[AidantheBaggies]

And that is the worrying thing given a club of our size and stature with a proud history.

I didn't want him, don't want him now but have given him a chance and for 90 minutes each game I back the bloke all the way but doesn't mean I have blind faith like some. I want the best for the club as all do and I have the right to put my opinion across on this forum.

I do also think some of the Pro Irvine camp do make some good points at times but then ruin them with their belittling comments.

Agree Phil. I am not a huge fan of AI at all but while he is here i will support him, at the end of the day im sure he wants to win every game too.
Comes across as a decent guy as well.
Dont get me wrong if Jol was waiting in the wings i'd get him in ASAP.

[VVVAlbion]

So because other clubs fail we have to follow ?

Why when discussing West Bromwich Albion do they become relevant ? Is it so we can make ourselves feel better by comparing ourselves to others that failed because 5 years really isn't anything ?

Oh how we should feel so grateful for them to allow us to still be here.

As they are in the same business/industry/sport as us of course they are relevant.  Do you seriously think that any leading organisation does not look at its competitors to learn from their successes andtheir mistakes. Its why many clubs hold West Brom as the original model they followed to getting into the Premier league.

[kc56wba]

I agree with Oldbury and Aidan. Both good points.

[BobTaylor]

Teams fail teams succeed should enjoy the ride when the going is good personally I don't take the Mick put them accross the road from us anymore as will be in the same league next season not that is a bad thing.

[OldburyWBA]

As they are in the same business/industry/sport as us of course they are relevant.  Do you seriously think that any leading organisation does not look at its competitors to learn from their successes andtheir mistakes. Its why many clubs hold West Brom as the original model they followed to getting into the Premier league.

As I said I (as in ME !!) do not give a jot about other clubs. I would expect the relevant people at the club to be interested in what goes on elsewhere but for me I don't give a monkeys.

But as you responded with the above. So we have to fail because others have ?

[VVVAlbion]

As I said I (as in ME !!) do not give a jot about other clubs. I would expect the relevant people at the club to be interested in what goes on elsewhere but for me I don't give a monkeys.

But as you responded with the above. So we have to fail because others have ?

Is being in 15th failing based on the position that we found ourselves at the end of last season?

[Signor_Maresca]

I know I’m probably in the minority of one but I actually have alot of time for Irvine.  He appears to be a man of integrity and I respect his honesty, diligence and thorough preparatory work.  I know some may choose not to believe it but based on what I have read I genuinely believe he is a top coach and it also appears that he is very fair with the players.

I also believe that there are signs that his team is improving, putting aside the defending of set pieces for a second we generally look solid defensively, I also think the whole team has improved significantly ‘without the ball’ this season.   The big problem has been creativity but against QPR (who by the way have the 5th best home form in the league) there were periods when we played some scintillating stuff with Sess and Varela in particular wreaking havoc.  Hopefully the combination and growing understanding between these two dangerous players will remedy much of what we have lacked so far this season.

I honestly don’t view this team as one which is staring relegation in the mouth but one that with a few tweaks, in terms of set pieces and personnel is not far from giving a good account of themselves in the second half of this season.  Keep the faith.

[OldburyWBA]

Is being in 15th failing based on the position that we found ourselves at the end of last season?

I don't think I said we are failing anywhere did I ? but the season is a long way from being over so neither of us can predict how it will go. If we finish 17th in the clubs and your eyes we will have succeeded no doubt and we can hide away in the corner for another season in awe of the rest of the league and celebrate like we did the first time we stayed up.

I asked if we have to fail just because others are, two different things.

[popmonkey]

We're really not progressing. The only time we've looked dominant over a whole game was against a Burnley side who had zero confidence. There are still too many basic mistakes being made, such as allowing players to run at us without any tackles being put in. We've regressed when it comes to set pieces (both attacking and defending) and too many points are being dropped after avoidable errors by our players.

Without a change, I dont expect anything other than relegation by Easter, and I wouldn't expect us to bounce back any time soon.

[beechyboy90]

I always think when the players start coming out and backing the a manger that the end is nye. I always think it's for show. When players back a manager throughout and from the first moment it's more believable. There's a trend in modern football that the players back the manager when he's likely to go. I am not entirely sure the players want him might explain some of the ridiculous unforced errors from Saturday.

Players can't stop outright as we wouldn't accept it but they are able to do the basics wrong to put a manager under pressure and even lose him his job.

[WBAinDEVON]

so come them, predict Irvines next win and dont say Gateshead.I cant see one anytime soon = relegation

[VVVAlbion]

I don't think I said we are failing anywhere did I ? but the season is a long way from being over so neither of us can predict how it will go. If we finish 17th in the clubs and your eyes we will have succeeded no doubt and we can hide away in the corner for another season in awe of the rest of the league and celebrate like we did the first time we stayed up.

I asked if we have to fail just because others are, two different things.

We have failed.  We did this last year with our poor recruitment and failure to replace players with better players. This has a massive set back in league where you take tiny steps forward and massive steps backwards. It almost cost us our premier league status. We learn from others not to make continual massive wholesale changes but to build slow momentum again, which we are no doubt currently doing. We will finish higher than 17th in my opinion given the current way our squad and play is shaping when compared to the end of last season.

[Hunnington Baggie]

I don't think I said we are failing anywhere did I ? but the season is a long way from being over so neither of us can predict how it will go. If we finish 17th in the clubs and your eyes we will have succeeded no doubt and we can hide away in the corner for another season in awe of the rest of the league and celebrate like we did the first time we stayed up.

I asked if we have to fail just because others are, two different things.

This has stemmed from my post, has it not?

If it has, I'll just point out that that it's not that they failed,not at all.. In fact Sunderland are still going in this position Just that we are NOT at all special in terms of the position we are currently in. You may not care about them, but it's very likely they don't care about us. Doesn't stop the fact that these are all similar clubs in similar positions.

[VVVAlbion]

so come them, predict Irvines next win and dont say Gateshead.I cant see one anytime soon = relegation

Stoke ;-)

[OldburyWBA]

We have failed.  We did this last year with our poor recruitment and failure to replace players with better players. This has a massive set back in league where you take tiny steps forward and massive steps backwards. It almost cost us our premier league status. We learn from others not to make continual massive wholesale changes but to build slow momentum again, which we are no doubt currently doing. We will finish higher than 17th in my opinion given the current way our squad and play is shaping when compared to the end of last season.

I agree with much of what you say but for us to finish higher than 17th will take some doing regardless of where we are at this time, long way to go and despite our lack of activity during the January window usually this time we need to use it especially in the midfield department to bring in some quality or start using the players we have more effectively and in correct positions. I honestly fear for us this season.

[Signor_Maresca]

so come them, predict Irvines next win and dont say Gateshead.I cant see one anytime soon = relegation

Stoke.  And I'm confident.

[OldburyWBA]

This has stemmed from my post, has it not?

If it has, I'll just point out that that it's not that they failed,not at all.. In fact Sunderland are still going in this position Just that we are NOT at all special in terms of the position we are currently in. You may not care about them, but it's very likely they don't care about us. Doesn't stop the fact that these are all similar clubs in similar positions.

I will also just point out that as I have said I (as in ME) do not care about them, I care about West Bromwich Albion.

[Hunnington Baggie]

so come them, predict Irvines next win and dont say Gateshead.I cant see one anytime soon = relegation

Luckily the last time someone said that (Jacko I believe) we beat Tottenham, I also can't remember if it was Jacko or yourself (apologies if it wasn't) who said that when we got into the relegation zone that we'd "never get out again all season. Since then we've got out after 1 game and not gone back. so, yeah anything can happen. But the next I expect to win is Hull at home, if the team has the support they require. That does NOT constitute that we won't win 'till then, though.

[geoff]

Didn't some on here  say they don't mind losing as long as we play 'Attacking Football'.

That was how we played in the first half but in the 2cnd same old same old  must have been a inspiring half time talk thats all i can say.

[VVVAlbion]

I agree with much of what you say but for us to finish higher than 17th will take some doing regardless of where we are at this time, long way to go and despite our lack of activity during the January window usually this time we need to use it especially in the midfield department to bring in some quality or start using the players we have more effectively and in correct positions. I honestly fear for us this season.

I have more concern up front than in midfield. Our midfield have a recognised history of creating and scoring goals, our forwards don't.  People are blaming the midfield for not supplying our forwards butthe forwards have to put themselves in the position to receive the ball. We haven't got a Lukaku, Long, Phillips or Odemwingie making runs or space.

[we8seals]

so come them, predict Irvines next win and dont say Gateshead.I cant see one anytime soon = relegation

i doubt it will be Gateshead. I predict the following for that game:
a. set up same as ever, negative over cautious
b. get a goal after 15 mins from a set piece - dawson from a corner.
c. stop playing and sit back
d. they throw kitchen sink at us
e. equaliser in 86th minute

sound familar to anyone?

[geoff]

I have more concern up front than in midfield. Our midfield have a recognised history of creating and scoring goals, our forwards don't.  People are blaming the midfield for not supplying our forwards butthe forwards have to put themselves in the position to receive the ball. We haven't got a Lukaku, Long, Phillips or Odemwingie making runs or space.

From the little bit i've seen of Bobby i would have said that making runs into space was his main forte.

[Morany]

I have more concern up front than in midfield. Our midfield have a recognised history of creating and scoring goals, our forwards don't.  People are blaming the midfield for not supplying our forwards butthe forwards have to put themselves in the position to receive the ball. We haven't got a Lukaku, Long, Phillips or Odemwingie making runs or space.

Ideye made numerous good runs against the Villa but didn't get picked out once.

Midfield is the problem. Stale, sideways and negative.

[OldburyWBA]

I have more concern up front than in midfield. Our midfield have a recognised history of creating and scoring goals, our forwards don't.  People are blaming the midfield for not supplying our forwards butthe forwards have to put themselves in the position to receive the ball. We haven't got a Lukaku, Long, Phillips or Odemwingie making runs or space.

We could do with another striker but I think those 4 masked a few problems with our midfield, its a bit stale now and good servants they have been its time for a change.

[overseas baggie]

From the little bit i've seen of Bobby i would have said that making runs into space was his main forte.

Berahino has become very adept at making good runs.  But he spends 75% of every game on the bench.