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West Bromwich Albion FC / Full Backs - Do we need them or not?

« on: January 10, 2016, 11:44:14 AM »

Since Pulis has arrived there has been plenty of talk about full backs. The lack of game time for Wisdom, Davidson, Pocognoli and Gamboa has caused much discussion, particularly as we messed around with Lescott, Baird, etc filling in.

We have arrived at a point where Dawson and Brunt are our regular options have been for the best part of a year, but with January coming up there is a lot of talk that we need to invest in 'natural' full backs.

I suppose the big question is, given how those two have performed over that period, so we need new full backs? I personally think we could do with some cover, but I don't mind having both as our recognised options going forward. After struggling early on I think both have really got to grips with it. I think a 'natural' full back is a bit of a myth anyway. It's a position with such varied demands, most full backs struggle either offensively or defensively in some way. I think Dawson and Brunt do as good a job as most on this league and certainly in our PL sides, but I'm interested to see what others think?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Donervorn Daniels has joined Wigan Athletic

« on: August 01, 2014, 05:29:10 PM »

Donervon Daniels has joined Blackpool on a 28 day loan. Obviously not the most stable club, but with their small squad there is a good chance he will get some game time at that level.

The club rate him highly (being given a 'more senior' squad number suggests as much) but he has had a mixed bag at a previous loan clubs. But if Dawson does go, using Wisdom as 4th choice centre back cover, or signing some cover on loan whilst Daniels develops ahead of potentially coming the 4th centre back next year may be the way to go.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Squad Numbers 2014/15

« on: July 13, 2014, 11:44:10 AM »

It's a bit of a trivial thing as well as something I know a lot of people aren't fussed with but it's still another thing that signals a new season.

I'm expecting them early next week if the last couple of years are anything to go by. Obviously a fair few gaps with so many players leaving but could see a couple of last years players switching numbers too.

Think they'll be much the same but with

Baird 4
Lescott 6
Gardner 8
Pocognoli 18 (number at his last club)

Then a couple of changes

Anichebe 28 (number for years at Everton)
Berahino 16

Anyone else want to hazard a guess?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Kits 2014/15

« on: April 29, 2014, 02:19:48 PM »

I saw on Twitter today that the club are doing the photo shoots for next years kits today. Obviously they won't be released for a while, not until we have a new sponsor anyway. I suspect the lots being worn today are blank and the new sponsor will be photo shopped onto the pictures when they are released.

I just thought it would be good to have a thread to get the kit discussion going. Does anyone have any inside gossip on what they may be like? What colour away kit would people like? You know, the usual thing.

Very little has been leaked so far, although Foster mentioned to the ex-Kitman that the kit was 'whiter' than usual. Seeing as one of the main Adidas keeper kits for next year is white, I'd imagine he means that.

As far as the other kits I have a hunch the home top will be mainly blue with white shorts and socks like last year, assuming the keeper kit is white of course. I also have a hunch the away kit may be yellow or black as opposed to red in recent years.

If you want to look at the templates Adidas are likely to use (including the keeper kits at the bottom of the page) they are on this link.

http://www.footyheadlines.com/2013/08/adidas-14-15-2014-15-teamwear-kits.html?m=1

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Academy Prospects

« on: March 17, 2014, 04:08:10 PM »

After Liam O'Neil made his short but successful debut at the weekend, he became the 4th academy graduate to make his 1st team debut this year following Luke Daniels, who made his premier league debut against Everton, with his first start against Newport, Saido Berahino who also made his debut against Newport and his Premier League debut against Swansea and Cameron Gayle, who came off the bench against Newport. These obviously all follow in the foot steps of George Thorne, Chris Wood, Sam Mantom, James Hurst and Izzy Brown who were involved in previous years.

I think it's great that we are finally starting to see the club develop young players who  are good enough to be on the fringes with the odd one or two maybe able to make the step to first team over the next few years. With Adil Nabi and Kemar Roofe making the bench vs Reading and Newcastle last year, plus Callum Jones travelling with the squad last year I think there may be a few more to come over the next year or so.

Who do you guys think will be the next one to make the bench or maybe even their debut?

There are a few candidates but I think Donervon Daniels will be next. He travelled with the squad at the weekend and with Olsson suspended I think he has a real chance of making the bench next week.

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Albion Matchday Forum / 13 July 2013 Albion 4 Tamworth 0 (H - Behind Closed Doors)

« on: July 13, 2013, 01:19:00 PM »

First friendly of the summer finished. Albion won 4-0 against Tamworth at the clubs training ground. First half goals from Morrison, set up by Anelka, and Long were added to in the second half by Rosenberg and Berahino.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Matej Vydra signs on loan

« on: June 25, 2013, 11:42:49 AM »

“@KHaring75: Vydra´s agent has admitted there are 4 offers on loan for Mat?j: @WBAFCofficial, @whufc_official, @SwansOfficial and @SAFCofficial.”

Apparently made a loan offer for Matej Vydra. Did well at Watford last year and a loan offer would suit us but stinks of an agent talking up his client to force the hand of Sunderland, the only confirmed suitor.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Markus Rosenberg Leaves Albion

« on: June 22, 2013, 11:02:31 AM »

West Brom open to offers for Markus Rosenburg

Markus Rosenberg
By Chris Lepkowski  |  22 Jun 2013 08:01

Albion have conceded that they will consider any offers for Markus Rosenberg.

The Sweden international failed to make an impact during his opening season in the Premier League.

Rosenberg arrived on a Bosman free transfer after his contract ended at German club Werder Bremen.

The 30-year-old made a total of 24 Premier League outings for Albion last season- five starts, 19 substitute appearances - failing to score once.

Steve Clarke hinted that Rosenberg might be granted a summer exit some two months ago.

And Richard Garlick, Albion’s sporting and technical director, has confirmed they will listen to offers - although he have stressed the player will remain very much part of Clarke’s plans while he remains at the club.

Rosenberg’s most likely destination will be overseas, not least as he boasted a decent record in both Spain’s La Liga (during a loan spell with Racing Santander) and the German Bundesliga.

Garlick said: “It’s been frustrating for him and it’s been frustrating for us in terms of how it panned out for him.

“If he’s going to have the same season as last season then it will be even more frustrating for him.

“So if there is a solution there that everyone is happy with then we will look at that but obviously he still has two years left (on his contract).

“We are at a stage of the pre-season where there is a lot of information-gathering. People are finding  out what the situation is with various players and various clubs.

“He did well in Germany and Spain and there is interest out there for him. It’s just what form that interest is in and where it’s from.

“I’m in touch with his agent every week. He knows the situation, we know what we want and as we move on in the window maybe we’ll get something more concrete - but, yes, there is interest in him.”

The transfer window re-opens in just nine days time.

Rosenberg’s potential departure between then and September 2 could leave Albion potentially four strikers down from last season.

Peter Odemwingie wants to leave, with Albion preparing for 2013/14 on the basis that Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku will not be granted another loan spell.

Even if the Belgium international is allowed to leave, there is no guarantee he would return to The Hawthorns.

Marc-Antoine Fortuné’s situation also remains unresolved.

The striker is effectively a free agent and, though Albion remain in dialogue with the 31-year-old, he might opt for a move elsewhere.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-open-offers-markus-4697770

So as expected the club are willing to let Rosenberg move on this summer. Such a shame it hasn't worked out for him but you could see why he may want a move even after saying at the end of last season he would be happy to stay.

Think the situation is he stays until we get in other strikers and then we can afford to let him go, if not he stays. Similar to Cox last summer who only left once Lukaku and Rosenberg signed.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Retained List

« on: May 21, 2013, 10:14:11 PM »

Club have confirmed to the local press which players will be kept on and which players won't.

Thomas and Jara-Reyes will both leave on frees.

Reid and Gera didn't play enough games to trigger clauses but will have new deals discussed with them.

Fortune will become a free agent but club will decide whether to offer him a new deal at a later date. A similar arrangement to Andrews and Scharner last year.

Popov will return to Kiev but club will start discussion with them about fee agreed last year. No decision yet on whether we will pursue him or not.

Forgotten man El Ghanassy will also return to his parent club.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / James Morrison and Shane Long Forum

« on: February 22, 2013, 11:48:17 AM »

As I've seen a similar thread for the Steve Clarke and his coaching staff forum, I was wondering if anyone went to the forum with Shane and Mozza which was held at Worcestershire County Cricket Club?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / West Bromwich Albion theme park

« on: April 18, 2012, 11:09:32 PM »

After seeing in the news that Real Madrid are planning to open an amusement park in Abu Dhabi, I thought for a bit of a laugh we could think up some names for rides or shows in an Albion themed park!

I'll get the ball rolling with The Carson Coaster, a nerve jangling experience involving several huge drops

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Ones that got away XI

« on: March 14, 2012, 03:40:06 PM »

Seeing John Carew on Goals on Sunday a couple of weeks reminded me of how close we came to signing him last January. That then got me thinking of all the players in recent years we have come close to signing but who have then decided to stay put or go somewhere else.

I was wondering if we could make an 11 of those players who were never to be, by which I mean we had a fee agreed, they failed a medical, came to discuss terms, were widely reported as set to sign not just someone we were linked with a few times.

Here's some positions to get started

Shay Given
Ugo Ehiogu
Madjid Bougherra
Owen Hargreaves
Rowan Vine
Lomana Lua-lua
John Carew