Mowbray not giving up on survival

Monday 23rd March 2009, 11:42AM GMT.

WBA V BOLTON 14 EB 21Defiant Albion have refused to concede defeat in their survival battle despite another grim weekend that left them hovering over the Premier League trap door.

Manager Tony Mowbray and his players pledged to take their fight into the final eight games of the season, starting against Stoke in 12 days time.

But two dropped points at home to Bolton, combined with wins for Stoke and Portsmouth and a draw for Blackburn at the weekend left the Baggies seven points adrift of the safety line – effectively eight allowing for their awful goal difference.

Mowbray admitted his side face a “huge task” while goalkeeper Scott Carson reckon Albion might need to win five of their last eight games to pull off an unlikely escape act.

But both men refuse to give up hope.

Mowbray said: “It’s a huge task. We can’t get away from that and nobody is trying to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes.

“We needed to win on Saturday really, but while it’s not impossible we will keep going.

“I’m sure a victory against Stoke would rekindle a glimmer of hope and belief if results went our way elsewhere.

“Then if we can go to Portsmouth and surprise the world by winning, who’s to say we can’t do it.

“We’ve got to keep going and keep believing and hopefully the stadium and the supporters will, like Saturday, stick with the team and look at the bigger picture of what we’re trying to do and where we’re trying to go.”

Carson, whose saves prevented further damage against Gary Megson’s Trotters on Saturday, insisted the team would keep going.

He said: “We probably need four or five wins. It’ll be hard but stranger things have happened.

“We will be working as hard as we have been and we’ll need a little luck along the way. We are full of hope and belief that we can still pick up four or five wins. We know it’ll be difficult.

“In the last two games we’ve deserved six points and been very unlucky to only take two points. We did feel dejected at the end on Saturday and but we have to keep going and get the wins we need.”


  1. 1
    yorkshire-kennyfoggo

    That’s the spirit – the only way to be really.

    I thought Carson had a good game on Saturday and is getting his confidence back. Soon be back in the England squad.

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  2. 2
    Hagley Baggy

    Same old story, pretty football across the middle of the field.
    Bolton keeper only had one save to make and that was when we scored.
    Why oh why isnt Dorrans playing all the time.

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  3. 3
    Strollers WBA

    Never mind Saturday what ever happened to Paul” Willo” Williams them were the days.

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  4. 4
    ockerhill baggie

    THATS THE WAY TO STAY UP TM

    GET THE OTHER TEAMS TO SCORE THE GOALS FOR YOU

    WHO WILL BUY THESE DEADBEATS IN THE SUMMER WHEN YOU HAVE TO RESHUFFLE?

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  5. 5
    Rob Whittington

    Naturally ToMo isn’t going to admit we are down and neither should he but, behind the scenes he’s preparing for Championship football next season.

    Tony will have learned a lot this season and he’s intelligent and shrewd enough to put the experience to good effect in the future.

    Believe it or not I feel for our Chairman with the drop looming. He must have a horrible feeling of Deja Vu yet with the resources at WBA I think he has managed the club well and has chanelled decent transfer money to the manager.

    In the close season I believe we have to sort out our left and right back positions we are so weak on defending the flanks.

    Mowbray isn’t infallible but he’s the man for the club, you just see in 3-4 years!

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  6. 6
    Nedball

    We just need a bigger threat up front. Simpson didn’t have a kick on Saturday did he?

    I thought Martis and Olsson played well again and the gamble to take off both full backs was a stroke of genius……it nearly won us the game (and nearly lost it as well but for an excellent save from Carson).

    There was fight and just a shame it’s come too late.

    I still love them though!!

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  7. 7
    Happy_baggie

    Rob 5 – couldn’t have put it better myself mate.

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  8. 8
    Distant Baggie

    Good positive comments from Mowbray and Carson. They’ve been fantastic all along, and, for me, Mowbray’s the best manager since Buckley. I hope he stays.

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  9. 9
    David Geoghegan

    The Mowbray years have been the most exciting years of the clubs recent past. We would be foolish to let him go even if we do go down.

    My only niggle is Mowbray thought the games against the top 4 wouldn’t determine our fate. Well we’ve played 7 lost 7, scored 1 and conceded a hat full. Stoke have beaten Arsenal and drawn twice with Liverpool. Hull have beaten Arsenal and drew with Chelsea and Liverpool, plus they’ve both beaten us. Those 8 points or so is the difference in our league positions.

    If we mixed it up a little more, and had a little bit more experience we’d be OK. But Mowbray knows that, and we’ll come back stronger.

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  10. 10
    Blake's Heaven

    Aye “going going down donk(ey)” – SHAME!!

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  11. 11
    Royley

    3 – Never mind Paul “Willo” Williams, don’t forget Colin West and Stuart Bowen, aye, what a team!!!

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  12. 12
    albionfivepinter

    The Premiership isn’t about the manager, the supporters or the players it’s about the management of the bottom line. If a club gets promoted and has the desire to change its business model from that of a good championship side to one of a premiership team it should survive. If it invests insufficient money in wages and player purchases it will fail. Most Championship boardrooms either lack the talent or the courage to make the transformation. Often, as a gesture to supporters, they blame and then sack the manager. TM is a fine manager who has been asked to do an impossible job.

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  13. 13
    ockerhill baggie

    5 – 7
    it must be nice living your dream world

    tm should go now so we can start to rebuild and some self respect back

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  14. 14
    Music to My Ears

    Five Pinter,

    Interesting comments, that sound like you may be an “Investor” of sorts?

    Given that background, I am sure you do already appreciate that a firm’s “Business Model” synthesises how that firm derives its Revenues, and, where it commits its Expenditures.

    Not wanting to be too pedantic, my understanding is that the business models of both Premiership AND Championship sides are pretty much the same, irrespective of how successful, or not, the varying clubs are.

    For instance, key Revenues for both come from Gate receipts, Kit sales, and Media rights. Key Expenditures, are on Salaries, Infrastructure, Marketing and Debt servicing.

    To argue that “success” is about “desire to change the Business Model”, is thus a non-sequitur.

    The main difference I see, is not in the respective “Business Models”, but in the level of Funding available, and, in a club’s ability to Service its Debt.

    If that is what you really mean when you talk about “Management of the Bottom line”, then I do agree, West Brom Manage this aspect of their Business magnificently.

    Thanks for pointing this out.

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  15. 15
    TERRY ROMEO BAGGIE

    may i take this opportunity to than the management and staff of the sportsman pulic house for looking after the health and saftey of there customers,upon my arrival they had the decency to put a soft leathered cushion at the bottom of the steps leading from the garden to the bar to ensure a safe landing for me and anyone else who had taken advantage of the cheap range of ales that where on offer,aye boing boing pint a worthy plz

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  16. 16
    Rob Whittington

    14 Thank you. I’m afraid to say that the only major investment I have made is 57 years of following the Baggies. The return has not been spectacular (aside from a few magical years in the Johnnie Giles and Ron Atkinson eras).

    However, I believe that the Mowbray/Peace combination bodes well for the club’s future and – unlike 13 (surely it is he that is dreaming that a new manager will change our fortunes – I’m still proud to follow the club, whether in the Premier or Championship.

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  17. 17
    laughingwolf

    In response to happy_baggies comment on the earlier page. I would like wolves tp put in a 6 mil offer for chech, Olsson and Morrison. Firstly, we could offer them prem football without having to re-locate. Secondly, 6 mil is a good offer for 3 players who have just finished bottom of the prem none of which are proven at that level. It is a reasonable offer.

    With regards to Steve Morgan the guy has spent zero so far. With the sale of some of our players we have simply replaced them with better ones. He has a legally binding contract to put 30 mil of his own wealth into the club, (not the clubs money)where he see’s fit. I always praise Albion for the way they are run, perhaps it is time for you to praise Wolves for the way we have been run in the past 3 yearsa without ‘parachute payments’.

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  18. 18
    Happy_baggie

    Its been a bad weekend again – but at least we aint got to listen to oldburyite telling us where it all went wrong…. where is that funster anyway ????

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  19. 19
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    12.
    I was going to say. ‘It sounds so easy, let’s see your lot do it next season.’ But 14 MTME has said it much more eloquently than I could hope to match. After all the Wulfies telling us how easy it is, can’t wait for next season.
    5 Rob.
    Excellent post.
    4 & 13 OB.
    Not sure if you’re on the Albion idiot fringe or a Wolves moron. Please tell us. We need to know.

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  20. 20
    Streetly Baggie

    12albionfivepinter,
    Absouletly spot on with your comments.
    This is Jeremys fourth season in the Premiership and for the fourth time he has tried to do things on the cheap.Money has been spent on generally younger non experienced Premiership players who are on alot smaller wages than the rest of the Premier and they are expected to compete.
    Who remembers Jeremys comments in 2002,WE WILL BE AN ESTABLISHED PREMIERSHIP CLUB WITHIN 7 YEARS !!!
    Four seasons in the Premier with 3 different managers but the same chairman.
    Question – Where is the problem?

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  21. 21
    Astle68

    17, dream on!

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  22. 22
    albionfivepinter

    Music to my ears; I agree that available funding and the service of debt is an important element of a basic business model and that the Championship and Premiership have these things, amongst others, in common. The link between survival (I didn’t mention success) and the business model is more aligned to the treatment of risk. A number of clubs are promoted and use sound business management as a reason for lack of investment; the logic being that although the adventure is doomed to failure, at least there will be a football club left at the end. A financial return, using a basic cost/revenue model, in these circumstances is almost guaranteed. Nevertheless if a club wants to remain in the top flight it must reduce its aversion to risk and adopt an approach which will at least create the opportunity.

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  23. 23
    laughingwolf

    21. Not dreaming sir, we will soon be in the premier league. What have I wrote regarding an offer for 3 soon to be championship players, is fair and would be a good offer with the market value of todays players.

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  24. 24
    laughingwolf

    22. The aversion to risk is very true. However, bringing players in on a contract with ‘performance related bonuses’ and an agreed reduction in wages in the case of relegation is the way to combat this with the club and player have a mutual release clause in the event of relegation.

    Report abuse

  25. 25
    Rob Whittington

    24. Premiership players and Bankers have much in common, they both profit from fat bonuses despite performance levels. And in the same way that taxpayers pay for the bankers’ mistakes so do supporters with players.

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  26. 26
    Cyril Randle

    I hope someone is copying and pasting the Wulfie comments ready for next season. Why should our players want to go to Wolves for one season?

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  27. 27
    Baggie Boy

    Laughinwolf… Surley you jest!! Obviously the comment “6 million for all 3 players” was to get some reaction.

    Do you think wolves (who are still a championship team at this present moment) would think of letting seb kightly and the keeper go for 6 million so why should albion think of doing the same.

    Good topic of debate but very easy to tear apart
    Regards

    Baggie Boy

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  28. 28
    willenhall wanderer

    you wont hear mick doing a moanbray and saying we will suprise quite a few this season and a top half finish is well within our capability.
    well you didn’t suprise me!!!!

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  29. 29
    Astle68

    23,Sorry pal, but you’d have to stump up more money that, we wouldn’t do any business with you anyway. Yes you are soon to be premier league, I hope your performances improve for your sake. One Sunday paper expressed that Wolves will look more out of place in the Premier League than Cesc Fabregas at Brian Hortons for lunch!

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  30. 30
    timbowolf

    WE WONT DO AN ALBION. WE ARE WOLVES

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  31. 31
    Baggietastic

    These ‘business model’ posts make me smile. The only thing that matters is the ability and motivation of the players, the tactics, and all that goes into that.

    We can’t say that peace hasn’t spent the money this time round. Think of the money spent on Valero, Cech, Zoov, Meite,Kim, plus salaries on Donk, Simpson,argie guy,umbalumbo. Could also add Brunt,Moore, and keeping Robbo as being a waste of money. We could all name 2 or 3 players that would have seriously improved our chances, and overall cost less. Saturday we were bereft of ideas and most players seamed exhausted of mind and body before half time.Passion only after Koren scored.

    On the upside, Dorrans was excellent when he came on. So was Olsen. Just hope we can keep them.

    And I burnt my mouth on a balti pie.

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  32. 32
    dudley baggie

    20 the problem is not with Tm YOU HAVE TO SAY ITS THE BOARD 4 YEARS IN THE PREM AND WE HAVENT LEARNT A THING DOWN THIS YEAR BACK UP NEXT AND THEN HEART BREAK ALL OVER AGAIN VERY SAD FOR ALL US LOYAL ONES

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  33. 33
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    Laughing Wolf.
    Don’t know why but here goes. Cech is obviously going but to Celtic not to Wolves. Morrison has attracted Bolton’s interest and Olssen would no doubt attract a lot of interest from established Premier clubs but we don’t need to let either of them go. Of course if an attractive offer came in we may need to let them go but going to Wolves does not constitute an attractive offer. Yes you will be a Prem club but probably for one season.
    PS Dwight Yorke might be available from Sunderland.

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  34. 34
    TERRY ROMEO BAGGIE

    i wonder if the dingles go up if laffinwolf will start guin to the matches instead of being stuck on here every saturday afternoon,aye boing boing whats a season ticket

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  35. 35
    Music to My Ears

    Five Pinter,

    Nice to hear back, so we agree; the issue is not about the “Business Model” then.

    I’m sorry that my use of the term “success” may have confused. I used it in the broader context of the Biz Life Cycle; on entry, success equates to survival, after a few years, to mid table, and so on.

    I feel uncomfortable with your assertion that some clubs use “sound biz management” as a reason not to invest. The corollary would infer that where they do invest, they are using unsound practices, right?

    This cannot be, as under the guise of good governance, clubs are businesses (I’m assuming they are managed by a board), and thus are required to use “sound biz management” practices at all times; Boards havea no alternatives.

    I also cannot agree that their “adventure is doomed to failure”. There is a big chasm between the Champs & Premiership, as others along with Wolves may be realising soon.

    Good business management is about action, reflection & learning, and I’m sure many a club that goes up, also comes down having learned something. So long as the club is in a fit state to take on board that learning, and go again, then there are successes & great value derived from their perhaps brief “adventures”.

    Finally, I’m not sure that we are on the same business wavelength when it comes to “risk” either. Your reading conjures up notions that risk is more about personality, flamboyance, and perhaps something cavalier?

    I’d have thought that this rather romantic notion might have been in decline by now, especially given the happenings at RBS and other economic issues allegedly arising from “risk-seeking” individuals?

    From a biz perspective, “risk” is less about personality, but rather, it is something that we measure and put a number on by looking at things like debt-equity ratios, operational gearing rations, & the like.

    I’m certain that all club boards do this, irrespective of Champs & Prem too, and hope that they continue to do it too.

    Whether a Board puts in #10, #10 mill or whatever into an “opportunity”, they always place THE CLUB’s money at risk. It makes sense that Boards coldly appraise those Investments, by also considering the potential Returns, and, the likely Timeframes.

    The challenge as ever is in matching a Supporter’s shorter terms expectations & desires, with a Board’s longer term timeframes; therein lies a deep-seated tension :-)

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  36. 36
    TonyC

    22. Aversion to risk is easy to throw away…. when you have a big sugar daddy standing behind you.

    Perhaps the more prudent route is the one we’ve adopted. The end result may not be very palatable, but throw away prudence and follow the likes of Leeds, Bradford, Leicester….

    I’m sad the way things are going – but still think we’re moving in the right direction. Don’t get me wrong, I had high hopes for this season, but realistically – success in the Premiership was never going to happen over night (at least not for the Albion !)

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  37. 37
    1954 Baggie

    Enlightening stats no 9 makes it look so simple.
    However the difference between us and Stoke n Hull
    is they have more battlers in their sides we have
    tried to outfootball them the big clubs dont like
    it up em. We will find out shortly As regards our
    chairman his plan is to make sure we dont end up like Charlton and others whove spent big and
    failed. We knew TM would soon restore Valero.

    Report abuse

  38. 38
    Baggiebob

    “WE WONT DO AN ALBION. WE ARE WOLVES” – You mean go up for one season and then hang around in the championship for four years!

    Report abuse

  39. 39
    Costa blanca baggie

    Music to My Ears… Do me a favour would you. Any chance of explaining the `trickle-down effect´. I never really understood it. Cheers!

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  40. 40
    strollers WBA

    11 Real class

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  41. 41
    had enough

    bit late for carson to get his confidence back is’nt it? n england, yes i’ve had my moans about mowbray not having a plan b

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  42. 42
    Baggie Rich

    5. I totally agree with you!! Mowbray will have learnt a great deal this year which will stand us in good stead next season!!!

    New fullbacks are essential and I hope Mulumba is the holding midfielder we crave!! Apart from that, if we do go down I hope we continue to play in the free flowing manner we did last season.

    Up the Baggies!!

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  43. 43
    had enough

    AGAIN PEACE THOUGHT HE COULD KEEP THE BAGGIES IN THE BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD FOR PENNIES, HE HAS BEEN THE CHAIRMAN FOR 4 PREMIER STINTS,AND DID’NT LEARN ONE SINGLE THING, PERSONALLY I THINK HE IS TAKING IT FOR GRANTED THAT WE WILL ALWAYS COME STROLLING BACK UP, I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THAT,ANYWAY PEACE SHOULD HAVE GUIDED MOWBRAY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS NEEDED, BECAUSE MOWBRAY HAS BEEN NAIVE

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  44. 44
    BOB LOWE

    30.if you are going to come on here please try to say something constructive.it was always going to be tough but life for a lot of people is instant success.(think about how long it took sir alex to win something).we are heading in the right direction thanks to gary megson who whetted our appetite for a long term relationship with the premier.with gary it was a case of a “sister in law” flirtation with the top flight.”your up there but you know you shouldnt be !)it took sir alex 5 years to start to achieve something,lets give TM some breathing space please.lovely football,lovely guy(tempus fugit)time flies i know but 41 years of hurt(68 cup final)surely another 2/3 seasons we can wit.keep the faith-PLEASE.

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  45. 45
    halesowenbaggie

    MOWBRAY OUT, You lot must be wearing rose tinted glasses. Never liked TM, for a no nonsense centre-half why has our defence always been leaking goals. Why didn’t he insist KP stays, why didn’t he buy a ball winner in middle of park? Why has he bought inadequate players??? GET HIM OUT

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  46. 46
    BRIAN

    BRISBANE BAGGIE SAID
    LETS FACE IT. THIS TEAM IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A PREMER LEAGUE SIDE IF WE STAY UP ARE WE GOING TO SEE THE SAME RUBISH AS THIS SEASON. SAME OLD STORY FANCY FOOTBALL TILL WE REACH THE HALF WAY MARK AND THEN A BRICK WALL NO IDEA SOMEONE PLEASE TELL TM THEY ARE JUST TO SLOW.WE ARE IN THE 21st CENTERY NOW FAST ATTACKING FOOTBALL LIKE ALL THE TOP TEAMS.

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  47. 47
    Nedball

    Realistically, who do we expect to leave during the Summer?

    I’d suggest Donk, Simpson, Fortune (not sure as I think we may actually sign him), Menseguez, Mulumbu will all be gone after their loans finish (only Fortune I’m fussed about really).

    Potentially if the money’s right there could be departures for Mozza (but I think he’d stay), Greening (same as with Mozza), Olsson (see notes on Mozza), Koren (and again), Zuvi, Carson, Robbo, Cech, Valero and Meite.

    Thoughts anyone?

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  48. 48
    Nedball

    Another question, what happened to that Makakula fella that was going to sign for us on loan and went to Bolton?

    I remember him playing against Man United and getting booked for running into Van Der Sar, but haven’t seen or heard anything since…….

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  49. 49
    laughingwolf

    I agree with much of what you are all saying about ‘risk’ and doing a leeds etc, but Wolves like Albion have people behind the scenes that wouldnt let that happen.

    Mr Morgan come to Wolves nearly 2 years ago, told mick to ship out squad players or players that didnt fit in etc (Eastwood) Olofinjana went to stoke (3mil) mc indoe (750k) plus loan fees for other players and we simply replaced them with better players.

    Not one Albion fan has praised Wolves for the way we have done this season, without parachute payments and unlike alot of clubs still average 22.5k a game. With Stoke and Hull looking likely to stay up and second season syndrome wolves have a great chance of survival, I wasnt being dis-respectful about the 3 albion lads, but like I say they have just finished bottom of the prem and had one season in their, with Wolves ambition and financial backing to the right players don’t be suprised to see albion players unsettled if we did put in an offer. fair?

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  50. 50
    Happy_baggie

    LW 49 – actually there has been plenty of praise for what wolves have done this season from Albion fans – its just that you are too thick and too biased to notice… you were probably thinking about Hoef talking about west bromwich or blaming carson for something.

    Now jog on cos your sudden change of approach is bringing me brekky back up.

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  51. 51
    Aussie Baggie

    What a fool believes!
    Maybe you should have a bet then Tony.
    Most bookies now have Albion at 1/33 to go down.

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  52. 52
    Nedball

    49 – Shadrag.

    I didn’t take your ‘offer’ of £6million as disrespectful. I’d say £6million for those 3 is just less than JP would ask for

    Cech – £1.5 million?
    Olsson – £2 million?
    Mozza – £3.5 million?

    In regards to you saying no Albion fan has praised the Wolves, you’re wrong, I’ve said you’ve exceeded expectations this year and have finally realised that your team was better suited to attacking than defending.
    You’ve had a good season, but you’ll struggle next season (as all newly promoted clubs do) and I don’t think you’ll get the players you need unless you break the bank, and then it is a risk (I’m not qualified enough to get involved with fivepinter / MTME’s financial debate).

    Then it’s time to switch places…..AGAIN!!

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  53. 53
    Nedball

    P.S. Sorry Shadrag, how could I forget??

    I love you xxxx

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  54. 54
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    43.
    I don’t often resort to invective but.
    If you’ve really had enough as you keep telling us. Why are you still here you boring, whinging, whining t**t?
    48 Ned.
    I think he was on their bench on Saturday.
    On your other question. Agree with you up to Koren, hopefully they will all stay. Can’t see any of the ones after Koren leaving except possibly Meite and definitely Cech. The others are young and will improve, also we would probably lose money on them. I’d definitely keep Fortune and as we haven’t really seen Mulumbu or Menseguez I suppose it’s down to how TM has judged their attitude. If someone from the prem comes in for Robbo, he may want one last go, I’d be happy for him either way. Brunt will do a good job in the CCC but will never hack it in the prem due to lack of either pace or work rate.
    45 Halesowen.
    I bet you were saying the same thing at the end of last season weren’t you?

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  55. 55
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    51 Aussie Baggie.
    You have never answered the question, are you a Baggie in Oz or an Aussie that lives here and goes to matches.
    Anyway, do you really think our manager should be saying ‘I think we’re going down’ when we still have games left and the possibility of staying up? If you do I think you need a rethink on who the ‘fool’ is.

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  56. 56
    laughingwolf

    Happy, I can reassure you that somebody (likely to an albion fan) has posted with laughingwolf and i cannot stop that.

    I think with the current recession and bigger clubs looking likely to get relegated, we can survive without breaking the bank, I think Albion, Newcastle and borough will go down, I would like to see the Wolves go for:

    Huddlestone (not playing at spurs,been on loan)
    Eagles (burnley)
    Adam Johnson (borough)
    David Wheater (borough)
    Justin Hoyte (borough)
    Aaron Ramsay (arsenal) season long loan
    Joe Ledley (cardiff)
    Alan Smith (newcastle)
    Sol Campbell (pompey) out of contract
    Danny Gabbidon (westham) not playing
    Calum Davenport (westham) fell out with zola

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  57. 57
    TERRY ROMEO BAGGIE

    49LW,ive said many occasions how well the dingles have done,im always praising them up,i just hope you lose your remaining games,aye boing boing mick out

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  58. 58
    laughingwolf

    All experienced Premier players (apart from Ramsay but regarded as one of the top young talents) either not playing, going to the championship or out of contract, a number of realistic targets.

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  59. 59
    TERRY ROMEO BAGGIE

    49 I LOVE YOU TOO SHADRAG XXXX

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  60. 60
    laughingwolf

    We have a good nucleas but 5-6 of the above needed. We realistically have in our current squad who can step up a level:

    Murray (gk)
    Hennessey (gk)
    Foley (df)
    Berra (df)
    Stearman (df)
    Elokobi (df)
    Kightly (mf)
    Jarvis (mf)
    Jones (mf)
    Ebanks blake (fw)

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  61. 61
    quinton baggie

    You gotta keep the faith! We only have Liverpool to play in our last games you would write off. All the other games are with teams right by us. Who would bet against Blackburn where we need a win to stop up?

    Whats the matter with you Baggie fans? 8 games left to scream, shout jump up and down and give them all the support required. I am sick and tired of this appathetic drivel.

    If we give up now then that will transpose on to the pitch.

    GET BEHIND THE BOYS AND LETS HAVE A BLACK COUNTRY DERBY IN THE PREMIERSHIP NEXT SEASON

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  62. 62
    Jeff

    If the past is anything to go by, Jeremy Peace will not let anyone go unless TM says he doesn’t want them.
    If they are allowed to leave, he will only let them go at the best price for WBA.
    This attitude has been a notable strong point with JP over the last few years.
    He has also signed players on long contracts and expects them to be honoured by players.
    I am keen to keep Fortune and Menseguez of the loan players, but if we have noticed he – Fortune – is a decent player then you can bet others in the Prem will be after him. We need to sign him NOW or we WILL lose him at the end of the season.

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  63. 63
    sheepinwulfsclothing

    56. laffinwulf. I believe that your strategy for premiershio survival is somewhat flawed. Where do you think that you will finish if you bring in 7 players from teams who are likely to be relegated from the prem?. Best stick to ex Sunderland players eh?

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  64. 64
    Nedball

    60 –

    Murray – permanently injured but a good shot stopper. Could potentially step up
    Hennessey – He’s got the potential definitely
    Foley – not got the pace / physical prescence needed IMO
    Berra – couldn’t comment as not seen him personally
    Stearman – not good enough. His pace has got him out of holes this season, wouldn’t have the opportunity in the Prem
    Elokobi – when I’ve seen him he looks all blood and thunder, I don’t think he’d do it personally
    Kightly – last season Robbo kept him quiet and we all know he’s not the best left back in the league….maybe he’s improved enough to potentially step up, or is it a year too soon?
    Jarvis – can’t comment enough to make a call
    SEB – he’ll either do really well or flop completely

    Targets:
    Huddlestone – no chance
    Eagles – maybe
    Johnson – have him, he’s poor
    Wheater – think he’d go somewhere like Hull
    Hoyte – why would you want him to sit on the bench if Foley’s so good? Could potentially happen though
    Ramsay – all depends on Arsene Wenger
    Ledley – think he’ll end up going to Stoke if they stay up….potentially could happen though again if Jarvis and Kightly are so good, why spend 3.5million at least on a sub?
    Smith – highly unlikely
    Campbell – good thinking but never gonna happen
    Gabbidon – go for it. Not a bad player and hasn’t played all season…who knows?
    Davenport – see Gabbidon

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  65. 65
    danobaggs

    On the topic of this article; Interesting this. Just looked on the official website at 2004-2005 season & at this actual point in that season it was Norwich that were 7 points off safety, same as us now! And if u remember it was actually Norwich that was the only team out the four battling on that epic final day, that had THEIR own fate in THEIR own hands! They turned it around & came back in those last few games. Fair enough they blew it on the big day but thats THEIR problem. But now thats just gotta be some inspiration!! I just wish some people would not give up. It was also that season where the week before we stayed up, we went 2 old trafford i think needing a point or it was over. But every1 & all the fans still believed & my god we got one! I dont think there is that feelin & spirit amongst the fans this time maybe cuz there was more expectation this year or maybe our defence but how we need it again now! But I also dont agree with how Koren says the pressure will be on them for next few weeks. How is that?? We have absolutley nothin 2 loose! Credit 2 Mowbray he’s right, we cant give up, we wont give up & for god sake lets NOT give up! Take note of that fact & keep the great escape sequel in production. C’MON BAGGIE BOYS!!

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  66. 66
    laughingwolf

    ned- It is a squad game not a team game:

    Ledley- can play centre mid
    Campbell- would of said the same for ince?
    Hoyte- a left back, foley right back.
    Huddlestone- Brought up locally, club captain
    Adam Johnson- good prem player,
    Michael Ball- released at end of season by manc

    Your comments about our current players are funny. Foley slow? Elokobi, easily a prem player. With regards to robbo keeping Kites quiet, by assult maybe. He had the legs on him everytime and one challenge should of been a sending off and a huge ban and fine at molineux it was cowardly. I would like a little personal wager that we finish on more points than you?

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  67. 67
    Music to My Ears

    CB Baggie,

    > any chance of explaining the `trickle-down effect´?

    Sure, that’s easy, and its also to do with how we Spends Our Pennies …

    When we get older, have a drink or two before the game, and then go to the bathroom at half time, we no longer “P” like we used to.

    When the going gets really tough, and the flow turns to a dribble, that’s the “trickle down effect” :-)

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  68. 68
    H.wednesburybaggie

    67.ITS A KIDNEY STONE SOUNDS LIKE TO ME.

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  69. 69
    Jeff

    Baggies fans are THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  70. 70
    JWolf

    I don’t think referring to Robbos constant thuggish tackles and leg movements around Kightly can really determine Kightlys ability. Robbo isn’t all that, because nobody seems to have had much trouble getting past him for the last 8 months. Robbo doesn’t lack bottle, but he lacks ability, this season has proven so, he’s constantly been shown up. He tries to think of himself as a ‘hardman’ in football, how many people are ‘hardmen’ when they attack from behind taking someones legs out? Not one. His actions are those of a frustrated coward having a tantrum.

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  71. 71
    frankthegas

    What planet is Mowbray on, not this one for shore if he thinks we are going to beat Stoke and not go down he is living on another planet.Wake up Mowbray cant you see the team you have will not be in this division next season, so stop coming on TV and saying we still have a chance if we win our home matches.You have being say that all season and we are still bottom of the league

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  72. 72
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    70 Jwolf.
    Your tired old Molineaus mantra, Robbo is a thug is wearing a bit thin. He is a hard player, as well as dishing it out he takes it, I’ve seen him on the receiving end of many bad tackles, head injuries etc and he never complains. Your point about his lack of ability goes in direct contrast to the high regard you hold Kightly in. If Robbo is run ragged by every winger, then how come he has had Kightly in his pocket every time they’ve played? I know last season you blamed Robbo for injuring him at the Hawthorns but Kightly has stated it had nothing to do with Robbo, he went over on an ankle.
    Robbo may not be the best full back in the world but he is hard but fair. He’s been sent off once this season for the foul that the cameras proved wrong against Man Ure. Hardly a bad record in our current no tackling nancy boy football.

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