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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Coronavirus Thread - Games provisionally to resume 20 June - CLUB RELATED ONLY

« on: May 14, 2020, 10:38:19 AM »

I thought the FA had said to the EPL there must be  a finish and it cannot be voided.
The choice is either finished by playing or finish by PPG.

This is why relegation threatened EPL clubs have turned their attention to jumping on the idea of unfairness if the EPL have to play but the EFL don't. They know the EPL season will not be voided.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Ticket Info & Requests

« on: February 13, 2020, 12:41:17 PM »

Still trying to get one, if anyone is aware of any going.
Looks like one block (36) had not been released but Albion so no more?
Thanks

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Zonal marking and tactics

« on: February 09, 2020, 10:54:09 PM »

In dealing with this recent tactic for teams to stand all their players in a tight bunch together at corner kicks. Does man to man marking work with that?

I think so? If you have responsibility for beating your man to the ball, it should work whatever your opposition do?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Conor Townsend

« on: February 09, 2020, 07:37:25 PM »

Gave the ball away the first 3 or 4 times he had it. Solid thereafter. Decent showing but Gibbs won't be losing any sleep.

Gave the ball away the first 3 or 4 times? I don' recall that.

Recorded the game, so when get back, will check.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Zonal marking and tactics

« on: February 09, 2020, 07:03:03 PM »

Interesting that after the debacle of the Cardiff game, we appear to have changed from three players zonal marking on the edge of the six yard box to just one.

This means two of our best headers of the ball can now man mark. So far, this has been a good change.

Slav gets it bang on imho.

If you don't listen to his interviews after the games, you are missing out. It is so refreshing to have a manager who sees the issues, talks about them but then deals with them.

After Cardiff he said we would change something tactically (the zonal by the look of it) and he also identifed we kept taking extra touches and one too many during Luton.


Radio wm release every interview on their podcast station. Would thoroughly recommend.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Conor Townsend

« on: February 09, 2020, 06:56:15 PM »

Excellent performance today. Really pleased for the lad.

No moaning, just gets on with it and puts 100% in. Didn't shirk a challenge and rarely gave the ball away.

Makes a massive difference whether the player in front  of him can keep the ball and also whether they work back.

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Albion Matchday Forum / Re: FA Cup Round 5 - Newcastle United (H)

« on: February 08, 2020, 09:32:15 AM »

they were announced yesterday lunchtime.

the tv games are Arsenalv Portsmouth, Chelsea v Liverpool, Man utd v Derby and Man city v Sheff wed

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1238822/FA-Cup-tv-games-fa-cup-5th-round-tv

Stunningly original choices for the TV.

There could be three massacres there, not great TV for the neutral. What's happened to the screening of the games where they might be shocks? Money...

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread

« on: February 01, 2020, 07:16:11 PM »

The success of our academy could be seen today:

Daniels, Brown, Sawyers, O'Shea, Harper.
Plus on the bench, Tulloch and Edwards.

That is not a bad return...

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: February 01, 2020, 10:07:23 AM »

Problem is it this was the main mistake that led to the goal. And his mistakes are costing us goals nearly every game now.

Bartley was at total fault for that goal - he had time and space but his pass was shocking. Cannot understand Sam getting the blame for that

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Nathan Ferguson

« on: February 01, 2020, 08:04:59 AM »

Clearly says Ferguson's camp said no to a loan mate .
Widely reported too by Masi and others.

Joe Chapman (Evening Mail) tweeted and said it was declined by the advisers.

Ferguson was open to the idea.

He is 19. I have a 19 y.o. son and this sort of decision would have been torturing him. I think an agent would have more influence than a lot of what you think. His parents are in education and have little knowledge of football I guess. You would really on the agent.

I am disappointed they chose to move, but he is a young kid who is an Albion fan, having a chance to sort his family financially for life. I cannot believe people criticise him for the decision he made. Albion could have released him this year if it wasn't for Slav. You don't know but the injury the has had may have made his mind up for him.. makes him realise he is not untouchable.

The hysteria on social media is embarrassing. I think he does owe us, but I also recognise it is cut-throat. What other industry destroys the dreams of kids from 7-21 years old?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Chris Willock returns to Benfica

« on: January 31, 2020, 11:40:56 PM »

This could put egg on our faces...

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Nathan Ferguson

« on: January 31, 2020, 10:42:52 PM »

I wonder if he wants to sign his deal with us now 

If he did, would you reduce his contract offer?

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kyle Bartley

« on: January 29, 2020, 06:57:38 PM »

Another head scratcher , Bartleys been very good to my surprise up until  lately . Like Ajayi his forms vanished , why ? .

We don't hold the ball up front long enough anymore.
Last night, the ball bounced off Kyle repeatedly. It just puts more pressure on the midfield two and thus the defence.

Phillips is out of form and HRK also couldn't hang on to the ball.

That means the defence are constantly scrambling.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Slaven Bilic

« on: January 29, 2020, 05:54:54 PM »

Two new wingers is going to hopefully create more chances for us.

The system has failed last few weeks due to Phillips out of form and Edwards still learning. Robinson and Grosicki could be inspired.

This lack of form has led to issues and issue on Sawyers and Livermore because the ball is not being held up.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kamil Grosicki

« on: January 29, 2020, 05:47:05 PM »

Reported to be £800k transfer fee.

Must be someone else coming in or we will be making a profit this window.

Always liked him, will kick Phillips up the backside, just a very short sighted deal. But tbf that's what they said they would do. Dowling said they would buy to get up

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Nathan Ferguson

« on: January 29, 2020, 04:35:49 PM »

Would imagine Roy being there is s big factor given he would have known him.

I wish him well. He is a baggies fan, he is furthering his career and we have made money from our academy.

Disappointed yes, but it is his career. He has just made his family for life and who of us wouldn't do that.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Rayhaan Tulloch

« on: January 24, 2020, 08:20:53 AM »

Albion's retention of our academy prospects is pathetic.
O'Shea, Edwards, Tulloch and Ferguson all approaching the end of contracts ..
Just what are we doing in terms of what we offer and when we do it.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: January 24, 2020, 08:19:00 AM »

With him and his family being Villa fans it makes you wonder why he came to the Albion doesn't it (not)?

Top level coaching whilst not having to move away from the area and then the first chance you get to bog off to your favourite team you take it even when that means the club that nurtured you for years gets sod all for their efforts. Thanks pal.

I can only presume the Villa rejected him as a kid if they are all Villa fans, as otherwise you'd think he would have joined them instead of us at a younger age.

Obviously I don't know the ins and outs of this but quite frankly it absolutely stinks how this particular episode has played out.

Villa and Albion both wanted him as a kid. Harrison and Hopcoft were the decisive factors in him choosing Albion.

Harrison is the major factor in him ending up back at the villa.

I do hope Albion fought to keep Harrison, because it is an outcome we are already starting to regret.

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

« on: January 19, 2020, 12:21:58 AM »

Think its great. The club know if West Ham reject the offer for this season, then he is going back and they need to replace him. If they accept it, hes staying. I guess the club just want to make sure. If he goes, tell the club ASAP then they can look at other targets. If he stays then the club will look at other players/positions it needs.

Good move by the club for me.

Hadn't thought of it this way but you are bang  on.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Dara O'Shea

« on: January 14, 2020, 08:04:03 PM »

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2020/01/13/west-brom-offer-new-deal-to-dara-oshea/

Good news IMO. Let's hope he accepts it.

Let's hope Albion have offered more than a bag of marbles and sherbet dip. I hope I am wrong...

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Nathan Ferguson

« on: January 14, 2020, 08:01:59 PM »

Through a colleague who is close to the family, they say you couldn't wish for a more down to earth and grounded family and lad.

The family are very close and from what I am told, I would be stunned if he goes abroad, away from the family.

Maybe the agent is sh** stirring, but what I hear supports the thought that Nathan is a good lad and I believe he is genuinely injured.

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

« on: January 12, 2020, 09:00:33 AM »

2 wins in 2 for Moyes. Just got to hope that Sheff Utd do us a big favour next Friday and roll over and we might just be able to keep Diangana. My expectation is still that he gets recalled - at least temporarily, but the last 2 games must have helped.

The positive is that it does seem Moyes has options, and does seem to be playing a form of wing back system.

Today he had midfielder Lanzini and wing back Fredericks playing. Against Bournemouth he was more conventional but had Snodgrass and Fornals. On top of that he has wing backs Cresswell and Zabaleta plus Winston Reid who can feature plus options in Anderson and Haller and the returning Antonio (who can play the wing back role from memory). With them having Nathan Holland also available and with the potential signing of Gedson Fernandes possibly pushing some of their attacking midfielders out wide, our chances of keeping Diangana do look healthier than thy did a few weeks ago.

Fernandez has just been poached by Spurs reportedly. Jose gave Mendez a call. Maybe not as many options available as we hoped for West ham, especially if Anderson injury is serious.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: January 08, 2020, 02:52:05 PM »

Conspiracy theory is rubbish.

Barry was signing elsewhere before Barca and then he changed his mind last minute. The lad controlled his destiny. Villa have just taken advantage of the deal and clearly know there is a release clause. Harrison was an excellent academy manager and knew all players very very well.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: January 08, 2020, 08:03:31 AM »

Are they all absolute facts? If so, then you’ve missed out a rather important fact (alleged) ... Barcelona have paid us.

Yes, my comments are facts.

Your comment in bold I am confused by.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Louie Barry

« on: January 07, 2020, 10:35:44 PM »

Facts -

He moved for a dream move to Barca (who can blame him).

It hasn't worked out, he wants to return home (who can blame him).

Barca want him gone as not performing, and can make money (can't blame them).

Villa have a chance to buy a talent who is s villa fan cheaply (can't blame them).

People to blame are EUFA who introduced the rules.

No hard feelings to Barry or Villa. Football systems however...