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Albion blog: No Man’s Land
Friday 13th March 2009, 9:10AM GMT.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill has given up trying to predict the unpredictable – he just wants to enjoy whats left of the Premier League season.
The title refers to how I feel about our current situation, I hate losing and find it hard to concede we are doomed to relegation, but then my brain and my pessimism towards my beloved team draws me back the other way, thus no mans land!
So I have decided to just enjoy the remainder of the season and not get too eat up by what happens, which is why I have decided to organise another meet up for bloggers who want to put a face to a name.
My suggestion is for next Saturday’s home game with Bolton, either before or after the game, I am happy to go with the majority on time and venue – but somewhere without steps would suit Terry. Let me know.
Anyway back to the football, this weekend sees us viewing teams around us trying to pick up points while awaiting our trip to West Ham. So what would need to happen for us to turn things around and against all odds survive?
A fellow Baggie this week was telling me we need to change our style and be more combative. Although I partly agree, I do not believe we have the players available to do it at this stage of the season. I am also of the opinion that manager Tony Mowbray is stubborn enough not to even contemplate it.
I am torn between admiring the man for his single mindedness in building a team playing football his way, and damning his arrogance for sacrificing our top flight status. Yet when asked a straight forward question of do I want Mowbray to remain as our manager? I answer yes without a second thought.
Why? Well for a number of reasons.
I like watching our football, I appreciate what he gave us last season and I still believe he will take us forward in the long term. He has made mistakes this season and the result of those mistakes will probably be relegation, but if he can learn from them it will only make him a stronger and more experienced manager the next time round.
So we have ruled out a change in style, which means we will live or die playing our football. To survive I think we will need to win five games and draw one.
Tough, oh yes, and we will need a number of factors to fall into place. Firstly, we would need to keep our first teamers fit and available, secondly we would need our competitors to fail and thirdly we would require a great deal of good luck.
Too rarely have we seen our defence, midfield and attack play well in the same game – Spurs and Man City at home and Middlesbrough away exceptions.
I am hoping that now the majority of fans have accepted we are going down, the players and more specifically our defence relax a bit more and start playing well.
It almost feels like we are one more loss away from throwing the towel in, so Mondays game has got a feel to it of the beginning of the end or a spark of recovery.
I hope it’s a spark of recovery, but I am determined to enjoy the rest of the season regardless.
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Hi Bomber – having been promoted on a wave of fast football, goals and total optimism, this season has been a hard one for fans.
In previous premier campaigns I have always thought we were faves to go down from the start, but TMs football seemed so right for the prem that i allowed myself to dream (as did most of us).
I still think his model is right – its just that a team like us can’t get enough high quality players to make it work.
We proved last season that you can compete with kickers and cloggers in the CCC and win with good football – but the prem is a whole different level.
However, whatever happens I remain loyal to the clib, and a believer in TMs football…. and i think he is humble enough to learn from this and become a tiop manager in the country – I just hope its with us.
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Ha – clib should be club, and tiop is top.
Oh and to all those who wish we were more like Megson’s team – just remember that ol Ginger got us relegated too !
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Its not looking good but I know that every Albion fan will deep down be thinking that we could still pull-off a Gt Escape. Its just the way of football fans especially when supporting (unpredictable)teams like the Baggies.
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20-20 hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Whilst we were riding the crest of a wave for the previous two seasons (100+ goals, trips to Wembley, Cup successes etc) it would now seem that we got too much too soon.
If I’m allowed to I’d compare us to Derby last season.
They shouldn’t have won at Wembley.
They didn’t deserve to.
Their fans didn’t want to (I spoke to enough of them on the train!).
They got too much too soon and, although it was wonderful for their fans at the time, they were soon brought back down to earth with a bump.
I feel we’re exactly the same.
TM came in following enough bland years under SGM and Nobson (oops, typo!) and brought with him a brand of football that we hadn’t really seen since Ardiles.
With it came goals. And plenty of them!
Other teams, not used to facing this kind of football in the second tier, couldn’t live with it.
The FA Cup draw was kind too and soon we found ourselves 145 minutes from European football.
Promotion came, and so did the League Championship.
This season has shown us for what we really are – and it hurts!
We were NEVER one of the 4 best sides in the FA Cup.
We were never going to score 100+ goals in the Premiership.
We didn’t pay enough attention to the Goals Against column for the previous 2 seasons – even though the evidence was there to see. Not many teams conceded more than us!
Finally, if you’re meeting up next week I’ll make the trek up from Cardiff – and this time arrive more than an hour before kick off!
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Hi Jarrod.
I agree. In reality we all know we’re down and probably have been for some time now. I saw a post on here the other day, suggesting, like your mate that the sender would rather have a season of very boring one nil wins than keep losing playing nice football. The thing is that while playing nice football doesn’t mean you get results like Arsenal, playing negative football doesn’t guarantee a win. Remember the Don Howe days as manager, we got relegated while playing some dire football. We’ve lost our way a bit this season but I still think overall we’re getting it right, it’s just taking a bit longer than we thought it would.
So let’s stay behind the team and enjoy the ride, getting on their backs isn’t going to help.
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well i aint going to give up yet,and im enjoying the season weve had some great times on the road,when we was in the arkle pub in liverpool we were welcomed with open arms and a scouser said to me, have you come here to defend mate,to which i replyed i fxxkin hope not,as ive said all along i still think the 5 games after the west ham game should keep us up,2 homes games on the trot bolton- stoke dare i say 6 points,come on keep the faith we can still pull it off,aye boing boing STAYING UP THE MOWBURY WAY IN STYLE OHHHHHHHH YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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4 – but we did pay attention to the goals against column. Zuiverloon, Meitte, Olson, Cech, Donk, Carson…all brought in to tighten the defence. We need to think why it hasn’t worked.
Fitness is a key issue. A Birmingham City fan said to me that ham strings were a major factor to them being relegated last season. Yet we hired their ‘Sports Scientist’. There has to be a question about whether this was the right move. Does anyone monitor this?
Philips and Gera has been well rehearsed. I think their contribution to the team in terms of determination and experience has been underestimated. The underlying issue thought is that money is king in the premiership – this is really sad.
Finally our midfield is physically weak. Far too easily knocked of the ball.
There seems to a confidence that we will be promoted next year. I am not sure that the confidence is well placed.
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I suppose realisticly, a high percentage of Braggies fans are now contemplating life in the Championship and barring a miracle, I think it is now inevitable and although I am not a 100% Braggie myself, I will be saddened to see you go down.
However, the excitement of winning matches, the confidence building and the re building of the team, will very quickly blank out, the frustrations and bad memories of 2008/9 for there is no way in my mind, that you will spend any more than one season in that division.
I know it will still hurt at first, but believe me, when we suffered the indignity of dropping into division 3 I could not have felt any worse than I did then. We won that league with a record number of points and played some of the best football I have ever seen, we then spent two seasons in the second division and Man utd was down there with us, but the football was fantastic and I dont care where you are in the league, if you are winning, there is no better feeling in this world.
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Ok it has to be said—-TM gets all the praise for last season which was fab but what about Nigel Pearson—he was the man for me. He was in charge when we played out of our skins and walloped Ipswich 5-1 and he is leading Leicester back. TM also allowed all our best players to go and has spent 35 million on dross. We don’t play great footie—it ain’t about controlling the centre circle and defending like Sunday park players or not taking opportunities—it is about winning and buying the right players to do the job. And then to stubbornly stick to the I won’t change banner is TM ( does this stand for totally mad).
Ok rant over—I hope and pray that we win on Monday and before you all say I am not a true Baggie—I am a season ticket holder and have supported Albion for over 50 years but I am depressed by losing the TM way that seems to be with NO fight
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9. Agree. You can play nice football and fight. Thats why Arsenal have not won the trophies they should. Unforunately, TM does not agree.
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morning all. Jarrod, firstly im up for before the game, wont have Luke as he goes this weekend. I’m not giving up yet, just cant do that although like you deep down it looks a formality. Im 110% behind T.M. and unlike some on here i do believe he will get it right next time, im sure he’s been on a very hard learning curve this season and i also believe he has been let down by some of his signings, not in quality, but in passion and fight and pride. I know there are some anti robbo people and yes he has made mistakes, but if every player in our club had his desire and passion and i believe genuine love for the club i dont feel we would be in this situation. Too many times this season we have seen attacks down his flank lead to goals, but also on many occasions he has had two people or more to mark and also been trying to anticipate poor central defenders posions. If we go down theres no guarantee of promotion, but i dont believe T.M.to be a man who will let the close season go by idly, and if we manage to be promoted i would expect to see a very different season in the prem. Onwards and upwards boys, rome wasnt built in a day or a season for that matter
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To the most important matter on here, Bomber, wherever you feel is appropraite for a pint and a meet up is fine with me. I’ve been posting on here for nearly 12 months now and still to meet anyone (knowingly) from these pages.
In reagrds to the post, I honestly think that TM believes in playing football and will NEVER change his stance on this. I agree with him on it, but as has been stated by several people, we do need a plan B as well.
Terry optimist Baggie, I hope you’re right mate, and I do think we have matches coming up that we are more than capable of winning. All we can ask is that the players do give 100% like Robbo has said, concentrate for the 90 minutes, and cut out as many mistakes as possible, get some good results and make other teams around us sweat again.
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Reading on here at times is better than a newspaper or TV. Much more controversial and intelligent. I find Glyn’s comments raise me to reply though. Surely TM has been with us now for 2-1/2 seasons, so one could argue that Nigel Pearson’s influence is nil! I was sad to see Nigel go and believed he could have proved a good manager for us, but as I understood it, he didn’t want to stay. I’m delighted he is succeeding at Leicester, obviously a fine coach. May I also make another point. Not every player is physically built to ‘fight’, put in bruising tackles, hammer the opposition.
Robbo IS such a one, but he would be the first to admit he isn’t the most skilful player we have. The blend has to be right, skill with determination. Now determination isn’t ‘fight’ either. It means we don’t jack it in when the going gets tough. And boy, have we had our fill of those who do, both players and supporters. We aren’t getting sufficient movement to play our passing game. Some don’t do owt unless they have the ball. THERE is the crux of the matter.
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Hi Bomber, as I couldn’t make your last get together I would like to come and put faces to names although I might ask Filton to come as well for moral support. Maybe at the end of the season, like last time when hopefully we might both have something to celebrate.
Keep the faith Terry, until all hope goes you have to keep believing.
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I agree with most what as been said i for one wont be renewing my season ticket this time until
J Peace sells up, he has taken fans for mugs
I urge baggies fans to hit peace wear it hurts in his pocket. he would know how we all feel then.
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PEACE says he CANT spend any decent money,he also CANT get a sponser,MOBRAY CANT get the defence right, the SCOUTS CANT spot any decent players, CORRIGAN CANT do anything with carson,HARRIS CANT keep the players fit, and I CANT stop crying,because these clowns,CANT keep us in the premier league
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15 & 16 – if you remember Peace wanted to sell the club to a big investor as he knew that we would struggle in the Premiership with our financial base. I’d rather be relegated than bankrupt.
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16….Gosh I thought I was having a bad day, reading your post, I feel great now YIPPEEEEEE
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P.S. I CANT see any lights at the end of any tunnel so are we comming back up? I CANT see it
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15 & 16 I have Doug Ellis’s phone number if you want it?
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17 PEACE wanted to be in the hot seat did he not? or is the seat too hot?
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I still believe in TM and his long term project. I feel this is the only way to look at it. I accept this season hasn’t been great in the majority. I also accepted weeks ago that we were down, but i will renew in complete faith that we will get back up the TM way. Also i must say i think JP get some terrible comments on here that are unjust. I feel the club is run well , he accepts that we do not have finacial clout which is why he put us up for sale. However i think the shirt sponsership was a gaff.
Lets keep the faith lads and accept the progress made in the last 10 years. As said earlier “Rome was not bulit in a Day”
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16, CALM YA SKIN,aye boing boing dingle
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16, got samaritans fone number if you want it,aye boing boing help
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to oldburyite i know its sad is’nt it? i almost forgot THE BAGGIES HAVE THE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY IN BAG AND I’M BUYING A NEW CAR TOMOROW YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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24. I think the Samaritams would put the phone down on him!
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14,malvern that would be a great idea mate,and maybe when weev had a few beers we could learn you some songs,aye boing boing shall we sing a song for you.
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and i suggest that mowbray plays olsson and mulumbu n cech on monday
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‘You are my sunshine,
my only sunshine,
you make me happyyyyyyyyy,
when skies are grey,
you’ll never know dear,
how much I love you,
so please don’t take my sunshine away’
Dedicated to Had Enough and Shadrag, loving you xx
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show me the way to go home im tired and ive had enough
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okay we are taking 3 points on monday…….oh man what am i sayin
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9 Glyn.
Nigel Pearson had a very successful honeymoon before moving on. He is doing well with a club that are in the third division and are up against teams teams that have meagre resources compared to Leicester. It’s a big difference to the Prem, you’re comparing apples with oranges.
29 Ned.
Are you suggesting had enough and Shadrag are the same person because I’ve already had enough of had enough, whereas I can’t get enough of Shadrag.
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LET ME PREDICT THE FUTURE!
TONY MOWBRAY WILL GO 4-4-2
Carson,Zuiverloon,Meite,Olsson,Robinson,
Brunt,Koren,Greening,Morrison,Fortune,Simpson.
Subs:Kiely,Cech,Menseguez,Valero,Moore,
Teixeira,Bednar.
ALBION WILL DRAW 2-2 WITH BOTH HAMMERS GOALS
COMING FROM ERRORS BY ROBINSON & BRUNT!
Fortune and Koren will score ours.
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Cyril Randle—of course you are right that TM has been with us for 2.5 seasons but my point is that when he came to us he took over a brilliant team ( how many managers come into a successful team playing beautiful footie) who were the talk of the division and had excellent players worth a lot of money. Unfortunately he managed to take us only to the play-offs and then we lost it and then most of the star players wanted out.On reflection I wonder why. Yes he then led us to win the Championship ( but again 2 of our very best players left)yes we did play some lovely football but now is now and I for one would like to see a different leader and I mean a leader with passion and maybe at least a plan B if not C. Of course we want to see good football not route 1 but we need to defend and score goals and when we don’t maybe change a bit—its basic really.
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Don’t share the opinon we’ll beat Bolton & Stoke (remember how we ALWAYS seem to lose to the Potters!) but i got a sneaky feeling we may get a long over-due win at West Ham!
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had enough
There is no way in a million years that Tony
Mowbray will play Mulumbu and Cech,Albion fans
have just given up on that idea.
If Jeremy Peace had sacked Mowbray at christmas
then Iam convinced the baggies wouldnt be in the situation they now find themselves in.
Albions best 11 are:
carson,
zuiverloon,meite,olsson,cech,
morrison,koren,mulumbu,greening,
fortune,bednar.
IF MOWBRAY STARTS PLAYING THAT HOLDING
MIDFEILDER THEN WE HAVE A CHANCE OF
STAYING UP.
.
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so you have had enough,well now you know how i feel
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Depressing ay it, all this CAN’T and WON’T stuff. Oh and ‘Show me the way to go home’ is sung by a bloke who is as drunk as a lord! I’ve just put extra brandy in my tea to cheer me up.
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36 – we are all entitled to our opinins – but how you can say the “best 11! includes a player no one has seen is beyond me.
That may be a team YOU would LIKE to see – but lets not get reality and fantasy confused eh ???
Glyn 34 – Mowbray may have taken over a decent team – but the previous manager was forcing them to play like donkeys.
I could own a ferrari – but the Stig would drive it better than me…..and Mowbray is our Stig.
In fact – he may actually be THE Stig !!!
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Happie_baggie
Reality is Albion need a ball winner and not some
fat twonk with a left foot who has no skill or
pace,HOW DID THIS GUY GET MAN OF THE MATCH! for
Arsenal game.
Ive got to admit of never seeing Mulumbu play
but surely if he`s played for PSG then he`s
got to be better than Valero and Brunt.
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Valero played and scored against Real Madrid – Brunt is an international…. its all pointless till they pull on the boots. Regis came from non-league and became a legend… I prefer to reserve judgment till I see a player over a few games. I would also like to see Mulumbu given a run – but lets not expect him to drag the team to safety on his own.
I presume you are referring to Robbo in your Fat Twonk description – and I’m sorry but you are making yourself look a mug.
I’ve lost count of the balls I’ve seen Robbo win – and the number of 30/70 tackles he has come away with the ball – just cos Torres and Ronaldo are better dosn’t make him a bad player.
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4. I dont think its fair we can be compared 2 derby in any way. They were a disgrace, won 1 game all season and was far from ever even havin a chance and was relegated by christmas. We already have double their points total and we still have a chance (slim be it) and thinkin of last 2 seasons, we conceded a lot of goals but not as many as people think. Stoke actually conceded the exact same amount (think it was 55) as us last season & we outscored them by a mile! So why are they doin a better job than us this year at both ends?? I genuinely think we have been unlucky this year and have always been in it until last couple games. Take out suicide defence and we would have been at least 10 points better off. Stop the mistakes & it could be 1 hell of a ride 2 enjoy for rest of season!
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If only we could get Johnathon greening to go forward with the ball it appears every time he gets the ball he plays it back, also defenders are to slow
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If Albion get relegated then I can see us loosing
about 13 of our players CARSON,HOEFKENS,DONK,
MEITE,ROBINSON,CECH,KOREN,MULUMBU,MORRISON,
FORTUNE,MOORE,SIMPSON,and BEDNAR,our team for
next season could look something like this,
Kiely,Zuiverloon,Barnett,Olsson,Clement,
Brunt,Valero,Greening,Teixeira,Miller,Beattie.
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