Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Bristol Rovers 1 Albion 5
Monday 10th March 2008, 9:04AM GMT.
Ishmael Miller’s hat-trick sent Albion into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 26 years.
James Morrison put Tony Mowbray’s men in front after 16 minutes before Miller (30) rifled in a superb second.
Bristol Rovers pulled a goal back straight away through Danny Coles (31) – but Albion put the game to bed in the second half thanks to Miller (69) again and substitute Kevin Phillips (73).
The Albion striker completed his hat-trick five minutes from time to complete a comprehensive victory – although the scoreline was harsh on battling Rovers.
Albion now have a fantastic opportunity to win the cup after a weekend of shocks saw Manchester United, Chelsea and Middlesbrough dumped out.
Check out today’s Express & Star for four pages on Albion’s win, including fans reaction, pictures, interviews – and an exclusive from Martin Swain who spent the day with Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace
The Baggies were favourites against League One Rovers – but the home side were unable to spring a surprise despite spells of heavy pressure.
After a slow start Albion took the lead with 16 minutes on the clock when Roman Bednar’s toe-poked shot was only parried by Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips and Morrison followed up to tap in.
The home side replied strongly and could have levelled on two occasions, first Dean Kiely saved at point blank range then Ricky Lambert shot straight at the Albion keeper from six yards.
The Baggies doubled their advantage on the half hour with a terrific goal.
Miller seized on a long pass, turned his marker on the edge of the area and thrashed a left foot shot into the top corner.
A minute later Rovers were back in it when Albion’s achilles heel of defending set pieces cost them.
Craig Disley flicked on a corner at the near post for the unmarked Danny Coles, who tapped in from four yards.
Miller had a golden opportunity to make it 3-1 at the break. Through on goal, he rounded the keeper only to stumble at the vital moment.
Minutes after the break the Albion striker spurned another good chance, shooting wildly over from a tight angle.
Rovers then piled on the pressure, especially from set-pieces, but the Albion defence held firm and Kiely was not forced into action.
Mowbray brought on Phillips and Zoltan Gera in a bid to seal the game but it was Miller who settled the tie.
With 21 minutes remaining he ran clear of the Rovers defence and scooped the ball past Phillips.
The home defenders were screaming for offside – and it did look a touch fortunate for the Baggies – but the £900,000 transfer window signing was not complaining.
Substitute Phillips made it four on 73 minutes, finishing Robert Koren’s classy reverse pass.
And Miller put the icing on the cake in the 86th minute, passing the ball home from 15 yards, to round-off an impressive hat-trick.
The rejoicing Albion fans now have a trip to Wembley to look forward to – and a real chance of winning the cup for the first time since 1968.
Albion will find out of they will face Portsmouth, Barnsley or Cardiff at Wembley in the semi-final draw at 1.30pm tomorrow.
Albion fans have your say below
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Wembley here we come ,a very professional performance by the lads
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In Mogga, we trust.
WELL DONE LADS!!
Doing the double, the Mowbray way!!
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well done baggies, que ser ar ser ar wateva will be will be were going to wembley que ser ar ser ar!!
come on albion…… we could win promotion 5 or 6 times in the next 20 years but we will never get a better chance than this to win the FA cup !!
!!COME ON YOU BAGGIES !!
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COME ON YOU BAGGIES! LETS GO ALL THE WAY NOW LADS.
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1931 all over again!
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It’s 1931 all over again!
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well done sandwell town through to wembley, semi final.
wish tm would crack a smile though hes like something out of a zombie movie.
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EASY EASY EASY EASY !!!!!!!
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fantastic performance on a dire pitch,full credit to bristol rovers who gave there all,but we got what we deserved in the end,another trip to wembley,,this f.a cup is there for the taking so come on baggie boys lets bring the famous old cup back to the midlands..wembleeeeeeeeey here we come,,DOING THE DOUBLE THE MOWBRAY WAY,,,IN STYLE OF COURSE,,,OH YES
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YES!
Goo on me babbies!
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Fantastic. we were thoroughly proffessional on a very difficult pitch. Eyes down for wednesday night, lets get back to the top by the end of the week, keep the games in hand as a bonus, and by the time wembley comes round we should be able toenjoy the game and look forward to the final, what a season, what a prospect, championship champs, fa cup winners, premiership footy next year along with european footy, IM JUST ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT.
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WELL DONE YOU BAGGIES FANTASTIC TO BE BACK AT WEMBLEY.I was lucky to be at wembley in 68 but to have a chance to see 2 fa cup wins its like winning the lottery.Boing Boing Baggies so proud.THE DOUBLE IS ON AND IVE GOT 50-1.
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Fantastic result, all matches won away from the Hawthorns and now the only team left to have already played at the new Wembley, it’ll be like playing at home! Could do without another playoff this year tho’ BoingBoing
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albion were brill,in the second half,any of the remaning 4 teams will not like playin us because of our goal threat,come on u baggies
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Congrats to Albion… good chance to win it this year. Albion vs Pompey in the final?
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After a tight first half, Albion showed their undoubted quality in the second half with a display of clinical finishing, despite Miller being clearly offside for the third goal.
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BOING-BOING TURNS OFF THE GAS!!! Great win by the Baggies.Showed off their class today,Miller back on form and nice to see defence holding a high line. See you at WEMBLEY
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as an afterthought, lets hope the semi final tickets are distributed fairly by the albion, ie one per person not 2, 3 or 4 per season ticket holder !!!!!
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We’re off to wem-ber-leeeeee. These are the matches that stay with you forever.
I was at the Ipswich and QPR semifinals in the late 70s and although we lost them I can stll recall both days now with some fondness.
We have spent a long time in the football wilderness since then – and even 3 seasons in the prem hasn’t totally made up for what happened in the 80s and 90s – but its games like this that as a fan you long for.
TM has led us from the wilderness with his 10 commandments.
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
1) Play good football
This will now HELP our push for promotion – the whole club is on a high and we have proven that you CAN do well playing good football.
We have won nowt yet – but its just great being a baggies fan.
LOOOOOVIN IT !!!!
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Oh – and to the 34% who voted for us to lose this game on the E&S poll – ya boo suckers !!!!!
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Well done West Brom
Good performance on a difficult pitch
An envious Wolves fan
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Well done you Tesco’s. Keep the black country flag flying high. Just a shame it could not have been the senior black country team, but there again, our time will come again. Mad Mick will get bored and found out like he always is, and we’ll be after you again.
In the meantime, keep scoring for the sheer fun of it, makes us all happy!
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Que sera Sera, What ever will be, will be, were going to WEMBLEY
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FANTASTIC!!!
Wembley here we come, don’t mind who we get. Well done to Miller on getting a great hat-trick.
Three points on Wednesday though please.
Boing-Boing
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This was a nail-biter for two thirds of the match. The pitch was a bit better than expected and Bristol Rovers are a football team, not kick and rush. It’s about time the offside rule was simplified. Our third goal was an absolute shambles really. Miller was so offside he could have been chatting to their keeper. If a player is offside when the ball is played forward, he should be given offside, regardless of deflections by opposition. We deserved the win though, away in front of a partisan crowd. Great result. Fingers crossed to avoid Portsmouth in the semis. Barnsley v WBA final as per 1912 anyone? Different result of course.
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Almost 2 hours gone and not one comment from the Dingle mob, they must be well sick. Well done yu baggie boys Boing Boing.
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Come on you baggie boys !!!!
wemberley lalala wemberley lalala and so on…
Doin the double the mowbray way !!!!!
Cant make up my mind who i would prefer to face now suppose it would be cardiff or barsley….. oh god i knew yesterday when kuszcac was sent off it was gonna be an omen (ex albion) then with luke steel involved in the barnsley win it was another omen (on loan), cant think of a bristol rovers omen but if anyone out there can find one it can only bode well for wembley as this is ALMOST as good as lucky underpants!
ROLL ON THE DRAW AND LETS GIVE EM HELL.
BOING BOING!
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What a result for the baggies today 5-1could have been more,two trips to WEMBLEYand promotion to the premiership who could ask for more. GREAT times to be a baggies supporter i suppose all the part time supporters will be coming out of the of the woodwork no to claim there place at wembley.Lets hope the true supporter gets Therese first
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Fairplay to you lot…….Enjoy your day out
As much as i hate to say it.
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fab gme
credit 2 rovers 1st alf giv us a gme 2nd alf we deserved it
and to that dingle up there sandwell town’
why u comment on ere just gonna say that kinda stuff
Miller gttin bk 2 form i hope :D
if that dosent do him gd nothing will
draw 2moz cnt w8 :D
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7.He isn’t there to smile he’s there to win football matches and he’s doing it in style!! You would love him smile or no smile…
Hedgerow – Thanks for the comments, but we’re the senior blackcountry team mate!!
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Ishmael’s bestgame for us so far. Apart from the goals he really put himself about. billiant team performance though especially on that pitch.
PS. WHU. West Ham and Wolves fan. Ever thought you might be a bit of an albatross
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PPS. Well done the Wolves fans who’ve come on here offering congrats. Well done the Rovers fans still supporting their team when 5-1 down. Well done the players. Well done TM and MV and JP. Well done the fans who went down. I’d like to accept the best actress Oscar, sorry wrong speech. Doesn’t everything seem great at the moment. We’ve had our blip and now other teams are having theirs. UP THE BAGGIES. Wish King Jeff was here to see it.
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20. baggiedad.
typical great result for your team but the first thing you want to do is start slagging us wolves fans off.
but if you read the comments before yours there are a few of us who have actually congratulated your team,
shows what meant most to you doesn’t it.
absolutely crazy third goal, offside rule needs to be changed i think. well done miller for your hatrick.
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20, have a look back and you’ll find a couple of POSITIVE responses from Wolves fans,wonder if you would be so generous if the tables were turned?? and another one here too, as a Pommie living in Australia and an ex season ticket holder in the north bank, my Dad still reckons Albion are the best team in the league by a mile.
Well done in reaching an FA Cup semi final, enjoy the occasion whatever the result.
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i wouldn’t like him as our manager because i cant stand the bloke he is doing a good job but i just don’t like him so don’t presume to tell me what i would love.
a smile never hurt no one.
but then if hes never smiled hell never know.great result and good to see Wolves fans congratulating them.
all the best in the next round.
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Congrats to you Baggies. Thought you looked ragged in the 1st and I thought lucky to go in at half time in the lead – the Pirates bossed you at times. Rovers just ran out of ideas in the second but it was really only when you made the substitutions (Phillips and was it Gera ?)that you really showed your class. Nonethe less there’s not too many clubs go to the Memorial Ground and win like that. You ain’t gonna get a better chance of winning the cup than this. Pray you don’t get Pompey because something tells me their name is already on it !! GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
p.s. 26.Baggiedad – Not everyone spends all of their time on the internet !! And be honest you know that if there had been much comment made it wouldn’t have been very pleasant !!
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We’ll see you crying on the tele again.
LOVIN IT
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good result guys,
wish we had some of your attacking flair!
hate to say it… but i think you may get up this season, and get into the fa cup final!
we can but dream at wolves….
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37.
plenty of comment made by wolves fans and all congratulating sandwell town.
i thought 1-5 was a bit harsh on bristol rovers but class showed in the end.
Bristol should have had a definite penalty in the first half, but i don’t think it would have changed the outcome of the game.
i don’t think sandwell will mind who they get in the next round they always seem to beat pompey anyway.they might be better off avoiding the other two championship teams.
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18 paignhton,if youv been to enuff games you,l get a ticket,you aint jumpin on the bandwagon are ya,boing boing
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Magnifisant
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Good to see some Wolves fans showing a bit of neutrality, nice to see lads. I thought Bristol continued to look dangerous until the 4th goal, but then we started to control the game again. As others have said, I thought Miller ran well (much more effort than at the start of the season), and looked good. Just hope we can continue in this vein of form against Palace and Warnock on Wednesday…..
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WELL DONE YOU GUYS, CLASS DISPLAY, AGAIN! LETS ALL GET TOGETHER AND HELP YOU BRING THE FA CUP BACK TO THE WEST MIDLANDS WHERE IT BELONGS. ILL BE WATCHING! A VERY ENVIOUS WOLVES FAN.
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As much as I hate to say it I have to offer congratulations.
Great Manager playing great football and another trip to Wembley.
How we are looking forward to getting rid of Thick Mick and oncemore challenging you.
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Loving it
Fantastic result last night, I do now believe we will never have a better chance to win the FA Cup, I did’nt ever believe i would ever be saying that.
Now for the next round TBH I believe that every team that is left is beatable.
I’m dreaming of the cup with blue & white ribbons on it this year
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What a great day to be a baggie fan. I at this moment in time i can’t honestly say what i want more. Last night and this morning, i honestly can’t decided if i its the FA Cup or promotion. I would love both. Come on you baggies lovin the football we are playing, fair play to bristol rovers for giving it a go. But in the end class shows thought. Not scared of getting Portsmouth cause i really think we can take them.
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Don’t care who we get in the semi as I think we can beat any of them, but If we get Barnsley I guess Luke Steele won’t be allowed to play.
Tough on him, but without him they will be very vunerable so I guess that would be the best draw for us..
Cheers to the wolves fans who have left a positive – we know its hard but I would do the same… and to Southbank S5 (38) – you seem to spend a lot of time watching us on the telly – not JEALOUS are you ??
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Well done baggies. Who would of thoght on Saturday morning that you hads a realistic chance of winning the cup,but good luck to you, I hope you do it.
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Unlike most of you guys I was at the match !! Honourable Gas head for the day. Have to say that you have got a really good solid team, If rovers had taken there early chances it may have been closer. Good free flowing football by Albion with everybody committed and giving 100%, excellent wing switching passes. Miller looks the business (Especially the gold boots). I never ever want to here another chant about “Good night Irene”
It made the pompey chimes sound tremendous, at least they played the liquidator pre-match I know you like our song!!
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Southbank S5,You are soooo jealous of us it hurts you doesn’t it.When will it be when we see you at wembley.HA HA HA HA HA HA…
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WELL DONE W.B.A. ON A DIFFICULT PITCH, BEING A WOLVES FAN I HAVE HAD A FEW CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS THAT FOLLOW THE BAGGIES, HOPE YOU CAN GO ALL THE WAY AND PUT PRESSURE ON WOLVES TO PUT CHANGES IN PLACE FOR NEXT SEASON.
JAMIE LANYON HOLIDAY PARK CORNWALL
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Well done West Brom.
I saw the Big Arch yesterday on my way back to Kent from a weekend of boozing in my native Tipton.
I threw down the gautlet to Les Mitton Moxley to meet me face to face to clear his grievances with me.Guess what?
HE BOTTLED IT!
And me a 50 year old disabled person.
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51.just because of one jealous wolves fan doesnt mean you need to laugh at our expense all other wolves fans are on here congratulating you.
don’t lower yourself to his level.
Bring the cup back to the black country and show the football world its not all about the big four.
Cardiff played really well and barnsley battled hard for 90 minutes.
good advert for the championship which people keep saying is very week this season.
proves them wrong doesn’t it.
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Well done WBA. Now go for it, GOOD LUCK.
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wolves love it dont they
dont you all wish you were baggies right now?
deffo doing the double the mowbray way!!!!!
boing boing
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It has surprised me the number of Wolves fans posting positive, especially the one’s we normally expect to post ridiculous comments.
It’s nice to see abit of unity in the black country.
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Well done lads a very professional job.
Dare we hope promotion and the cup? I don’t think we will have better chance than we have now. Nice to see some good wishes from our local rivals, just how it should be.
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Respect. Go all the way.
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The lads were fantastic…bit nervy when it was 2-1,but our steel shone through.That was maybe another match where last season we’d have lost.
Tremendous performance..great day out..the lads did us proud !!!
Next stop Wembley…
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Oh my god how great was that!! Regardless who we get i really fancy us now, massive wembley pitch
is going to suit us.
WBA 2-1 POMPEY
WBA 4-1 BARNSLEY
WBA 9-4 CARDIFF
Ha ha ha ha ha bring it on….
Few sad dingles but don’t worry just get behind the pride of the black country WEST BROMWICH ALBION F.C.
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To all Wolves fans. Thank you for the gracious support. Hope you can sort yourselves out and get a successful Wembley trip in the play-offs (as long as it’s not against us!).
The next one will be the tough one, but if we win it we will be the club with the joint most appearances at the new Wembley!!! If we get to the final, it’s anybody’s game and down to who’s got the most bottle.
18. Fair means of distributing tickets means giving them to the fans who have attended the most games and supported their team. And that means season ticket holders first.
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Well done to the baggies…..now grasp the opportunity cos there will never be a better chance to win the fa cup.
Pompey are the obvious favourites but nothing seems to be going the way of the bookies this year.
All the best
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Well done baggies.
By the way, there is no clause in Luke Steele’s contract to prevent him playing against you in the
semis.
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64, we aint bothered,hes not good enuff for us boing boing going to wembley the MOWBURY WAY
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64. He’s on loan so under FA rules he cannot play against his parent club. The only exception is whent he loan is for a full season.
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well done lads wembley here we come now lets do the same 2 palace on wednesday night boing boing all the way 2 wembley our second home.
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much as i dislike you lot, great performance quite display and really great football
just cant understand why you havnt torn this league apart yet?? you seem to do it to everyside when i
watch you including us
hope you get pompey now see you lose twice in row at wemberly, but all honesty all best you cardiff
barnsley doing our league and lower leagues proud
least be entertaining final instead bore draw containing arsenal, manutd or chelsea
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Well done the team, well done TM & MV, well done the fans.
Lets bring the cup back to the black country
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YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU! Yes you! You know who you are. Not only for Wembley but for each and every remaining game this season. Get off your bums and get down to the Hawthorns and let’s get the place rocking and rolling. The football is a joy to watch and you will not be disappointed. It’s fantastic to be a Baggie and in Tony we trust!
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The rivalry between Wolves and us is the greatest in the country allegedly but that doesn’t prevent sometrue football fans from Wolves posting well on here. Respect to you for your genuine and even your checky wishes.
The one uniting factor is we all support our local or childhood team and have a healthy desire to see football in the black country and the midlands taking over from the London / NW Monopoly.
Thanks to TM and the team for creating the best football and most notable progress for years.
We will probably never have a better chance of winning the FA Cup unless we get a billionaire owner.
Come on you baggies.
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Great performance.I want to know what happens regarding Luke Steel if we play Barnsley ?
Does anyone know?
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No. 72 Steve S. This question has popped up on other sites. Apparently Luke Steel would not be able to play against us because under FA rules a loan player cannot play against a Parent club unless it’s a season long loan. I stand here to be corrected though.
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Absolutely pig sick – but have to admit that was a great win for you. Can’t belive I’m saying this, but I’m actually starting to hope – and believe – that you lot can bring the cup back to the Mids. You lot look like a premiership outfit and a good one too.
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72. Listening to the radio this morning it sounded like the Barnsley chairmen thinks it is a gentleman’s
agreement and JP will allow him to play. Sounds like he’s clutching at straws though.
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You’re just Inter Milan in disguise.
Make the Black Country Proud
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Just quick post to thank all the Wolves fans for their (99%) positive comments. Even my missus (who is a Wolves fan…) was happy for us. Thanks to all of you and good luck for the rest of the season.
Also well done to Bristol Rovers who were absolutely not 5-1 worse than us. Now bring on the draw!!
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Good luck guys ……
go win it for Farnie and Shaq !
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im soo excited about wembley!! come on baggie boys do it for yourselves, you deserve it, and come on all you nutter baggie fans lets have some success at wembley x
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Life is short! Make the best out of it.
Good luck baggies!
It’s in your hands now! Cheers!
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