Messages

1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: Today at 12:03:05 PM »

Not sure if this has been seen or means anything, its just at the bottom of the Express and Satr interview with John Wile

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2019/06/20/john-wile-slaven-bilic-is-sort-of-man-id-want-to-play-for/

Meanwhile, around 11.5 million shares have been sold from Palm eco-town development company and speculation in China claims Albion owner Guochuan Lai is the only person with a holding large enough to sell that number.

On current valuation that amount of shares is worth roughly £5.2m.

Saw Matt Wilson tweet about it around an hour ago.

Could it be him clearing some funds to pay off the 'debt' he owes the club when he's able to? Or could it just be a case of him fancying a new mansion in China.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Craig Dawson

« on: Today at 09:30:39 AM »

I wont run him down as over his time here he has been a solid player for us.

Done a job at right back for numerous games when he's naturally a centre back. Has chipped in with his fair share of goals.

We have probably kept him a season longer than we should have done but this summer is 100% the time to cash in on him.

We have definitely got our moneys worth from him.

He will be a solid enough signing for someone, whether that be first team or squad player.

As Mulliganstired said, take the money and see him off with a handshake.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Fixtures 2019/2020

« on: Today at 09:27:59 AM »

I know every game is tough and no guaranteed results but on paper our final few games could be very difficult if we are chasing promotion.

April sees us play Hull, Derby, Blackburn, Fulham and Huddersfield.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Just wondered, would anyone have preferred Gary Monk over Bilic

« on: Today at 08:58:12 AM »

No and not even this

Aston Villa no.2 John Terry reportedly rejected the chance to speak to West Brom about the manager's job before the club hired Slaven Bilic

How luck are we 

I didn't believe this when I read it yesterday, and the fact he's now signed a new deal at Villa clarifies my thoughts that we probably didn't even speak to him. Wouldn't put it past JT using us as a an excuse to gain a new improved deal.

On topic of the thread, I wouldn't have been upset if we had Monk but I wouldn't have been overjoyed by the appointment either. Bilic gives me that little bit of optimism, something a bit different and exciting, I think with Monk we would have known what we were getting.

Something doesn't add up with Monk, he seems hated by the Leeds and Boro fans, rumours now coming out about his fallings out with Blues board, hes a young manager yet has quite a CV in terms of jobs.

I'm happy with Slav.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Slaven Bilic Albion’s New Head Coach

« on: Yesterday at 05:29:49 PM »

Its a very quiet from our new head coaches ay it?
Its all gone a bit flat after the initial appointments.
What's going on anyone know?

He’s on holiday.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: June 18, 2019, 01:49:09 PM »

If Lai is saying he's not allowed to spend due to the Chinese government then what about Wolves, Athletico Madrid et al who have Chinese owners?

If I'm right, the Wolves and Atletico owners have money sources in Europe (or at least not held in China), from what I gather Mr Lai's money is all in China hence the alleged 'complications.'

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Guochuan Lai

« on: June 18, 2019, 10:49:52 AM »

When did the owner say that he couldn't repay the £4M debt?

think he's referring to this:

https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2019/06/18/guochuan-lai-tells-west-brom-he-cant-settle-41m-debt-because-of-chinese-government-restrictions/

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Dwight Gayle (on loan swap from Newcastle)

« on: June 17, 2019, 08:39:49 PM »

Mister AT, out of those players you listed, how many are available and what would the transfer fee and wages be?

The point is there are players out there, we just have to hope Bilic and the scouts can find a couple for reasonable prices.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Dwight Gayle (on loan swap from Newcastle)

« on: June 17, 2019, 03:23:02 PM »

I would be the first to say I would love Gayle back here but it's simply not going to happen.

It's all well and good saying we can factor in some of the wages in the Rondon deal, or that we have already saved money on Barry and Morrison, but let's not forget we are already around 8-10 players short in the squad compared to 2 months ago.

We have to bring in at least 4-6 genuine first team players, majority of which will be on decent enough wages.

The only way the Gayle deal ever happened would be if for some strange reason he was happy to come here on 30k a week, which isn't going to happen.

There are players out there who we can look to pick up and score some goals, Pukki, Maupay, McBurnie, Che Adams, Vydra, Grabban have all scored over 20 goals (either last season or the season before) so there are players out there who will score the goals and cost us less.

For me the biggest problem this club has got is to get some midfielders in who can actually score some goals and get close to double figures. Excluding Matt Phillips we don't have anyone even capable of coming close to that.

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Slaven Bilic Albion’s New Head Coach

« on: June 14, 2019, 03:11:45 PM »

Mark Noble - new captain 

Looking at West Ham players he has managed before, we could do a lot worse than taking Sam Byram off their hands.

I'm sure he was on our radar before his initial move there, spent last season out on loan at Forest (made 9 appearances but I haven't looked into if injuries limited that). Bilic was the one who signed him at West Ham.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Slaven Bilic Albion’s New Head Coach

« on: June 14, 2019, 09:12:17 AM »

Bilic wouldn't have been my choice due to the huge rebuild needed and the fact he's never been near the dog fight we find ourselves in at this level .
That said he's here now and adds a freshness the club has needed , I only hope he is backed with some decent funds.
Welcome Slav and good luck.

You have stolen my thoughts. Whilst I am optimistic and happy with the appointment, a small part of me is nervous about the work that's needed to actually rebuild this squad once the wage bill has been reduced.

That being said, Slav seems an interesting character and I cant for one second think he would have taken this job without reassurances on being back in the transfer window.

Over to you again Dowling and Jenkins, time to back the bloke you want in the job and give him a fighting chance of getting us back up.

12

General Football & Sports / Re: Anything Birmingham City

« on: June 13, 2019, 02:52:41 PM »

Neil Mobley Twitter Account

Good old Blues. A difficult situation made even worse with Monk’s exit. You’ve got to look at the bloke calling the shots. Points deduction, unnecessary loss of a manager, further financial distress on the horizon. Loss of best players, no room to replace. Fans let down. Again.

There’s always someone worse off than you. I do feel for the Blues fans, hope they can get over this.

It's been reported that he isn't leaving (yet) hasn't it?

Be a huge blow for Blues if he does leave, he has had them punching above their weight when you look at their squad and situation. I did read that one of the big problems was that he didn't want to sign Gary Gardner on a permanent but the club did it anyway, if that is the case then I really cant see him being there come start of the season.

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West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Slaven Bilic Albion’s New Head Coach

« on: June 13, 2019, 02:48:58 PM »

Happy with the appointment, shows a bit of ambition by the club which pleases me.

Have to be honest at times I was fearing the worst, when we were linked with O'Neil, Cowley, Bowyer etc I did have a feeling I would end up underwhelmed, but the appointment of Bilic is high profile and a big signing for a championship club.

If Boro had got Slaven in, then I'm sure many of us would have been annoyed we hadn't gone for him.

I'm quietly confident that he will get backing this summer to build his own team aswell, he doesn't seem the type to agree to come here without their being an agreement that he can bring in some players of his own and have some money to work with.

He has a week/10 days to assess the background of the club, have a look at the squad, identify what positions he wants to strengthen, then when the players come back he can have a chat with them and decide whos committed to being here for the season and who needs to be shifted out.

Good appointment by the club and one which will please 95% of the fans.

14

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Fixtures 2019/2020

« on: June 13, 2019, 09:17:16 AM »

Just noticed that the Dingles are away saturday 10th August when we start our season a week earlier.

think i am right, but does that mean we will be away first game of the season then so we are then at home on saturday 10th August?

We could potentially play on the sunday depending on who our game would be against. Might be one that Sky would want to show.

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...

« on: June 12, 2019, 03:53:44 PM »

In other words he wants his own people and the club are trying to get the existing staff to be kept on.

Stumbling block could potentially be Shan? Didn't the club say he would be kept on and probably pushing to have him as part of the new set up, Bilic might want a fresh start with all new staff and no ties to the club.

16

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

« on: June 12, 2019, 03:52:08 PM »

Not sure anyone can criticise Louie Barry if he did go to Barcelona, one look at their academy compared to ours and its a no brainer, even if he doesn't make it with them the coaching he will receive will be second to none and thats no disrespect to anyone at our club.

I don't think anyone is criticising Louie, think its more a case of being annoyed at the system, one where we are starting to produce players who are doing well for the academy and national sides, and then they're being cherry picked by the big clubs.

For what it's worth if I was in Barry's situation, I would be jumping at the chance of signing for Barca.

17

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

« on: June 12, 2019, 02:50:27 PM »

It's the biggest attraction in the world surely? Put yourself in Barry's shoes. Personally as an Albion fan I'd turn down the Liverpool's and Manchester's but Barcelona? To learn off Lionel Messi or Jake Livermore? Sometimes the opportunity is just impossible to refuse.

Yeah 100%, I said one of the biggest as I was considering Real Madrid, Juventus and then the likes of Man City (his generation will probably be all City fans now).

I think its very fair to say we wont ever see him in the WBA first team.

I would put my house on Morgan Rogers being the next one to be cherry picked.

That's the problem with the academy I guess, if a player of that age is performing exceptionally, then its likely on of the bigger clubs will take them before they get chance to be in our first team.

The best we can hope for is a couple of 'late bloomers' like Field etc,

18

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

« on: June 12, 2019, 02:27:59 PM »

How good is this kid of ours?
Does Bilic have a track record of bringing young lads through to the first team?
How old is the kid,16?
Is he as good as Trevor Francis or Rooney at 16?
Surely Bilic would want to see all our players before letting him go and we wouldn't be so stupid to let him go before appointing a new HC would we?
If he is good enough play him,keep him in the first team squad it'd be great to see him succeed with us.

He's 15.
The one good factor is he's been at us from a very young age and is meant to be a big baggies fan, the downside is its arguably one of the biggest clubs in the world wanting him and there isn't really too much we can do about it.

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...

« on: June 12, 2019, 11:25:19 AM »

The one bit of news which made me cautious yesterday was the whole 'the contract has been sent to the solicitors' thing.

Found that really bizarre and from memory I cant recall any other club releasing that type of information.

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Salomon Rondon

« on: June 12, 2019, 10:27:04 AM »

Take the 16.5million and give it to Bilic to bring in a couple of faces.

Hoping Bilic will know of a couple of European gems to bring in for reasonable prices, and use his contacts to get some loans in.

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...

« on: June 12, 2019, 10:25:23 AM »

The one good sign if it is Bilic will be he will have wanted reassurances from the board that he will have enough of a budget to build his own team.

He doesn't come across as a Yes man and from the outside it looks like an ambitious coup from the club to get him in.

You would argue Bilic and Bielsa are the two highest profile managers in the division.

Just hope he is given enough backing by the board to actually bring in some new faces and build his own team, and that goes for us fans aswell, this isn't going to be an easy job and we need to give the new man time.

22

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

« on: June 11, 2019, 06:11:18 PM »

Howkins has joined Newport county.

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...

« on: June 11, 2019, 12:25:06 PM »

linky please? He’s been guaranteed a high position whether the new manager wants him as a coach or not, so for him to go would need a massive change of heart.

Shan doesn't seem the type to stick around if he's not wanted. I imagine if the new boss doesn't fancy Jimmy as part of his coaching staff, he will be off to a new adventure. He deserves more than returning to his under 23's job.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next manager...

« on: June 11, 2019, 11:33:39 AM »

I think the fact our academy manager has now left us aswell, leaves another role that now needs to be filled.

We just seem to be on a bit of a downward spiral at the moment and its going to take a strong appointment to grab us by the scruff of the neck and wake us up.

25

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

« on: June 11, 2019, 10:11:49 AM »

Bit of a blow for the baggies

Percy reporting that Mark Harrison is leaving us after 13 years to join Villa in a similar role.


Has played a huge part in building our academy. I did hear a whisper that he has had a falling out with Jenkins but not sure on how much truth there is with that.