Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion boss praises crowd
Monday 21st January 2008, 3:30PM GMT.
Albion boss Tony Mowbray hailed the Hawthorns crowd for playing their part in his side’s dramatic comeback.
The Baggies fans roared their team on in the second half and they earned thanks from Mowbray after the home side rescued a late point.
“I said in my programme notes how much we need the supporters,” said Mowbray.
“I have to say a big ‘thank you’ to them.
“They created a fantastic atmosphere to help dig it out for us.
“Their vocal backing helped drive the team on and that backing comes from the belief they have that this team can score goals.
“It was a great game.
“You’ve got to give Cardiff lots of credit for being a good football team.
“They’re having a good season after a difficult start and I’m sure if they continue to play like that they’ll be fine.
“Great credit must go to our players for the way they went after the game.
“There are few disappointed people in our dressing room because we didn’t win the game, which is quite a statement from being 2-0 and 3-1 down.
“The opportunities were there late on for us to win the game.
“Zoltan Gera had a back-post header straight at the keeper and a volley, which flashed across the face of goal.
“If you enjoy football, it was a great spectacle.”
And Mowbray was full of praise for his team’s energy levels just four days after they were forced into FA Cup extra-time at home against Charlton.
“It was a fabulous effort to muster such a drive in the second half of the game,” said Mowbray.
“We needed the intensity because Cardiff are as good a passing side as any in the division and they showed that at times.
“They showed some clinical finishing and have good footballers.
“When we found the intensity we showed what a quality team we can be on our day. It wasn’t evident that we were tired from Tuesday watching the way we attacked the game in the second half.
“We tapped into all our resources.
“If we’d have been hanging on at the end I’d have probably said Tuesday took it’s toll.
“But there was only one side going to win the match and that’s a great credit to drive, desire and determination of the team.
“That could be an important point for us.”
Mowbray admitted his side’s defending still needs lots of work after they were again sliced open on the break at will by an energetic Cardiff side. But he refused to dwell on the negatives.
“There are lessons to be learned on the goals we conceded,” he said.
“But it’s not the day to criticise because it was such a great game.
“You can analyse every goal that goes in against you and pick faults but let’s look at the positives of some great chances and great football. It was a good advert for the division.”
And Mowbray explained the absence from the matchday squad of Bostjan Cesar in favour of Jared Hodgkiss.
“Bostjan’s been unwell all week and hasn’t had enough training to get a place on the bench,” said Mowbray. “We opted for Jared Hodgkiss and let’s hope Bostjan gets a good week’s training behind him this week.”
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Seeing as TM is talking about programme notes, anybody read the programme on the player bonus’s 1968 how times have changed!!!!
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This is definately a “new” baggies.
Against carlton we let a 2 goal lead slip – and still won.
Against cardiff we come from back from 1-3 down to get a draw (and nearly all 3 points).
The Albion of recent years (including last year) would have got nothing from either game. We now have confidence, resilience and team spirit – coupled with our goal scoring and silky skills.
Yes we let goals in – something TM will be working on and will be looking to improve on when we go up – but we are a hard side to beat now.
To all those who want us to get big dave back – remember the bad old days – we were a poorer team defensively then than we are now.
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Carlton ??
I’m that posh I’m dropping H’s all over the place today !
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How the blazing saddles do you guys keep on scoring????
I bet the bloody tea lady would get a brace if Mowbray played her – and I know for a fact she’s injured…
Also my prejudice in regard to certain ‘gutless’ baggies teams of the past is being severly damaged with this latest crop. What a great team to support…
But then again, remember that having a defence does help. I wonder if you will be able to grind out the odd 1-0 when your goals start to dry up. maybe you will alwqays need to score three to win or even draw) Good for the fans but in the premiership weak defence means being stamped on.
Good luck to you. I’ll go and see your lot next time they visit London.
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22,000 for a team top of the league and playing some really exciting football. I’m afraid this is probably as good as it gets for Albion.
Priemer league team – Maybe
Premier League club – Never
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No5 Do I detect a wee bit of jealousy ?? Personally I would
rather watch the thrills and spills we are currently seeing
than the boring stuff in the Prem, having said that when you play
as good as us at present there is only one way to go.Oh well not to
worry bring on UTD and Co see what we can do .
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Wolves Fans stop crying in your custard bowl and stop criticising us Albion, I know it’s not all of you but it is getting tiresome reading all your green eyed monster comments. UP THE BAGGIES BOING BOING!!!!!!!
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southern wolves ! why cant most of you so called wolves fans be as nice as most of them that read our pages?? i believe both clubs are premier status!! hope you enjoy the rest of the season! WE WILL..
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if the pitch had been in better condition, the match would have had a different out come !
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Southern Dingle
I should concentrate on your own Club… You have enough problems of your own. One win and you appear from under your stones casting a green eye in our direction…..funny how we hear nothing for the last few weeks…. Mick back in favour now?
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southern wolves…..
wolves championship club never
wolves div 1 club maybe.
get yourself up the shrine and watch some proper football mate,BAGGIES GOIN UP IN STYLE,,,OH YES
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5 Southern……………. YAWN YAWN
A few factors may be
1,Just after Christmas
2,Ipswich Town away (£100)
3,Charlton away (£110)
4,Hull City (£75)
5,charlton home (£40)
6,Cardiff home (£40)
not exactly a cheap month chap to be following Albion best part of £400 with tickets,travel,food and drink
very understandable why 22k at the game if you ask me
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indeed it was a great comeback.albion this season always look capable of getting the goals even if we’re trailing,but the defending first half especially ,was woeful. pele and barnett cannot play together.cesar always looks more confident in there.
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plus the southernwolf has a point!? we are top of the table wheres the fans gone? we are playing some of the best football (ever?) goals galore,come on forgotten baggies get back up the hawthorns
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22,000 fans who backed the team who were losing twice in the game.not booing them or calling for the managers head,as for the premier league you can`t spell it and the dingles won`t be in it.
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What do you mean ….
“Priemer league team – Maybe
Premier League club – Never”
Compared to what exactly, man u, arsenal, liverpool, chelsea…
The baggies would have a long long way to go but wfc would have even further.
“CHORTLE”
Unlike WFC who’s been in the prem every season the last ten years or so….
“TITTER”
As from my point of view I would be a proud midlander to see all the midlands teams go up…. even WFC.
Anyway we’ll see you on the way up!
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No.5. You may not have noticed but gates are down everywhere except maybe for the prawn sandwich few. Have you bought petrol lately or paid your energy bill? There are several clubs going to the wall right now because football ain’t cheap and with a possible recession on the cards, it may get worse. Your team are lucky to have no local opposition except Shrewsbury and Hereford, but with the dross you’re presently watching even the ‘loyal’ Wolves supporters may risk something really exciting, like shopping at Sainsbury or dare I say it…Tesco??
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Looks like I touched a nerve and only Great Barr Baggie was big enough to admit it.
If you read again im actually praising your team. Like someone mentioned its probably the most exciting football Albion have served up in most of your lifetimes. Its goals galore. Thought you should be selling out every week.
We may moan a lot as Wolves fans but we have big expectations. Selling out nearly 2500 for Watford on saturday for a cup game in 3 hours of general sale when we have to come back the following week might mean were not as fickle as some like to think.
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Am I the only one thinking 22,000 actually aint a bad attendance ?
We were only getting 5000 more in the prem where there is usually a bigger away following.
All this constant talk about attendances (ALWAYS brought up by a wolves fan) is pointless. Why do we have to defend / justify ourselves ?
The team is doing well, the football is great – so what if 22000 turn up ?
I see wolves played Scunny to just over 7000 – 22000 is a decent championship attendance.
Leeds get 30000 odd in div 1 – dosn’t mean they are any good.
If all you have to cheer is your attendance then you are either a moron or Jez (count the money) Moxey – some may say whats the difference…
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FOR SALE: Blue or White plastic seats, ideal for football ground, as new and unused, apply WBA fc, West Bromwich
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There is so little for Wolves fans
to be happy about,
if fact Wolves is a joy free subject.
So i don`t begrudge them their tiny
morsels of comfort,
ie our attendances (although conveniently overlooked, is marginally lower than theirs)
Last week it was our psychotic left back,
next week it will be something else, or maybe some of the same….who knows,
Ah bless em.
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FOR SALE
WE’RE GOING UP banner. Unused gift.
will swap for YOU LET US DOWN AGAIN banner.
Contact wolves boo-boy (any of them).
p.s – this is the third time boo has posted that “joke” – and the third time I have posted mine after him…. lets hope he gives up now.
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