Messages

26

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: April 08, 2013, 09:14:46 PM »

I thought the selection was confusing to say the least. I can understand the one up front but for the life of me cannot understand why you'd play Brunt in the centre when 1) He has been playing really well out wide and 2) You have Dorrans who is actually, y'know, a central midfielder.

Still not sure about some of the negativity regarding next season. Apprehension I can understand but I don't think we can really be negative and say things like we are going to struggle next season until we have an idea who has been brought in.

Also the whole 18 points from 18 game statistics. I'm not sure that's all that suprising that considering the period people are using for that stat was when most of our key players were injured. It would be the same for most clubs in our position if you took out players as important as Yacob, Mulumbu, Olsson whilst others who also had 2-3 weeks minor injuries.

27

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Is Brunt the new Greening?

« on: April 08, 2013, 04:06:44 PM »

No matter how many times we try it or whoever he plays alongside, he is quite simply not a central midfielder. Since he returned to playing on the left when Yacob/Mulumbu came back, he's been very good. No suprise that we move him to the centre, he is not nearly as effective.

For me, made no sense having him play central on Saturday when there were other options.

28

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romelu Lukaku (On loan from Chelsea)

« on: April 03, 2013, 01:03:31 PM »

We give Lukaku game time and a chance to make a name for himself and this is how he repays us,
wanting European football at that young age is a bit stupid really as the kid isnt the finished article
and has such a lot more to learn. I actually think he`s been found out a little now as all teams have
to do against him is sit deep then he hasnt got a clue.
If he doesnt want to stay with the Albion then I think its only fair that the guy should be booed like Odemwingie
has been.

Like I said, there's no quotes from him or even an agent who are normally the ones who stir these things up. Seems like a complete non-story to me.

29

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romelu Lukaku (On loan from Chelsea)

« on: April 03, 2013, 11:49:28 AM »

I think we might still have him next season. That article about him wanting European football next season has hardly any substance to it-No quotes from him or an agent and one of the reasons being he wants to assure his place in the Belgian squad for 2014 world cup. The belgian squad he is already a big part of.

Obviously if he does say that is merely delaying the inevitable problem.

30

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: April 01, 2013, 07:11:13 PM »

What you mean by that? I think that Olsson is a liability and seems to be at fault for too much these days!

That article calls you an Online Loon;

"The post-match reaction to Albion’s East End nightmare was depressing yet revealing. Online loons were out in force to deliver their verdict on a heavy defeat at Upton Park.

And, while their views were neither representative of the whole Baggies fanbase nor consistent with the facts, the knee-jerk minority did shed a light on the soaring expectations around The Hawthorns. Jonas Olsson was a ‘liability’, claimed one keyboard crusader. "

31

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE THREAD

« on: March 31, 2013, 10:10:41 PM »

Di Canio signs 2 and a half year deal with Sunderland. Many interesting interviews ahead I imagine

32

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Losing Lukaku, Olsson & Odemwingie...

« on: March 21, 2013, 08:15:49 PM »

Dan Ashworth has left though hasnt he ?
so that leaves an Albion lawyer to find the players which iam not convinced about.
Its only a matter of time before these 3 players leave and if if we`re looking at dross like
Adam Le Fondre for replacements then thats when I worry.

Yes he's left, what's your point?

He was the head of a scouting network where we haven't actually lost anyone. CL said that in the latter part of his time at Albion, Ashworth did very little direct scouting, he was in charge of the whole operation. Seems like he'd only real scout to provide a final check on a player, hence why he went to Argentina to watch Yacob

33

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Losing Lukaku, Olsson & Odemwingie...

« on: March 21, 2013, 02:26:07 PM »

Iam almost resigned to the fact we`re be back in the Championship next season without these 3 players.

How can you say that when 1) None of them have left yet and 2) You haven't given our well-regarded scouting network the chance to replace them.

34

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Match Officials

« on: March 09, 2013, 11:16:25 PM »

Awful, for both teams.

35

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romelu Lukaku (On loan from Chelsea)

« on: March 04, 2013, 10:25:14 PM »

The best game he`s had for us was against Reading away when he scored 2 and the others cocked
it up for him. Take away Lukaku and Odemwingie`s 17 goals and we`d be near the bottom 3.

Saying things like that is silly. It's the same as saying take away Rooney and Van Persie's goals away from United and look where they would be!

36

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Shane Long

« on: March 04, 2013, 08:19:52 PM »

When Shane Long and Mulumbu aren't playing we look a very slow and lethargic side. Those two seem to provide 70 or 80% of our work rate which is admirable. However the problem with Shane is that his technique is downright shocking and severely limits his effectiveness and goal threat. Shane is not a bad player to have in the squad but it would be calamitous to rely on him to provide our offensive, game winning, edge.

I don't know, I'd say what limits his goal threat is the pee poor service he seems to get. It's no coincidence that when Mozza was on form with Gera also on the side, Long was much effective as he actually received some decent service. He wasn't at his best against Chelsea but with that sort of service, Lukaku would not have been a threat earlier.

Long isn't the complete player by any stretch of the imagination, he has his limitations but so do Lukaku and Odemwingie. Sometimes I don't know what people are expecting Long to do!

37

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Romelu Lukaku (On loan from Chelsea)

« on: March 04, 2013, 08:12:52 PM »

OK here's the players in my opinion should me moved on in the summer:

Tamas, Dorrans, Brunt, Thomas, Fortune, Rosenberg.

Long was superb in the first half of the season, Lukaku sensational since around November.

Central Defence is fantastic and Keeper top class.  The midfield is the weak area, apart from Mulumbu and Yacob, hence that awful run post xmas when they were both missed terribly.

We can exploit the recession in Spain by recruiting from La Liga, the best league in the world, just in the way Swansea have done.  Look at Pablo Hernandez, Michu, De Guzman etc all acquired for knockdown fees.

Players like Benat at Real Betis would fit the bill perfectly.  Otherwise we'll continue to surrender possession and a with a poorer striker than Lukaku the ball will come back.

No way on earth we will sell Brunt, particularly as his form has really picked up as of late.

The other 5 are possibles. But of them; Tamas, Fortune, Thomas are all on frees I think. Dorrans we won't get that much for and after a season with not many games, we won't get much for Rosenberg if we do sell him(Which I don't think we should).

Essentially there is not a chance of us signing Lukaku permanently, even if we did offload some players because it simply does not work out financially.

38

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Izzy Brown

« on: February 28, 2013, 09:39:22 PM »

He's only 16, so club obviously think of him very highly/Arsenal's interest is very serious

39

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: February 12, 2013, 12:04:56 AM »

I thought Mozza and Long, while working very hard, didn't threaten enough going forward. Then again we seemed content on turning back with the ball as soon as we got it, play it back to our back four and then hoof it uselessly to an outmatched Long. We just didn't care much about our offensive game until we brought Lukaku on to look for a winner. I hope we can outgrow such tactics and offer more of a threat throughout the game.

Otherwise I thought we were competitive in each position on the pitch, exactly like in the autumn when we went third. We didn't have any direct weaknesses like we have had lately for the opposition to exploit. It wasn't pretty but we got the job done.

McAuley and Mulumbu were immense for me but Foster was a head above them. Massive win all in all and as always extra pleasure from winning against Liverpool (kiddie nappers they are).

You have to feel for Long in some respects, whatever people think of his ability the bloke does the donkey work particularly against the big teams, allowing Lukaku to come fresh with 10/15 to go against a tired defence and a team who were pushing forward.

A real smash and grab but I could not care less. Had a bad day and this has cheered me up no end. Boing Boing!

40

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Steve Clarke

« on: February 04, 2013, 01:16:25 PM »

My misses said hes a miserable looking man, more miserably looking than me.
I said wait till you hear his voice

To be fair, Roy was hardly Mr Charisma was he?

41

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Popov

« on: February 03, 2013, 09:23:13 PM »

Stupid. Cost us the game.

Still prefer him to Ridgewell, but there isn't a big difference between them.

42

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Markus Rosenberg

« on: January 28, 2013, 05:58:30 PM »

Yeah, but how do we fit him into the team? Do we move Lukaku and Long to the wings?

I am a little surprised that we won't do anything this window, we have a very unbalanced squad and the domestic market in the summer will be horrible, with clubs knowing fully well Sky money is raining from the sky. That's why West Ham and Newcastle are trying to steal a march by getting a lot of business done this window.

That DA/Garlick/Clarke list of targets this summer had better be bombproof.

I think the only way he gets into the side is if we switch to 4-4-2. Obviously he'd have competition with Long and Lukaku but he is more likely to get a run of games that way.

With Pete set to leave, I don't think the idea of us playing 4-4-2 is far fetched at all. In reality Pete was the only player we have/had capable of playing that wide forward. A midfield along the lines of;

Morrison-Yacob-Mulumbu-Brunt/Thomas depending on the game with then two of Long/Lukaku/Rosenberg could work, plus it would give our full backs more protection. It would be a shame to move Mozza out of his best position behind the striker, but he did a very good job wide right against Wigan this season in the line-up I listed above.

43

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Markus Rosenberg

« on: January 28, 2013, 01:44:32 PM »

West Brom are not willing to let striker Markus Rosenberg join another club on loan despite reported interest from Spain and Italy, according to his agent.
 
Rosenberg arrived at The Hawthorns last summer following his release by Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, signing a deal until 2015.
 
The 30-year-old Sweden international has struggled to establish himself in Steve Clarke's first-team, making 13 Premier League appearances so far this season, the majority of which have come off the bench.
 
Spanish second division side Villarreal and Serie A club Sampdoria are thought to be keen on signing Rosenberg on loan but his agent, Martin Dahlin, says West Brom want him to stay.
 
Asked if reports the Baggies have turned down loan approaches were accurate, he told Kvaellsposten: "It's correct. Some clubs have enquired about him.
 
"I am not surprised since he has previously had good seasons in both Germany and Spain.
 
"That means that he is in consideration for a place in the starting XI for his current club."
 
Dahlin added: "He has been unlucky and has seen playing time limited since he joined West Brom when the season had almost started."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11698/8448252/

44

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Issiah Brown

« on: January 25, 2013, 01:32:53 PM »

True they will choose Arsenal most likely. But I agree with your point, which was one of my points as well, that the system is deeply flawed if this can go on. Clubs in Germany are capable of producing players for their first team who then go on to the national team. In the UK everything is sucked into Arsenal and United and a handful of other clubs, and the game stagnates as a consequence.

My Academy failing comment was with the thinking that it is exactly the Isaiah Brown level talents we need to bring the club forward. Especially if we aim to be a top half club producing talent good enough to compete on that level. I'm sure we can produce 1-3 championship players a year, but top PL players? That simply takes rare talent. If one or two of those a year get snapped up by Arsenal, City etc then we need to find FIVE such players a year to meet the 3 player goal. In effect it makes it impossible for us to ever find a super star level talent, or close enough, and keep him on our books until he makes the first team.

Right I see.

I think we are probably capable of producing 1 player per year who the club think is capable of playing Premier League football per year, Thorne being the case in point for the first wave of players coming through possibly Berainho. The year below that you have Donervon Daniels who is clearly very highly rated. The year below that we have Izzy Brown, then the year below that we did have that Sinclair lad who Liverpool played a Million for.

Very few clubs produce 3 players a year capable of that, so I am slightly suprised by Garlick's comment. If we wanted to produce 3 per year we'd have to seriously extend our scouting operation for these youth players and bring them from abroad at a young age like the top clubs do. Like you and I said, it's a sad indicement of the game that if we were to produce a superstar, the likelihood is we may never see him in the first team or for one/two seasons maximum like Rooney.

45

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Issiah Brown

« on: January 25, 2013, 01:03:56 PM »

Garlick said in the resent interview that Albion aim to be a solid top half club in the future. Moreover, the aim of the academy is to produce 1-3 youngsters each season capable of getting into said top half team. This will simply not happen if they are poached by Arsenal, Liverpool, City (who were sniffing after Donovan Daniels a year ago or so) etc. 

The top end talent either stays with us, or the Academy fails it's mission and the club fails in it's strategy.

Yes but what can the club do to stop this happening?

You can't offer professional terms until the player is 17, at which point or before-hand, clubs can come in for the player. I hardly think the Academy is failing in it's mission as it is clearly producing players who they believe are capable of playing at the highest level, it is more to do with the system in this country that allows these players to be poached from the club's who've brought them through.

At the end of the day, you have the choice of Albion or Arsenal, most are going to choose Arsenal. More money, london living etc.

46

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Is anyone else amazed?

« on: January 24, 2013, 11:23:23 PM »

Is anyone else amazed that we have so many players regularly starting for us who just can't cut it in the premier league and we are still eighth?

Just imagine if we had a decent right back, left back, left footed midfielder and a striker. You know. Players with real premier league ability. We'd be top by a mile.

If only the club showed some ambition then we might have something to cheer about instead of the rubbish we have to put up with.

Don't forget our awful head coach! 

47

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: 5 Pen Takers!!

« on: January 24, 2013, 11:07:11 PM »

1) Dorrans-Took a great penalty in the Championship.
2) Odemwingie
3) Dawson-England U21 penalty taker
4) Brunt
5) Long-Despite the calamity against Liverpool earlier in the season I still think he should be our regular Penalty taker, very cool and composed.

48

General Football & Sports / Re: Seals watch - Anything Villa

« on: January 24, 2013, 06:11:11 PM »

http://heroesandvillains.net/index.php?PHPSESSID=27b41e65df3e04ca56356116c0d93f3d&topic=62.0

It's an old article that has been given 'another airing'.

Nice to see that this bloke understands the concept of paragraphs. 

I thought they didn't care about us?   

49

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Richard Garlick to take on Dan Ashworth role

« on: January 24, 2013, 01:14:07 PM »

I just hope Richard Garlick doesnt buy anymore Markus Rosenberg`s or Yassine El Ghanassy`s
as we all know it was Tony Mowbray who spotted Olsson, Morrison, Mulumbu, and Odemwingie.

Mowbray was long gone by the time we got Odemwingie in?

50

General Football & Sports / Re: Seals watch - Anything Villa

« on: January 22, 2013, 10:58:11 PM »

So they are going to do a half Blues season, not win the carling cup but still get relegated!