101

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 08:00:58 PM »

Putting words in my proverbial mouth there chap. Not once have I said previous matches don’t count.

I also think that you’re missing my point completely. I’m saying what my expectations are of SA or any manager, as in what I’d hope to see. I’m not by any means saying that will happen.

And what I’m also saying is for me, I wanted to give him time to settle in and the team to transition. And that time spell is getting close to being over and this is when I expect to see progress. Maybe I should use the phrase “hope for” instead.

What transition spell?  The previous games weren't friendlies!  The AV game was something like 19th Dec.  From then on it goes against Allardyce's record.

So if we'd have won all 5 games so far instead of 2 draws and 3 thrashings that wouldn't count either as it was the transition phase?

102

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 07:19:44 PM »

Oh I’m not being optimistic, I’m stating what my expectations are of a manager that’s had a month with the squad and a week to prepare and has one of his own signings in. I’ve given him a chance and he still has more of January for me but I do expect an improvement now.

Oh how convenient to say all the previous matches don't count.  So who carries the can for Leeds 0-5, Arsenal 0-4 and  Blackpool 2-2?  Why are we now counting all the upcoming matches but not before?

Allardyce has had a lifetime in football.  You'd have thought he'd have a wealth of ideas to get us going in the right direction. 

I glossed over AV in game 1 (VAR impacted), fantastic v Liverpool in game 2.  And post Anfield I just thought he might do something.  The performances v Leeds, Arsenal, Blackpool were a disgrace, nothing less.

On what basis do we expect performances to improve with just Snodgrass and Grosicki?  I'd be amazed if we go under the x3 GA average in the next 3 matches.

103

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 06:31:09 PM »

I don’t think the performances have improved and I’ve been disappointed but like others SA has had a grace period in my mind and I do hope to see an improvement against Wolves and West Ham but I would also hope to see him further supported in the market, not leaving everything until after we’ve played all of January’s games.

I expected more v Leeds and Arsenal. The Villa game I blame on Livermore and if GREGMT wants to talk about VAR cheating Bilic well let’s be fair and say it should have given Villa a red in that game.

The Liverpool game was the bar and I expect to see closer than that in the next 2 games and I will struggle to continue with the benefit of the doubt if we see much of the same as we will be cut off soon.

Yes absolutely robbed 100% with decisions v AV.  The sad thing is we were behind in the 3rd min and they totally bossed the game.  Livermores red and Grealish penalty was cheating.  We would have still lost though because we were c--p.

Contrast that with Gibbs red at Everton, Pereiras red v CP, both penalties at MU, wrongly awarded goal v Chelsea. That's an accumulation of league points gone.

You're more optimistic than me about BCD, we've just conceded 2 at Blackpool.  We are miles off.

104

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 05:14:44 PM »

He will get until the end of the season Timdon, if/when we do go down I cannot see for one second SA hanging around. Likewise I cannot see the club giving him the spanish if we continue with our present form. This is the board rolling the dice and hoping for a double six.......I don't think they will have the appetite or cash for another roll.

Why should Allardyce last the season if we carry on as we have? We should be assertive and sack him in March or April.  I want players incoming then I can see this man is actually having a go.  It is total negligence to continue with players that are lost, broken mentally or simply don't want to play under him.

Transfer fees are irrelevant right now, we need new players starting with a clean slate.  People keep saying Allardyce needs his own players, well we've had 13 days soticked off already.

105

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 04:58:07 PM »

Such an irrational statement that is!

Bilic had 18 months......3-4 of those were a purple patch.

Lets give Allardyce the same time and then we can make comparisons

Did you think that post through?

Allardyce will be gone in the event of relegation, which right now is about 90% certain.

I'd be willing to be slightly more patient if I could see what he's trying to do.. Currently there has been nothing at all.  Apart from reducing possession levels by around 15%.

106

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 01:38:59 PM »

Is this a different woeful outfit to the one he inherited?

Yes that woeful outfit that drew 1-1 at Man City before Bilic got fired.

So it's acceptable for 0-9 at home to Leeds & Arsenal and to fail against League 1 Blackpool?

For those people keep referring to Dowling's constraints, it is straightforward to make signings for lower league players, or in the event of planning cheap players for the more minor European leagues. 

As I said before some seem willing to give Allardyce a free rein even if we lose every match 4-0.  How does that work?

107

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 12:38:24 PM »

Yes woe is me, we'll never get another point ever again...
 

Sorry mate, but you just are just wrong.

Allardyce has turned us into an absolutely woeful outfit.  A matter of time before we are overtaken by the Blades.

We absolutely cannot wait for the end of January.  Normally a football club would.  This is no ordinary scenario. 

Even if Allardyce had bought in x3 league 2 players for £1.5m combined I'd have said the guy is trying, fair play.

As it is I see very little being amended apart from Snodgrass and maybe Grosicki selection.

We are so far short of winning a football match its untrue.  The players look shot to pieces.

108

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 11:12:40 AM »

Christ the sooner Allardyce picks up another 6 points the better so this appalling shout stops. 7 points from 13 games is totally unacceptable even if the manager has got the greatest personality in the world.

And how is he going to pick up another 6pts currently?  We couldn't even beat Blackpool in 2 hours of football. We have been battered by Villa, Leeds and Arsenal.  I can't even see where we'll pick up a draw.

The likes of Ivanovic, Livermore, Sawyers, Grant should've been bombed out of starting team within a couple of weeks.  Why are they still being selected?  Why hasn't he dipped into the squad to blood other players like Kipre, Harper, Edwards etc.  OK Grosicki is brought in which is a positive move.

We could've gone leftfield and brought in low cost players already.  SA is not reacting quick enough to atrocious performances. 

109

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 13, 2021, 08:16:52 AM »

We have known that ever since we realised that the owner was not going to invest in the team. Mourinho could not get a tune out of this team so it is pointless blaming Sam. We have some talented players, but we need more quality in the team and Dowling can only recruit with the funds he has been provided with.

I would respect Sam if he just resigned due to lack of backing, we are a complete shambles, and yes it may be 5-0 on Saturday. Anything less will be half a result for us. If we got a point I would be ecstatic but I am not expecting anything, and I know who I blame for this whole debacle.

So according to your theory, you would think the previous manager would have been absolved of blame too?

But no certain fans thought it wise to remove him and get in the current man.

So you think a lack of transfer action now means Allardyce can have a free ride until May even if we continue to get tanked 4 or 5 nil in league games?

110

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 11:57:51 PM »

Dowling is responsible for player recruitment and negotiations for transfers.

And yes, that will include signing players - It’s why we ended up with Kipre in the summer and both Austin and Zohore previously.

 Had the head coach had total control then Bilic would have signed Grant and Krovinovic at the start of the summer.

Allardyce will have his suggestions but it is up to Dowling to get them over the line.

You also talk of Allardyce limiting us to a British market - that totally ignores the whole Dowling approach which has seen pretty much all of his business completed domestically.

Hammering Allardyce for this issue of not getting players in quick enough when he has consistently championed the need to get bodies in is just attacking him for the sake of it.

Allardyce's head is on the chopping block.  Just in the same way sections of the fan base wanted Bilic hustled and hounded out.  Despite 7 pts from 13 games and a blank refusal to acknowledge valuable points lost due to VAR.

We are just sleep walking to disaster.  We have been mullered by everyone apart from the 2 "*pool" matches and the latter was embarrassing.

If I was Allardyce I'd be straining every sinew to overturn the playing staff as they are completely gone, mentally shot. Whereas it was working up to a point for Bilic, its completely broken right now.

The failure to add reinforcements 13 days in is a failure already. 

Are people just going to shrug their shoulders if its 5-0 at Molineux?

111

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 11:17:42 PM »

Going a bit off topic here, but the role of a director of football is to manage the football operation, including scouting and recruitment, while the role of the head coach is to coach, prepare the team for match days and the on the day performance.

This is squarely on Dowling, albeit Allardyce will have his input (as seems to be the case).

That might seem correct in principle. 

In reality, can you really see Dowling dictating to the fearsome Allardyce on who he should sign?  Because I can't visualise that, never in a million years.....

5 league matches between now and 2 February.  The clock is ticking.....   No way can we afford to wait until 31 January.

Wolves AWAY
WHU AWAY
Man C HOME

next 3 matches.

The whole point of sacking Bilic was to revitalise the playing squad, a toughening up process, belief, being streetwise.

We have done nothing apart from Snodgrass.

112

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 10:52:06 PM »

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I’m fairly sure it’s the other way around, it’s it Dowlings job to come to Allardyce with the ‘diamonds’ from Europe.

What are you talking about?

Allardyce was a professional centre back for Bolton, Sunderland plus a few others.  He has managed for 25 years.  He has a lifetime in football.

Dowling's knowledge is not as comprehensive.  Dowling is surely a link man between Chairman and Manager (SA)?

Allardyce should be pulling the strings not Dowling signing players, surely?

113

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 10:36:45 PM »

I agree with you Greg but neither Bilic or Allardyce can do a thing about that. THats the higher ups jobs.

It is to do with Allardyce.  It's up to him to highlight these "diamonds" from Europe. If they are cheap enough Dowling can get them over the line.  The British Market is notoriously inflated.  If Allardyce is limiting himself there, he is taking a massive risk.

We are messing around IMO.  We have another 3 or 4 league fixtures before end of Jan.  It's slipping away with every passing game.

Our players are not only inadequate technically but are mentally shot.  We have been losing by a big margin. 

Bilic got a tune from them to the value of 7pts from 13 games (and should've been more).  Allardyce is struggling right now, no 2 ways about it.

We've got no chance with just 2 or 3 signings (and right at the end of Jan).

114

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 10:09:50 PM »

Watch La Liga and have a look at what a high quality league that is.

A team like Eibar, 7000 capacity in a tiny town.  Why not go after their players, they'll be on a pittance in terms of wages.

Good players are out there for lower fees, the likes of Mulumbu and Odemwingue.

Our staff should be working day and night to get in at least 7 players as early as possible. 

Then we can look ourselves in the mirror and we've done everything.....

115

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 10:02:16 PM »

Well I think it’s clear they’re trying to get a midfielder.

There are a host of reasons as to why we haven’t - the main one being that Allardyce isn’t in charge of negotiations

It’s Allardyce bashing for the sake of it.

What's wrong with getting A.CM in now then still trying to get Choudry later in the window?

We are absolutely desperate, lower than a snakes belly.

We couldn't even beat a League 1 team in 2 hours of football.

We are going to get pummelled on Saturday. 

116

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 09:38:54 PM »

Bit harsh, Bilic had best part of 18 months to sort it and didn't.

Also fair to say Allardyce has identified who he wants and the player wants to come here. It's over to the board to work their magic now.

Go on about Bilic all you want.  It took us 11 months to get out the Championship (after Covid).  Sawyers & Livermore were adequate then.  Yes in hindsight they should've been replaced in August.

If Allardyce was sharp he'd have drafted someone in on 3rd January post Arsenal.  The inadequacy was for all to see. Even a £500,000 central midfielder from the Swedish Premier would've improved matters!

How much evidence does the bloke need?  He can watch Football highlights round the clock, player databases of player performance.

There is no excuse to reach 13 January with no incoming midfielder.

Furthermore he still hasn't ditched Ivanovic, when it's clear O'Shea, Ajayi & Bartley are all better (despite limitations).

117

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 08:59:38 PM »

By the time this game comes around Allardyce has had half of January to get in a central midfielder and has failed.

Sawyers or Livermore and a Loss is a formality.

Failing that play Harper, how can he actually be any worse?

118

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 12, 2021, 04:27:21 PM »

Some points about Allardyce:

1) OK so training hours are limited due to Covid.  What's stopping him from talking to the whole group of players morning, noon and night to get his ideas across?  Even if its on Zoom.
2) In football it's a given that you work with players brought in by a previous Manager.  This cannot be labelled as an excuse.  SA knew he has to navigate through at least 6 wks of a congested Xmas schedule before he could get his hands on new players.  This period was critical to the success of his tenure in keeping the club in the division.
3) Why are we not seeing the stamp of an Allardyce team, at least in the GA column?  The one thing he has done is reduce possession more in keeping with his teams.
4) I'd rate his performance so far 1/10.  That's for turning up to work.  Obliterated in almost every match and failing to beat Blackpool.
5) When is he actually accountable for his performance in the job?
6) Has he lost motivation in the job already?
7) There's intelligent football people on this site that would do the job for a tenth of Allardyce's wages.  Where is Allardyce's managerial skill, I can't see it?
The players sure are lacking in ability and confidence, but it's the Managers responsibility.

I'm 99% sure we will lose to WW, but I'd just take a stirring performance as a source of pride. 

119

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 11, 2021, 11:10:17 PM »

11 days in and we have signed just Snodgrass, who will improve the team BTW.

The most important acquisition is someone new to play alongside Gallagher.

It's the time and space afforded to opposition runners that's the problem.  Yes the individuals in defence could be better, but in truth they have zero protection.

Mulumbu and Yacob have not been replaced.  It cost us relegation from the Premier last time when alternating between Barry, Morrison, Brunt, Krychiowiak, Livermore, neither was good or quick enough.

The longer we go on with Sawyers and Livermore then the closer Allardyce is inching to the exit door.

Got no chance of keeping a clean sheet or even winning 1 football match.

120

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Charlie Austin

« on: January 09, 2021, 09:32:11 PM »

Pretty useless was Austin. 

He never wanted to do the hard yards, that he was below HRK despite being more talented says it all. 

He couldn't be bothered to get fit and demand a 1st team place, just all too easy to accept his inflated wages and "hide".

121

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romaine Sawyers

« on: January 09, 2021, 09:29:24 PM »

Athletism is important in football. Ability, and positioning in the team is more important though.

Positioning - exactly our dumb ass managers played Brunt at CM and we got slaughtered in midfield v better teams.

122

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romaine Sawyers

« on: January 09, 2021, 08:26:24 PM »

Brunt was too slow and was kept 3 years too long out of loyalty, a decent player early on.

Sawyers a better athlete.

123

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Sam Allardyce

« on: January 09, 2021, 08:19:42 PM »

It was me and one or two others that said Bilić should have gone after the draw at home to QPR. Appoint a new manager straightaway in order to give them the summer to prepare for this season. Bilić was sacked too late and that’s entirely the boards fault.

If we were going to appoint Big Sam he really should have been here in late July, early August 2020. He was brave taking the job on when he did, I’ll say that!

Sack Bilic after promotion and 2nd place in a league where we had no divine right to get promoted, lol.  Enjoy watching that garbage this afternoon, loads worse than anything served up under Bilic. 

Blackpool a league lower than last season's oppo.

Sack Allardyce now.

124

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romaine Sawyers

« on: January 09, 2021, 08:03:04 PM »

He was really poor today in a level he should be extremely capable in. His tackling is the worst I've seen in a Pro footballer.

Tackling on a par with Brunt.

125

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 09, 2021, 08:01:25 PM »

Yes excellent post Rich. Seems to have gone past me until Singhwba highlighted it. Bilic has left us right in the rubbish with his transfers.

The sooner the Bilic Boys club is destroyed the better.

Bilic never had enough money to spend.  What were you expecting exactly?  He didn't get the funds available to sign Watkins or Eze.

Who's Sam going to sign James Tomkins or Phil Jones?  If Allardyce was wise he'd raid little Eibar, who are halfway in the best league in the world.  Their players are on a pittance and very good technically.