1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Atmosphere at Home Games

« on: April 14, 2024, 05:29:08 PM »

Football has definitely moved away from its working class roots and become more mainstream, leading to a lot of people going who never used to back in the day.

The upshot is that these people don't want to be part of the atmosphere, they're there for a fun, family day out. They don't really understand the tribalism of football, and so you get this sanitised atmosphere where people don't want to sing.

That's not just with us, it's everywhere. Nowhere has the atmosphere it used to. That's why the away support tends to be louder, only the truly committed (or those that should be) travel away consistently.

2

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: New Kit for next season

« on: April 14, 2024, 05:20:54 PM »

What about the players wearing the new strip if we get to the play offs and releasing the new strip to the fans surely we would sell loads straight away

If the Puma deal is expiring and we're moving to a new manufacturer, the contract for the new kit won't kick in until end of June at the earliest.

3

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL SCOTTISH LEAGUES THREAD

« on: April 07, 2024, 03:43:02 PM »

Whatever happens with the title, I know two things.

1/ Brendan Rodgers should never have gone back to Celtic. This season's relative struggles won't have done anything for his reputation.

2/ It's nowhere near the standard it used to be, when Celtic had players like Larsson, Sutton, etc, and Rangers had a similar strength squad. And I can confidently say it will get worse, and the idea of them joining the English pyramid will be floated again.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Carlos Corberan

« on: April 07, 2024, 03:39:51 PM »

If we don't make the playoffs then that is a massive failure for me. I am confident it won't come to that but let's see.

Before the season I'd have taken 7th as a sign of steady progress, but having been in the top 6 for so long it would be failure - not a sackable one, but a failure nevertheless.

Now you can point to the fact we've been without a decent striker for most of the season - Dike and Maja have both been injured, and BTA is either not good enough, or a wide attacker forced into a central role (depending on your point of view). However we were in the top 6 for much of the season with that being the case, so what changed? And can we counteract it?

I'd say we look tired as a team, and that's been the case for a while now. Is it a conditioning issue? We ran out of steam at the end of last season too (albeit he hadn't had a full season with them).

With the amount of players we have out of contract, and the changing FFP rules, our squad could look very different next season. It'll be interesting to see what that looks like.

5

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Alex Palmer

« on: March 29, 2024, 04:53:54 PM »

Let's be honest, Palmer isn't England quality. Anybody suggesting he might be is overreaching.

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mikey Johnston joins on loan (Official!)

« on: March 29, 2024, 04:50:43 PM »

It's possible the international break has proved a disruption to his routine, and he'll need to get back into it. Going away like that can be more of a hindrance when you're in form.

7

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE THREAD

« on: March 19, 2024, 03:35:57 PM »

Everton and Forest getting stung and City and Chelsea in particular with as of yet no punishment certainly stinks.

Chelsea are getting by using every accounting trick in the book. It wouldn't surprise me if they were charged a few years down the line for all the loopholes they're exploiting.

Forest has one charge and it took months to resolve. Everton have had two and they've taken even longer. How long do you think it's going to take to make 115 stick against City's expensive lawyers? City will end up making a plea deal to make it all go away.

8

General Football & Sports / Re: Dingle watch - Anything Wolves

« on: March 03, 2024, 06:49:43 PM »

I think that was pretty much common knowledge regarding the wolves. They basically overspent so started to sell to balance the books and avoid a points fine. Regardless of getting away with it for now, I think they will struggle from now on due to Fosun seemingly downing tools. I think their glory days are over thankfully.

It's not necessarily Fosun 'downing tools', so much as an acknowledgment that the FFP rules no longer allow owners to just keep plowing money in.

There are a whole lot of Premier League clubs who are going to be skirting the line over the next couple of years.

9

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL PREMIER LEAGUE THREAD

« on: March 03, 2024, 06:43:13 PM »

At least the 3 (likely to be ) coming down won't be as strong as the 3 that came down this season but will still be favourites more than likely

They will have parachute payments, and many of the players who dominated the division 2 years previously.

The Premier League have always wanted a closed shop, with the new FFP rules they have pretty much got it.

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Alex Palmer

« on: February 26, 2024, 05:49:41 PM »

He's average at pretty much every aspect, which makes him a decent championship keeper. I've seen absolutely zero evidence to suggest Griffiths is better in any aspect of the game, or would become better than Palmer with more gametime.

Distribution. Noticed it in the Aldershot and Wolves games. He's not as strong as Palmer all round at the moment, but his kicking and passing was better, both in terms of accuracy and decision making.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: WBA NEW OWNERS - Bilkull football

« on: February 18, 2024, 07:16:57 PM »

When Lai and co pitched up, I had a feeling it would all go a bit Venkys.

I don't get that feeling from this guy. I think it might be a return to being a steadily-run club, although that may not be in the way a lot of people are thinking.

12

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: February 18, 2024, 07:15:13 PM »

I really think we need 3 points here. We've had a number of chances to put a gap between us and 7th and haven't done it. Could be out the play-offs soon.

13

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mikey Johnston joins on loan (Official!)

« on: February 18, 2024, 07:00:41 PM »

He's definitely got the skill, but his runs take him into the wrong area too many times. His passing is good, when he actually plays it at the right time.

There's a player there, but he needs a lot of work.

14

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: February 11, 2024, 05:41:20 PM »

I'm not saying we're probably going to win this one. I'm just saying I'm missing it to take the missus to Bill Bailey.

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Darnell Furlong

« on: February 04, 2024, 09:03:32 PM »

I think they are functioning well as a unit - Palmer, the back four, Yokuslu, and Mowatt - which is why we're having so many clean sheets.

But for me, Townsend and Furlong are the easiest ones to improve on as individuals to make us stronger overall.

16

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Darnell Furlong

« on: February 04, 2024, 06:46:53 PM »

It's funny how he's been playing much better since Pipa arrived to put him under pressure.

I'm still not a fan; I think we need upgrades on both of our full backs long term.

17

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Next 5 Games.

« on: February 04, 2024, 06:43:15 PM »

If we can get through this run of games and still be in the play-off spots, I think we'll still be there come the end of the season.

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: February 04, 2024, 06:41:56 PM »

Given that it was only a slight injury, and he was back for a cameo yesterday... I wonder if he bottled the Wolves game?

Not saying he did, just playing devil's advocate.

19

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Yann M'Vila

« on: February 04, 2024, 06:38:53 PM »

We're all suggesting M'Vila, but I'd be expecting Josh Onoma, Jack Price, or a return for Stefan Johannson on our budget.

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Cedric Kipre

« on: February 04, 2024, 06:34:33 PM »

Looking at it from his perspective, would you want to sign a new deal?

He's been here 3 and a half years, and yesterday was (according to Albion social media) his 50th game for us. He's been out on loan previously, and when he hasn't been he hadn't played much until this season. In that spell, he's had 5 permanent managers (Bilic, Allardyce, Ishmael, Bruce, Corberan), only one of whom has played him regularly.

There's also the financial situation of the club; he's only going to get a decent offer from us if we get promotion or there's a takeover, neither of which is guaranteed.

I wouldn't expect him to hang around.

21

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: January 28, 2024, 05:09:37 PM »

On my way up the ground I sensed there were going to be problems in more ways than one.

First on the pitch, because we put the 2nd choice goalie in, and had a bench full of kids. I don't care if he's promised Griffiths the cup games, some things are bigger. Corberan said he understood what this game meant - clearly not. A huge gap has developed between the Premier League and the Championship, and that game showed it. They beat us without getting out of 2nd gear, and we never looked like scoring.

Secondly off the pitch, judging by the amount of chavvy little reprobates in Stone Island gear I was surrounded by walking up Birmingham Road. When you're chanting "W***y w***y Wanderers" at your own fans because you've mistaken them for Wolves fans, you've lost the plot. And that was before getting in the ground.

I don't care if there were Wolves fans in the home end, you stand back and let the police deal with it. You don't go chasing from one stand to the other to wade in. You don't use a shift in police presence to create a problem elsewhere. And you don't throw things at opposition players, even if they're Wolves.

I'm absolutely ashamed to be an Albion fan tonight, we're a national disgrace, and it's the kind of thing that could cost us a very good owner. We're already broke, we don't need the national attention, negative publicity, and inevitable fines.

22

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: January 25, 2024, 09:04:16 PM »

Didn't want this game, still don't want it now. We'll get battered, it'll be Newcastle v Sunderland part 2.

The gulf between the divisions is too great now, just see Bournemouth v Swansea tonight.

We'd need them to have one hell of an off day to win.

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Action For Albion/ Potential Takeover

« on: January 14, 2024, 09:24:57 PM »

The MSD loan terms require MSD’s prior consent to a change of ownership. If they aren’t being repaid by a different bidder as part of the deal then they can block any buyer that they don’t approve of.  I’d say they’ve got Lai’s balls in a vice.

Wasn't aware of that condition, but given that the reports are saying Patel is their preferred bidder, that might be positive thing.

24

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: January 14, 2024, 06:29:36 PM »

I feel like, if we can keep the squad together through January (and afford to pay it until the end of the season), we could make the play-offs.

The top four are gone, but I think Ipswich will falter a bit and end up in the play-offs. Leeds lack the consistency to take advantage, so Leicester / Southampton top two.

I feel like us and Coventry would then be 5th and 6th, in some order, IF we keep the squad together. From what I've seen, we have enough to be top six.

Sunderland will probably sell Clarke, and Beale's had a mixed reaction, so I'd expect them to fall just short. Norwich and Hull are both decent, and will be strong challengers, but seem to lack the necessary consistency.

If we lose players this month and don't replace them, I can see us dropping down in the second half of the season as the grind catches up with us.

That being said, this is the Championship. We could come back to this in a month and we're halfway down the league.

25

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Action For Albion/ Potential Takeover

« on: January 14, 2024, 06:22:10 PM »

It does feel like, of the three parties we know about, Patel seems to be the best option. Certainly he says the right things in interviews, and seems to have a good track record in business.

That's why I'm expecting Lai to take a bigger bid from a bunch of shady con-men.