1

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

« on: December 21, 2021, 02:37:57 PM »

Some fans were raised watching Allen then Astle, some saw Regis, Cunningham, Robson and Bomber.  Younger fans saw us established in the Premier League.  All of these fans must have real golden memories and games from their formative years to reflect on and compare to.

For me, Ossie's Albion was a flash of enjoyment and happiness swathed in years of turgid lower division football.  Apart from that glorious day at Wembley they were pretty dark days but I loved them all the same.

Might be hard to believe for some but i never thought I would see PL football in my lifetime!  And SGM is a footballing God amongst God's in my eyes for turning the club around.  However, SGM himself was a footballing pragmatist.  We were promoted to the Promided Land on clean sheets not an abundance of goals.   How much I loved a 1-0 win!!

Maybe all that explains why I'm a pragmatist rather than a purist and struggle to see the terrible football from Val's Albion that others are viewing.

People of my age and older have seen some good and exciting times and saw some excellent players whom never got the reconciliation they should as they played for little old West Brom. However there has been more turgid times than good.

Your quote in bold regarding SGM I was going to add that to my post but I’m not as good with words as you! That season we got promoted I came away from some games deflated with the entertainment value but ecstatic at the same time as the promotion push continued.
I’d be happy with the same outcome this season!!

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

« on: December 21, 2021, 01:06:21 PM »

Reviewing some of the posts on this thread just highlights how the passion surrounding a match day affects us the supporters. There were a significant number of people saying 'sack him' immediately after the Barnsley game yet, once emotions have cooled a little, this feeling reduces significantly. I think the post of Oldbury 24 is bang on personally. Give him a good striker in the window, then see how things go.

I couldn’t agree more KN22 and yes Oldbury 24 post was spot on. Also to note the football is not as dire as some make out. I’ve been supporting the Albion for 50+ years I’ve seen far far worse.

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

« on: December 21, 2021, 11:25:13 AM »

we create f all chances of note with Valball half chances yes,but the football is bloody awful and mind numbing. Any ball that goes over halfway is hit and hope, pulisball was dross but Rush football is worse.

You must watch a different game to me because I don’t see us creating f all chances. A large proportion of our delivery into the danger area’s do lack quality but chances are still created.
I’d rather watch your description of ‘rush football’ than Pulis dross any day.

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

« on: December 18, 2021, 11:04:36 AM »

Football he’s producing is worse than pulisball in my opinion, recent up tick in form looks to be due to suspensions and covid outbreak. Will come out with usual bs after game but think time has come to put us out of our misery and get rid of him

I’m not defending Val as I agree with the majority of posters regarding the team selection last night by changing a winning team and our lack of firepower up front.
However, it’s beyond me how people can compare, it’s totally different. Pulisball was defend, defend, defend. No ambition to get into the oppositions penalty area. Zero shots, low possession stats and basically boring to watch as it was so anti-football.
This is the opposite, we control majority of games and we create chances.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: December 13, 2021, 12:35:14 PM »

11k attendance?

BBC Football and the WBA official site both say 11,109! There was a lot of empty seats but it was way more than half full.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: November 24, 2021, 11:31:24 AM »

I never thought I’d say this but he’s probably our best striker.

Weirdly, he went and we haven’t replaced him.

I agree I said the same last night, people used to slate him and they got what they wanted. But it then left us even more lightewight  than we was before.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: November 03, 2021, 11:03:55 PM »

The absolute stubbornness of VI is making watching us intolerable

Five defenders on the pitch against a team who didn’t have any intention of attacking and two against four in midfield

He’s incapable of changing his formation and at the end we are holding on against one of the worst sides in the league.

It makes Pulis look like a fiesta of football.

I've seen a few comments comparing to Pulis (which I disagree with) but to say it's better is beyond me!! Some people must have very short memories, Val's football may not be the best but it's way more entertaining that the rubbish we had to put up with under Pulis.

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General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: November 03, 2021, 09:38:49 PM »

Fulham win 7-0 away

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: 1993 Play Off Final

« on: October 09, 2021, 08:21:03 AM »

A DVD was released for the 25 year anniversary but don't think it is any longer available. You could always inquire.

https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2018/march/boing-boing-wembley-93-on-dvd-for-the-first-time

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: September 25, 2021, 01:31:09 AM »

Great 3 points earned from a not great performance, but well deserved for our persistence to keep going to the end. Glad we tried to get the ball on the floor more and pass it out wide instead of forcing the ball forward as we had done previous.

QPR shut up shop after 40 seconds when they took the lead. They did their best to frustrate us by slowing the tempo down with their constant time wasting, the referee didn't seem to mind as he let them take as long as they wanted to take throw ins and goal kicks. (Reminded me of us a few years back under Pulis). 

Considering it wasn't a classic performance and frustrating to watch at times I though the atmosphere was good tonight and the crowd stuck with the players to help get them over the line apart from booing the players off at half time.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: match officials

« on: September 25, 2021, 01:16:35 AM »

Dreadful Referee, not a clue.

I agree. He allowed QPR to time waste after their goal.

They took an age to take throw ins, goal kicks and a player feigning cramp midway through the second half. Ref never seemed to make any attempt to hurry them up either. 

Made the win or the more better when their game plan went out the window.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Matchday travel and parking

« on: September 12, 2021, 04:51:00 PM »

Left Redditch where I live at 1:15 headed towards M5 Jn 4 via Bromsgrove. Stayed on M5 for 1 junction getting off at Quinton (to avoid potential congestion from Oldbury onwards). From there I head towards Smethwick crossing over the Wolverhampton Road and I park on side roads off Middlemore Road in the Middlemore Industrial Estate area. I was parked up at 1:55 what's all the fuss about 

I was home around 6:00, traffic heavy heading towards Smethwick as expected but after that it's ok.

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

« on: June 26, 2021, 03:23:25 PM »

Who's Mogga?
I hate it when names are shortened and I don't know who we're talking about

Tony  Mowbray

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: RIP Terry Wills

« on: June 22, 2021, 03:05:54 PM »

Terry book is definitely worth a read.

From Flat Cap to Bronx Hat: Supporting WBA Since the War - the autobiography of Terry Wills https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1517553024/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QVH69H0MND5A8AEW174H

He was writing a follow up to this, does anyone know if it got published.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: RIP Terry Wills

« on: June 22, 2021, 08:06:08 AM »

Very sad news. Didn’t know the man personally other than by sight but always enjoyed listening to his phone calls to Mr Franks. You gave him lifts to the game, do you mind my asking how old he was? RIP anyway…

Yes his phone calls were always entertaining and he had good knowledge of the game. He’d never criticise the opposition, except if it was the Vile!!

He was either 88 or 89.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: RIP Terry Wills

« on: June 21, 2021, 02:52:27 PM »

His wife was Dot and I believe she passed away earlier this year. He adored her and he probably died of a broken heart R.I.P both.

Sad news he’ll be missed.

I had the pleasure of giving him a lift to the games during his last 2 seasons before the pandemic when he lost mobility after becoming unsteady on his feet. I’ll miss his company and knowledge of the Albion on my journey’s in the car next season. 
True Baggie legend and a true gentleman.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: A warning for the QPR and Villa away games

« on: December 28, 2018, 04:15:13 PM »

Fourth Round Weekend of Saturday 26 January 2019 (QPR Away)

Fifth Round Weekend of Saturday 16 February 2019 (Villa away)

Quarter Final Weekend of Saturday 16 March 2019 (Brentford away)

Semi-Final Weekend of Saturday 6 April 2019 (Millwall away)

The Final Saturday 18 May 2019

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: First Albion Hero

« on: November 01, 2017, 04:07:31 PM »

Asa Hartford

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General Football & Sports / Re: Craig Dawson

« on: June 22, 2017, 12:37:37 PM »

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-bromwich-albion-defender-poised-13222430

West Bromwich Albion are close to agreeing a new deal with Craig Dawson.

The Baggies defender has a year to run on his current £25,000-a-week contract but will reportedly see his wages increase, putting pen to paper on a long-term deal.


The club have been in discussions with his representatives since May but a deal is close to being thrashed out after talks progressed.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Season Tickets/Membership 2017 - 2018

« on: June 16, 2017, 08:05:39 AM »

you can now view what seats are left available folks on the main site

Worryingly a lot of seats available in the block I sit!!

Does anyone know how sales are going?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Why do you support/watch Albion

« on: May 11, 2017, 04:09:22 AM »

I can only go back as far as my late Grandad whom I never got to meet. he took my Dad to his first game in the old second division in 1947 against Brentford, his been a loyal supporter ever since his now 80. Me and my 2 brothers and nephews and now my 3 kids are all hooked. We have all grew up in Birmingham surrounded by Blues and Villa but have stuck by the Albion through thick and thin. Like others have said it's in the blood and will always be. So I am a supporter as it's been passed down through family and I'm proud to say I've also passed it down to my kids.

22

General Football & Sports / Re: Ben Foster

« on: April 14, 2017, 11:42:28 PM »

Great interview that, especially the bit regarding his kids supporting a proper club and not have them glory-hunting!!

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: April 01, 2017, 11:54:40 PM »

Great result, well organised as usual with every player battling for one another. Evans superb got proper stuck into Rashford and Foster superb also. Only worry Rondon looked shattered after being on for only 10 mins and should of done better when through on goal and Charli never looked interested.

Enjoyed the day and our fans were brilliant again, got behind the players from the off and never stopped singing. The other 70k, never made a noise!!

Looking forward to Tuesday COYB!!

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General Football & Sports / Re: Salomon Rondon

« on: March 21, 2017, 03:16:25 PM »

Think it's most likely a confidence thing. More often than not snatches at his chances and isn't getting any luck in front of goal. I think this explains why we see him looking for the freekick/penalty rather than trying his luck beating the man and getting a shot off. Also think the refs have cottoned on a bit that he goes down quite easily and isn't getting anything from them at the moment either. All leads to frustration, lack of confidence and ultimately poor performances.

Well put TheBrom

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General Football & Sports / Re: Salomon Rondon

« on: March 21, 2017, 12:07:49 PM »

Too be fair it's not the first time we've heard these stories, plus his tired after theinternational break. I agree with a post earlier when his presented with a decent chance his fluffing it. Not even forcing the keeper into making a save is not good enough. The last decent game he had IMO was West Ham away, he was unlucky when he hit the bar.