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Albion blog: New Hope
Tuesday 28th April 2009, 9:15AM BST.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill saw light at the end of the tunnel after Saturday’s rout of Sunderland at the Hawthorns.
Please do not be mislead by the title, I am not talking about this season. I still think we are doomed, but on Saturday we saw some spring shoots of hope emerging through the Hawthorns turf.
Our midfielder Graham Dorrans was having an exceptional game until it was cut short by injury.
Before the season even began, myself and Pete ‘Hilltop Baggie’ Danckert were predicting a bright future for the young scot having seen him play so well in a number of pre-season games.
He is young and his eagerness to prove himself at the club has seen him literally bully his way into the first team. It is that determination which is as impressive as his range of passing and his full bloodied tackles. What is good for us is that he can only get better due to his age.
Anyway onto Saturday’s win against Sunderland, all but one player played well and gave it 100 per cent – and that one player was Jay Simpson.
Please, please, can our manager Tony Mowbray send him back to Arsenal. He looked disinterested, lacked effort, and had no positive effect at all.
He has openly stated he doesn’t want to be here and I would send him back now, I would rather see young Chris Wood play than him.
I know strikers need confidence, but if only Simpson was as good as he thinks he is then we would be playing in Europe next season!
Two other January signings proved to have a much larger effect on the game. Youssouf Mulumbu looked neat and not afraid to put his foot in, while Juan Carlos Menseguez looked very bright in his cameo role.
Tony Mowbray will have decisions to make on both of them as well, as well as striker Marc Antoine Fortune. I would be keen to keep all three of them on the evidence so far, but I would need to see more of Mulumbu and Meneseguez.
I must also mention how good the Hawthorns faithful were on Saturday, as loud and passionate as ever and I must admit the Chris Brunt song makes me chuckle every time I hear that.
But lets face it, the problem this season hasn’t been our home form and I am sure that our home support has played a part. We have consistently struggled away from home since former boss Gary Megson left us and that has continued this season.
Anyway in Friday’s blog, I am going to unveil the ‘Bomber’s Baggies Blog Awards.’
Categories will include: -
‘Player of the Season’, Young Player of the Season,’ ‘Most Improved Player of the Season,’ ‘Most Disappointing Player of the Season,’ ‘Funniest Moment of the Season,’ Goal of the Season’ and ‘Best Away Fans of the Season.”
Let me know your choices and thoughts by posting your comments below and I will pick my winners on Friday.
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Totally agree with you about Simpson, but I wonder if we have to play him to maintain good relationships with Arsenal.
Regarding the awards, I would say Olsson as player of the season with Morrison a close second; Dorrans as young player (hasn’t really played enough games to justify it, but is there anyone else ??); Brunt as most improved player with a mention for Miller who was beginning to show good signs when he got injured; Carson as most disappointing player (given that he is an England international)but could easily have been Robinson, Moore, Valero, Meite, Simpson etc etc; Rob Style’s performance against Man Utd as the funniest moment (and the ironic chanting of his name by the Albion fans); Best goal will be the winner at Blackburn to keep us up; Man Utd as the best away fans (I hate most things about them but the away support is genuinely fantastic – probably because it is their real fans who go away with them rather than the Prawn Sandwich Brigade at Old Trafford)
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Sunderland tried hard to ‘sort out’ our midfield with a few juicy and dubious tackles, probably why TM introduced Mulumbu later on. I thought the ref had a good game too although a touch lenient at times. We can’t hear the Chris Brunt song in the East Stand so how about E&S letting it be published? A few **** for the naughty bits. Certainly Brunty deserves the accolades he’s now getting and he’s developing into quite a finisher. Counting the two ‘in-off-the-bum’ jobs others have claimed, he’d have nine in no time at all. Dorrans just makes me drool with anticipation. I’m sure the gaffer will nurse him into the team full time. Now we need a poacher, a young Kevin Phillips type to finish off the good work of Fortuné. Defence? Sorted at last??? Agree totally about Simpson. He just runs slap bang into a cul-de-sac every time, no idea how to vary his game. Arsenal team? Not a hope at present. He’s missing London, big time.
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Spot on Jarrod, Saturday’s performance gave us all encouragement and good hope. I agree with your assessment of JS’s performance and frame of mind but there may be more to this than is clear to us;
Were I Arsene Wenger, I would insist as a loan condition that being fit, my player’s were selected to play.
Additionally, if the player’s were returned ‘early’ then I would think twice of repeating a loan.
Just a thought that TM’s hands might be tied; I’m reasonably confident his preference would be to choose players in preparation for next season.
All the best
Alfie
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Hi Bomber, it’s amazing just how many people, after a really good performance on Saturday were convincing themselves that we can still stay up. I heard so many people walking out of the ground on Saturday saying;
‘We can beat Spurs on Saturday, etc………’
It was a great performance on Saturday and real shame it’s come too late.
In regards to your topics for Friday here are my choices:
Player of the Season – James Morrison just edging Jonas Olsson
Young Player of the Season – Graham Dorrans for his impact on the 1st team since he’s been bought in.
Most Improved Player – Chris Brunt, no question.
Most disappointing player – Valero or Simpson
Funniest Moment – Hull City fans at The Shrine singing ‘You’re getting mauled by the Tigers, whilst doing the campest of clawing motions in our direction in the Smethwick.
Either that, or when we got my mate to ask specifically for a left handed seat when booking her season ticket…….that was quite good too!!
Goal of the Season – Miller Vs. Blackburn, or possibly Fortune’s 1st goal against Newcastle.
Best Away Fans – best fans at an Albion Away match for me was Liverpool fans in the Arkles Pub , Liverpool, or Man City fans last Sunday, bith were excellent.
Best away fans to come to The Shrine, I’d have to say, were those Seals from Villa Park. They were excellent, had some great banter, got behind their team and caused no problems at all. Fair play to them.
Feel free to disagree with me though, most people do!!
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I think this weekend is key for your season. If you beat Spurs I think you will Stay up as you will beat Wigan at home and Blackburn away.
I think you need 9 points so we can play you next year. It would be great to have the 3 north east teams go down and be replaced by us and blues!
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Bomber…”I know strikers need confidence, but if only Simpson was as good as he thinks he is then we would be playing in Europe next season!”
we are mate!! we are going to Swansea and prob Cardiff they are not in England so must be in Europe lol…
Agree that the relagation is only a couple of matches away but as long as there is a chance there is always hope.
On saturday I thought we played no better than any other game this season it just proves that somedays the ball rolls for you other times not. Ok Sunderland where poor but no worse than some other teams we have lost too.
at least we know that no Albion fan will be there against Liverpool holding up banners of “you’ve let us down again”
5… Yes it would be nice but it’s not just going to happen.. but on the other hand as greavies used to say “it’s a funny ole’ game”
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Jarrod,
Completely agree about Simpson, I don’t care how bad Moore is in training he can’t possibly be as bad as Simpson is on a match day. I have more chance of getting into the Arsenal first team than he does. As for Dorrans I agree he looks a good player but it begs the question why has TM taken so long tomput him in the team!
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Player of the Season – really?????
Young Player of the Season – really????? Wood if I have to choose one – cracking development from Kids to Reserves to First Team.
Most Improved Player of the Season – You’re just having a laugh now! Don’t say Brunt – one swallow does not a Summer make! :)
Most Disappointing Player of the Season – I see everyone has mentioned Homer Simpson – but not me – I expected him to be shi, sorry ‘rubbish’ when he joined – so my vote goes to Robinson.
Funniest Moment of the Season – seeing “Most Improved Player” as a category above!!!
Goal of the Season – Robinho’s volley
Best Away Fans of the Season – Man U again.
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On another note – I see we’ve seen the last of Morrison – for “foot infection” read “doesn’t want to play anymore and jeopardise a move to a Premiership club in the Summer through PROPER injury”.
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Good result and I hope Sunderland stay up because they will come down next season no doubt, Cisse will have gone back and Kenwyn Jones will go to Spurs. Wolves have a great chance with the 2 promotoed clubs and Hull and Stoke having 2nd season syndrome if they both there, Pompey having a mass clearout to survive best time for promotion. Do you think Luke Moore has a future at the club? Olsson and Morrison inevitably will eave but you can make the play-offs I have no doubt.
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Player of the Season – Jonas Olsson
Young Player of the Season – Graham Dorrans, if Valero’s worth £5 million, Dorrans is worth £15 million
Most Improved Player of the Season – None of the regular 11 stand out, so for the improvement, confidence and hunger when he’s played this season and also the impact he’s made during his appearance’s, Graham Dorrans.
Most Disappointing Player of the Season – Borja Valero, enough said.
Funniest Moment of the Season – Tony Mowbray declaring that “we’re a few players away from being a top 6 club” what??
Goal of the Season – Ishmael Miller v Blackburn Rovers
Best Away Fans of the Season – Hull City
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8 – SuperMaths – Very grumpy – Hope I don’t sit anywhere near you.
There’s always good points, even in a season like the one we’ve had. Cheer up – we’ll be celebrating another promotion this time next year
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11- Again very over-confident. You are bound to lose 2-3 of your better players, a few out of contract and a few havnt made it, I can see you in the championship rebuilding for the next few years at least. The championship has improved and albion have a weaker squad than 1 year ago.
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Oh Chrisy Brunt, Oh Chrisy Brunt,
He’s better up front, he’s better up front,
Oh Chrisy Brunt he’s better up front,
He’s got a name like a Fa**y,
Oh Chrisy Brunt he’s better up front!
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REPLY-8,Supermaths.The only reason Robbo has been so bad is because he has been dragged into the center to cover for the c-backs.Thus allowing people to go past him on the outside.Because the c-backs did their jobs on saturday it allowed him to do his own job.The result was a sollid performance.
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2 little t late i hear people say, well my glass is half full, beat spurs, it makes it interesting, COME ON U BAGGIES!!!!!!!
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REPLY-SuperMaths:The reason ROBBO’S had bad games is because he has been dragged out of possition due to the center backs not doing their jobs right.This is the reason why he’s been beat on his outside so often.The center backs did their jobs correctly last saturday and Robbo had a good solid game.So lay off and put the blame where it should be.Not on a player who gives 120% every game and is commited.
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Would whole-heartedly agree about Simpson, who would surprise me if he goes on to even make a half decent championship player (Arsenal 1st team?….Ha ha)i would also throw in Meite who i also think had another bad game, although by his shocking standards this season, it was far from his worst! He’d also get my vote, along with Moore, for Most Disappointing player..
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Man City are the best away fans of seasons lads… I MEAN WHO ELSE SINGS “UR GONNA GET SACKED IN THE MORNIN” to there OWN manager?
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14 and 16. Absolutely spot on mate. You know your football.
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11 – Moi? Grumpy?? Never!
How any team at the bottom of the league can vote for a Player of the Season etc. is beyond me!
Surely, by definition, it’s a Player-That-Wasn’t-As-Bad-As-The-Rest-This-Season Award?
—-
And as far as 14, 16 and 19 go – it doesn’t matter how much effort you put in if you’re inept as a Premiership defender in the first place, does it?
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most improved player as to be scott carson,kept a clean sheet on saturday,
most dissapointing, brunt,only decieded to play last few games,
best away game go with ned on this one great in the arkle
worst away game,chelsea, gave christmas up cost me nearly 200 quid 1-0 down after 2 mins and never crossed halfway line,
best goal bednars brilliant off the back of the head against city,
funniest moment,fulham,when we walked into pub in hammersmith steve called for 3 pints come to £14-80p, his face:-(
player of the season,robbo made mistakes(who daint) but always gives 100%
best away fans,aint played um yet but it will be liverpool,
young player,im going with martis i think he does and will form the best partnership with olssen,aye boing boing see you at the lane
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almost forgot,miss of the season,apart from morrisons 1 on 1s dont know how many times,as to be ish at bolton when kims free kick come back off the bar and he headed it over,aye boing boing sitter
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I will never forget the jubilation of the baggies making the premier league last season. Me and my wife also saw them make it to ‘wembley’and we went.
In that aura of huge expectations, all went home humming with desire for the prem.
Unfortunately, I had 2 heart attacks last year–2nd one coming back from our property in greece-never knew dehydration could have such a effect, as i had been building!.
Anyway, i am going to make the last 2 home games, as I have been a baggie since 1968, before our heroes took to the pitch WHEN WE WON THE FA CUP.
I have seen a marked improvement in gritty comittment from the players, and its no longer ‘tippy tappy passing’.
penetration and self belief seems to have returned, and I think WE ARE going to make a fist of it in the last 5 games.
It aint over till the fat lady sings, we can still, mathematicaly, stay in this division.
lets hope the players dont misplace there new found tenacity, and BELIEVE that we are meant to be here.
COME ON YOU BAGGIES !!!¬
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Think it is obvious with Simpson. I just think, he thought and still does think he’s way better than he is & when deep down he realised he wasnt, he used the excuse as Albion are goin down, and his hearts not in it. 10 goals he said? Joke! He’s just not good enough! He shouldn’t play again this season.
On more positive note, lets keep the momentum. It may be ideal time 2 play spurs. There season is over & we owe them a win from our last visit 2 the lane. The only thing is Albion teams never seem 2 cope with pressure. Not that there should be any whatsoever now but after that 3-0 win, somehow, someway it will seem like the pressure is back on!
5 Wolves Ay – U talk a lot of sense 4 a dingle, 3 north east teams 2 go down would be great and funny. I think 10 points. And we would need 2 go unbeaten for rest of season.
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4 – Hull fans lol!
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Do we need a reality check to believe we can win at Spurs ?? They do allow football teams to play
also its a good playing surface and we have played
well there in recent years.Theve gone nine since
last home loss. All it needs is a sending off a
own goal and a disputed penalty and were off and
running but return to reality i wont be taking
the 9-2 currently available.
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