[OldburyWBA]

Coventry City v Albion

Friday 18th April 2025 15.00pm

Please use this board for all your After Match Debate. Away fans are reminded to abide by the site rules.

[TheBaggieMan]

Worst performance since….. can’t remember

[Groovephil]

No need to discuss.

Same every game since he came.

Just fire him.

[BoingFlyer]

Bottled it today and against Bristol. Awful game today.

[Tony,Germany]

Play off chances over, & Hopefully the last time we see wasters like swift play for us, would rather see youth players getting a chance

[Fritzl Palace]

Time for change. There truly is no excuse anyone can provide now, 7 defeats in 16 games, it’s been absolutely terrible and has cost us a shot at promotion. Would start the search for the new man now and let Brunt, Abella and Myhill see out the season

[Blowee]

Beaten fairly.

[BagAlbion123]

Bringing on Swift was a Death Knell...

[The Black Pearl]

I just don't see any way back for him after that, the crowd have turned, he looks lost on the touchline as well.

[boingboing1989]

Disgusting performance from this absolute bunch of losers.

Manager has to go and take anyone over 28 with him, we need some legs in this team and people who haven't already shown they are incapable of sustaining performance over a season.

[skyclad99]

Two hours of my life I will never get back, Coventry celebrating as though they have just been promoted.

Cannot believe how bad we were today, clearly most of the team have already booked their flights the day after the Luton game

[wba_1996]

This team never turns up in big games so the loss was expected. The ability we have to just completely blow up is ridiculous though. It’s never just a narrow loss, we always make sure to throw a red card in and play abysmally.

Owners have done a lot of good but they can admit they made a mistake with the Mowbray appointment. It’s been a complete failure and doesn’t align with the vision they have for the club, fair enough it worth the financial hit to ensure we get the right man for the most important position at the club (alongside DoF).

[graka]

A spineless performance
Why can everyone see you can’t play mowatt in a midfield two except our clueless manager
Why no one would bring swift and diangana on when you need to battle
Styles red was stupid like molumbys
We have no discipline since Carlos left and no structure and no defence
Our captain who we now get another year of stands pointing at everyone
We need rid of Grady swift furlong mowatt Bartley Wallace frabrotta Cole and mowbury
Time for Griffiths Taylor Heggem Diakite price maja fellows and Johnston to be the core of a team next season
When you add molumby styles and Dike that’s not a bad core

[TheBaggieMan]

Play off chances over, & Hopefully the last time we see wasters like swift play for us, would rather see youth players getting a chance

Like I said in the In Game Chat Tony…..play the kids apart from one or two today and not loanees. Even if they get beaten, it doesn’t matter and would be good experience for them.

[KN22]

Biggest game of the season and this mob turn in that display. Utterly embarrassing and spineless. Some want to lay all of the blame at the managers feet. What about these useless players?
That said, the decision to bring on Swift and Diangana when it’s 1-0 and we have 11 men, then bring on 2 strikers when the game is done and we are down to 10 men is beyond my comprehension.
Season is over. Please get rid of all dead wood and bring in younger, hungrier players ASAP.

[Droitwich Baggie]

Mowbray doesn't seem to have any "Go" in him, so how can he motivate players?

[alex1]

Thoroughly beaten even if Coventry have probably one of the 2 best sides in the division, we made it easy for them.  We haven`t enough players who are able to pass the ball around accurately.

[tommcneill]

Spineless, powderpuff bottlers.

Onto next season now, play the kids

[Adamstv]

A spineless performance
Why can everyone see you can’t play mowatt in a midfield two except our clueless manager
Why no one would bring swift and diangana on when you need to battle
Styles red was stupid like molumbys
We have no discipline since Carlos left and no structure and no defence
Our captain who we now get another year of stands pointing at everyone
We need rid of Grady swift furlong mowatt Bartley Wallace frabrotta Cole and mowbury
Time for Griffiths Taylor Heggem Diakite price maja fellows and Johnston to be the core of a team next season
When you add molumby styles and Dike that’s not a bad core

How about Bany?

[OldburyWBA]

Mowbray doesn't seem to have any "Go" in him, so how can he motivate players?

Sometimes they have to motivate themselves, who is the leader in this squad? Who's the one's to get up and in the face of the others to tell them they're bottling it?

In the past he had Robinson, Morrison (who I know is on the staff), Phillips, Clement.

We have no-one like that.

A manager can only do so much.

[gazberg]

Absolutely atrocious.

The introduction of Swift and Grady is unforgivable.

We beat ourselves is the worst thing. Cov showed that they are nothing to fear.

[gazberg]

Sometimes they have to motivate themselves, who is the leader in this squad? Who's the one's to get up and in the face of the others to tell them they're bottling it?

In the past he had Robinson, Morrison (who I know is on the staff), Phillips, Clement.

We have no-one like that.

A manager can only do so much.

Too many artists and not enough warriors etc still rings true around our squad.

We have one bloke who likes a fight but he literally wants to start a fight most games.

We need a more tempered approach

[OldburyWBA]

Too many artists and not enough warriors etc still rings true around our squad.

We have one bloke who likes a fight but he literally wants to start a fight most games.

We need a more tempered approach

He's not a leader, as you say he likes a fight and thats it, Andy Johnson has mentioned a few times how the rest of them like to wind him up.

Not one leader in that squad.

[Pot The Baggie]

Too many artists and not enough warriors etc still rings true around our squad.

We have one bloke who likes a fight but he literally wants to start a fight most games.

We need a more tempered approach

Sometimes they have to motivate themselves, who is the leader in this squad? Who's the one's to get up and in the face of the others to tell them they're bottling it?

In the past he had Robinson, Morrison (who I know is on the staff), Phillips, Clement.

We have no-one like that.

A manager can only do so much.

I’d rather he do nothing at all that bring Swift and Diangana on. An appalling showing, discipline gone, tactically inept, manager a dinosaur, but reckon we’re stuck with him because can’t afford to sack him.

[gazberg]

I’d rather he do nothing at all that bring Swift and Diangana on. An appalling showing, discipline gone, tactically inept, manager a dinosaur, but reckon we’re stuck with him because can’t afford to sack him.

They are atrocious subs, I can't get my head around it

[Rugeley Tim]

I never really feel the need to comment on here but after today's debacle I can't but help saying something  I have been watching the baggies since the early 70s through good times and bad but since the appointment of Mowbray we have become totally clueless and spineless, his team selection and substitutions are mind boggling. Great servant in the past but now needs to retire and we need to bring in someone who can inspire the players and more importantly has the courage to drop (permanently) players who are well past their sell by date!!

[Atomic]

Absolutely atrocious.

The introduction of Swift and Grady is unforgivable.

As bad as we were first half (and we were bad) the introduction of those two at half time just made the heart sink. Any chance of getting anything out of this game went there and then. There was no point of watching anymore. If everyone else (practically) can see this there is absolutely no excuse for Mowbray.

[blindreferee]

Abject, couldn’t care less performance from the majority
We lack bottle, we lack leadership - we have done for a number of seasons now
Too many are happy to do the bear minimum, make the easy pass and pass the responsibility onto someone else
Mowbray, the easy, cheap appointment has been a disaster. He looks forlorn and lost on the touchline - his selections and substitutions are baffling and lack any sort of logic - hopefully makes a few of you realise what an outstanding job Carlos did in getting a song out of this group

I imagine we will lose / sell Maja, Tom and probably Heggem in the summer - won’t be much left then

Will they keep Mowbray ? Given the protracted search when Carlos left I’m not sure - who will replace him - who will want to come ?

Seem to lurch from one crisis to another - thats Albion though isn’t it !

[graka]

How about Bany?

Hasn’t looked anywhere near the required level so far but obviously needs a run in a settled team

[alex1]

Trying to be objective, I thought Coventry played the ball around well and their passing was that bit more accurate than ours. That helped them to dominate the midfield, especially first half, which gave their forwards proper support .Some credit must be given to Lampard. I know a lot of fans think its all about effort and passion, but too many of our players can´t pass accurately, and too many cases where the passing player was on a different wavelength to the receiving player. Unfortunately that happens all the time with Grant, but he`s not the only one. Coventry also worked the offside trap better than we did.   

[allenkevanastle]

Sadly, when you take the handbrake off, you often roll backwards. We've done that, and are going back rapidly. Poor selections, poor organisation, poor discipline = poor results. Today was dismal and a result of all that.
I like Mowbray as a man, and am thankful for his football first time round but Corberan showed how organisation and intensive coaching is necessary with the players we have. So many looked lost

[KN22]

Absolutely atrocious.

The introduction of Swift and Grady is unforgivable.

We beat ourselves is the worst thing. Cov showed that they are nothing to fear.

Coventry are not great but they’re much better than our lot.

[BoingFlyer]

Coventry are not great but they’re much better than our lot.

IMO they simply wanted it more.

[gazberg]

Coventry are not great but they’re much better than our lot.

I disagree. We just didn't show up today apart from Heggem. Bringing on Swift and Grady then hands then the game before a ball is kicked

[ex coseley kid]

The subbing was atrocious and ridiculous.

I bow my head in utter disappointment at this total collapse of a season.

I can only hope we move on from this next year when we jettison as many deadbeats as we can. Manager included.

[Hull Baggie]

We lack leaders, we lack players that will stand up and be counted when it comes to the crunch and we have a manager that hasn't got a clue. That's a recipe for disaster.
I have no faith that Mowbray will be able to get a tune out of any new signings in the Summer. If he stays then I expect mid table at best next season.
A lot's been made of the fact that he hasn't had Maja but I don't feel confident that he would be able to get the best from him anyway.
Please Tony do the right thing and step down with some dignity while you still can.

[BaggieBoy04]

Mowbrays subs were baffling Swift was useless, Grady saved it from being worse.

But If any of us did that badly in our job we would be sacked why can't you sack players yes they have contracts but so do most people when they work well not a physical contract but there is an agreement. And if you don't meet the standards you get sacked. Is it because it isn't the transfer window that you can't sack them, these players get paid silly money so they will survive if they get sacked.

I never want to see Holgate, Bartley, Furlong, Wallace, Grady, Mowatt, Swift, Wallace, Cole, Frabotta or Wildsmith play for us again. The spine next season should be Griffiths, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Price, Bany, Diakite, MJ if we can keep him, Fellows If we can keep him, Maja if we can keep him, Dike and Grant. I would be neutral if Furlong did stay but I feel there are better Right Backs out there, also what happened to Ajayi.

[HampshireBaggie]

When the camera cut to Swift and Diangana standing on the touchline waiting to come on for the second half I spat my drink out.

Utterly baffling.

[gazberg]

As bad as we were first half (and we were bad) the introduction of those two at half time just made the heart sink. Any chance of getting anything out of this game went there and then. There was no point of watching anymore. If everyone else (practically) can see this there is absolutely no excuse for Mowbray.

Yup, could literally have switched off as bringing Swift on is waving the white flag. I didn't expect him to cock it up quite so quickly though

[cewba]

yet another spineless display, the lack of interest and application by the players today really is just not acceptable. A clear out is 2 seasons overdue and I don't expect it to change either, weekend spoilt again

[KN22]

I disagree. We just didn't show up today apart from Heggem. Bringing on Swift and Grady then hands then the game before a ball is kicked

And that’s your opinion which of course you’re entitled to. Their midfield is way better than ours in my view and it showed. Where we do agree is on those half time substitutes. You are still in the game, still have eleven men and he brings those two on. Bizarrely, when the game is done and we are down to ten men, he brings two strikers on!

[gazberg]

And that’s your opinion which of course you’re entitled to. Their midfield is way better than ours in my view and it showed. Where we do agree is on those half time substitutes. You are still in the game, still have eleven men and he brings those two on. Bizarrely, when the game is done and we are down to ten men, he brings two strikers on!

I do agree that their midfield today was better than ours
 Partly due to Mowbray selection and Molumby being an idiot along with Mowbrays determination not to start Diakite (injury or not)


As you says the subs, both sets of them, were absolutely baffling and indefensible

[rogerstubbs]

Over the last 6 games only Sheffield Wednesday has a poorer record than us out of the 24 teams in the championship.

[gazberg]

Over the last 6 games only Sheffield Wednesday has a poorer record than us out of the 24 teams in the championship.

Sounds like Rohl has given up and wants out

[zippyandbungle]

Right then

Many points….and maybe not all actually relevant to this particular match so if it needs moving then please do and I’m sorry
But

The pre match press conference was all about “Jed will make the bench”
That in itself should be a warning sign…
Then there’s the “great news” that senior Bartley has triggered an extension by finger pointing in at least 7 (now eight) consecutive matches .

There are some on here that actually stated Corberan left because of me not conforming with a live in for him and he read what I said on here..
Well Tony MOWATT CANNOT RUN ,hopefully all managers also read what I put and he gets the hint, seriously people have bemoaned Styles and Mulumby re how they lost their discipline but I’ll tell you know I’d take a red if forced to play with Mowatt and see Swift,Diangana and Jed sucking werthers and shuffling their tartan blankets on the bench ,whilst Diakite must have really done something bad ??

I really wanted Mowbray to work…I understand that when me and others Questioned his first proper selection with his 1-1-8 formation people said “haha,but we won”…but from that point on it hasn’t really got better has it .
Corberan walked,he was getting stale anyway
The club then offered to someone ,then retracted because the throw in coach (or something) couldn’t get a work permit…we then waited almost an additional month to get Tony’s health all clear (and by the way a bit like “match fit” felling better is not felling 100% and physically capable) then he’s come in made some baffling decisions and continues to go against what 95% of the fan base can see/hear …
It is absolutely woeful and I just can’t see how Tony can turn it around…Not this or not next season .
I can’t fault the owners for the Devon to bring him in,I was also in favour…but they absolutely have to show their credentials and at the very least should be having a final meeting early next week regardless of the “plan being next year” we have had 6 darts to get 101 or more and taken some of the flights of the days with the ridiculous selections and omissions .

[bangkokbaggie]

Mowbrays subs were baffling Swift was useless, Grady saved it from being worse.

But If any of us did that badly in our job we would be sacked why can't you sack players yes they have contracts but so do most people when they work well not a physical contract but there is an agreement. And if you don't meet the standards you get sacked. Is it because it isn't the transfer window that you can't sack them, these players get paid silly money so they will survive if they get sacked.

I never want to see Holgate, Bartley, Furlong, Wallace, Grady, Mowatt, Swift, Wallace, Cole, Frabotta or Wildsmith play for us again. The spine next season should be Griffiths, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Price, Bany, Diakite, MJ if we can keep him, Fellows If we can keep him, Maja if we can keep him, Dike and Grant. I would be neutral if Furlong did stay but I feel there are better Right Backs out there, also what happened to Ajayi.

Team sports seem to be one of the few professions where you can't sack employees for underperforming. It would be a real shake up and kick up the backside for some of these players if that ever changed.

[elmo_in_swansea]

Thing is we haven't got bad players. We just haven't got a team! It's like weve got a 20 piece jigsaw made up of 20 pieces from different jigsaws!

[gazberg]

Thing is we haven't got bad players. We just haven't got a team! It's like weve got a 20 piece jigsaw made up of 20 pieces from different jigsaws!

I do agree with this. The after effects of the Lai era.

[zippyandbungle]

Thing is we haven't got bad players. We just haven't got a team! It's like weve got a 20 piece jigsaw made up of 20 pieces from different jigsaws!

Comparison you never thought you would read on here
For Jed,Mowatt,Diangana,Bartley and Swift
Read
Mbappe,Messi and Neymar
Gerrim out and get a “team”players in

[boinging_along]

I thought Grady did fine when he came on.  Granted he only got a few minutes before he was shoved to LB, but he blocked one on the line, and was managing to get forward.  Feels harsh to lump him in with...

Swift... Words can't describe how bad a performance that was.  Cost us the 2nd and put the match out of sight - yet he still didn't put any effort in.

[hardtobeat]

We got exactly what we deserved. We weren’t at it almost from the off. The midfielders were absolutely hopeless, Styles was stupid , why Barbara hold of somebody on the halfway line when you’re already on a yellow card. Most disturbing was the apparent lack of fire in the bellies as well as nobody seemed to want to grab the team by the scruff of the neck and shake off the inertia.
Some have said the subs didn’t make send but Swift missed a real good chance and Armstrong had one disallowed that I haven’t seen back yet but have seen somebody has said he was definitely onside.
Overall it was a total shambles and ALL players and ALL management have to take a share of the blame

[Aztech]

We got exactly what we deserved. We weren’t at it almost from the off. The midfielders were absolutely hopeless, Styles was stupid , why Barbara hold of somebody on the halfway line when you’re already on a yellow card. Most disturbing was the apparent lack of fire in the bellies as well as nobody seemed to want to grab the team by the scruff of the neck and shake off the inertia.
Some have said the subs didn’t make send but Swift missed a real good chance and Armstrong had one disallowed that I haven’t seen back yet but have seen somebody has said he was definitely onside.
Overall it was a total shambles and ALL players and ALL management have to take a share of the blame

I agree it is the collective that should accept the blame, however too many Albion fans think it’s simply the odd one or two that’s the problem.

Unfortunately, it runs much deeper than that.

[BagAlbion123]

I do agree with this. The after effects of the Lai era.

Can we stop blaming Lai now. Corberan and the club chose to renew Mowatt and Bartley contracts. Yes some deadwood is still there but our singing have been poor, the Italian, Price, Bany, MJ etc hardly stumping up trees. Also sold our best player.

[gazberg]

Can we stop blaming Lai now. the last manager and the club chose to renew Mowatt and Bartley contracts. Yes some deadwood is still there but our singing have been poor, the Italian, Price, Bany, MJ etc hardly stumping up trees. Also sold our best player.

I'm talking about the mish-mash, imbalanced parts of the squad.

Anything Bilkul have done then of course they are responsible for

[WBA]

Today was inexcusable.

Tactics Tone is I'm afraid a dinosaur.

He should have matched up arguably the best midfield in the Champ with Diakite in there and sacrificed Grant or Johnston.  That's what Corberan would have done.

Then he brings on Swift for a CF when we are losing in a must-win and Diangana - again no Diakite.  Completely clueless. Mowbray is in a time warp, he keeps going on about how good Swift and Wallace are.  Every interview I hear with him he just says the wrong things. 

And yesterday he's talking about selling Heggem before a massive game which to me says he's doesn't believe we can go up because if we did Heggem is going nowhere.  The guy appears to have lost the plot. 

I doubt however that a decision will be taken if it is, until it's mathematically impossible.  But Shilen and Nestor sat there today must surely have been as appalled as we were, unless it's already been accepted behind the scenes that we're not good enough and Mowbray will lead a rebuild of young hungry signings and from the academy.   Maybe that's why Mowbray is seemingly so passive, detached and distant from it all in his after match interviews. 

As crazy as it is though,  if Brizzle or Cov don't win any of their last three we can still mathematically do it, can't see it but you never know. 

[caravanc58]

No way do I want Mowbray overseeing the rebuild that's needed. It doesn't matter what players are on the pitch if your tactics are as bad as ours. Each to their own but I wouldn't pay to watch Corberans football, apart from early season it was mostly slow backwards and sideways that required anaesthesia, but technically he was superior to Mowbray.

[TheBaggieMan]

I never really feel the need to comment on here but after today's debacle I can't but help saying something  I have been watching the baggies since the early 70s through good times and bad but since the appointment of Mowbray we have become totally clueless and spineless, his team selection and substitutions are mind boggling. Great servant in the past but now needs to retire and we need to bring in someone who can inspire the players and more importantly has the courage to drop (permanently) players who are well past their sell by date!!

Spot on Tim and welcome to the forum. Like yourself, and probably influenced by Mowbray’s first management stint with us, I welcomed his appointment but, it’s all gone pear shaped and agree, it’s time for retirement.

[hardtobeat]

Too slow , couldn't pass water, couldn't tackle a bag of crisps, must have a head like a 50p etc etc aren't the worst charges to be levelled at footballers by their own fans. Lack of heart , not being prepared to roll yeah sleeves up when it gets tough, , lack of bottle are far worse! That point was reached yesterday and something need to change drastically after the next 3 games!!

[timdon]

I now realise that when we were drawing these type of games, those were the good old days.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Coventry similar to Bristol City were everything that we could only dream of.

Young, energetic midfields with a tenacity without the ball and an ability to move the game forward when they have it. It also helps working to a well coached plan.

Meanwhile, we stand there with our slow, cumbersome midfield who’s only ability is to pass sideways and backwards whilst inviting that press from the opposition.

[WBArgo]

Coventry similar to Bristol City were everything that we could only dream of.

Young, energetic midfields with a tenacity without the ball and an ability to move the game forward when they have it. It also helps working to a well coached plan.

Meanwhile, we stand there with our slow, cumbersome midfield who’s only ability is to pass sideways and backwards whilst inviting that press from the opposition.

Sadly, we could have that kind of midfield.

Fellows - Price - Diakite - Johnston

It's a pretty young, energetic midfield right there.

[BagAlbion123]

Spot on Tim and welcome to the forum. Like yourself, and probably influenced by Mowbray’s first management stint with us, I welcomed his appointment but, it’s all gone pear shaped and agree, it’s time for retirement.

It boggles my mind that people fell under the illusion of his first spell. It wasn't even that great we had many many poor games under him even in the title winning season not to mention all the support the fans gave him in the relegation season only for him to stick 2 middle fingers to us and go to Celtic

Under RDM in 2009/10 we were not only statistically better but played much better football too