1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Official Team Photo

« on: August 28, 2019, 07:48:17 PM »

No Burke and no Edwards. Too ill to attend according to the club. Possible transfer(s)?

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Centre back pairing

« on: April 16, 2018, 11:02:07 PM »

For me, Dawson and Hegazi look our best centre back pairing. They seem to have a good mutual understanding when they play together, which is crucial in any good pairing. Both are totally committed, good in the air, and strong in the tackle, again the attributes that you would want. Dawson is twice the player at centre half that he is at full back (and he did ok at full back most of the time) and if we manage to hang on to him he will be extremely valuable next season. Hegazi I think has played more minutes for us than any other player this season and, despite the odd lapse, has been overall a good find, and again will prove a key player next season. Personally I would try very hard to hang on to Dawson as I reckon these two would provide a great base for the building of our new side

3

General Football & Sports / Moyes threatens female reporter with a slap

« on: April 03, 2017, 10:04:30 PM »

Anyone see this interview? What did you think?

1 Said in jest and taken in jest. End of story

2 Said in jest, but reporter felt threatened, so perfectly right that he apologised. The apology was accepted so this should be the end of it

3 Said in jest, but reporter felt threatened, so perfectly right that he apologised, and further action should be taken against him

4 Said seriously and serious action should be taken against him

4

General Football & Sports / Leadership qualities

« on: September 15, 2014, 08:23:22 PM »

Leadership - defined (in my dictionary anyway) as " someone who has a clear vision of success and how to achieve it. A good leader is able to communicate their vision with clarity and passion, so that all stakeholders are inspired to buy into that vision. Action is the mark of a good leader. They do not suffer "analysis paralysis", they are able to be flexible and have a Plan B where necessary, are able to make effective choices and make the best use of the resources available to them"

Which of the following (regardless of what you think of them) seem to have most or all of these qualities?

Jose Mourinho
Paul Lambert
Garry Monk
Ronald Koeman
Manuel Pellegrini
Mauricio Pochettino
Brendan Rodgers
Steve Bruce
Sam Allardyce
Arsene Wenger
Louis Van Gaal
Roberto Martinez
Nigel Pearson
Mark Hughes
Harry Redknapp
Sean Dyche
Gus Poyet
Alan Irvine
Alan Pardew
Neil Warnock

Stands out like a sore thumb, eh? For me, this is the single biggest thing that we are and have been missing. Not the only one but the biggest one.

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Which of our current aquad would command the highest transfer fee?

« on: January 04, 2014, 09:08:35 PM »

....including those we have on loan? I'm not talking about which are the best necessarily, but merely who would cost the most if another club wanted to but them.
For me it would be Berahino, Vydra, and then probably either Foster or Long, in that order.

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / What is our best starting 11 now?

« on: September 03, 2013, 10:04:37 AM »

So, lots of new faces in, but what would be our best starting 11 if everyone was fit? I am intrigued to know what people think, as I am personally struggling to see how it will all fit together

7

General Football & Sports / Suarez, Rooney, Odemwingie.

« on: August 08, 2013, 09:32:17 AM »

Three players who are making my blood boil every time I read a story about them. All three are under contract with their clubs, but seem to think that they can force a move just because they feel like one. They are all on fantastic wages for their ability, they have all been supported by their clubs when they have been troubled in the past, and have all thrown it back in the faces of those clubs in the most shameless way. Thankfully all three clubs seem to be making pretty much the same stand, and are refusing to bow to pressure, but the petulant arrogance of all three is just breath taking.

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Anyone starting to panic yet?

« on: July 21, 2013, 04:48:04 PM »

I know, I know, it's far to early to panic yet blah blah. But with Thomas, Lukaku and Fortune already gone, Gera a serious fitness doubt and not re-signed yet, Odemwingie and possibly Dorrans likely to depart, and only an ageing Anelca brought in, our squad is looking more than a little threadbare at the minute, especially in midfield and attack. I'm actually not panicking just yet but I am starting to be a bit concerned I have to admit. I know we tend to keep our targets quiet and we will undoubtedly make some signings in the next few weeks, but pre season is already underway and anyone coming in is going to have to play catch up, which is not always easy - think back to Rosenberg and Brunt last season and how their form suffered for having missed pre season. It's also worrying that we apparently had lots of targets identified way back in February/March and none of them seem to have materialised.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / By one meaure, are we the best supported club in Britain?

« on: October 05, 2012, 05:45:48 PM »

Yes, yes, I know we have the best QUALITY fans, no argument. But, with a population of around 136,000 and average crowds of around 25,000, I was wondering if we are the best supported league club, measured by crowds as a ratio to the the population of the place where the club is based? Off the top of my head, I cant think of any other club that can beat better than 1:6

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Brunt and Dorrans

« on: October 02, 2012, 11:29:26 PM »

Two players who seem to split opinion. Assuming everyone was fit, and given that there are some squad members I haven't seen enough of to judge yet, I would have Dorrans in my starting 11, with Morrison, Yakob, and Mulumbu in midfield. I personally wouldn't have Brunt in the starting 11, but that is just my humble opinion

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Attitude of the players

« on: October 16, 2011, 08:37:02 PM »

 This squad seems to have a real togetherness about it, regardless of form. There doesn't seem to be anyone who is a prima donna and thinks they god's gift to football, and I can't think of any other prem team without at least one. They all put in a shift. They all seem to clap the fans at the end. They all say positive things about each other in the press. No-one moans when they are left out. These are all good attributes, and attitude seems to be something that our scouting network seem to research thoroughly before we buy anyone. All of this gives me a good feeling about the club at the moment

12

West Bromwich Albion FC / Which players are better than last season

« on: October 05, 2011, 02:09:10 PM »

It seems to me that almost the whole squad that was here last season have got worse, or more probably are out of form for whatever reason. OK, normally at any given time there are one or two off form, but not the whole squad. From last season's players, the only 2 who seem better this season (in the short time I've seen them) are Thorne and Mattock, with the possible addition of Tchoyi. But Reid, Tamas, Shorey, Jonas, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Pete, Brunt, Thomas, and Morrison all look shodows of what they were at their best. Why? I don't know but it is very disheartening knowing what they are capable of and not even coming close to it. Anyone got any theories?

13

West Bromwich Albion FC / Our glaring weakness

« on: August 31, 2011, 07:58:50 PM »

With Marek Cech leaving and James Hurst going out on loan, we really do seem to be VERY weak on cover for full backs. Many posters seem to be more concerned about centre half but with Ollie and Tamas (plenty of prem experience), Dawson (who is very highly rated, although admittedly untried), Pablo (never really let us down when he has played), and Macauley (captain of his country and very experienced) we may not be brilliant but at least have plenty of cover, whereas at full back we only have Shorey (possibly just past his best), Reid (really a midfielder and injury prone, not to say a bit slow), Jara (really a midfielder, a bit slow and prone to indiscipline), Mattock (not really impressed to date), and Jones (a very good prospect but inexperienced at this level) we seem to be incredibly exposed.
Trying to look at it positively, it seems that we are not strong enough to be able to sustain 442 so we must revert to 451 in order to protect the defence as much as possible. Of course, this poses a problem as it really means that only one of Odem and Long would be able to play, but with injuries, African Nations and suspensions, maybe they wouldnt both be available very often anyway.
I never thought after last season that I would be worried this season with a bit of squad strenthening, but I must admit I am more than a little concerned about our ablity to be good enough defensively. Are the rest of you feeling the same or am I being overly pessimistic
   

14

General Football & Sports / Hopes for other Prem teams this season

« on: August 07, 2011, 02:46:33 PM »

OK, there is only one team that we really care about, but for whatever reasons we all inevitably favour some of the remaining teams over others. Here are what my heart and head think about the coming season for our rivals.

Arsenal:
Head: They will struggle to make the top 4 this season
Heart: I don't mind them and their fans went up a lot in my estimation after their gracious comments when we beat them at the Emirates last season. Hope they do finish top 4

Aston Villa:
Head: Will finish lower mid table
Heart: Would love them to be relegated, but more realistically would love us to finish above them. Also would be funny if McLeish was sacked.

Blackburn:
Head: Will be in the relegation battle but will probably survive
Heart: Hope they get relegated after the stupid comments of expecting Champions League within 4 years.

Bolton:
Head: Again, probably in the relegation battle but will survive
Heart: Don't really care one way or the other tbh.

Chelsea:
Head: Top 4 but not winners
Heart: Don't like them. Too many prima donnas and hope they don't win the league. The presence of RDM doesn't really change anything for me.

Everton:
Head: Highish mid table
Heart: Really hope they finish above Liverpool for their supporters. Would be so funny.

Fulham:
Heart: Got enough to survive. Mid table ish
Head: Really don't care

Liverpool:
Head: Probably back in the top 4
Heart: Would love to see them under achieve after all the money they have spent. Used to quite like them but after all the Roy bashing and the slagging we got from their fans when we beat them last season, I really dislike them now.

Man City:
Head: Top 4
Heart: Mixed feelings. I don't like clubs buying success, but I would also like to see them win the league for their fans who have loyally supported the 2nd team in Manchester through thick and thin and would love them to finish above Man Utd

Man Utd:
Head: Will probably win it again
Heart: Hope they don't. It's someone else's turn and it would at least halt the smug Ferguson for a while.

Newcastle:
Head: Not as good as they think, but probably good enough to survive in lower mid table
Heart: Would love to see them relegated again. No more than their arrogant fans deserve. If not, I hope we finish above them again.

Norwich:
Head: Will struggle after a promising start and will be one of the relegation candidates
Heart: I quite like the way they try to play and hope they survive

QPR:
Head: Will probably just survive
Heart: For many reasons (money, chairman, manager, strip) hope they go back to where they belong

Stoke:
Head: I think they may not do so well this year and may be involved in the relegation battle, but will ultimately survive.
Heart: There are teams I dislike more (but only a few) so I just hope we finish above them. Anything else would be a bonus.

Swansea:
Head: Relegated
Heart: Just hope we don't gift them any points. Otherwise, don't care although I prefer them to Cardiff

Sunderland:
Head: Comfortable mid table
Heart: Hope they finish above Newcastle and get the NE bragging rights.

Tottenham:
Head: 5th or 6th
Heart: Don't really care

Wigan:
Head: Relegated
Heart: Just escape again to give us a team we should finish above next year as I think there will be stronger teams coming up at the end of this season

Wolves:
Head: Just survive again
Heart: Bottom of course !!!


 

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Marquee signing?

« on: August 03, 2011, 10:31:38 AM »

So, 4 players in and not a penny spent, unless we count a loan fee for Foster. I know that we traditionally don't spend big, which was understandable when we were boinging up and down between divisions, but even then we used to spend 10 mill or more to improve the squad. But we are now entering our 2nd season with full prem money + 4 or 5 million for finishing 11th + the Carson and Valero money. Do you think we can expect one or even two biggish transfers before the end of the season? I just wonder if the plan is to spend more on a couple of players, maybe later in the window. Don't get me wrong, I'm not moaning, just interested in what the strategy is. I'm happy with who we have brought in and who we have shipped out so far, and I'm not one of those who wants big money signings for the sake of it, but it does seem a bit strange.

16

West Bromwich Albion FC / The Ibanez mystery

« on: May 09, 2011, 05:14:47 PM »

The absence and apparent banishment of Ibanez to the wilderness has me increasingly puzzled. Here we have a Spanish international centre half who has largely impressed during early season and now, for some reason, cannot get a look in. I know that there have been rumours of laziness on the training field, attitude problems, and other things (!!), but they are just that, rumours. Dan Ashworth usually seems to do his homework about these things before we sign anyone, so it just doesn't seem to add up. I can only imagine that something has gone on behind the scenes which we don;t know about. Why else would he be ignored by both RDM and Roy? Anyone got any info/theories?

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / A few interesting stats

« on: April 24, 2011, 08:25:09 PM »

Just looking up Sky's stats tables and a few curious things about our season so far:
In the "first half" table we are 19th
In the "second half" table  we are 8th
We have had the 3rd most shots on goal after Chelsea and Arsenal, yep, more than Man Utd
We have had the 5th most shots on target
Not sure what any of this tells us tbh. Any ideas?

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Players fighting for the cause

« on: March 21, 2011, 12:03:58 PM »

It seems like our team spirit is now first rate. Brunt climbing out of his sick bed to play, Morrison returning with stitches in his head, Ollie playing through the pain barrier with an injury etc. It's good to see that everyone seems up for the fight, and gives me a lot of optimism for the run in.

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / A slightly strange statistic

« on: March 09, 2011, 11:11:09 PM »

Just looking at the league table and noticed
We have the 10th best away record
We have the 15th best home record
.............yet we are 16th in the table.