Neil Clement was poised to return to Albion this afternoon as the Baggies cut short his loan spell at Hull for the sake of their own promotion campaign.
The 29-year-old was set be recalled from the KC Stadium today to avoid the risk of him helping the Tigers pip the Baggies to automatic promotion.
And he could even figure in Tony Mowbray’s squad to face Colchester on Saturday after the Albion boss admitted he is wary of another international hangover from Bostjan Cesar.
The Slovenian is set to continue his partnership with Martin Albrechtsen at the heart of defence but the in-form Clement could provide useful cover after an impressive five-match stint in East Yorkshire.
Clement’s spell with the Tigers has coincided with their climb from the edge of the play-off picture to third place in the table as the form side of the division.
And Albion have been left with no choice but to recall him to protect their own interests by effectively weakening their surprise promotion rivals.
Clement’s return will also offer timely extra cover with fellow defender Leon Barnett still laid low by a hamstring problem that could keep him out of action for another fortnight.
The move mirrors last season’s decision to recall Steve Watson back from Sheffield Wednesday after the Owls became surprise promotion contenders.
Out-of-favour striker Bartosz Slusarski today joined Sheffield Wednesday’s battle against relegation on loan for the rest of the season.
50 Comments
I think that we have definately done the right thing in recalling Clem.
IMO i would have him starting for us anyway now he has got some match practice.
They we go, I just read about this elsewhere and did’nt know anything about it.
Apparently according to Hull fans he has done a fantastic job and they are gutted to see him go, might just be what the doctor ordered as he is a well experienced centre half who we all know can definetly do a job now he is match fit.
It’s nice to see Clem approaching his best again after being laid up for so long.
Welcome Back!
Fantastic news. Now that he has got a few games under his belt, we can make good use of him. A quality player who will be invaluable to us over the last few weeks of the season. I was a little surprised to see him loaned out in the first place but I guess he needed match fitness and we didn’t have a space for him at the time.
On a similar vein, I’m surprised that Slusarski has been allowed out on loan at a time when we have Beattie & MacDonald injured and Moore suspended. None of them has particularly had much impact but it does leave us short of options up front with only two forwards in the side and one on the bench.
Decent player. Well done for taking your opportunity Neil. Craddock did the same last year.
I see no reason why he shouldn’t start for the Baggies.
to tell the truth fellas hes done ok for us ,nothing out the ordinery, but covered nicely when needed, rumours here are that its already a done deal to bring him back in the summer, we are not gutted to see him go , but will welcome him back in the summer, the atmosphere here is buzzing, we are going up, trust me, and unlike other promotion years theres no tension in the air, sounds strange but its true, the thoughts here are that mowbray is panicing and not got as much confidence in his team as he should have. good luck for the season
What is he doing there anyway bring him back and put him in!
Kent Wolf,
You are a genuine football fan
well done.
BeverleyTiger. Hull have simply had a few game winning streak while the top clubs have dropped points. Now the focus & pressure is on you after climbing to 3rd. I think your bubble will burst vs Watford on Saturday A.
Great news! Clem will help us over the finishing line, his experience of previous promotions will be vital through this period. All we need now id Big Dave back on loan to do a job until the end of the season. Before everyone goes on about his pace and being past his best with Big Dave in the team there is no way that goal at Charlton would have gone in he would of headed those kind of balls away all day long, horses for courses. No a long term option but a quick fix for the last few games.
Boing Boing
I dont know why you loaned him out anyway, as i think he’s your best defender.
But to call him back to stop Hull’s good run is pretty sad, seeing you dont need him nor will you play him.
I thought your supposed to be the best team in the division, this obviously proves your not, seeing your trying anything to stop other teams doing well and pipping you to the Prem.
it made sense to loan him out for match fitness, put him straight in the team now & let his experience keep us going for the remainder of the season
lets hope hull bottle it now, but i hate to say this may well go to the last game of the season this time, so nail biting times to be had!!
11: WTC
If you were to have a fight with your worst enemy, would you offer him your fists to fight against you?
I’d presume No!!!!
So why would we leave a player of ours to enhance a promotion rivals chances against us.
Seems daft to me.
If Wolves were in the same position what would you want?
11, Wolves the Champions (that name is the best joke ive heard in ages!!!!)
Its commen sense to call OUR player back, we have had a few injuries and Hull have been on a decent run lately, we sent him there to get fit and get some match practice and i believe he has done both.
its nothing to do with us being the best team or not the best team in the league, its simply doing what any other club in our postion would do!! is that to hard for you to understand??
Wonder if MM will recall Bothroyd,should he rediscover his scoring boots?
The great thing about Clement is that he can cover a number of positions, and if he is now match fit ideal to have on the bench Saturday.
Really pleased to see Clem back - when he is fit is an asset to any club in this division and its no coincidence that Hull have done so well since he went there.
With Barnett injured he is bound to get a place on the bench - and then who knows (with our injury luck he will be on after 10 mins). As Bomber says - he can play CB, LB and in midfield… a great asset to have.
It also makes sense not to leave him at Hull, they have found some form and now are rivals in the league - it would be insane to let him help them - although he may rejoin them at the end of the season - and fair play to him if he does.
Recalling Clement.
Was the comment like we have rivals for promotion in Hull City. - aaaahhhhh.
Best laugh in ages - HULL CITY!!!!!- darsay the whole squad about 2/3mil - haven’t WBA spent 11mil this season to try & AVOID promotion again.
Running scared or what!!!!!
18:
And where are you in comparison to Hull City?
aaahhhhhhhh
18 - Shows how bad you are when they are about 7 places ahead of you then doesnt it!!!!
18 - and what have the Wolves spent in the last 15 years for one (yes ONE) year in the prem?
Barnsley, Oldham, Reading and Wigan have spent half what you have and had the same or more years in
the prem as a result. If it wasn’t for that senile eejit in the Bahamas you would have been sold
for a supermarket back in the 80’s so lets have it right - you’ve spent a fortune and have nothing to
show for it save a nice stadium and the memories of one embarrasing season in the prem.
11. What are you on about. Its just common sense to recall him. Why would we want to help Hull now they’re genuine automatic promotion chasers! The whole point of a football league is to try and be successful at the expense of others! Personally I’m glad he’s back, should be fully match fit now and he has the quality to strengthen our back four.
Wolves fans should be lining up to kiss TMs backside for recalling Clement.
Yes Hull are in 3rd but its a false position given the games in hand - and so Albion would fully expect to go above Hull very soon.
However it is more likely that wolves and hull will battle it out for 6th place and so they should be dancing in the streets that we have decided to take clem back - its given them a glimmer of hope.
But are they grateful…..?? I say we loan Superkev to Hull for a few weeks - see how wolves like that !!
A real bonus. Like signing a new player. beverley tigers say ‘he’s done okay for us, nothing out of the ordinary.’ One. He’s obviously better than any other option you have in that position. Two. Clem has never been a Flash Harry, he’s a very modest bloke who goes about his football quietly and efficiently and I think he’s been recalled to play, not just to spike Hull. On that subject, yes you’ve done well to get that far, you will now get jitteryitous which has affected ourselves, Watford, Bristol City, Stoke and anyone else that hit top spot. No need to worry there then Wolves.
Guys changing the subject a little and a bit of fun to make the afternoon go quicker and get us 1 day closer i have a question for you all.
Out of the successful Albion strikers below id like you all to rate them in order and then give your views on what pairings would have made good partnerships.
Taylor
Roberts
Hughes
Kamara
Horsfield
Earnshaw
Miller
Phillips
Roman
Like i said just a bit of fun thats all!!!
In the opening paragragh above should say….. 1 day closer to Wembley!!!!
Tamworth - based purely on their form and goals for the albion I would possibly go
Taylor
Hughes
Phillips
kamara
roberts
Miller
Roman
Earnshaw
Horsefield
Although its difficult when some players have played a lot more games than others…. nice one though !!!
Oh and pairings - I think spuerbob and superkev could play with ANY of the others, they are that good.. Roberts and Miller would be scary but predictable. I would have loved to see lee Hughes and Kev Phillips together.
You guys have much more fun, all that bickering is a bore.
I rate them as follows:
Phillips
Kamara
Roman
Miller
Roberts
Taylor
Horsfield
Hughes
Best pairing: Phillips and Miller
Interesting…. so you know mine would be
Taylor
Hughes
Phillips
Roman
Miller
Horsfield
Roberts
Kamara
Earnshaw
The reason the bottom 3 are who they are is simply because i felt that they turned up when they wanted to and as a paying fan that really does my head in!! there is no excuse in the world for not putting 120% in when you have been selected and i feel that these players didnt do that.
On the pairings front i agree with happy that Ginge and Phillips would have been a pairing that id have loved to have seen!!!
Oooooooh Phillips & Taylor I can only dream.
with the 30 goal a season Hughesy just to maybe offer something different.
Tamworth.
Not easy as well as Happy’s comment they also played at different stages of their careers and SuperBob for instance wasn’t as prolific but was much better at holding the ball up than SuperKev but here goes anyway.
PSHappy was spuerbob as sick as a parrott?
Taylor
Hughes
Phillips
Bednar
Roberts
Miller
Kamara
Horsfield
Earnshaw
Top pairing Taylor/Phillips.
Phillips - A class act. Goals to games superb
Taylor - Contributed much to get us back
Kamara - Classy but not consistent
Miller - Power/pace, Started well -
great potential
Roman - great goals to games ratio. Good alround
Hughes - A couple of great seasons
Roberts -Good but too much of a mercenary
Horsefield - Helped us into prem
Best pairing - Phillips / Kamara
You could add the same arguement for Bull & Mutch or Doog & Richards!
Kegworth Baggie:
I see YOU got the job of the Village Idiot then?
good ole clem welcome back mate,now lets see some if them sizzling free kicks hit the back of the net boing boing doing the double with clem
I’ve just been digging in the memory banks & wonder how many of you remember these words:-
A stands for Albion,The greatest team of all
And also Alan Ashman,who is always on the ball
It must be said,he’s managed well
To give his lads a boost
But then he always bought his chickens home to roost.
Then best of all,Jeff Astle
What a record up to date
He scored a goal in every round,
And they add up to eight
Oh it was Albion’s Day
All of the way
On the road to Wembley
on the 18th of May
Yes, it was Albion’s day
What more can you say
But eeh ay adio on Albion’s Day
Lovvat,Astle, Chippy Clark & Collard showed the way
With skipper Williams,Tony Brown & injured Johnny Kaye
Dougie Fraser was in stitches,
But it wasn’t any fun
Complete with Hope & Dennis Clarke
Cup final was won
Oh it was Albion’s Day etc
The “B” side was not too good.
Funny thing was,no mention of John Osbourne or John Talbot
oooooooooo
Sorry i cannot decide on a strike partnership, i think the two Supers (Kev and Bob) would be devstating in this division with Hughes as back up. But to be honest any two from all of them would probably be top scores in this division.
Kegworth, that comment about Sir Jack does you (or us) no credit whatsoever. The bloke spent a fortune on the Wolves and he was superb for doing that. HE DIDN’T HAVE TO SPEND A PENNY ON ANYBODY AT ALL! Ther are many rich people who just like to stack it high and count it. He was not one of them. The Wulfies ought to have a statue of Jack alongside their other most famous and brilliant footballer, Billy Wright. Oh and maybe Bully too. Now I’m warming to the theme, how about a huge statue of Ron Saunders for selling Steve Bull to Wolves and saving their club BEFORE Jack stepped in?
Fellas, usually i come on and give all a bit of stick for supporting tesco town but infact its praise…wolves v albion is the best derby and most fierce rivallry in the country. I am very proud as every game against you last season had an electric atmosphere and the game at your place earlier in the season it belongs in the premiership. fantastic.
18.
you would have been better keeping your mouth shut.
how can we as wolves fans knock Hull.
baggies are above hull and are rivals to them it makes sense them calling back clement and as much as it grieves me to admit they have done us a favor we unfortunately need to catch Hull.
21. and you’ve spent nothing i suppose. you are at the moment in the same division as us and have spent a lot of money.
so your argument makes you look just as stupid as the person you are arguing with.
taylor- his goals give us the push forward we needed.
phillips- top class.
hughes - good goalscoring record wasted talent.
roman- goals per game you can`t fault him,works hard.
horsfield - always give 100%
miller- raw young,needs to burst through next season.
earnshaw- goalscorer but no team player.
kamara- one season wander,never going to be prem class.
pairing of taylor and phillips supa.
ps what happened to the king? bommer,ally brown & big cyrille.????
roberts- overrated not has good has i thinks his is.
kamara- one season wander,never going to make it in the prem.
what about andy hunt
37 kent, i remember it well,i think it got to number 3 over here and no1 in the states boing boing
37 Kent.
I think I vaguely remember it but wish that I didn’t. I had a record based on the folk song ‘no nay never’ which was equally dire but as it was about the Albion I loved it at the time.
40 Cyril.
I think you are being a little disingenuous. At the time although he’d scored a couple of goals, none of us suspected that my young namesake would become as good as he did. Good joke all the same.
44 LDOD.
I think it’s difficult to be objective on this. We don’t like Roberts because he was a Johnny Big Boots, like Kamara, Davies, and a host of others too numerous to give the oxygen of publicity to. However he has performed in the prem which some others haven’t. Still it does make you appreciate good honest pros’ like Clem.
my best strike partnership would be,paul williams dynamic in the air and johny thomas blistering pace abd shot with deadley accuracy boing boing his name is johny T and he comes from wendsbury
I see you are still here Happy, not sold your house then?
Please hurry up and take Terry and Worcester withe you.
Should never have left the club, why do you think hull are where they are no