I could not go to Plymouth on Tuesday due to work commitments, but from what I have been told our first half display was one of the best 45 minute performances we have had in recent years, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
Apart from a number of missed chances (which could have wrapped the game up before the break), we were simply awesome.
Bednar produced a very impressive debut start, and scored two poachers goals, and with the news that Phillips and Miller are only two or three weeks away from being available, he must know that this is his window of opportunity.
It is turning out to be a good week so far (other than that penalty), but the best news in my humble opinion, is that Derby, Wigan, and Birmingham, have filled their managerial vacancies.
Mowbray in his short time has achieved three major things at Albion.
Firstly he has introduced a brand of football that is a joy to watch, when spending the best part of thirty quid to watch your team (obviously not including bar bill), you want to be entertained.
I thought last season was an exciting season, but this season the games just cannot come quick enough, goals galore, and some sublime football.
Secondly, he has unearthed some fantastic signings. Having got rid of a number of players he inherited, it released sufficient funds to carry out his own recruitment drive.
Texeira, Koren, Hoefkens, Barnett, Morrison, Brunt, and two loan signings, Miller and Cesar, have all been a success.
Particularly, Koren (free) and Texeira (£650,000), two absolute bargains.
Thirdly, Mowbray is starting to prove that you can play our brand of attractive open football and consistently win games.
Two points behind the leaders, three points clear of third place, three away wins on the bounce, and unbeaten at home so far this season.
So when three Premiership jobs became available I was worried they would all come knocking on our door wanting to speak to our Magic Mowbray.
The fact they have not, has been the best result of the week, and all I am praying for now, is that Southgate does not get the sack, because surely Mowbray would top their list.
Magic Mowbray, he is ours stay away.
Albion fans what do you think? Have your say below
27 Comments
I too am worried about the Boro situation but I believe Mowbray to be a man of integrity and I remain convinced he will see getting us promoted and established as his prime concern (fingers crossed that results pick up for Southgate REAL soon tho eh?)
He will be off soon enough like anyone whoever does well for the boggies.
I haqve no worries at all about Boro/TM.
He has got a job to do here an much more to prove yet. I don’t see him going anywhere just now.
>>He will be off soon enough like anyone whoever does well for the boggies.
sounds familiar?
lescott / keane?
mind you, it must really grate that you can only come up with two decent players eh?
sorry, but couldn’t resist it.
Mowbray is no fool. At The Albion he has the opportunity to develop a dynasty - even though he is relatively new to management he has a template for how he want to run a club, and he is getting the chance to do just that.
Like any footballing person, player or manager, I’m sure he has his price, and I’m sure he wants to pit his wits against the best teams and managers - but as long as we take him (or he takes us) where he wants to go, then why should he move on ?
Obviously if a top 4 team comes knocking in a few years then who knows - but for now I hope we are helping him to achieve his ambitions.
I am worries about Boro too
Good blogg again by the way !!
I have just popped across to the dark side as I actually enjoy reading Nathan’s bloggs too… but once again I see they are discussing the players / managers from the past.
Why do they insist on living in the past ? Are they really so mediocre that they constantly have to keep banging on about Steve Bull or the flamin 50’s ??
I am so proud of the squad and manager we have now - and although we have had some great players in the past, all I wanna do is enjoy the ones we have NOW.
I hope TM stays with us for a long time as I think he can make the Albion a great club in the top division once again.
I don’t understand all the appraisal for Mowbray, Albion have had by far the best squad in the league for the past two seasons now & are still piggy backing off their parachute riches (would they have really been able to command such ridiculous fees for their players otherwise, definitley not). He failed to get it done with pretty much the entire duration last season, Mcarthy is much more credible with his limited resources.
NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT BORO SOUTHGATE WILL BE “HELPED” LIKE ROBSON WAS THIS TIME IT WILL BE BY MCCLAREN,MOWBRAY IS A GREAT MANAGER AND IF WE DO NOT GO UP THIS YEAR I WOULD BE VERY WORRIED ABOUT HIM AND THE TEAM BUT AS THE BLOGGER PUTS THIS IS THE BEST SEASON IN YEARS,GREAT FOOTBALL AND SOME SUBLIME SKILLS ,I LOOK AT DERBY AND THINK WHAT IF ,KEEP IT GOING PLEEEASE.
The one liner….number (2)
is patently borne out of bitterness
and disdain for the Albion.
However, there is an element of fact in this statement,
Ron Atkinson and Ossie Ardiles spring readily to mind.
If his “love” (Boro) came calling,
it would be a huge temptation for him.
I think it is more a case of when,
this happens rather than if,
so when it does happen, it`s a case of fingers crossed.
Lets face it, if we keep performing in a manner that is previously alien to this division,
then TM will have any number of suitors.
wbaforever - I guess there will always be a “pull” for anyone and their “home” club.
However, Big Ron was lured to Manchester United - Ossie to Spurs.. I don’t think middlesbrough has quite the same magnetism or allure.
Also, both those clubs were doing ok when the managers left - I can see us passing Middlesbrough come May.
Anyway, I have everything crossed that he is happy here.
Good blog Jarrod.
Just a quick note to Happy_Baggie.
Finding different subject matters to discuss in the blog can sometimes be quite tricky. As the PFA had announced the best players for each club, I thought it would be an ideal subject for a Friday.
Nothing wrong I feel, in paying homage to your past whilst also keeping an eye on what is currently happening at the club.
Wednesday’s game against Colchester was a turgid affair and didn’t really warrant that much comment.
I know I have posted quite a few ‘best and worst wolves’ type blogs, but they seem to get a good response and fans always enjoy a little nostalgia.
8.Jason Bagnall
If McCarthy is so great why does he get so much stick on the Wolves pages from his own fans regarding team selection ?
I suggest you read a few of the comments.
I think Boro will go for an experienced Euro coach, like most Premier Teams these days. They may see it as a risk to employee a relatively inexperienced Manager, they have a young Manager now and may want to see TM prove himself a bit more yet. Well at least I hope so.
Nathan - it was not a pop at you personally, and that type of blogg will always get people talking - its just an observation that most wolves fans seem to live forever in the past and rarely discuss with any pride the exploits of the current team.
We (albion) are CONSTANTLY reminded that you won such and such cup, or had X many internationals - its just a bit boring.
I have left a similar posting on your blogg page (which I’m sure will get me a battering) but i just wanted to point out that its ok to have our heros - but don’t forget your current lot.
I agree with 14.Wallop.
If Southgate fails there’s no way they will go for another young up and coming manager.
To Jason bagnall (8) Now listen to this - TM gets Miller 1 season loan (joint top scorer in league) MM gets Freddie for £2m (1 league goal? or has he even scored yet), TM gets Cesar from Marseille 1 season loan (not lost since he made his debut v blackpool 8 games ago) MM gets ward for 1/2 mil and dropped him after 4 games. TM gets Texeira who used to partner Ronaldinho at PSG for 600k, MM buys Jarvis (has he kicked a ball yet?). Parachute money my backside - MM has wasted his cash, TM has shown clever, clever, clever management and we are playing the sort of football you can only dream about.
The financial rewards of managing a Premiership club are substantial but providing Mowbray is patient he should be able to enjoy similar rewards next season following the promotion of the Baggies to the Premiership.
Thanks Jason Bagnall (is your nickname Baggie by the way?) you have just paid Mowbray the ultimate compliment by saying `Albion have by far the best squad in the league` because he scouted and bought that very same squad. High praise indeed from a wolves fan, thanks jason nice to know youre not all a one eyed bunch.
(17.)
What was the score at the Hawthorns went we last met, remind me?
We all know we have yet to see the best of Freddy, but I’m sure he will come good. 3 league goals, so far (not 1 as you stated).
You didn’t mention Kightly in your ramblings? Bought from non-league football for a handfull of beans. Or how about Foley? Or having the balls to admit your wrong and bring Craddock back from Stoke?
I think both clubs have decent managers and yes, Albion are probably playing the better and more productive football.
But we have a solid defence and are not far from possibly fighting for a top 2 spot. I like the fans who comment on Jarrod and Nathan’s blog in a balanced manner.
Some Albion and Wolves fans can sometimes be blinkered and just boast how great their club is and how rubbish the other is. This is obviously not the case. Albion being 2nd and Wolves 4th in the league is not an accident.
Its a great time for Black Country football and it would be nice if you could acknowledge the fact and not just put across your biased and factually incorrect view.
Jason - I love the way you can just dismiss the blindingly obvious.
You say that Mick has limited resourses - yet I bet you were one of those fans banging on about Steve Morgan being worth £XXXX millions.. (oooh he’s got a jet you know).
MM had the chance to spend in the transfer window and publicly stated that his current squad was good enough. Thats goona be tested now with craddock and kightly out.
I would like to know why having a parachute payment of £11M enabled us to get top money for the players we sold ? Just because Moxey gave lescott away for £5M with no sell on clause don’t expect JP to be as foolish.
Overall, your admiration for the albion on and off the pitch is heartwarming - however i think you are letting it get to you a little too much.
Dont you just love how jealous the wolves fans are of us now… I love it!!! Hail Mowbray
Something Mr Jason Bagnall may be able to answer? Where did wolves Parachute payments end up?
Not pushing them towards the premiership that’s for sure.
The big hope with the Boro situation is that if Southgate gets sacked, they have McLaren available to return. No compensation costs.
I must admit I’m slightly more concerned about the Boro link with TM than the likes of Happy. He finished 2nd in a list of all time Boro greats last season - 2nd only to Mr Southgate himself. If offered the hotseat I have no doubts TM would grasp it with both hands unless, as Happy stated earlier we have crossed them on our way up. Fingers crossed!
My major hope is that Gibson continues to show blind loyalty to Southgate like he did with Robson or if Southgate is sacked that McClaren tops Gibson’s list.
Even with this slightly negative outlook we can’t worry about ifs and maybes - we just have to look forward to the next game of free flowing attacking football. In the 25 years I’ve followed the Albion I’ve never enjoyed attending games as much as I have during the TM era.
Winning trophies are unlikely for all but every club these days so why do we go week in week out? - for me I want to be entertained. TM you’re a legend, keep up the great work.
26 - if southgate did leave Middlesbrough then i would fancy Souness to take over - he already has the premier experience, the links to the club and is a”big name”.
Hopefully we will get to hold onto the best kept secret in football for a while longer.
isn’t it amazing how all the tesco fans think wolves fans are jealous of them why because they are just above us in the league and could not beat us at their own ground. yeah i for one must admit i am really jealous of them.