Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion blog: The Omen
Friday 3rd April 2009, 9:10AM BST.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill believes that the Baggies will finally get that long overdue victory against Stoke – despite the omen suggesting otherwise.
Our boys return to action against Stoke and I am looking forward to it in more ways than one.
I miss going to the game and international breaks make me realise how bad it’s going to be during the summer with no football. I am also looking forward to the game as it is my birthday.
However, as I hate to inform my fellow Baggies, Albion have NEVER won on my birthday!
With this in mind, the fact we are playing our bogie side, the fact they are the archetypal team that have beaten us this season and the fact they will be desperate for the points I am predicting a – wait for it – a win!
Yes, a much-needed win! Why, I here you ask?
I don’t know, I have just come to the conclusion that, although it is probably too late to save us, I think we will get some results in the next few weeks. Also the law of averages states all of the above hoodoos can’t go on forever.
But to be able to beat teams like Stoke you have to earn the right to play your football, defend set piece and be prepared for a battle.
It will be interesting to see what team and formation our manager Tony Mowbray picks for the game, but Stoke will represent a similar style of opponent to the Bolton side we played recently.
Our defensive duo Jonas Olsson and Shelton Martis certainly offer aerial strength, and Graham Dorrans in midfield offers a little more bite and energy.
Yet Mowbray sees Dorrans as the ideal player to play in a midfield five, but I am unsure as to whether he will choose to play 4-5-1 at home.
Stoke will be as desperate to gain three points as I hope our boys will be, so I am predicting a blood and thunder game. I am also going to have a cheeky bet on there being a sending off – you heard it here first.
This week has also witnessed Mowbray’s tactics and football principles being questioned by others in the game. Martin Keown and then Lou Macari have both gone on record to state our manager had been somewhat naive and arrogant in remaining true to his view of how his team should play, even when it became obvious it wasn’t working.
I can empathise with some of their sentiments but, as I have pointed out previously, our manager is a developing one.
It means he will make mistakes, sign players that do not work out, make errors in team selection and will choose the wrong tactics from time to time.
But what we hope is that he will learn from his mistakes and become a better manager for our club, I know it has been frustrating but we need our fans to believe in the long term goal that Mowbray is trying to achieve.
Anyway, lets hope we can put more than just one hoodoo to bed against Stoke, night night!
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Hi Jarrod
I fully believe you will have too much for Stoke. Shame they are not giving Olofinjana a run out to give you even more a chance!
Best of luck for Saturday. We need Albion in the Prem, a black country derby in the top flight (if we do make it) will be something very special.
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we have never won on my birthday either,but thats proberly cuz its in july,aye boing boing happy birthday dear jarrod happy birthday to you.
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Definitely one for the battlers. Hope Bednar gets a start and I’m sure Robbo, Olssen, Martis pick themselves. I wonder whether giving Hoff a chance against his old club might work? Tell him he’s talked the talk this week, now get out there and do a bit of walking, or preferably running. In midfield is Mulumbu fit? Is he worth a gamble? I’d give Dorrans a game instead of Brunt, a game against Stoke isn’t really Brunt’s style at all. I’d put Fortune in with Bednar to help defend set pieces. Having said all of that I’m usually useless at getting formations right, unlike a lot on here who should really be doing Fabio Capello’s job. At least in their own little minds.
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i got a spare student ticket for the west stand tomorra if anybody wants it,if your youthful looking like me you will get in with it,let me know asap aye boing boing its free
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I have a feeling we might finally get that win too.
I quite fancy a 4-5-1 to start with, & then bringing on a second striker for the last half hour if we are not winning.
It might be too late for us now but a win would certainly give us some hope going into the last few games & put a bit of pressure on those above us.
BTW am I the only one who thinks that appointing Shearer is a big mistake at Newcastle ? Big name players don’t normally make top managers & this guy has absolutely no experience whatsoever.
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No.5 The Hoff
I totally agree with the statement you made about Newcastle, a knee jerk reaction to a situation he might not be able to turn around. But, with 2 million quid resting on it for him, 1 million anyway, plus another if they stay up, you can’t blame him wanting to try !!
My concern tomorrow is Carson’s handling of the exorcet throws by Delap, lets hope the two big guy’s at the back cut them out before going as far as the keeper
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I totally agree with the statement you made about Newcastle, a knee jerk reaction to a situation he might not be able to turn around. But, with 2 million quid resting on it for him, 1 million anyway, plus another if they stay up, you can’t blame him wanting to try !!
My concern tomorrow is Carson’s handling of the exorcet throws by Delap, lets hope the two big guy’s at the back cut them out before going as far as the keeper
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1. Nathan; thanks for the support being a Wolves fan. I do agree a Black Country derby in the top flight is long overdue and it would be special. To have all West Midland clubs in the Prem would be great.
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We need to shut up that stomach churning delilah. If hear that again i’m sure i’ll scream!
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firstly, happy birthday for tommorrow mate, looking forward to the celebrations tonight. Secondly, i can also see a win tommorrow, interesting little bet about the sending off, thinking about it, not a bad bet, plenty of bad blood between the clubs, both on and off the pitch, lol. I read the comments this week from the really popular and extemly successful manager macari (not), and i must admit that as a player that would be more than enough to fire me up for the game. You know my feelings about Dorrans, and i would have him in a lot more for the last few games, definately a lot more bite in midfield with him in. So, looking forward to a great game, im ready to drown out “delilah” with “the lords my shepherd” and “when the stripes”. Lastly mate, theyve never won on my birthday either, but then it is in August (hint hint). See you later
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I hope lessons have been learnt from the Bolton
game,Greening and Brunt are just way to slow for
this league,in the reserve fixture at the Hawthorns players like Teixeira and Menseguez
ran Stoke ragged so I`d like Mowbray to start with
those two,James Morrison should be rested as he
looked jaded for Scotland.
MY ALBION TEAM:
Carson,Zuiverloon,Martis,Olsson,Robinson,
Teixeira,Koren,Dorrans,Menseguez,Moore,Fortune.
Subs:Kiely,Cech,Valero,Brunt,Greening,
Bednar,Simpson.
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I’m bringing a mate with me tomorrow who is a Stoke fan, and he is already pontificating about the goal Shawcross will score tomorrow. So just in case, he will be the one who look’s like ‘Bungle’ from ‘Rainbow’ sat 5 rows behind the dug out!He He!
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11 vlb…i agree with your team selection there m8 but like me u must know the gaffer aint gonna drop is fav greenin!!
boin boing give mowbray 10 year contract!!!
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Seams like Simpsons gettin ahead of himself. Anyone else think he wouldn’t get a kick once Millers back. I’d play Bednar and Moore. Both have deserved their chance, although Fortunes put the effort in. Please Mowbray, play Dorrans, give the lad a chance.
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Happy Birthday for tomorrow Jarrod…and as a special birthday pressie you will beat Stoke (I hope !!) Really I will have everything crossed for you because, as Nathan said, it will be great to face you in the Prem next year (always assuming we don’t blow it !!) 3 points at the blue nose house on Monday would be very welcome !!
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Like number 8 i would love to see all the midlands teams in the premier and maybe the formation of a west midlands super team??
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#1 – If only there were two clubs in the Black Country… ;) (Just kiddin’! I know what you mean – it’s a shame the Dingles aren’t already in the Prem – we could do with the points!!!)
———–
Back the the real point of my post, Stoke at home was the first game I saw – it was my birthday too, St Andrews Day 1991 – a 2-2 draw if memory recalls correctly.
It’s not quite “soft brown stuff” or bust yet but if the points gap is more than the games left then we really are in last chance saloon.
I noticed the bookies are still only offering 9 to 1 on us staying up!
My prediction? 3-2 home win. From 3 nil up.
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Sorry, Happy Birthday Jarrod?
Quel âge as-tu?
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35 unfortunately supermaths, thanks for the well wishes.
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Many happy returns for tomorrow bomber.
Are the drinks on you
by the way nothing wrong with 35 wait ’till you get 42 lol
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I have my fingers crossed that we can overcome the Stoke hoodoo we seam to have, and get the win, now is the time for the whole team to walk the walk instead of talking the talk…
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Happy birthday for tomorrow Jarrod. It would be good for once to beat Stoke, but don’t hold out much hope. If we do lose I dare not think about that one. I am just disappointed in the drivel TM keeps saying week in week out, we had chances. They are no good unless you stick some of them away. I have said enough.
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Mere children, my children. Just wait until you hit 78! Of course, the alternative to BEING 78 is unthinkable. How could our team possibly survive without me there? When I do eventually join the old Baggies in the sky, WE SHALL BEAT BLOODY STOKE EVERY TIME WE PLAY THEM! You will see deflected shots going off five Stoke defenders, hit both posts, roll along the line and spin into the net to give us a 5-0 win. Delilah will be helpless to aid them, I shall be sitting on her! Oh, and get stuffed to all the Baggies I’ve nagged on here now saying, “Hurry up and do it”.
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23 Cyril.
Don’t do it, don’t jump. We need all the members of the glass half full club alive and well. Here’s to the next 78 years. You’re only as old as… or something like that.
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Happy Birthday Jarrod , keep smiling cos next birthday you will be able to watch Doncaster .
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great result last nail in the brazilian coffin what i disgrace to the premiership but not long eh
happy birthday fella hope tony keeps up the good work
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Have endured another wretched afternoon at The Hawthorns and am still trying to wind down after the embarassment of another defeat to the Stokies.
Credit due to their fight and commitment but not my cup of tea in this or any other life.
Back to the Baggies. The performance today is an insult to a club rich in tradition who regularly thrashed the best at home. We could have played 90 hours and not hurt them! The situation we find ourselves in is down to one man – the man who owns and runs the club in truth. Owners have responsibilities and ultimately should carry the can. I believe Mr.Peace has now set a record – the first Chairman to reside over 3 promotions and 3 relagations. Yes, lets cut the bullshi…we are DOWN.
Mr. Peace, you are formally accused of seven deadly sins:
1. Completely devoid of any vision – your plans and statements are always geared to failure – if we are back in the Championship we can pay this…sustain that…
2. As a businessman you have no notion of investing for success or return on investment. Is it £3million net spend? Whatever the paltry sum you sow what you reap? And you failed to land a Sponsor in the biggest league on the Planet!
3. Pay peanuts and you get monkeys! The bloody wage structure should be relative to the quality of the squad and competing. Mr. Peace I think it is called gearing!
4. High risk strategy – if we get relegated we will get promoted again..again.. again. May be not Mr. Peace look at Wolves last stint.
5. Penny pinching. No you wouldn’t give Kevin Phillips two years as he needed to prove his worth?? Take a look at last seasons video highlights and count the number of times Messrs Phillips and Gera were part of the movements when we scored.
6. Not managing the Manager. I don’t believe in criticising or hounding any player because once again you are ultimately responsible… you say Tony this isn’t good enough and where is your plan b. Man Utd play attractive football too but they can’t half defend too.
7. Monopolistic and Dictatorial control usually leads to unhealthy practice and discontent. In effect you are accountable to nobody. You’re manipulation of the share/ownership/control of the Club was a win win situation for you only. It is called greed and unfortunately it looks as if we are stuck with you as no buyer can be found – even less likely now as we go down.
I would like to present you with trophy for the cabinet for your three time record. Please ask your secretary to confirm a date so that we can confirm a date – at home on the the pitch against Liverpool would be fine.
Not a chance!!
War not Peace at any price – go now!!
Kevin Edwards
Supporter since 1963
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So…
How did that go then?
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Goodbye baggies goodbye! We’ll see you again we dont know when.
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