all dream sometimes ;-)

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Karlan Grant

« on: April 17, 2023, 11:14:37 AM »

With great respect to the very unfortunate Dike, I think Grant will provide more goals/assists than Dike would have done.

We all know his deficiencies, but cutting in from the left he is still quite potent and is generally a good finisher.

We need better YES, but for now, I think he'll make a positive contribution.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Grady Diangana

« on: April 12, 2023, 01:31:47 PM »

I totally agree with your assessment of GD.  He has remained quite a favourite of many fans, but when you look at his output goals/assists he's no better than Kyle Edwards and look where he is now. 

Regarding Bilic; if i remember correctly he preferred Eze over Diangana and in that, he has been proved correct.

For me GD should go this summer, even if its a year loan.   

25

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: April 07, 2023, 01:34:15 PM »

Pub football from Ajayi! Whats happened to him?