14026

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: What are folks general views on Vela?

« on: February 19, 2011, 04:57:14 PM »

Looked promising against Manchester City, certainly seemed to give us a more creative spark with his close control ability. I thought against Wigan, it was probably too early and cleary hadn't had enough time with his team mates, problem was we'd play him out of position anyhow.

When Appleton moved to the diamond formation I'm surprised we never saw him behind the two strikers instead of Giles Barnes.

14027

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Your Derby Day Schedule ?

« on: February 18, 2011, 09:57:53 PM »

Make arrangements on saturday to cure the boredom. I doubt I'll be able to sleep Saturday night, getting ready for a nice sausage sandwich on the Sunday the morning. The rest of the day plans itself.

14028

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hodgson Focusing on Defence...

« on: February 18, 2011, 08:03:47 PM »

I hope Roy Hodgson gives Pablo Ibanez some game time. If he recognises a decent defender then he won't go far wrong in spotting Pablo. In my opinion he's been under used during our poor run of results. I'd quite like to see him alongside Jonas Olsson.

14029

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Steve Bull’s relief at derby delay

« on: February 18, 2011, 07:58:53 PM »

Hate agreeing with him but I reckon he's right. I think we would of beaten them in December, they weren't much better themselves. Peter Odemwingie would of missed that game yet some fan wanted it postponed so he could return for the rematch. When the games rearranged its turned out we'll be missing our best player of the season in Youssouf Mulumbu.

14030

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Proved Appleton wasn't good enough

« on: February 18, 2011, 07:07:24 PM »

According to some person on facebook who met Michael Appleton after the game for a picture, he said Jerome Thomas was struggling with a shoulder strain.

Must of been when he fell over with the goal gaping 

14031

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hodgson Focusing on Defence...

« on: February 18, 2011, 06:51:39 PM »

Glad Jacko made that point. I was impressed with Gianni Zuiverloon lately when he featured, especially against Fulham at centre half in difficult circumstances. Looking at it, I'd like to see him actually. Think it's too early for James Hurst to be chucked into a ding dong derby.

14032

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Predictions

« on: February 18, 2011, 06:47:23 PM »

West Bromwich Albion 2 Wolves 2

Peter Odemwingie opener canceled out by goals from Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher. Chris Brunt to equalise in the 87th minute with an header 

14033

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Predictions

« on: February 18, 2011, 06:39:50 PM »

Stoke City 2 West Bromwich Albion 0

Too strong physically, too strong aerially.

14034

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hodgson Focusing on Defence...

« on: February 18, 2011, 06:37:42 PM »

Steven Reid could be the most obvious choice with him been a natural midfielder. I'd be more wary of his legs, especially up against Karl Henry. I'd therefore have Reid at right back and Jara in the centre.

14035

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hodgson Focusing on Defence...

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:54:34 PM »

Last week West Ham had time to have a picnic on the corner of our box before putting the cross in for the third goal! Not one of our team spotted that it was a short corner.  It's not just the back four the whole team has got to be responsible. 

Totally agree and that's what left me seething more than anything. We gave away three pathetic goals, kids in under 11's on a Sunday defend much better. All three of the West Ham goals came off initial knock downs or flick ons. I know Piquionne had only just came onto the pitch but surely someone can see he's unmarked. It's basic defending been made to look abysmal.

The joke for me is that Nicky Shorey has to stand there and mark to massive six footers whereas Olsson and Scharner are nowhere to be seen.

14036

Albion Matchday Forum / Team against Stoke.

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:49:12 PM »

                                                               Myhill

Reid                                   Olsson                                  Pablo               Shorey

        Brunt                              Scharner                Dorrans                Thomas

                                           Odemwingie            Fortune

If Mulumbu's fit then he'll come back into the side, I'd like to keep the aerial height of Paul Scharner in the side.

14037

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:41:23 PM »

All out according to the BBC, in saying that official site say apart from Mulumbu its a clean bill of health

Out the two, I think I'll believe the official site. Would of been a big blow of if all of them were missing.

14038

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: The relationship between fans and players.

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:32:11 PM »

When I'm at away games there is only Steven Reid and Youssouf Mulumbu I see come an applaud the fans, the rest will clap on the half way line and trudge down the tunnel. Least Reidy and Mulumbu make the effort.

14039

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:29:45 PM »

I really hope you're joking in Devon, apparently they've all declared themselves fully fit.

This will be a test of character, whether we can stand up to the pressure and whether we have enough bottle and confidence in ourselves. If the players aren't up for this game then they don't deserve to be in football, it's as simple as. It's a local derby and I expect them all to be gunning for it.

The problem for me lies with set pieces, they've got some pretty decent lads in the air, caused Man United and Chelsea a few problems. Both their winning goals in those games came off set pieces.

14040

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: George Elokobi

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:26:09 PM »

Even if Thomas can't get past Zubar, I expect him to pass the ball on a plate for Odemwingie in the 90th minute.

Both teams are suspect defensively, they're probably on their sights relishing the thoughts of Matt Jarvis running rings round Gonzalo Jara.

14041

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Build up...

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:24:24 PM »

Was talking to the lads about this in the week. I don't want to be sitting around like a nervous wreck all day. We were planning to go for a few games of golf after fetching our Blues tickets. We then thought about going to watch Blues against Sheffield Wednesday but in the end we've decided we may as well just go to goals and have a few games of football.

Liking Kris's idea of watching Orange Crush the night before, that'll really get me into it.

14042

General Football & Sports / Re: This weekends games

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:20:02 PM »

Not realy to do with the weekends games, but ex Baggie Leon Barnett has been ruled out for the rest of the seaoson at promotion chasing Norwich.

What's happened to Leon? Seemed to be doing okay down at Carrow Road.

I'd love it if Crawley Town could pull off a result up at Old Trafford.

14043

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Will we stop up?

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:17:05 PM »

Very hard to say, you've banned us from using that after the Wolves game card. When you look after Sundays game we have some real tough games, the hardest run in of the lot. That makes it all the more important to win this game. In my opinion, the winner of this game will go onto premier league survival.

14044

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Was RDM sacked to early?

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:14:57 PM »

Right time for me, especially going into two crunch clashes. If we'd of lost both the West Ham and Wolves game I think we would of been done for and that making it very hard for any manager to be able to turn it around.

I think Roberto didn't know how to change it either, we seemed abit too predictable for my liking and it was no surprise after seeing recent performances that he got the sack.

14045

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Now Hodgson is going 442.....

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:12:32 PM »

It's Fortune with one of either Odemwingie or Vela, can't see Vela and Odemwingie both playing the same role. I think the midfield picks itself; Brunt, Mulumbu, Dorrans and Jerome Thomas.

Is there an option to call Chris Wood back? That probably could of made it more sillier in letting Roman Bednar go.

14046

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Your team for the Wolves game?

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:06:29 PM »

442 for me with starts for Steven Reid and Pablo Ibanez

                                                                           Myhill

       Reid                                    Olsson                                       Pablo                          Shorey

               Brunt                                    Jara                         Dorrans                        Thomas

                                                           Odemwingie          Fortune

14047

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Can Hodgson reignite the passion?

« on: February 18, 2011, 05:00:48 PM »

I think the passion comes with how confident the boys are, which is strange in my opinion because I always like to see players going out and giving 110%. Something of late which we didn't do for Roberto Di Matteo and we didn't do for 45 minutes against West Ham United.

If Hodgson can make us harder to beat, because goals we're conceding are absolutely atrocious then I'm sure the passion and fight will come back. Hodgson can do his bit, but it's more important for the players to do theres.

14048

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: While we have been gone

« on: February 18, 2011, 04:57:22 PM »

As I mentioned last week just before the site went down I did think it was time for Roberto to go, especially as we put the club first. I was abit worried about who would replace him, never thought we would of ended up with an appointment like Roy Hodgson. I think he'll turn out to be a good appointment if he can address our defensive issues. If he can't then he'll be another in a long line which have failed to tighten up a fragile back four.

I think the only other runners in my opinion where probably McInnes and Appleton. Never seemed to feel interested for anybody else.

14049

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Proved Appleton wasn't good enough

« on: February 18, 2011, 04:48:43 PM »

First ever managerial game, I understand sometimes you fall to the pressure, however, that cannot be excuse for his second half substitutions. Graham Dorrans more than likely came off because of his match fitness, that's understandable, hadn't got a problem with that.

Bringing on Giles Barnes for Jerome Thomas baffled me, especially as Barnes brought nothing to the side. He reverted to the diamond formation which backfired, surely, Carlos Vela would of been more suited? Anyhow, it left us vulnerable down our wings.

Like Appleton says, he'll learn alot from Roy Hodgson and that's important. If our confidence wasn't frail then I'm sure we could of with stood some of their pressure.

14050

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hodgson Focusing on Defence...

« on: February 18, 2011, 02:46:38 PM »

Think our individual defending is as bad as how we defend as a unit. Some of the mistakes seem basic and we're struggling to defend balls into our box. Again, asking for more trouble.

Good luck to Roy, because he's going to need it. Let's hope he drums been awake on a set piece into us!