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General Football & Sports / Re: FA Cup

« on: May 19, 2025, 08:28:40 AM »

Correct but there's justice and there's poetic justice.

Lousy game almost like a typical championship match:  one side adopts a defensive park the bus and relies on breakaways and the more talented side loosing concentration.

If this can happen to one of the most talented sides in England, sometimes a draw seems to be the best outcome.  Palace has lost Guehi and Wharton.  Had City fielded a proper midfield and taken it to extra time, they would have exhausted Palace into submission.

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General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: May 15, 2025, 11:46:36 AM »

I want to see Sunderland lose for a slightly obscure reason. I think Jordan Henderson might be attracted to play for his hometown club if they were promoted, whereas I enjoy watching him exert his influence on the Ajax youngsters, where I think he still has a job to do.

Sunderland have Dan Neil.  He's a younger version of the old Hendo and probably more astute at knowing where to position himself to avert danger -  so why would they want him back?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 15, 2025, 08:50:54 AM »

I can’t stand him.
But, he outsmarted Corberan and whilst we might bemoan him getting Corberan sent to the stands…I’d be all for our manager doing it to the opposition, in fact I believe we are just a bit too soft generally.
....

Well if you want to win like that but it would not be the Albion I have supported over the decades.  Nothing particularly smart about making a histrionic fuss to match official; no measure of real intelligence.  In any case, it was the absolute pits of a referee that decided on a red card.  How he's still in charge of games other than diversity reasons I just don't know.

As others have said Martin had better players including two very good CBs - a full international and an under-21. His tactics made them ship goals.

Much rather go left field with  Ramsey who has coached a team to outsmart a club with better players on paper.

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General Football & Sports / Re: Kids Football - Dear Deidre

« on: May 13, 2025, 03:29:25 PM »

...- When the 3 of us were coaching we did really well as a 3-some, my value was added on matchdays coaching the lads kick by kick through the matches, ...
Thoughts..?

Should you really be coaching kick by kick - they're youngsters let them develop their tactical knowledge naturally for themselves and have fun.  Better in the long run you wan't always be their to guide their every move.

The very beginning of your post,the league advised…so why not just pick up the phone to the league and ask ?

I help with a team on a sat /sun both under 10’s…and whilst I agree that it should be about the boys “enjoying it” we have to make some choices and will be telling two of the squad that they won’t be involved in the match day squads next year…quite simply they are not at the same level as the others and keeping them in
Isn’t fair on them
Isn’t fair on the others
Isn’t fair on us to have to spend time arranging separate coaching drills when we don’t get that much time anyway .
It’s all well and good trying to be fair and inclusive,but 2 that contribute nothing can ruin the weekends for 9 others

Does it really ruin the youngsters' weekends or the coaching team's

When people start to impose their Ancelotti dreams on under 10s, I get worried

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Where to next for the identity of West Bromwich Albion?

« on: May 13, 2025, 03:10:46 PM »

Building over Halfords Lane wastes all the space underneath, it’d be better to redevelop the east stand if we’re settling for a low 30-34k capacity, which wouldn’t generate the enthusiasm to increase the fan base, and hem us in forever.
I was happy to dream on this thread a couple of days ago, but having following it since , but now think we’ve stagnated for so long we have a couple of generations of fans who can’t believe we’ve been anything other than mediocre, so can’t get beyond that. 

Have you understood that building over does not mean building upon?
Just asking.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Where to next for the identity of West Bromwich Albion?

« on: May 12, 2025, 05:19:12 PM »

The whole nature of a cantilever is that it is not supported at its tip so there would bw no support /columns / stanchions on the other side of Halfords Lane.   It could be done for a modest overhang
 - say half a carriageway  - by rigid steel joints and/or stayed cables.  I think it could be done for a modest increase in capacity.  But, I guess the cost would only be justified for a rise to somewhere near 40,000.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Caleb Taylor

« on: May 12, 2025, 05:03:19 PM »

Much as I want lads from the academy come on, it's not going to happen for ,ay of them becasue they'll be nicked by other clubs (mainly the Vile).

Taylor looks slow getting back to me so unless we're going to be in a low block I think Wycombe is his level.

If Music becomes manager, I think you'll find we get an uncompromising 1v1 unit.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Where to next for the identity of West Bromwich Albion?

« on: May 11, 2025, 07:21:59 PM »

With some not too innovated structural engineering, the Halfords Lane stand could cantilever over the Road but be cable stayed from pylons on the East side.  See how the London Eye wheel is supported by cables from falling into the Thames.  Look at Fulham's Thames-side stand.

Maybe there wouldn't be such a crush to leave the ground on match day if there were some entertainment in the stands and better catering after the match?

Any ground improvement must include versatility to hold other events.  Concerts, trade exhibitions etc.

I think we ought initially to aim for a 35,000 capacity stand that can go to 40,000 stand but if we can't clear the area quickly and safely there's no local authority that would allow the club to do it.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Where to next for the identity of West Bromwich Albion?

« on: May 10, 2025, 08:24:49 PM »

If Fulham can cantilever a stand over the Thames it shouldn't be beyond the owners to put one over Halfords Lane.
This is infrastructure so not subject to PSR?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Kit 25/26

« on: May 10, 2025, 07:34:56 PM »

The worst has to be the red and yellow bar code away effort a few seasons back.  More suited to papal guards or gigolos than a football pitch.

My favourite away kit? Third choice Diadora 2004

Just a simple tweak on a white shirt.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 10, 2025, 09:44:55 AM »

Speaking welsh would make it very difficult to communicate with the squad whose grasp of the language is said to be poor.

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General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: May 10, 2025, 08:07:42 AM »

Horrible watch so far outside the 2 goals, how we weren't in contention is disgraceful really 3 poor teams and a decent Sheff united.

I would think that this was typical of  over 50% of championship games.  One side goes into a low block and defends for its life.  It has young fit, fast  players playing on the break and banking on mistakes made by the team trying to play attractive football (although Coventry didn't get very far with that.)
Sunderland were a touch better than most low-block sides and Coventry were a touch worse than most sides aspiring to play football. 
Add in the usual unedifying rucks and scrums around corners that belong in other football codes and the whole game was not a good watch.

Lampard made big error picking BTA.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Kit 25/26

« on: May 09, 2025, 11:10:16 AM »

Not navy, not WBA. should be a precondition for any manufacturer.

Can't afford the deeper dye, obvs. 

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 08, 2025, 08:44:16 PM »

I would hesitantly disagree with that myself: football these days is more like a science now. That's why Corberan got the best out of this squad. He was a football scientist, a stickler for details, absolutes and drilling. That's the way to get ahead now, whether we as fans like it or not, and whether the games are entertaining or not. You hear so much about the small margins making the difference, that's the detail, that's the analysis and drilling down that happens off the pitch and in training.

You got it.  The days when a manager did not study the opposition and make changes game by game are gone.  Just saying "go out there and play your hearts out lads" does not cut it.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: May 08, 2025, 04:22:48 PM »

You say opposidefenders tiring,they can bring on fresh legs to counter don't forget

You rarely break up a CB partnership - FBs more often

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 08, 2025, 01:00:19 PM »

Surely if you allow someone to post something you must allow others to respond to it?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: May 08, 2025, 08:19:26 AM »

Cheers for  Dike in achieving 60 minutes playing time which I confess I never thought possible given his injury record.  I suppose with 5 subs, 60 minutes is adequate for a forward.
So this raises a question of when to deploy him.
In terms of tactics, is it better to play him for the first 60 minutes or bring him on at half time when the opposition's legs are tiring?  Also, last stage, he would provide an outlet when defending a lead.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 07, 2025, 07:54:15 AM »

I don't think the comparisons with Pulis are particularly accurate, but I'd stand by my description as Val lite. Ismael's football was generally reviled by Albion fans. The question is to what extent is the counter pressing style a response to a relative lack of quality at Argyle or Cercle Brugge? And what is the response when teams counter by sitting in a low block and eschewing possession in their own half as was the case when Val was here?

I would also suggest let's forget leaning on a Head Coach to straighten out some of the squad and move to the shipping out regardless of who the Head Coach is. Style of play would only inform who we recruit rather than who would seek to retain.

A corollary to that is the need for patience to accumulate the type of player that is able to play to the style which the fans are expecting - there's mixed messages on that.  As we're not Chelsea we can't go out and buy these players in one window.  I've observed precious little of that patience.

No one really knows what Muslic would do with the type of players we already have except make them very difficult to beat.  Ismael's Blackburn don't play quite the same as his Barnsley / West Brom teams  - maybe even he's moved on or has different players at his disposal? 

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 06, 2025, 12:03:04 PM »

Yes he looks good. Although not sure my ego would handle the pony tale, pulled up shorts and constant bravado after every tackle. My Mrs would have a field day though.

I've already posted that I think Muslic is the right sort of manager for a squad that needs structure like ours.

We must get him if only for the sake of your Mrs

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mikey Johnston joins on permanent deal

« on: May 04, 2025, 07:01:34 PM »

People are dismissing Johnston but some also saying we need 2 full backs, a centre back and a replacement for Mowatt  We're not Chelsea and have to prioritise our spending.  Johnston did not have a strong a season as the previous one but he still progresses the ball and attracts defenders.  A decent coach will teach him how and when to lay it off and also his team mates to be running into position when he does.

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Last Match Forum - 03/05 Luton Town (H) / Re: After Match Debate

« on: May 03, 2025, 07:55:08 PM »

Yes we could outscore Luton today but they were awful at defending and I doubt we'll come across many teams as bad next season. The more likely scenario is we'll have to break down much more solid defences who won't give us the space Luton did, and that will be much more difficult. Lot's of work ahead in the summer to build a more creative midfield and more solid defence. Have to hope we can keep our 2 main current strikers.

Have to agree here.  The majority of teams in this league are high energy, low block, hard tackling outfits front to back that can take advantage of defensive mistakes - just the sort that we make.  An organised defence is the first thing to sort.  Then we can add the adventurous stuff.

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Last Match Forum - 03/05 Luton Town (H) / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: May 03, 2025, 11:35:21 AM »

Christ it's quiet on here. You must all be out enjoying the sun!

It's the sound of a damp squib finally fizzling out.

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Last Match Forum - 03/05 Luton Town (H) / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: May 02, 2025, 06:46:11 PM »

We definitely need a total clear out of most of coaching and recruitment staff  bar I think Abella - he and Brunt did relatively OK.

I hope Armstrong doesn't play.  he missed two sitters against Cardiff.  The fox in the box was s-l-o-w to cotton  on to Fellows's cross and was one- on one with their goalie for the other.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA NEW OWNERS - Bilkul football

« on: May 02, 2025, 11:43:19 AM »

We then had two non performances which must have tipped the balance

No use blabbing about your business and telling competitors what you're doing and whom you're after.
mums the word.

I do wonder whether SP is totally happy with Nestor

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next Albion Head Coach

« on: May 01, 2025, 10:01:56 AM »

He wont get many bigger jobs in the country. And we are a club on the up with our loyal fanbase, lack of debt, and proud history.

Our fans seem to suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, where they just dont realise what a huge job this is still considered in the English game.  It could be a win-win for both us and Southgate.

Where've you been?

Also that's a very strange use of Stockholm Syndrome:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

the syndrome is where a hostage becomes dependent and bonds with their captors.  would love an explanation of how this applies to the selection of a head coach.