Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Blog: Albion shine like a beacon
Monday 22nd December 2008, 11:20AM GMT.
In the wake of Albion’s dark afternoon at the Stadium of Light, it was possible to detect the first cracks in the relationship between manager and chairman, writes Martin Swain.
While Tony Mowbray could be heard stressing the club’s financial limitations in the forthcoming January market, Jeremy Peace called a briefing in which he reminded the faithful that Albion had already spent more money than ever before, £20m or more, in the summer.
Decyphering the code, it was one man saying he can only do so much, the other suggesting his manager had already had much to do something with.
This, I hope, was no more than two central figures naturally fighting their corner after the 4-0 hiding at Sunderland had triggered the fiercest criticism of the season so far.
Nevertheless, how vital and heartening to see the galvanising impact of yesterday’s events at The Hawthorns. Albion’s performance in the timely defeat of Manchester City offered a compelling reminder of what the Mowbray Era is all about.
I heard player-turned-pundit Steve Claridge slaughtering the match as a football exercise afterwards – too many mistakes, too much sloppiness for it to be taken seriously, he argued.
Well sod him. I watched it and couldn’t take my eyes off it. It was wonderful entertainment; lovely, enjoyable, fun football which went backwards and forwards endlessly.
Another critic, Lou Macari may be right; Albion might not be blessed with sufficient quality of footballer to adopt such an open, adventurous game.
But they are daring to dream and I for one hope that dream is not abandoned by the brutal realities of the Premier League in this first decade of the new Millennium.
The critics who are hounding Mowbray and Peace – and I must presume they are largely under 25 not to have been scarred by the miseries of the Hawthorns circa 1985-2000 – need to ask themselves what they want from West Bromwich Albion FC in this era.
The Baggies aren’t going to win a major trophy.
They are not going to reach the Champions League or UEFA Cup.
Should they aspire to become another Bolton, Blackburn or Middlesbrough, undistinguished teams indistinguishable from each other which spend their time feeding off the scraps on the Premier League table?
Or is this a chance to strike out for something which does lift Albion’s profile above the herd while captivating its home audience?
There may be the same end result – no trophies – but away from the cynicism of a Claridge or Macari, there will be thousands more who relish the dramatic entertainment of the football.
Under Mowbray, Albion have a sense of purpose in an age when every club outside the established powers is in danger of disappearing into a mish-mash of anonymity. A sort of Bolburnbrough.
Thank God, then, for yesterday’s result to give the manager, chairman and those who still support this quest a respite from the howls of outrage about the team’s win-less slump to the bottom of the table.
But there will be more Stadium of Light days ahead, I’m sure. It is the nature of this particular beast.
But those who can see beyond the next result, beyond how this campaign turns out, are capable of viewing a team two or three years down the road which IS good enough to thrive in the Premier League playing this way.
If Albion are going to follow the fashionable blame culture when the going gets tough, then Peace should sack Mowbray now because this won’t be the last tough period they will know under his leadership.
But you can’t half-commit to something like this, reserving the right to abandon the project midway through because some people are saying nasty things about you. It has to be all or nothing.
Peace and his directors, on behalf of and in the best traditions of Albion, made that commitment when they recruited Mowbray after he had clearly spelled out his vision at his interview. They must ignore the flak from the short-sighted and remain locked on that vision.
It is a sight worth seeing – and surely better than being Bolburnbrough any day.
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Fantastic game to watch – glad I don’t have a heart condition. Boing Boing!
Report abuse
The day anyone takes too much heed of the likes of Steve Claridge, is the day to wrap it all up.
He like the majority of “sofa” experts are a pantomime joke, the rank and file at any club are more knowledgeable than any of them, as befitting the british media the “experts” are only interested in the so called big four.
Report abuse
Great blogg Bomber – agreed with every word.
I won’t be logging on much after today so Merry Christmas to all footy fans (yeah even you LW) and a wishing a points laden new year to the baggies !!
Report abuse
Albion Never do anything the easy way, a great attacking game for both sides. Man City continue to be Albions bit*h in this league. Never has the saying can we play you every week meant so much.
Report abuse
I wish the albion well with the christmas spirit in mind and look what happens! Man citys defending was absolutely attrocious though, both goals were gifts, dont get too carried away but beating the richest team in the world will boost confidence. I think hughes will be sacked soon. be nice for you tescos to come on wish us luck sometimes?!
Report abuse
The first half was poor but the second was absolutely gripping.
Not the prettiest that either team has played this season but there was a hunger and excitement there that meant I couldn’t take my eyes off it for a minute. The baby nearly got thrown through the ceiling when Bednar got the winner.
Report abuse
Well said Mr Swain, we have a manager with a vision and he’s started to change things for the better both on and off the pitch.
Myself, along with the majority of real Albion fans have given their backing to TM on these pages and even if we had lost 2 – 1 yesterday, I’d still believe in him and his vision.
Report abuse
bomber, you have summed up the thoughts of the biggest majority of us. Well said. RThere is a revolution happenning at the albion, and it must at all costs be given the time to develop, even if that means a relegation again. I want this manager to succeed in his way, to play his style of football, and to bring what the most of us can see he wants to bring. great blog and happy christmas to all
Report abuse
Bomber…. your best one of the year. Think it summed everything up well. It wasn’t pretty at times but it was exciting. As I’ve said in other posts, I think you had ‘the rub’ but hey, doesn’t everybody deserve it sometimes ? Hang on in there and have a great Christmas.
Happy, nice to see you back amongst the posters – have a good Christmas my friend. Look forward to the New Year.
Report abuse
Gentlemen
The blog is by Martin Swain, not our Jarrod
Report abuse
Bomber, apologies my friend !! I think people expect it to be you whenever there is a Baggies Blog. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas !!!
Report abuse
Laughinwolf, not all us baggies fans are anti Wolves mate. I for one would love to see the Wolves and Blues go up this season, would be quality if all our teams could compete in the top flight. Merry xmas
Report abuse
10 – I thought I’d got it wrong when I was reading all of those posts!!
I’m sure Bomber will be happy enough in the knowledge that people struggle to tell the difference between his and the professionals blog though!
Report abuse
Jarrod,
Good blog, I think Moores goal could be the key, he has had criticism from some quarters but I always said judge him when he has had a run in the team. `Defensively we still look short but hopefully Mowbray can sort that in January. lets not forget he is still an inexperienced manager and we should stick with him weather we stay up or not. 5 laughing, I hope the Wolves do it and in my opinion only Reading and Blues pose any danger to you. All the best to all the contributer’s have a good one!
Report abuse
13. Nedball…spot on my friend !!
12. Olly…nice to see some new posters not spouting the usual bile – have a good Cristmas mate !!
5. Laughingwolf…always look forward to your posts my friend. Goes to show that there are some of us Wulfies (Malvern included in that as well)that are football (West Midland)fans as well as Wolves fans.
Report abuse
WELL FAN MY FLIES..YOU’VE WON ONE.
TIME NOW TO START BUILDING A TEAM TO SECURE PROMOTION FROM THE CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT SEASON.
NOW WATCH AND LEARN FROM WOLVES..WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO WIN THIS DIVISION WITH EASE AND GAMES TO SPARE!
THEN HOW TO SURVIVE AND CONSOLODATE PREMIER LEAGUE STATUS..I THINK CHAMPIONS LEAUGUE QUALIFICATION WILL BE BEYOND US..BUT A U.E.F.A CUP SLOT IS VERY DO-ABLE.
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS WITH THE MIGHTY WOLVES!!!
Report abuse
Cheers Filton, good to hear from you. Happy if you are away for a few days this is the moment to wish you and all my Baggie and Wolfie friends a peaceful Christmas, hopefully spent with your families and friends.
My wishes for next year are simple and obvious. Wolves to go up and Baggies to stay up.
Cheers everybody.
Report abuse
Excellent blog by MS, (you lot don’t half confuse an old man at times saying it was Jarrod). As you’re all in a Christmassy mood and the love affair is back on, I won’t point out that rarely are goals ‘gifts’. The first was a great, quick, thrusting move and a cool finish. The second for some reason didn’t count and the centre was a goalies nightmare, the third was a pinpoint centre which Roman nearly made a cobbler of off the back of his head. Also, nine times out of ten if a shot hits the post and the back of the goalie, it’s IN! I thought the Man.City goal was a beauty too. Rare maybe, but class. Fooled our lot totally. I’ve never heard a ground go so silent as when City scored. Many left, looking like death itself. That ull show ‘em woe it? Tay over til it’s over.
Report abuse
Oooops… Sorry Mr Swain – I gave our Jarrod the credit for your blogg. Once again I agree with your summing up perfectly.
Filton – I never left, just couldn’t be bothered to argue quite so much (must be getting old) – but Merry christmas to you too.
Report abuse
merry xmas to all the baggie boys on here and the few good dingle lads too,,,MERRY XMAS,,,OOOOOOOOOOOH YES..
Report abuse
19. Happy… me and you both my friend !! You have a bl**dy good Christmas as well !! Cheers !!
Report abuse
20. Worcester… I’m gonna count myself in with the good guys !! You have a good Christmas as well !!
Report abuse
20. Worcester… forgot to add…oooooooooooooooy yesssssssssss !!!!!!!!!
Report abuse
Nice blog except for first bit, seems to be trying to introduce some friction between TM and JP (no doubt part of his E&S contract.)
Laughing Wolf.
I often come on wishing the Wolves well. There are a lot of decent Wulfies, Filton, Malvern, Debenham etc. You however normally come on here spouting negative rubbish, then on the rare occasion like today that you come on damning us with faint praise, expect all the Baggies to love you. Decide whether you want to run with the hare or the hounds.
A word as well for the Baggies fans, Happy and Great Barr come instantly to mind that have actually been prepared to give Luke Moore a chance.
Report abuse
The Baggies aren’t going to win a major trophy.
They are not going to reach the Champions League or UEFA Cup.
Should they aspire to become another Bolton, Blackburn or Middlesbrough, undistinguished teams indistinguishable from each other which spend their time feeding off the scraps on the Premier League table?
Er, all three of those have made the UEFA Cup in the last three years, Martin. Middlesbrough even made the final.
Report abuse
Sutton, well said on Loffin’Fowl. I wanted to say just that. Regarding Luke Moore, I think we all WANTED him to succeed, after all 3Mill for a player should give some hope, but he seemed indifferent, sulky, ‘What Am I Doing Here’ attitude. THAT approach I find unforgiveable. Now if the kid decides he can always play like he did on Sunday he’ll get a fan club of at least 25,000, me being one of them! On the opposite side of attitude was Craig Beattie who desperately wanted to succeed and tried too hard, losing his flexibility. Playing for that old sod Colin seems to have worked the oracle because he shone too. Let’s have a battling display against The Russian’s Redoubtables on Boxing Day.
Report abuse
Not sure how i should take some of the comments??? lol.
Report abuse
27 – With much love Bomber….much love indeed!! ha ha!
Report abuse
Totally agree with MS I believe most neutrals
would love TM to suceed.However it was said that
it was worth £ 50 ml to promoted clubs ? JP says
weve spent £20ml weres the rest gone /
According to reports albion were trying to sign a
replacement striker on deadline day what with ?
Report abuse