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Arsenal 1 Albion 0 – verdict
Saturday 16th August 2008, 4:12PM BST.
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Albion star Paul Robinson hailed a ‘brave’ Baggies performance after they claimed honour in defeat on their return to the Premier League.
The Baggies were beaten but not disgraced, as Samir Nasri’s fourth-minute debut goal for Arsenal settled the opening game of the new season.
Defensive hardman Robinson told his team mates they could hold their heads high as they left the Emirates Stadium.
He said: “It’s good to be back in the Premier League. We are disappointed with the result but we showed great character and showed what a good team we can be at times.
“In the second half we went out and gave Arsenal a good game. In the first 25 minutes we showed them a little bit too much respect.
“When you are a goal down against Arsenal you are chasing the game but we gave a brave performance. We can hold our heads up high now and look forward to the rest of the season.”
Nasri’s goal came at the end of a fine Arsenal move to give the Gunners a dream start, as they flew from the blocks and gave Albion a torrid time.
Tony Mowbray’s side grew in strength as the game wore on. After Kim Do-Heon’s first-half shot was well saved by Manuel Almunia, Robinson had a goal-bound shot scrambled off the line by Emmanuel Eboue.
Robinson said: “I thought it was going in but the keeper made a great save and then there was a great block on the line by Eboue.”
“I was just about to celebrate and then it was turned out for a corner but these things happen.
“He was a quality defender in the right place at the right time. It wasn’t just about giving a good account of ourselves, because we know as a group of players what we want to achieve this year.
“We want to carry on from last year with the style of football that we play and today we did that.”
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You might have got the draw with Kevin Philips in your side but you were to tight to keep him.
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Well done boys,you played well and didnt disgrace yourselves,I think the offside for Millers goal was a bit dodgy,but thats the way it goes,keep playing like that and we should pick up enough points to stay up…
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I thought the lads played well on the whole with the exception of Hofkins who looked completely lost and out of his depth at times, always out of position and rarely in for the tackle, any comments ?
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Think you guys can hold your heads very high. Couldn’t see it on telly but I did listen to a fair bit on the radio. Once you got over your nerves I think you did yourselves justice.
Just one point on the negative side. They spoke to TM before the match and I think he needs to take some happy pills. After listening to what he had to say (which was all very valid and made a lot of sense) I felt like topping myself – he sounded like a man that had found fifty pence the dropped his wallet down a drain when he bent down to pick it up !! As I said the guy needs some happy pills – nuf said !! Good luck with the next one.
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I recorded the game and watched same after our game-I agree with Paul Robinson-Defended well and the new players look promising-Nothing to be down about-That Arsen can muster up some magic but you repelled most of it–Crazey Dave
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too stevieO on the other post who was concerned where i was,unlike you mate i was at the game just as i will be all other games,you shud try it sumtime you mite like it aye boing boing
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Happy pills my backside. Fergie needs happy pills, Cloughie certainly needed happy pills, I could go on. I would rather have Tony Mowbray the way he is than jovial Mick McCarthy any day (well, he does make me laugh!), it should not matter one jot whether they appear miserable or jovial it’s the results that matter and like thousands of Baggies fans, would not change TM one bit.
On another note i thought we made a good account of ourselves at the Emirates.
Also have you seen some of the footage of this guy Valero that will be signing tomorrow. He looks pretty good to me.
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Dear me No1,Kevin Phillips is too old to be anything other than a bit part player at your level not ours!
You get on with playing Accrington Stanley and we will go and give Arsenal a game.
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3,b31 baggie,must agree with you about hofkins they saw the weak link and exploited it,but tomo already knew that,thats why we got a replacement,we started like rabbits in headlights but slowly got into the game,my man of the match was kim thought he was outstanding,carson dident do much wrong either,miller put his self about and will cause alot of probs if he keeps the same attitude,all in all i was very pleased with our performance and the new signings,and on that showing will finish half way comfortable,the futures bright the futures blue n white aye boing boing
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i was watching MOTD and saw Hoefkens what was he doing in a Defensive Midfield postion??????? looks like a loon with Bright blonde hair lol
COME ON YOU BAGGIES
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Tony is a philosopher,and talks the talk.Non ranter,and level headed guy.Compare him to some who rage one the touchline etc.He`s not a “hair drier” ,nor a “special one”.He is special to us,but not self appointed.
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Big Rich
The only reason KP left us was because he bottled it. He did not have the belief in himself. He clearly realised that his Prem days were over.
Our loss maybe but the Blues gain definately. The biggest loss is yours because Blues will go up automatically so less chance for you chaps. Get a decent CB and you might just make the play offs.
Kp will do you AGAIN home and away
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The first 20 minutes was hard to watch, they were THAT good, but as the nerves settled we showed some good form. Sorry to disagree with No.1 but Phillips would not have got a look in in my opinion, although just maybe, if the Robinson chance had fallen to someone like Phillips….
Has anyone seen a re-run of the Ishmael Miller ‘goal’. Much was made of the Arsenal offside goal but ours didn’t get a showing.
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7. Droitwich… Touchy, touchy….don’t you recognise a bit of satire when you see it !! Lighten up my friend.
9. Terry …… good to see you up and running mate. How are you ? Enjoy your trip to the Emirates ? As I said earlier, your boys can hold their heads up and be proud of the way they played. think you could well have a future in the Prem.
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Already seen enough to know we can compete. Best albion team in decades. Roll on saturday.
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Overall, I thought we did as well as expected. Need to increase awareness of the pace of the Premier League, long passes will be cut out more at this level.
Disappointed with the performance of Hoefkens and Cech because both looked out of their depth unlike Kim and Miller who worked hard.
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Okay, perhaps it’s my paranoia, but did anyone watch Skysports’ Goals on Sunday? Kam offered one sentence regarding our performance and that was to give advice to TM about defending. Never seem to get a fair hearing from Skysports IMO.
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14,filton, im doing fine thanks hope you are too,we had a good day thanks,nice stadium but stewards bit heavy handed,dont like to see you enjoyin yaself,wouldent let us put our west brom flag up cuz it had a st george background,but such is life in england today,good win for your lot hopefuly for fans like you we can have our derby in the prem next season,take care mate aye boing boing
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Terry…. second that wish for THE DERBY in the Prem next year mate. Probably get this censored but it appears that we can’t show that we’re British in this country anymore – can’t see anything wrong with the flag of St George – after all he is our patron saint !! Keep in touch my friend.
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got to say that u lot played with a lot of heart, i was hoping u guys was gonna get a real drubbing after the first goal went in but you re grouped and my prediction of you getting a drubbing every week i admit is way of the mark. i am gonna have a huge slice of humble pie.
kills me to say but well played.
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Can’t be to disappointed at the performance although after conceding such an early goal i feared a real drubbing.
Greatly improved in the second half and in the closing stages we actually began to pose Arsenal a few problems.
For me ‘Tiny’ Miller and Kim stood out while Hoefkens and Chech seemed not to know where they were!
As to the strikers on the subs bench a question for Baggies fans.
“Who would you choose to come on and snatch a possible equaliser, Sherjill MacDonald,Craig Beattie or Kevin Phillips?
You know my answer but then i admit to be being biased!
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Terry…..you do sound a bit down……aarrrrhhh
shame
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22,gaywilf,im on top of the world mate,maybe one day you can go to the emirates,we got wonderers away next,no not you silly,bolton, aye boing boing
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@ FiltonWolf…
“we can’t show that we’re British any more..”
“St George is the patron saint of England not Britain.
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19,filton,i will do that mate,aye boing boing
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24. BenIn The Jungle….yeah, yeah nit pick if you want (spotted my little error just after I’d posted but couldn’t be bothered correcting mysele – knew someone would. But whatever, the sentiment still stands.
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24. Ben……yeah, yeah, my bad. Spotted it as soon as I posted it – knew someone would pick me up on it so you win the chocolate tea pot !! Sentiment still stands though.
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21,terry, kevs gone now mate we got to forget him,and to be honest it wouldent have made any diffrence if he had of come on he wouldent of got any change out of that defence,he couldent cut it in the prem years ago thats why he opted for brum,hes a championship goal scorer and thats all he is,best just forget him,aye boing boing
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