Messages

1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hal Robson-Kanu

« on: October 02, 2019, 01:26:03 PM »

From memory within this Forum, someone had spoken to HRK on transfer deadline day. I remember reading it at the time and thinking 'yeah right'. However, it was very accurate with four of the five signings, ie; Willock, Periera, Diangana and [I think] Austin. The fifth one was Gayle, who was supposed to have been returning but backed out at the last moment as he wanted a permanent deal.

So you could say that the striker issue was thought to have been resolved but fell apart on TDD.

I know that someone will correct me on this - please feel free.

I think you are right. It was all a bit last minute though and we had no back up plan to Gayle it seemed. Had Gayle signed we'd have been no further forward anyway due to his injury.

Back to HRK what we need to remember was that he is more of a winger than striker so is never going to be that effective regardless of his limited ability. No different to sticking Phillips or Burke up there IMO which again is something that we shouldn't be doing.

2

Last Match Forum - 01/10 Leeds United (A) / Re: After Match Debate

« on: October 02, 2019, 11:42:28 AM »

A decent performance overall but woeful in the final third. Up front very poor and we seem reluctant to shoot for some reason. I always believe that a good team needs a solid spine. I think our weaknesses run down the middle. Johnstone, Bartley, Livermore and take your pick of the strikers. Much improved from last season however and a joy to watch at times.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Hal Robson-Kanu

« on: October 02, 2019, 11:38:06 AM »

He's ok at coming on and tumbling over a lot when we just need to consolidate, but he can't start, he's just not good enough. It was embarrassing last night, in the sense that we had this wonderful movement in behind, with Perreira, Diangana, Phillips, Furlong, Sawyers, Ajayi and Ferguson and then him, lumbering up top, trying to twist and turn and ending up on his arris. It was the equivalent of me joining up with Diversity and doing a bit of dad dancing FFS.
We need a striker that fit's the dynamic of the team. Someone young, hungry, enthusiastic and a bit maverick.
I'm really happy with the way we are looking, over the moon in fact, it's pant wetting stuff at times but, in terms of our strike force, January cannot come soon enough.

We had all summer to address this problem but somehow didn't manage to. January will be even more difficult for us unless we either spend big or get lucky.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Nathan Ferguson

« on: September 28, 2019, 03:06:10 PM »

Another excellent performance.
Must be a fierce competition between him and Furlong at right back when Gibbs and Townsend return from injury.

Ferguson has to remain at LB for now. Far more superior defensively than either Gibbs or Townsend.

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: September 22, 2019, 02:55:14 PM »

Hegazi will replace Bartley, everything will be fine then.

Hegazi was a virtual ever present last season and we still conceded for fun. A decent keeper is the only way things will improve IMO.

6

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: September 18, 2019, 05:54:57 PM »

It would be very harsh on Ferguson if he were to be dropped. As much as I like Gibbs he is very suspect defensively at times. Phillips is the one for me that should be sweating over a place.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Ex Players Thread

« on: September 12, 2019, 10:20:03 AM »

An interesting article about Odemwingie. Still one of my favourite players.


https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/peter-odemwingie-talks-west-brom-qpr-truth-stoke-fans-and-future-plans/

8

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: September 02, 2019, 03:18:53 PM »

Gibbs is very suspect defensively but Townsend is poor. League 1 player at best IMO.

9

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: September 01, 2019, 07:57:35 PM »

Untill he has a settled defence infront of him i'll stay 50% 50% on him but his time to shine must be this season.

Works both ways. Swap him and Bartley for Al Habsi and Hegazi and we'd see a big improvement.

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Anyone Else Slightly Concerned??

« on: August 27, 2019, 05:26:39 PM »

There is always one team that goes on a good run from Xmas onwards and gets promoted. The Vile last year and Fulham the year before. This season it will be us I reckon. I predict a slow start but we'll be there or there abouts still. We will need to sign a decent striker in January though.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: August 24, 2019, 04:20:40 PM »

Played very well today. Credit where it is due. Hopefully give him some confidence.

12

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: August 24, 2019, 04:19:40 PM »

We've got them in Austin and Hegazi but it won't make a difference if we don't see a shift in the way we are trying to attack.

Also, the people calling for 442 obviously don't watch much football. It's an outdated formation that nobody plays and we've looked appalling every time we've tried playing it in recent years. Fulham and Leeds play with one striker, as did Norwich and Villa last season, there's nothing wrong with it and if people think our problems will suddenly be fixed by chucking another sriker on then they are going to be disappointed.

Agree with this. Nothing wrong with the formation. We need to move the ball quicker and be a bit more direct. Final ball needs to improve but most of all we need to commit more bodies forward when attacking. Too often Zohore was on his own in the box again today.

13

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: August 24, 2019, 01:29:11 PM »

I still cant believe we've gone into the season with Austin and Zohore as our only real striking options. Gayle and JRod would have buried that chance at the end.

14

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Anyone Else Slightly Concerned??

« on: August 22, 2019, 10:48:35 AM »

Early days still but I agree we do look a little bit light up front. Lets hope we can keep in touch until January and make the necessary signings to see us over the line. A goalscorer and new keeper a must for me.

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Worst goals conceded last season?

« on: August 21, 2019, 01:28:12 PM »

We conceded a fair few poor goals even when we did stop playing from the back. Problems for me were no protection from midfield and poor personnel. Midfield certainly looks a lot stronger now. Bartley has improved slightly but both him and Johnstone are an accident waiting to happen IMO.

16

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Ahmed Hegazi

« on: August 16, 2019, 05:28:21 PM »

I like Hegazi but is he going to solve all of our problems? For me no. He's been part of a defence that has shipped goals for fun over the last 2 seasons. A new keeper would see a vast improvement IMO.

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Chris Brunt

« on: August 16, 2019, 05:26:22 PM »

The term 'Legend' is banded around far too easily IMO. Brunt is not a legend. He was a very good footballer (unfortunately past it now) and has served this club well. Similarly the term 'loyal' is too. Is Brunt loyal? I'd say no. The facts are he's played for a football club that has spent most of his time here in the top flight. He's played regularly with a good percentage as captain. Above all he's been exceptionally well paid for the privilege. I don't recall offers from bigger clubs for his services either. He's had is good here so there was never an incentive to move on. Fair play to him.

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: The Barcode Shirt...

« on: August 15, 2019, 02:16:44 PM »

I meant if anybody had one of the copies lol, i wasnt expecting one of the originals lol!

You still see them regularly on Ebay. I have the original still but then I've kept every shirt I've ever had since the early 80's.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/West-Bromwich-Albion-Home-Football-Shirt-1993-94-Adults-Large-Pelada/264368235605?hash=item3d8d932455:g:ILYAAOSwQiJdCfIk

19

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: August 13, 2019, 10:13:36 PM »

I think we've had a pretty decent window overall but the lack of decent striking options is worrying. We've had all summer to sort this out.

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: August 13, 2019, 08:20:25 AM »

Whilst we have Johnstone and/or Bartley in the side we will fail to keep clean sheets on a regular basis.

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Kenneth Zohore joins WBA

« on: August 12, 2019, 01:13:29 PM »

I think it was a bit of a strange signing too especially for the reported fee. His goalscoring record is very average. We definitely needed more of a target man in the squad. I'd have liked to see us go for someone like Jutkiewicz at Blues instead. Would have got him on the cheap and I honestly think he'll score more than Zohore will this season.

22

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE THREAD

« on: August 11, 2019, 03:00:01 PM »

No Gayle in the Newcastle match squad

Injured I think. Let's hope we make another attempt to sign him in January.

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Johnstone

« on: August 10, 2019, 08:51:19 PM »

I honestly thought we'd have seen a new keeper signed this summer. Johnstone is the main problem of our defensive issues for me.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Oliver Burke

« on: August 10, 2019, 08:47:16 PM »

Everything that's wrong about English football. Seems if you are big and have plenty of pace you have more chance of making it as opposed to the more technical side. Seems Burke is a prime example.

25

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: August 10, 2019, 05:23:06 PM »

It was a poor bench selection for me today. Nothing on there to change the game. One or two of the new lads could have made an impact.