Albion blogger Jarrod Hill talks Meite, the loan market and Arsenal ahead of the Baggies’ battle with the Gunners in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
Only four days to go and the boys are back in town, the summer seems to have been a long one, and I simply cannot wait to get going again.
Our pre season games were finally rounded off on Saturday with a credible draw, against a La Liga side who finished seventh last season. That was followed up by the excellent news that we had tied up a deal to bring in Abdoulaye Meite from Bolton.
He follows the pattern of summer signings Mowbray has so far introduced to the squad, and by that I mean he has pedigree (no not dog food).
Meite has played in a World Cup, Champions League, Premier League and more impressively in a UEFA cup final. He is the type of centre back many fans have been calling for since Big Dave left, physically strong, quick, and experienced.
Saturday’s game against Arsenal may come to soon for him, although he has had a full pre season (and knowing Megson he will be fit) he has not featured in many games.
Mowbray may feel that as an experienced 27 year old he could cope with being thrown straight in.
I have been impressed by the quality of signings made by Mowbray this summer and look forward to seeing who else arrives before the end of August.
Tony is a big fan of the loan system and we witnessed him using it to great effect last season. I still think we need at least one more striker and centre back, and some cover for midfield.
He is only allowed two internal loans (within the Premier League) and I am expecting to see players arrive from abroad on loan.
Who? I hear you ask, well we keep being linked to a handful of Arsenal fringe players, but other than that I would not bet against Mowbray recruiting someone from Europe we have heard little about.
I have watched with interest Zuiverloon at the Olympics, he looks an exciting player, full of running, skilful and intelligent.
Shame he is not available for the start of the season, which incidentally touches on a conversation myself and hilltop baggie had last week, does football belong at the Olympics?
Personally I think not, I have always been of the persuasion that if the Olympics is not the pinnacle of your sport it should not be there.
So that includes tennis, football, and basketball. A short and simple answer I know, plus, we want our looney back!!!
65 Comments
I agree Jarrod, I think we will have a couple of loan players arriving from the continent. We have got to make use of the internal loans aswell, even if we have no intention of buying them in the future. The signing of Kieran Richardson kept us in the Premier League and without him i don’t think we would have stayed up that season. Part of the reason we went down the following season was that we didn’t replace his quality. This season i think that the quality is required up front. We should break the bank for 1 quality striker on loan that will score goals, there are plenty around.
I would like to see a few new players before the window closes, but only for depth. How come everybody is so negative all of a sudden. Don’t forget this is the same team that everybody was praising only a few months back, and now we have a number of good signings. Keep the faith!!!!
The last comment about olympics is spot on, i’ve never actually watched an olympic football match. It just ain’t right.
The main thing at the moment is, we have improved the squad considerably.
Let’s wait and see though good times ahead fellow baggie boys.
My prediction for first 4 games;
Arsenal 3-1 WBA
WBA 2-1 Everton
Bolton 1-1 WBA
WBA 2-2 West Ham
Wouldn’t be the worst start in the world… then it’s aston vile a…
WBA 3-2 Vile a… 3 curtis davies og’s!!!!
Boing boing…
Great Barr I dont think people are starting to get negative I just think the realism of the task ahead is starting to set in and also the daunting prospect of starting at Arsenal who have been in some fantastic form throughout pre-season and after watching them carefully through there pre-season it will very hard to contain the likes of Adebayore, Van Persie and esp Walcott (and his pace!)
As for us … We are still a Striker, Centre Half and Holding Midfielder short at the moment. I dont think there is enough goals in Moore, Bednar and Miller and only Moore has ever played at this level consistently over a period and not proved as clinical as we may need!
Defensively another Centre Half with pace is a must! Although if we nurture Barnett correctly (which no doubt Mogga will) there is NO reason he cant replicate what Davies did in the prem and still the only player Ive ever seen keep Henry quiet for 90+ mins!!
Im sure Mogga has players in mind and his signings so far look to be the real deal. Lets see what happens in the nexct 4 days!
good luck for the season ahead, exept when you play us.
There are too many anomalies attached to the rules
of olympic football competition to make it creditable.
Only two players over the age of 23 are allowed, so that alone is tantamount to restricting the full potential of the competing nations…….
so what is the point ?
Also, should we enter a team in 2012, a GB team would be a political football (no pun intended)
to placate everyone, the team would have to be made up from all four home nations, therefore in all likelihood playing a weaker team than that we have at our disposal………what is the point ?
Bananaman - I have watched a few of Arsenals pre-season games and they do look sharp, especially going forward. I don’t think for a minute that we will contain the Arsenal attack, but you never know, the first game of the season is like a cup tie.
People need to see past the first game!! Yes it might be a shock to the system, but after that we can compete with the players we already have!!
Totally agree on the Olympics. I think Bednar could surprise a few people. He got better as last season went on and at times looks class. If Miller could learn to use his right foot, and we get someone in like Lita, then the goals will come. Class signings so far.
2…..thanks, you really made me laugh this morning with your predictions….he he he
Yes a few more Quailty
Signings needed maybe loans to
Get that better quailty
Boing boing TM is god
ZIGIC ZIGIC ZIGIC!!!! get him in. On another note i wish things was better so in that sense im feeling negative but then again i think it would be very hard to be satisfied in whatever we do as as an albion fan like many others we expect so much from our club and just want to c us back where we belong as an established top league team. Until that happens i think we will always be negative. On a realistic view the club has done well. We have some promising players in our squad along with england international keeper. If someone would have said last year that when we go up we would sign carson id be over the moon. Season will be hard and were not going to shock anyone. We will have to scrap and fight and come end of season it will be close. I do think TM has the right attitude and will create the right attitude with the team as it matures throughout the season. We will stay up and next season we can be happy we stayed up but also negative as were not having a squad to win the league.
Boing Boing staying up!! (just about)
Arsenal 4-0 Albion
Albion 1-1 Everton
Bolton 2-0 Albion
Albion 1-3 Westham
How Jarrod can say he is impressed with the quality of the signings when none of you have ever seen them play? The squad has not improved I think losing and Phillips and Gera has put a huge dent in your chances. Cech looks like he has alot of potential but players sometimes struggle with the physical nature of the prem, 1 player from the portugese league and one from a mid table dutch side. Only time will tell but I think you will get 1 point from the first 4 games, but you never know happy_baggie I could get something wrong huh?!
yes a few more needed a couple of quailty loans.
Another centre half den mid and forward and we will be ok
Boing boing
Morning jarrod, as ever a very thought provoking blog.Your right about the pedigree aspect, its been a common thread through all of our signings, and it follows through on Mogga’s well reported opinion’s that we will only buy to improve and not just for the sake of it, which makes my mouth drool at the prospect of who may still arrive at the club. Incidently i see that Ameobi story has reappeared on the news now site.
With respect to the olympics, and as a great believer of the true olympian spirit, i.e. amateur status, etc i cant see how football can ever fit into the games, and believe me i pushed really hard with my sport to get there, unfortunately losing out to a lad from wolverhamton, but the driving force was all from within, training every day, sometimes twice a day and still holding down a full time job, because we were not afforded the luxury of being paid to train, and that for me clashes with football.
Everyone from Tony Mowbray down recognises just where the team needs strengthening,and fair play to him he’s doing his best to strengthen the squad bearing in mind the limited budget he ‘forced’ to operate within.
It WILL be a difficult season and yes we’ll probably lose at the Emirates and possibly be in a ‘relegation’ spot after the opening games.
But the final finishing position will be decided over 38 games and in that time, as long as Mogga’ manages to recruit the type of players he feels we need, at a price Albion are prepared to pay, there IS a good chance of taking the first steps on the way to establishing the Baggies as a genuine’ ‘Greed League’ club.
Only time will tell but that’s in the future.
For now let’s all get behind the lads against Arsenal, show the Gunners what supporting a local team means, and prove that We respect and are proud to support West Bromwich Albion!
“Come on you Baggies”
Cheers gooner…thats the way football should be…
All i can add to Jarrods blog is….LETS GET IT ON !!
I see we have been linked to Andy Carroll the young striker at Newcastle on loan. Not sure it will happen though as they are suffering from a bit of an injury crisis, not surprising though is it when your strike force consists of Ameobi, Owen, and Viduka!!!
raythesaddingle..
Not nearly as much as when i did seeing you have a home game v ACCRINGTON STANLEY tonight!! Enjoy pal.
11.laughingwolf.seen your predictions for our first four games,what about your predictions for your next four and comments about the signings at the mollypoo.
good blog as usual but some things do concern me a lot: Why have we not replaced TMobile? Why are we so late in our signings especially after TM said that being champions gave us the chance to bring in and bed new players during the pre-season. Yes I agree that it looks like the 4 new signings are class but we desperately need another centre back midfielder and striker who are Prem class and I wish we had given KP a two year deal—I dread to think how many goals he will get this season.
LW
With the “impressed” comment, followed by your own
“none of you have seen them play” then followed by “Chec has a lot of potential”
How have you arrived at this conclusion ?
Seen much of Chec have you ?
I am not looking for confrontation, but on what basis has the squad not improved ?
Ive heard we will get fined if we dont have a sponsor by the start of season. Surely this cant be true as it should be a business desicion to have a sponsor or not for example on a shirt, round the ground and shouldnt be a requirement
Luke Moore- didnt score in the championship
Bednar- Good championship player with Phillips (gone)
Ishmael Miller- Inconsistent, sometimes great sometimes dire. not good enough for prem
Kim- unproven
cech and zoopy- unproven
Be in the bottom 3 from the first game to the 38th. A very dissapointing season, I think the fans should really be pointing the finger at JP for his awful timing in putting the club up for sale. My Assistant tells me this morning that I have a Mr and Mrs Clement booked in for Financial and Investing advice could it be Neil?!
laughingwolf i see your signings are that good for this season looks like your really preparing for when you get promoted for 2009/2110
Cech is highly rated (although not an international) and played Champions league football, is that potential for somebody to have played at that level? Matter of opinion but I think so!
Laughing wolf
Marek Cech is an International (i thought you were never wrong).
18-Mollypoo- you mean the stadium that is far better than yours and also holds more paying spectators is that the one? The one where all the stands match? Oh are you reffering to the Poorthorns with different size stands with what reminds me of a large tin shed? The one where the capacity has just been reduced? Ok, just so I was clear! I think Wolves will have a very good season and go automatically with Blues, thats my prediction. Making silly names up for a stadium that is far superior to your own just makes you look very silly. Join Nedball and Happy in the corner with the hat with a ‘D’ on it!
17…..well on a positive note at this stage of the season you can boast a 100% record…he he
make the most of it.
LW
That is the crux of it “matter of opinion”
You opine that we have not improved our squad,
we opine that we have.
The ex England manager opined that Scott Carson was good enough to play for his country,
you opine yo have three better keepers at Wolves……..and on it goes.
As for pointing the finger at JP for a disappointing season…….err can we kick off first.
I seriously embrace debate if it`s conducted without hidden agenda, but although you try to disguise your disdain (at times) for the Albion, i`m afraid it doesn`t work.
“laughingwolf” hopefully your financial knowledge is better than your footballing knowledge or the “Clements” will be better of investing in a Cornish Tin Mine compared to anything you suggest..
I assume you were advising Mad Mick with his fantastic new signings??
im confident that on saturday night i shall be out once again celebrating a famous victory bring um all on aye boing boing
17. do you think that might be because its a cup match.
you do still play cup matches in the prem aswell you know.
might even be a chance for you lot to actualy win a game.
Five points out of your first four games - which include Arsenal and Everton and a West ham side (that is bubbling very nicely at the moment and getting a lot of injured players fit)is perhaps very optimistic. You have a hard start and then it gets worse.
I hope you do well and stay up but even though according to the blogger you have bought ‘quality’ - even though much of it untried in the premiership - you still have not bought sufficient quantity. Look at how many good players Sunderland bought last year and how they struggled for most of the season.
Meanwhile Arsenal ar4e feeding their players raw meat prior to your arrival on saturday. they are intent on being top and need a good goal difference to secure this. I hope you lot play well and stuff the snotty gunners.
26.some body strap me down because ive just got a big bite,you only filled it when we played you,so how many times will it get filledthis season,as to the colour it hides the rust of your rented parks pitch,but you didnt answer the question of your next four games did you
LW
“I think Wolves will go up automatically with the Blues”…..you lot never learn do you? 15 seasons we’ve been hearing that prediction, it’s came to fruition once, through the play-offs. That young side of yours needs to grow with encouragement, not carry the burden of your unreasonable expectations…..again. That said, I hope this prediction comes true.
Your opinion of Albion and Wolves is truly distorted given your allegiance. It’s for this reason that your posts, laden with bitterness, are never taken seriously.
32, on the other hand, at least gives a rational point of view, although I think we can and will stay up by virtue of being better than 3 or 4 other teams. Even if we need more strengthening, I’d still say we currently have more to offer this league than the likes of Bolton and Sunderland.
COME ON YOU BAGGIES!!!
Can we just forget about Phillips now? The truth is he did not fancy himself to perform well enough go trigger rthe second year of the proposed deal. He will score a hatful for Blues I agree ut in his last couple of Prem season with Villa and Southampton how many goals did he score, not many. As for our orange friends down the road, we all know they are bitter and boy does it show. We are in a higher league than them, have spend more money on better players than them, sold more season tickets than them. These are all facts and they just can’t handle it. lets also not forget that whilst we may loose to Arsenal on Saturday,one of the top sides Europe they could not beat the mighty Plymouth, not even one of the top sides in the Championship. Know lets here some more drivel from them. |for the record I think we will finish 16th and the Wolves will finish 8th. The gap will just get bigger. Ha ha
MORNING BOGGIES.
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR OPENING DAY THRASHING ARE WE?. NOT THAT I CARE BUT..I TOO RECKON YOUR TEAM IS NOT AS GOOD NOW AS THE ONE THAT GOT YOU PROMOTED. A FEW MEDIOCRE SIGNINGS AND YOUR BETTER PLAYERS FROM LAST SEASON DEPARTED.
VERY REMINICENT OF WHEN WE GOT UP AND NOBODY SEEMED BOTHERED ABOUT INVESTING TO KEEP US UP.
I WOULD SAY ENJOY IT..BUT THAT ONLY HAPPENS IF YOU WIN ENOUGH GAMES AND STAY UP..AS YOU WON’T.. THEN I SUGGEST YOU ASK THE DERBY FANS HOW TO COPE WITH DEFEATS WEEEK IN WEEK OUT.
BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR RESULTS..AS I’LL PROBABLY NEED A GOOD LAUGH FOLLOWING OUR GAME.
How ya doin Southbank me old mate, little un ok ?
It always baffled me that Sir Jack spent all that money to get you lot to the promised land, and then effectively pulled the plug when you did.
As far as i`m concerned, you have more credibility than the other bloke that said we are not as good as last season, at least you are honest about your own team……..thats not to say i agree with you……Phillps apart, i think we will be stronger, and hopefully we can get a good replacement for him
rarely have i seen a page more littered with non truthes, jealous rage and downright childish drivel…. the wulfies are really getting bitter.
just one example from the many - Raythe wolf 27
“well on a positive note at this stage of the season you can boast a 100% record…he he
make the most of it”.
Wolves have played one game and no longer have a 100% record - but the fool is too thick or too twisted in his hatred to even consider how stupid his comment is.
I like nothing more than banter and micky taking, but the levels on here are too low even for me to bother with.
22 LW.
‘My assistant’ The lady in the paper shop who serves you to your Lottery tickets has a name. Be polite and use it.
31 Mickey.
Good to hear from you. Have to agree that if you beat Accrington Stanley and we draw you in the next round we have an excellent chance of winning a game.
Excellent blog Jarrod - thanks for keeping the grey matter ticking over all Summer with the blogs. Sorry we have to spoil them all with stupid comments though.
Come on you Baggies!!
37# WBAFOREVER..HIYA MATEY, YEP LITTLE PHEEBES IS FINE AND DOIN GREAT THANK YOU FOR ASKING. RESPECT MATE YOUR IN THE PREM ON MERIT..CAN’T ARGUE WITH THAT..BUT I DON’T RECKON YOUR STRONG ENOUGH TO SURVIVE. IF I WERE YOU I’D BE A LITTLE DISSAPOINTED WITH THE CLUBS EFFORTS SO FAR.
I HOPE YOU STAY UP PERSONALLY MUCH RATHER PLAY OUR DERBY IN THE TOP FLIGHT, THAT’S IF WE EVER GET THERE..AND I’M CERTAINLY NOT CONFIDENT WE’LL DO IT THIS TIME EITHER.
TONYWBA..HOPE ALLS WELL WITH YOU AND MRS,WBA AND THE PENDING NEW ARRIVAL..WON’T BE LONG NOW WILL IT?
Does anyone know if we’re talking to Zigic? I see that Stoke pulled out of talks yesterday which indicates to me another team has come in for him. I’m hoping it’s us.
Loffing - you still bore me!
43..
Just keep watching the news… few things on the burner & boiling nicely.. Just about to go public…
BOING BOING !!!
38, HB, I have to agree, and you know how much I like to get the banter going. Other than the usual Tesco digs, there is little I can take away from you guys at the mo without sounding jealous.
No sponsor is a bit embarrassing though.
22….
Oh what a bitter little dingle we are …..If your Financial advise is as good as your footy knowledge then Mr & Mrs Clement are in for a rough time…
UNPROVEN…. Maybe the three “internationals” we have bought are premiership-wise unproven but they have played in some of the biggest football events that are staged & now the premiership stage is set for them to prove themselves….. Get my drift .
WBA ready to Fly at the Emirates !!!
46…
Sponsorship has to be a two way relationship & I have it on good authority that a deal that is mutually beneficial to both sponsor & sponsored is not far off being agreed….. I as a fan have taken advantage of no sponsors name on the shirt to purchase a true & pure Baggies shirt !!
Come on you baggies !!
!
HAPPY BOGGIE..I like nothing more than banter and micky taking, but the levels on here are too low even for me to bother with.
AND WHO ARE YOU EXACTLY??? YOU MADE THAT LAST SENTENCE SOUND LIKE YOU HAD SOME SORT OF RELEVANCE.
Burf - not had chance to converse with you before but i like the cut of your jib - if these tantalising tidtits are true then please keep em coming.
Its nice to read some positive comments.
49 - just stating my opinion which is as valid as anyones. Just cos i don’t use caps lock doesn’t mean I can’t be heard you sanctimonious buffoon.
50….
It’s all positive.. WBA in the prem & in the Black…. That for the dingles amongst us means we are a profitable company with a solid balance sheet !!! no sugar daddy we owe our survival too or banks wanting our land to pay off debts…. That’s another thing for the DNA to be filled with envy about !!!
Looking @2008-09 season, I can only say to all my fellow Boggies that it will be hard but survival will not be for the want of trying & will not come at the cost of a club that has been going at the top, or near it, of English football since 1878…..
WALK ON YOU STRIPES !!!! HEAD UP & CHEST OUT !!!
50….
It’s all positive.. WBA in the prem & in the Black…. That for the dingles amongst us means we are a profitable company with a solid balance sheet !!! no sugar daddy we owe our survival too or banks wanting our land to pay off debts…. That’s another thing for the DNA to be filled with envy about !!!
Looking @2008-09 season, I can only say to all my fellow Boggies that it will be hard but survival will not be for the want of trying & will not come at the cost of a club that has been going at the top, or near it, of English football since 1878
WALK ON YOU STRIPES !!! HEAD UP & CHEST OUT !!!
Burf.
You’ve done it again. I’m now going to waste the rest of the day checking verywhere for news. Great ennit?
I must have been right my previous comments then?
To those Wolves fans who takes the time and trouble to post on all matters relating to Albion, again a simple question “Why bother?”
Banter,yes that’s ok BUT some of the comments border on the ridiculous and smack of a great deal of envy.
(Likewise i feel some of the comments posted by Baggies fans are equally ‘over’ the top.)
To the regular Wolves ‘posters’ i notice you continually knock, critisise, deride, and smirk at Tony Mowbray’s signings and prospects for the season.
Well as a matter of interest i decided to log on to the Wolves message board to read just how they feel on Molineaux matters.
What did i see? At the last count over 100 comments following the game at Plymouth,a goodly number claiming, Mick McCarthy should go-he’s choosing the wrong players-the same old weaknesses’ are still there- his judgement in the transfer market is questionable, and regarding whether they’ll manage to get promotion, that’s open to debate.
Now as Baggies fan, i COULD if i felt inclined, seize on these opinions and be as sarcastic as many of you when posting on the Baggies ‘Comment’ Board.
BUT i won’t because really it’s deemed of no interest to me. I’ll leave that to those who follow the Wanderers and hope for success just as Albion fans do for the Baggies.
In saying that to prove i don’t hate (a nasty word)that i believe if Wolves don’t win promotion this season, they’ll have lost a great opportunity.
You have a talented squad and along with Birmingham City you’re more than capable of winning Automatic promotion.
So carry on supporting the Old Gold and Black,and we’ll do the same for the players wearing the Blue and White shirts.
Is that a good idea OR can, as i anticipate, ‘look forward’to read follow up replies violently disagreeing with this somewhat ‘unique’ opinion?.
Come on you well balanced Wolves ‘posters’ tell me i not just being naive to the point of stupidity?
PLEASE!
Terry - you are of course correct.
As everyone knows, i often go across to the wulfie site - where i often trade banter and football opinion with a few wulfie fans - but then in come the “get back to the slums” brigade who couldn’t hold a football debate in a bucket.
Yes I post (what I consider to be) humourous comments - or even occassionally a positive comment on a story… but to just continually post “you’re rubbish” or “he will score about 4 goals” or “your manager is ugly” ect ect just makes me wonder who these people are, who they are trying to convince (us or them) and how old they are.
I said earlier that the level of content on here was low - only for southbank to ask who i was to say such a thing… you really can’t win.
So good luck with you attempts to improve the boards - but i don’t fancy ya chances !!
57 - I’ve neber seen any posts saying Mogga is ugly by the Dingles…..he is a bit ugly on the outside, but his inner beauty shines through his wonderful football team!!
Ned - bizzarley there are many dings who feel the need to mention our Tone’s boat - as if this is a point in their favour.
I think MM looks like the character from Scream - but i don’t think it matters.
Show me an old centre half who aint got a broken nose and I’l show you an old centre half who ducked out the challenge !!
GOING DOWN THE MOWBURY WAY
JUST MARK MY WORDS
LOWEST POINTS TOTAL EVER
LISTEN TO THE TANGER
59 - Very true. You can imagine Paul McShane looking like a ginger Steve Bruce when he’s in his 40’s.
I hope you’ve listened to Loffing’s wise words and are still in the naughty corner like I am fella!! (I get the impression he doesn’t like to be proven wrong don’t you?)
i think they should have a new event in the olympics, the loudest whingers i wonder whod win gold silver bronze aye boing boing
I can’t wait to back with my extended family against Everton.
‘SING YOUR HEARTS OUT FOR THE LADS!’
Jarrod.
Great to see that you appear to be feeling more positive about things. Sincerely hope things are good in your world.
56 Terry and 57 Happy.
Concisely as you have made your points, Post 60 has summed up what you were saying more eloquently than you could ever have hoped to do. Is it any wonder we worry about where this country is going?
Hi Jarrod
Good luck for tomorrow’s kickoff. Great game to start the season with and best to get the big boys out of the way first eh?
I’ve come in for some stick on my first blog, which is to be expected. I’ll keep popping over here for some respite!
As the transfer window is still open, there is every chance that an Aldershot or Bilston town could come touting for my services, but I’m probably here for the season.
Nice to see you kept busy pre-season. Personally I was happy just to recharge the batteries and keep my powder dry.
Have a good season. Catch up with you soon.
Cheers
Nath.