1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Josh Maja

« on: March 22, 2025, 09:39:47 AM »

He's a goal scorer when he's on the pitch which doesn't seem to be that often.  Brings me naturally to Dike.  When is he going to be fit enough to play more than a brief cameo?

2

General Football & Sports / Re: Anything England Football

« on: March 22, 2025, 09:34:58 AM »

Burn's turning ability and speed was exposed by Broja.  Had he played from the start the result might have been very different.  I think it was a token of some sort and expect to see Guehi at LCB once the opposition gets serious.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: March 20, 2025, 12:03:33 PM »

Very true except that stats can mislead if they're speciously selected.

"Lies, damned lies and statistics"

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: March 19, 2025, 12:52:28 PM »

A few things:

1 Playing CB in a three is a lot different to playing it in a two.

2 It's Ramadan and none of us know what condition Diakite is in.

3 Price played right back but Mowbray wanted to protect him (not being a natural right back) by focusing on the offensive side. This is part of the reason Molumby played on the right side of midfield (it wasn't right wing as I keep seeing people say) to offer defensive cover to Price.

1.  Sorry, should have been more explicit.  I meant playing Holgate at RB instead of Price and having a four of Holgate Diakite, Bartley and Heggem

2.  Other players of Muslim faith seem to manage.  Isn't there a specific break in play to accommodate this?

3.  Wouldn't need to protect Price at RB if he hadn't been selected there (see 1)

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: March 19, 2025, 09:21:30 AM »

Like Albionic, I have difficulty understanding what Mowbray's system is.  Against Hull he played Price at RB whereas he could have retained Holgate in that position and put Diakite in as a CB.  He's performed quite well there.

I get the feeling that TM is not impressed by Diakite.  He likes players that get the ball under control quickly and don't let it spill (those soft feet).  However, at the back Diakite, would either have more time or if under pressure boot it.  I think he is a reasonable replacement when someone in the back line is injured / suspended.

Price is fine at RWB where he gives more support to his full back in terms of tackling than Fellows.  But he can also hit through balls which people here are clamouring to be supplied to Armstrong.

6

Next Match Forum - 29/03 Norwich City (A) / Re: Train Travel

« on: March 19, 2025, 09:01:13 AM »

Replacement horse and cart service?

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Adam Armstrong (on loan from Southampton)

« on: March 17, 2025, 12:14:30 PM »

It concerns me that quite a few are suggesting set-ups designed for the sole purpose of enabling AA to score his goals.  He had another good chance against Hull - 8 yards out  and put it over the bar.
In my opinion it's sub-optimal if the whole team has to be set up around the competences - good and bad - of a single player.   Do we disregard the midfield in order to surround him with forwards that can provide him with the type of opportunities he likes?  Do we replace proper wing backs with out and out wingers or dispense with wingers because - one outlier apart - he's not really a spearhead type of striker?

Perhaps we ought to give him one more try playing behind someone who can give him knock-downs (Lankshear, Dike?) but but when Maja returns, I know whom I'd prefer to be playing off those two. 

8

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: March 15, 2025, 10:44:55 AM »

Agree don't give opposing managers any fodder to fire up their players.  Internally tell your own players that you should beat this lot.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mason Holgate joins on loan

« on: March 13, 2025, 09:36:39 AM »

Only opinions: I haven't seen anything that shouts Holgate is better than Furlong at right back.  Last couple of games he's been helped out by Price whereas Furlong had to rely on Fellows's poor defensive attributes.  Holgate does not go on the attack as much as Furlong which may be why some think he's better.

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Callum Styles

« on: March 12, 2025, 04:19:44 PM »

I agree with your thesis that an inverted winger needs an overlapping full back who has a dominant foot on the side he's playing on.  But he does do that  - perhaps not as frequently as you would like.  Maybe that's because he's a midfielder.  He's certainly better than the Frabotta alternative.   He could also be a Mowatt alternative but without the shots on goal maybe.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tony Mowbray

« on: March 12, 2025, 04:10:09 PM »

I was happy with TM putting in 5 changes for this fixture as I didn't think we could get anything out of it but could take 3 points from Hull.

So it's a bonus to get a point off Burnley, to give some of the "fringe" players time to prove or disprove themselves AND to see Parker get a red card.

I guess Burnley thought we would retreat into a low block like other visitors.  Well done Tony.

12

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Adam Armstrong (on loan from Southampton)

« on: March 12, 2025, 11:40:09 AM »

I think that they both would have got the two he missed.  Is this another BTA who score the difficult chances and miss the sitters?  Does the rest  of the team have to somehow contrive to give him awkward chances ?

13

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: March 12, 2025, 10:44:03 AM »

...

Did anyone else notice Molumby trying to get involved in the melee at the end and Mowbray sternly telling him to go away? 

Would start a fight in an empty room.

14

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Adam Armstrong (on loan from Southampton)

« on: March 12, 2025, 10:32:36 AM »

OK,  so the guy (1) presses and (2) has scored a penalty

(1) It's possible to get a CF who presses well far more cheaply
(2) Grant and Swift can take penalties (so really should  most decent forwards)

15

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: March 11, 2025, 07:12:50 PM »

This game is a rehearsal for how it would be if we got promoted this season?

16

General Football & Sports / Re: Manchester United

« on: March 11, 2025, 02:11:01 PM »

I haven't read the full statement, but I suppose it will be full of how much needed investment for the region, jobs etc will be created.  Yes, but I'm not going to buy into the sob story that Man Utd is somehow this poverty-stricken, deserving business that's run into financial ruin through no fault of its own. Basically they have a philosophy of spending money like its water and thinking they can buy their way to success. Let them flog off some of their star players, Antony, Hojlund and Onana would be a good start,  and I hope the FA have a good look at what their doing, with a view to possible transfer sanctions.

You did say "star" players?

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Player of the season

« on: March 11, 2025, 12:33:15 PM »

Heggem is a good player but slower than Bart’s and not as strong. Nicer on the ball, not as dominant a defender. Bartley has carried Holgate & Ajayi on many occasions, Heggem can’t do that. TM get it.

Well that's an opinion. I've not seen anything that proves that Bartley is quicker than Heggen - certainly not on the turn.   Heggem can use his right foot whereas Barts can only clear with his left.  I gree with SmethDan; they complement each other. 

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Callum Styles

« on: March 11, 2025, 12:27:33 PM »

He often seems to move into midfield, turning our formation into a back three when we're well in possession on attack.   Having a few versatile players means we don't have to hunt around for two players in every position.

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: March 10, 2025, 12:30:39 PM »

Apart from one header, I'm not sure that he troubled the QPR defence very much - not as much as BTA would have.  Thing is with Dike, his physique speaks of potential but the reality is quite disappointing.

20

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: March 07, 2025, 08:13:08 AM »

   Unfortunately, Just like stocks and shares, past performance is no reliable guide  to future returns.  But I think we have a chance of 3 points here.  I think Chair and Smyth are underrated.

21

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: March 04, 2025, 10:39:11 AM »

Nobody in W1A knows where Coventry is - whereas Lampard is ex-pundit therefore in the luvvie circle.

Nevermind the 109 caps for England and 29 goals, eh?

My comment was directed at the media rather than Lampard's skill as a manager which by the way might be different to his undoubted skill as a player.  (cf Rooney)

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Adam Armstrong (on loan from Southampton)

« on: March 04, 2025, 10:33:47 AM »

Where ever he has played in the past , he did a compete air shot with the open goal chance he had against Oxford.  It was like the "new centre forward" clip in the Ladbrokes advert.  If Devante Cole had missed that one, there would have been wailings and rending of replica shirts.

Jury's out.

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: March 03, 2025, 05:02:56 PM »

So we have Maja to come back, Armstrong and maybe, just maybe Dike available for more than 10 minute cameos.  (He looked well rusty against Leeds.) Where does that leave Lankshear?   Both Maja and Armstrong can play behind the main striker.  so maybe when more than 10-15 minutes is need he'll be brought on.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Joe Wildsmith

« on: March 02, 2025, 02:42:12 PM »

I'm getting mild 'Sam Johnstone vibes' but without the hesistation in coming out.


Then we discover neither are good enough and select the most in-form keeper and at end of season try and move them on. Probably Wildsmith either way as i think he only signed a 2 year deal.

Was listening to the Bournemouth vs Dogheads game yesterday - apparently Johnstone made some stunning reactive saves.  I think some players let "fan" abuse affect their games more than others.

25

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: March 02, 2025, 11:37:57 AM »

Why do the BBC always insist on it being 'Frank Lampards Coventry City' why not 'Tony Mowbrays West Brom'. They are pathetic.
I wonder if it changes when they lose a game?

Nobody in W1A knows where Coventry is - whereas Lampard is ex-pundit therefore in the luvvie circle.