1

General Football & Sports / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: August 23, 2019, 01:07:02 PM »

Fans think it’s OK to dish out abuse but it’s not right for the player to respond. Don’t blame Sam for responding and that Rainbow stand bloke has quickly toned down his views. If you dish it out be prepared to take it back. Eric Cantana had the best response

I disagree. Eric had no right to assault someone, it doesn't matter what was said. And it's not about dishing out or taking it back. It's about a professional acting in an unprofessional manner. If someone is being abusive for the sake of it, then he should be ignoring it. But he was criticised and it hit a nerve. Then he goes highlighting fans lack of football skills and leaving a turd emoji. No need.

I used to session drum for a touring band. I got into a dispute after someone was being insulting. After a discussion with the manager, I had to apologise even though I wasn't in the wrong. Was it fair? Not at all. But the band image came before personal image/pride. That side of things comes with being in the spotlight and signing autographs everywhere you go.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: August 23, 2019, 01:31:02 AM »

I'm with Oldbury on this. Why has he bothered replying? Why he's biting and calling fans boring because he doesn't like something they've said is beyond me. All players get stick.

As far as I'm concerned he's a decent GK. However he does have a lot of things he could improve on. And now getting into silly squabbles online is just needless.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Worst goals conceded last season?

« on: August 21, 2019, 05:08:15 PM »

The first Leeds goal at their ground after about ten seconds, purely because no one challenged their player.

As mentioned, the Boro opener and winner because of lack of communication.

Boltons goals on the opening day, just because we couldn't defend and it was the start of an immensely frustrating season.

The main thing for me last season was how horrible the entire season actually felt. From game one it was errors and frustration. The only time I felt any pride was when we lost on pens to Villa.

Personally now I never want to think about last season ever again.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Very worrying the rate at which coaching staff are leaving the club

« on: August 21, 2019, 05:01:29 PM »

Even if the changes are designed to improve the attitudes of the youngsters, its not alot of good if the coaching staff have become drunk off en masse. The quality of the coaching staff is key to the whole centre. I don't know how easy it is to find good staff with the kind of background knowledge and skills which are going to make a difference.
I presume its more than just phoning up the local Job Centre and asking who they've got.

You'd be surprised actually. Some of the high profile jobs such as league managers aren't usually advertised as such, as the club often has someone in mind. However, coaches, physios, Academy coaches etc usually advertise on the EFL website. You can go and look at the vacancies for every club. If you have the qualifications and experience you can apply.

5

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: August 19, 2019, 12:15:47 AM »

As soon as I read Jones comment about "one of the teams being ex-PL..." I thought Prat. So glad he's not with us anymore.

Didn't get to hear the game because of travelling to work but glad we came back from a goal down. It shows grit and fight. Last year we had grit and fight but we were lacking an actual game plan. Now, the players seem free and it looks like they know what they're doing.

I like the way Slav keeps talking to the players publicly, especially the young ones. Psychologically that will do a lot for them.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Matheus Pereira (on loan from Sporting Lisbon)

« on: August 08, 2019, 10:50:26 PM »

Should be a good signing! Welcome to the club!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Charlie Austin signs from Southampton

« on: August 08, 2019, 10:49:42 PM »

Welcome to the club Charlie!

We lost 50 goals from last season, but he should get 20 for us. Let's do this!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Chris Willock (on loan from Benfica)

« on: August 08, 2019, 10:47:42 PM »

Welcome to the club!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Grady Diangana (on loan from West Ham)

« on: August 08, 2019, 10:47:11 PM »

Welcome to the club!

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: August 03, 2019, 07:58:29 PM »

As the home team, you have to expect Forest to start like that. But we played well, controlled possession and created some good chances.

Stand outs for me were Ferguson, Sawyers, Krovinovic and Phillips. Hats off to Edwards and Semi too.

For me, Livermore isn't up to it. I'd drop him when we get some new players in.

Felt more relaxed today watching that than I have in years. That's the Bilić effect for you.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Oliver Burke (on loan at Celtic)

« on: August 02, 2019, 02:18:34 PM »

It seems his Instagram has been hacked before if you look at the screenshot he uploaded to Twitter a while ago.

12

General Football & Sports / Re: Romaine Sawyers

« on: July 27, 2019, 02:19:01 PM »

Welcome to the club! Let's do this!

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Filip Krovinovic Joins Albion on loan

« on: July 27, 2019, 10:19:26 AM »

How good is this man! He's going to be the best midfielder in the championship this season. Got my first look at him last night, looked real quality.

14

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Pre Season Positives

« on: July 27, 2019, 01:30:35 AM »

I disagree with Leko looking more intelligent. He still looks, acts and plays half dozy. Lads clearly got talent but has no sense of direction.

Agree with the rest though.

Dara reminds me of Jonny Evans a bit. His style, his attitude. He looks like a future captain to me. I was also very impressed with Ferguson. Looked strong, fast and mentally switched on.

The biggest positive for me is seeing Slav on the touchline. He kicked every ball tonight and often got the fans applauding after a chance was missed. How can you not love this man!

And also, something else. His assistants look like they all work for the same team, like they know what's going on and that the plan before the game is what's actually happening. I hate to talk about the past, but it always felt like no one was actually in charge. We stumbled from one game to another. Now we seem to have a plan. It's so heartwarming to see. I've honestly felt stressed watching Albion for years.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: 26th July 2019 Albion 0 AFC Bournemouth 0

« on: July 27, 2019, 12:07:58 AM »

Sat just behind Slav. He's the breath of fresh air we've needed for a while. He gets excited on the touchline and is very vocal. The players looked like they knew what they were doing.

I thought Ferguson looked comfortable at right back, strong and confident. Krovinovic is in another class. Absolutely brilliant, the ball stuck to his foot and he turned so quickly.

There was generally some nice inter-passing throughout the game and we seemed to have some urgency about us. The only area I felt we were lacking was the final third. Bilic himself said after the game that he expects players to shoot, we played around too much.

On the poor side, I think Edwards needs to get his head up a bit more. He gives up too easily and seems lazy at times. And Leko is another. He almost seems nonchalant when on the ball. And we definitely need at least one more striker. Zohore, on first inspection seems like another HRK. A big guy like him should be steamrolling defenders, but he seemed a tad light.

Did anyone else see Gibbs going mad at someone? It sounded like he said "what?! What the f"*** am I meant to do?!" in Slavs direction.

Anyway, we played very well and I think we have a promising midfield. Just need some goals and we'll be in for some fun.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Kenneth Zohore joins WBA

« on: July 19, 2019, 10:17:23 PM »

Welcome to the club!

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General Football & Sports / Re: Salomon Rondon joins Dalian Yifang

« on: July 19, 2019, 09:59:39 AM »

We couldn't afford to keep him.
The fact that he's gone will help the team rebuild.
If your going to get upset every time this happens I suggest you book into to see a councilor

I have had counselling/therapy for depression cheers. But I don't see how that links to posting my disappointment at one player leaving who I feel has been very average for us.

And as others have posted, it's interesting that no PL or European clubs came in for him, they clearly don't think he's worth it.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Salomon Rondon joins Dalian Yifang

« on: July 19, 2019, 09:46:05 AM »

Selfish?
He's done what anyone else would do, gone to another employer who's paying him double what he was getting here.
Good luck to him I've got no axe to grind with him.
He's been, he's played, he's gone like many before and many after.
Personally I'm only interested in those that are here, those that want to go..........Taraaaaaaa

Yeah selfish. If he wanted more cash then he shouldn't have signed a contract with us in the first place and gone to someone offering him more money instead. Oh wait they didnt. He only left us when we dropped, which most of the team didn't do. That's my issue with him.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Salomon Rondon joins Dalian Yifang

« on: July 19, 2019, 09:32:44 AM »

I know footballers are known for being selfish, but he really stands out to me as a selfish person. His leaving statement stinks and I for one am glad he's gone.

Did very little for us, although I appreciate the management in place weren't doing him any good, but still didn't reach the glory that some make out he did. He didn't help us in our relegation season and then left. Don't need snakes.

Bye.

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Squad

« on: July 18, 2019, 01:01:28 PM »

I would say a minimum of 5, all of whom are good enough to play regular championship football.
Out of interest, who are the 16 players we already have?

Senior players:

GKs: Johnstone, Bond

Defs: Hegazi, Bartley, Gibbs, Townsend

Mids: Phillips, Brunt, Harper, Field, Leko, Edwards, Livermore, Burke, Krovinovic

Fors: Robson-Kanu.

21

General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore

« on: July 11, 2019, 06:27:48 PM »

I wish the bloke every success. I really do.

I just think it speaks volumes that after leaving us in 4th in the Championship, he's had to drop down a level for his next job.

Can kind of see where you're coming from, but look at the players he had to work with last season. We had freescoring strikers and some other PL players. Would he have got to 4th with another team? I'm not sure he would. My main issue with him was not learning from his mistakes quick enough.

I genuinely wish him all the best though. Is a great bloke and will always be a hero here.

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Morgan Rogers

« on: July 10, 2019, 01:48:38 AM »

If Jesus can't get in the Man City team... what chance has Rogers?

There's more chance of Buck Rogers playing for Man City.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: July 08, 2019, 10:10:42 PM »

He's just turned 16.

Not too sure how anyone can argue or blame the lad for leaving. The money he will make in the next 3 years at Barca will set him up for life. If he doesn't turn out to be good enough, then he will be released and at 19 he will easily find himself a championship club - whilst he has pretty secured his future. If it does work out then he gets a better contract there and chance at first team football at arguably the biggest club in the world.

If he stays here, our contract offer is nowhere near as good as the offer from PSG and Barca. The money here wouldn't 'secure' his future to the same level. He doesn't look physically ready to be playing first team football so he would remain in our academy for the next season and then probably looked to be loaned out when he's 17.

Some fans need to take their WBA tinted glasses off, the kid doesn't owe us nothing, I am not annoyed with him leaving for Barca/PSG, he will have people around him who are telling him how great he is all the time, the fact that two of the biggest clubs in Europe have come for him only confirms that. I would be more concerned if we were losing him to a local rival.

Personally I am more annoyed with how the system works. For someone who is considered one of the best young English talents, we are going to get pennies for him, that's what needs to be address by the footballing bodies and giving clubs like us more protection.

This is the problem with football today. He shouldn't be set for life by 19. He should be just starting his hard work to achieve targets, ready to enjoy a successful career. He shouldn't be thinking about what type of lamborghini he's going to buy. I coach, and the mentality of many kids now is "cash cash cash".

I genuinely don't begrudge players playing at the highest level they can reach, in fact I've worked with kids who have gone on to academies and it's amazing. But it takes time and hard work. At least, it used to. But saying that, many who leave for big clubs will not even make the bench in their time at the club.

Depression is rife is football, and grass roots clubs are often told they need to do more to combat loneliness and depression. But things like this do not help young players.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: July 08, 2019, 01:10:40 AM »

Just because Barcelona want him doesn't mean the manager/coaches at West Brom are going to put their trust into him... come on, be real.

We had quite a few break through last season? We had a couple not quite a few... and those couple are a very very small number when you actually consider how many players are actually at the academy. They could be at our academy 10 years... doesn't mean they will be getting game time.

Like I said, you think any human with common sense is going to choose West Brom over barcelona? Not a chance and anyone who says otherwise is full of it.

Out of Barca managers and WBA managers, who would you trust more with regards use of talent? Slaven aside, I wouldn't have trusted any of them. However, they're not here anymore. My point was from the side of loyalty on Barry's part, I know it's not a perfect world.

And you're right, the amount of players who play for the first team compared to how many are taken on in the academy is very little. However, 4 making it through and getting first team action is bloody good going in one season.

Ok, let's talk common sense. You've been at WBA your whole life and no one big has come in for you. With no real explanation, Barca and some other big clubs make a move for you. Have you proved yourself at the top level? No. Are you a household name? No. Who are you MORE likely to get game time with? WBA or Barca? Think about the fact that if you're gifted now, how much more so will you be in 2 or 3 years when you've proven yourself at a team like WBA. Barca will still come knocking if you've really got the talent. Sign at 16 for two years, develop your skills and then at 18 you're a free agent. If there are no other offers, renew your contract. If there are offers then go.

You're not talking about common sense. You're talking about ego. Common sense means being sensible and choosing the best option for you. Ego is about ignoring all practicality and choosing the option that satisfies your own self importance regardless of outcome.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: July 07, 2019, 11:29:21 PM »

He only turned 16 in June so nearly a year younger than Rogers...not sure you'd expect anyone to play 1st team football at 15.

I meant if he stayed, i didn't mean he could have played last season.