Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - Mr Cynical

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 25
26
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: 2019-2020 Season Tickets
« on: July 10, 2019, 09:31:52 AM »
Why wouldn’t you go just because it’s on sky?

It's the changes in times and dates that I was thinking of.  Ruins a good day out...

27
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Morgan Rogers
« on: July 09, 2019, 04:27:51 PM »
If Jesus can't get in the Man City team... what chance has Rogers?

28
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: 2019-2020 Season Tickets
« on: July 09, 2019, 03:53:17 PM »
Imagine buying an away season ticket then finding out that 5 of the first 6 away games are on Sky!

29
General Football & Sports / Re: Slaven Bilic
« on: July 08, 2019, 12:46:03 PM »
Wonder how much Bilic is on board with the current situation of losing our best players ?

I guess it's common practice, and therefore obvious to Bilic, those in the last year of their contracts will naturally be sold (or extend) that's Dawson, Phillips, Rondon and HRK (please).

Also, JRod's departure is a contractual obligation, I'm sure he'd be aware of the clause.

I'd be much more concerned about what reassurances he got regarding player aquisitions.  At the very basic level we have 60 goals to replace from last season. plus two defenders to find to ensure we are tighter than last season.  Assuming JRod and Rondon go in the next few days we'll be 10 players down on the squad size at the end of last season.  I am worried that Jenkins' ultra-conservative approach is going to leave us short, in effectivemess if not numbers.  (i.e. Players that aren't good enough, but are cheaper.)

30
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: One month to go
« on: July 06, 2019, 07:13:53 PM »
Barnes, Tosin, Montero, Gayle,Murphy,johansen, Holgate
7 last year, 6 at the same time
Yes, but what's the point is having more than you can play?  We're just fluffing out the squad and blocking our own youngsters...

31
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Matty Phillips
« on: July 06, 2019, 02:47:15 PM »
Last year of his contract.  We need to cash in, or get him to sign a new contract. 

During the relegation season I was so frustrated by his complete lack of any courage, but last season I appreciated him as an attacker when he did play, but this wasn't really often enough.

32
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« on: July 05, 2019, 08:26:01 PM »
So... If it's £12m for Berahino and £4m for Roberts that's £16m the Academy has bought in in 2 years.  There's the reason to keep running it.

I would rather see players coming through to the first team myself.  But from every managers' perspective it will be why will I risk my job (and it's a volitile position) on that kid who may/may not work out and will be inconsistent; when I can play that experienced player who will be more consistent and not get me the sack.

What I doin't think is right is that we have invested 10 years in this kid, longer in Harper, and they are free to walk away and some other club will benefit from them and we will get very little recognition.  Fair enough for players like Roofe, we chose not to offer them a contract, but if we offer them a contract we should be entitled to some of the ongoing transfer revenue.


33
General Football & Sports / Re: Slaven Bilic
« on: July 05, 2019, 01:51:11 PM »
Ally Robertson: I hope Slaven Bilic tells us exactly what he thinks

Sensible article from Ally

Source: https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2019/07/05/ally-robertson-i-hope-slaven-bilic-tells-us-exactly-what-he-thinks/

"The rebuild has already started to gather pace with Craig Dawson leaving for Watford. "

34
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« on: July 05, 2019, 01:49:17 PM »
If the academy still costs 2m per year to run and in the past few years we sold Berahino for 12m and a few others we recouped say 500k in total we're still doing ok overall financiall. It's a hug pain in the butt to lose these prospects for pittances but if one or two stick and they play regularly or we sell then it works........in theory.

You've got to blame the system really - I guess Barry's mom and dad have been got to by agents promising big things and ultimately they went after cash and the promise of huge stardom. Whether all the stars align in his favour remains to be seen  so he could just end up another talented kid who didn't quite make it. All the furore about him suggests he has more going for him though? Good luck to him, it's football that's broken at the moment not the kid's fault..........

I think we got £2.5m for Tyler Roberts and wasted it on Sturridge.

35
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« on: July 05, 2019, 01:48:01 PM »
Was it the academy or the training ground in general that we cancelled the planned investment for last summer?

36
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: One month to go
« on: July 04, 2019, 01:10:24 PM »
Lose HRK???? Now you're hoping aren't you?? 8)

Always try to be optimistic! 

He is in the last year of his contract, but I can't see anyone who will to pay a fee or take on the stupid wages we gave to the no-hoper!

37
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: One month to go
« on: July 04, 2019, 12:05:59 PM »
The lack of transfers is worrying.  But that can be resolved in one week.

I agree the lack of visible transfer activity (cue announcement) is very worrying.  Not sure it can be resolved in a week!

Currently 9 down on the sqaud at the end of last season and I think we will lose Rondon, Phillips, Nyom (All on last year of contract) plus maybe Livermore, Harper, JRod and HRK over the next few weeks too.  We have just over a month, they have to be looking at nearly 3 players a week coming in.  Not very West Brom.

If losing 12-16 players (from the end of last season) turns out to be a good guess then I would be happy with 10-13 replacements as some of last seasons players had minimal impact - we wouldn't have noticed if we didn't have Montero, Myhill and Hooihan, and Mears and Murphy didn't make that much impact either.

The two players that are most speculated upon are Krovinovic and Chalobah... both loans.  Only 3 more loans after these two.  We need to actually start signing players.  The 'didn't have a full pre-season' excuse is going to be absolutely rampant!

Does the loan window still stay open until the end of August? 

If we're going to play 4-2-3-1 then, at a minimum, we need:
1 x right back + players capable of covering
2 x CBs
1 centre mid
2 attacking mid
2 wide attackers/wingers
2 forwards

This is assuming that O'Shea/Fitzwater (one of) , Edwards and Leko can make some sort regular contribution too.

I expect a core, strong squad of about 16 and other players chipping in.
Johnstone, Bartley, Hegazi, Gibbs plus maybe staying Livermore and Jrod and maybe stepping-up Field and Harper.  Lots of gaps.  Lots of work.  Can't really afford for everything to be on hold waiting to sell players first.

38
General Football & Sports / Re: Craig Dawson
« on: June 29, 2019, 06:47:31 PM »
I’m surprised on two counts -
1 - I was expecting more £s.
2 - the timing. How often do WBA take the ‘first’ bid? Normally it’s long drawn-out and we get a top price. Suggests club are firm on sell before buy, and Slav wants to spend?

39
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Is the Hawthorns safe from Lai?
« on: June 29, 2019, 06:31:22 PM »
Am I right in thinking that we own - or did at one point - all the land between the hawthorns and the foot bridge on the A41?  Plus some properties, including Mail Box apartments?

40
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Rekeem Harper
« on: June 28, 2019, 12:37:47 PM »
If this 'article' on birmingham live is right - https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rekeem-harper-tottenham-spurs-transfer-16501301 - then something is really wrong.

If our player walks away and signs for Spurs for an insulting compensation fee (can that happen with another English club?) then why would we loan him back and continue to develop him for Spud's benefit?

41
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Oliver Burke (on loan at Celtic)
« on: June 26, 2019, 11:16:29 AM »
Didn't Pulis come out at the time and say that he'd watched Burke play for Scotland U21s at the Toulon tournament and that he was someone he wanted to sign?

Found this article which states that Pulis had watched Burke a number of times and was someone he wanted to sign.

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2017/08/25/tony-pulis-oliver-burke-has-tools-to-play-several-positions/

Reading that, it sounds like my assumption was completely wrong!

42
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Oliver Burke (on loan at Celtic)
« on: June 26, 2019, 10:56:17 AM »
So Hammond did this off his own bat without reference to Pulis? Surely when it comes to spending £15 milion of the Club's money, the first team manager couldn't be overruled? Is Pulis known for accepting new signings without his blessing?

My guess would be that Burke was nothing to do with Pulis - apart from the rubber stamp.  If ever there was a player that didn't fit the Pulis mold it's Oli.  If Pulis was given the money he would spend it on someone who was proven, would grind out a 6/10 performance every week, and would be rigid in following team orders/formation.  I think it's more likely it was Hammond that identified he was available and pushed to sign his potential.  Spending £15m on a kid that had started less than 20 games - none in the PL - is complete madness... and not your standard, solid Pulis player.

Next you'll be telling us that Pulis wanted HRK.  I think the club said that he wanted 5 and he got 5, but Pulis said I didn't want (all) those 5.  There was a public (press) bust up about it.

I just don't believe that Burke is a Pulis style player, or Pulis buy.  Give me an example of him buying another youngster, expecially for big money.  He buys tried and tested every time.  More likely the club thinking he was a good investment (and in theory it is - many clubs buy young talent, develop them and sell them on for profit) and Pulis thinking he might have something, and rubber stamping the deal.  If he was a Pulis pick he'd certainly have had more of a chance at game time.

43
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Oliver Burke (on loan at Celtic)
« on: June 25, 2019, 05:52:30 PM »
My guess would be that Burke was nothing to do with Pulis - apart from the rubber stamp.  If ever there was a player that didn't fit the Pulis mold it's Oli.  If Pulis was given the money he would spend it on someone who was proven, would grind out a 6/10 performance every week, and would be rigid in following team orders/formation.  I think it's more likely it was Hammond that identified he was available and pushed to sign his potential.  Spending £15m on a kid that had started less than 20 games - none in the PL - is complete madness... and not your standard, solid Pulis player.

44
General Football & Sports / Re: Slaven Bilic
« on: June 21, 2019, 10:07:13 AM »
Yep, there is a complete deficit in shooting free kick takers.  If we assume Barry has gone and Phillips will go (1 year left on his contract) then it's a talent that is missing from our team... and the 1 remaining player with that talent (Brunt) is too old to play 90 minutes in most games ('because he'll have got 2 bookings by then!)

45
General Football & Sports / Re: Slaven Bilic
« on: June 18, 2019, 01:30:40 PM »
Danilo Butorovic sounds like he will be doing more of the technical analysis stuff and I dare say he'll be looking after set-pieces.

Apart from old-man Brunt we don't have any one who can take a free kick!

46
General Football & Sports / Re: Darren Moore
« on: June 18, 2019, 01:18:39 PM »
I love Darren.  Emotionally, I thought it was outrageous when he was sacked.  Logically, I could see why someone decided they had to act.  What followed was a farce.  Darren Moore performed his role as head coach to a far higher standard than Jenkins performed his role as CEO.

If we look back to the summer last year... once the extensive search for a new manager was complete and we found the outstanding candidate at the training ground...  Moore had to deal with Jenkins holding the purse strings.  No player recruitment dept.  No legal/contractual resource.  No assistant manager.  Missing coaching staff.  Experienced players with loud voices.  Other experienced players manipulating for a move.  Holes in his squad that weren't filled until the last minute.  All this with 6 games worth of experience.  I think he did surprisingly well... except the two players we spent money on (Johnstone and Bartley) were not really that good.

If we go back to the 1st game against Bolton.  We played 4-4-2 and absolutely nothing clicked.  Nobody knew what they were doing.  Then Jones arrived.  I think he implemented the 3 at the back and also passing across the back. Initially it was really successful (I think we were top by the end of September).  But we were worked out and didn't constantly evolve to maintain our performance.

I think Darren did a great job of bringing the squad together and motivating them.  He was poor at implementing a style of play that suited the players, tactics, subs.  He made a grave mis-judgement in his trust in Jones.  But he was never an experienced manager and needed the time to learn. 

47
I like Gayle.  I'd be really happy to see him come back next season... buy only on loan.  (Maybe we can wrap him up in a deal for Rondon?)

He's too expensive.  It's too big a risk for us with only 1 more season (of much lower) parachute payments after this one. 

If we're stuck in the Champs then, we have wasted too much money on an asset with a low resale value and high wages.

If we're promoted then we know Gayle doesn't really work as a PL player. 

I see him in the same mould as Earnshaw.  He's a goal scorer, who really comes alive in the box and has little impact outside of it.  If we're getting in the box a lot he'll score goals.  In the PL, where we won't get in the box so much, he becomes a passenger that we can't afford to carry.

48
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...
« on: June 13, 2019, 11:29:16 AM »
That link has gone now.

49
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...
« on: June 06, 2019, 04:45:11 PM »
I too am becoming a little bored with the proceedings but to play devils advocate, it's worth pointing out that since the play-off defeat on the 14th we haven't been looking for a new manager for much longer than both Middlesbrough and Swansea.

Albion - 23 days without manager
Middlesbrough - 21 days without manager
Swansea -  17 days without manager

In fact, Middlesbrough have been aware which division they were going to be in since the 5th of May, which is 31 days and they are still searching for their next boss.

In the meantime reports suggest the current leading contender for the Swansea job is apparently the England under 17 coach, I can't imagine their fans being any more happy with a strong link to someone so inexperienced than ours.

So we're certainly not the only Championship club operating a conservative approach in our managerial search.

Except they always said Shan was an interim manager... so we've been looking for a new manager since the 9th March (89 days ago).  OK, we may have known what division we'd be in, but prepare properly and have 2 lists ready to go.  There is nothing that illustrates the kind of manager they are looking for, or what criteria they are applying.  It's totally scattergun.  We have failed to prepare.

50
West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Jay Rodriguez
« on: June 05, 2019, 07:23:01 PM »
That's how I read it too mate. Why would it be referred to in this way . If the deal is £10m but in two payments of £5m it's still a £10m deal. Did we sign Oliver Burke for £15m or £5m, £5m, £5m. I think all we are going to get for JRod is £5m

I knew I'd read something else that made me think it wasn't a straight-forward £10m fee (in 2 instalments).

Matt Wilson
‏Verified account @mattwilson_star
22h22 hours ago

Not sure myself what figure Jay Rodriguez’s release clause is, but he does have one. Both @bodenknights and now @JPercyTelegraph saying £5m up front + £5m add-ons. If it’s that low, you’d be surprised if he was a #wba player come the start of next season...


The question is; what is an add-on?  Is it a milestone that has to be met?  I don't think an add-on is normally a straight-forward 2nd instalment.

Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 ... 25