[Atomic]

........... At the time did we realise just how good he was? Arguably the best player we've ever produced.

[KYA]

Undoubtedly, he was already the best midfielder in England the complete player.

[albion59]

Derek Statham was the best player we ever produced. IMO of course!

[Atomic]

Derek Statham was the best player we ever produced. IMO of course!

I wouldn't actually disagree with that. I loved Statham he is the best left back I've ever seen. You can keep your Ashley Cole's and Roberto Carlos's seriously I would've picked Decka above any of them. Trouble is he was always bloody injured.

[Black Country Pride]

Undoubtedly, he was already the best midfielder in England the complete player.

I actually think he was at his peak playing for us. As you say, he was the complete player - we must have played him in pretty much every outfield position and he was bloody brilliant whether you stuck him.

[liverbaggie]

Yes,despite 2 bad leg breaks.
I would put Statham and Robson on a par.
Derek was the best left back of his generation,he knows it ,we know it,the Londoner who played for England at left back knew it,why didn't the England manager know it?
It was the usual southern bias,pathetic.

[miggybaggy]

I actually think he was at his peak playing for us. As you say, he was the complete player - we must have played him in pretty much every outfield position and he was bloody brilliant whether you stuck him.

Spot on. He was deceptively quick too before the first leg break...he lost a split second of pace after that. I also think we saw the best of him.

[wodenson46]

Undoubtedly, he was already the best midfielder in England the complete player.

Very true but not recognised by England selectors until his first games at Man Utd

[mank baggie]

When we got sold to United way back then ! That's when we should've of kicked on,  but alas here we are.

[AlbionFan]

Losing Robbo was a massive blow, but often overlooked, at the time, was the departure of Remi Moses to United. He was also a big miss for us at that stage of our team development

[mr multivac]

Surely Tony Brown was the best £ for £ player we ever developed

[SmethDan]

........... At the time did we realise just how good he was? Arguably the best player we've ever produced.

From memory it would have taken a very special kind of idiot not to have realised just how good he was back then, and if football forums had been around at the time I reckon we'd have found our fair share of 'em    .

[iwastherein68]

Loved it when Robbo was picked for England whilst still a Baggie.

[dont ask me to choose luv]

Very true but not recognised by England selectors until his first games at Man Utd

Robbo made his full England debut while he was playing for the Albion.

One of my (if not thee) favourite all time Albion players, was treated shabbily by some West Brom fans season after the great escape.

[kirk]

I do believe he practically forced his move by playing like a Mike Phelan

[wbastrollers]

Surely Tony Brown was the best £ for £ player we ever developed

Bobby Hope!!

[iwastherein68]

Bobby Hope!!

Sir Bobby Hope

[geoff]

Remi moses went to man u
Along with robbo. A double blow to our team

[Albionic]

Dekka / Robbo / Bomber / Cyrille / Laurie / Bobby Hope / Len Cantello / John Wile,

so many great footballers have graced us, I do feel sorry for the current fans who may never get to see there like in the stripes!

Had fate not dealt such a horrible cruel blow, I am convinced Martyn Bennett would have topped them all