No end in sight to Mowbray saga

Thursday 4th June 2009, 11:59AM BST.

West Bromwich Albion's manager Tony Mowbray (left) applauds the fans after his team are relegatedThe ‘Tony Mowbray to Celtic’ saga looks set to drag on beyond the weekend after a fresh wave of speculation linked him to a Parkhead return.

Albion again insist that the Old Firm giants do not have permission to speak to their boss, after reports claimed Mowbray and the Bhoys had opened talks.

But the protracted saga is set to continue into next week, with the Glasgow club expected to launch a last-ditch bid to persuade number-one choice Owen Coyle to take the job before making a final decision.

The odds on Mowbray taking the post tumbled, after reports by a Glasgow radio station claiming the Hawthorns boss was in talks with Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell were picked up by other media outlets.

But the Baggies moved quickly to insist they had still received no approach for permission to speak to the boss, who has two years remaining on his contract.

Both Lawwell and Mowbray were unavailable for comment, although the Baggies boss rarely takes telephone calls from the media.

Reports from north of the border suggest the Hoops will wait for Coyle to return from holiday next week before moving towards an appointment.

The Burnley boss’s open-ended comments on a move to Parkhead have given Celtic continued hope of luring him back to Scotland, despite Burnley’s insistence that their manager is going nowhere and will sign an extended contract at Turf Moor.

But Mowbray is widely regarded as the next name on the shortlist and the Baggies boss would be a popular choice with Bhoys fans.

Albion also remain confident they could convince Mowbray to stay, even if an official approach was forthcoming from Glasgow.

But the club have retained their ‘all quiet’ stance on the speculation, after two official club statements last week denying any approach.

Swansea manager Roberto Martinez also remains on the Celtic shortlist, but Wigan now appears a more likely destination for the Spaniard if he leaves Wales.

Speculation linking Wim Jansen and Tony Adams with Celtic has been dismissed by both Jansen and Bhoys officials.


  1. 1
    Fox in a Box

    If he does go, and I hope he does not, how come we are only looking for £750,000 compo, while Swansea are looking for £2 million for Martinez?

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  2. 2
    willenhall wanderer

    swansea have turned down 3 million for Martinez

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  3. 3
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    1 FIAB.
    All talk of what compensation we would ask if he were to go is pure speculation. But do you really think JP will be had over?
    On a previous thread someone advised JP to get a backbone and sort it out. At the risk of being accused of being JP again, what is he supposed to do?
    I’ve said previously that we can’t expect TM to deny that he wants a job that he hasn’t been offered. Perhaps now is the time for him to comment on these alleged talks he’s held with Lawwell. The silence is becoming deafening.

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  4. 4
    nottsbaggie

    You constantly hear Celtic supporters (as do those Geordies) going on about what a big club they are.

    They are so big, the managers they have lined up for the post are the likes of Martinez, Coyle and Mowbray!

    Could anyone imagine Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool etc going for any one of these as their manager?

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  5. 5
    wbabomber

    Guys if they want Mobs it will drag on for weeks with JP haggling for compensation!!
    Question is, if he does go who will we be after?

    Ill throw a outsider into the hat, Derek Mcinnes!!?

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  6. 6
    Oldburyite

    Could it be they think Martinez is a better prospect than Mowbray?

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  7. 7
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    i might get ridiculed for this,but im quickly losing any respect i had for him,so we got to wait for coyle to come back off holiday before anybody makes a statement,i hope he goes now, cuz i wont ever see him in the same light agen,the fans dont deserve to be treated like this the way they stood by him,may i remind him we finished bottom of the league.

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  8. 8
    Stratford Baggie

    If TM does go I think Alan Irvine would be a good replacement as mentioned in the press.

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  9. 9
    Parksey1972

    Martinez has a 5yr contract, Mowbray only has 2 yrs left on his.

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  10. 10
    Fox in a Box

    right, The Sun and Birmingham Mail are reporting 2 mill, I know Bruce went for 3 mill, so not only would Celtic be getting a better manager (IMHO) but also a bargain to boot!!!

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  11. 11
    Baggie Boy

    1..compenstaion usually comes down to length of contract left for each indiviual and of course how much a club values it’s assett.

    I would value TM highly from a personal point of view but at the end of the day should we refuse Celtic permission to speak to him I am sure a little bird would wisper the pay and war chest he would have at Celtic then he would resign from his post take the Celcit job and no compensation

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  12. 12
    SuperMaths

    And we thought it’d be a boring summer……!

    TBH I can’t see him wanting to up-root his ever-expanding family.

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  13. 13
    klunk71

    why doesn’t Mowbray just come out and say if he does or doesn’t want to go, surely the fans deserve honesty after how much support he has received over this season from us, then we would all know where he and our club stand and it would then put an end to all this speculation and we can get on with rebuilding abd getting ready for winning the Championship Again.

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  14. 14
    ockerhill baggie

    TM do us favour and go !
    we all want the best for WBA you are
    showing your real colours now
    tipton baggies for ever !!!

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  15. 15
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    6,guess yowd have to get in on the act,go n find a replacment captain,aye boing boing blue moon

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  16. 16
    Nedball

    Bomber – I do feel sorry for you, having to work with Manny!! Tell him to get his massive behind to football tonight for me please?

    Sir Tez – it is a tough one, because he hasn’t actually been offered the job, or even approached for it, so he’d really be putting his head above the parapit if he did come out and say he does / doesn’t want it.

    However, I do agree that SOMETHING other than the generic 3 line statements on the club website last week should be coming from the club.

    I’m not going as far as saying I’m losing respect for Mogga, as he’s been a wonderful manager in his time with us so far and has helped to re-build the club from top to bottom, but I can see where you’re coming from.

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  17. 17
    Charlo_Baggie

    calm down sir terry…..

    there has been no official approach from celtic, so i don’t think there is much to worry about, i’m pretty adament that TM will stay, people may beg to differ but, i think moving to scotland would be a big step down, even from the championship……fair enough celtic have great tradition, but so to do leeds and forest and i seriously doubt TM would take either of those jobs.

    Reading various forums, it appears that celtics board are tighter and equally as frustrated as our board.

    if he goes, fair play im guessing he has followed his heart, but i dont think it will better him, gordon strachan has won 3 out the last 4 spl’s and i didnt notice sunderland and wigan fighting over his signature, and in my opinion they are two very mediocre clubs….

    roy keane if offered would not turn this job down. im still sure although little has been said that his name is on the next managers role at celtic

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  18. 18
    TheMowbrayWay

    Everything is heresay, speculation, gossip.
    TM is a man of principal, I am sure of that.
    He’s busy with his third child on the way and taking a break from the season. He will feel no need to comment on hypothetical situations. I think Celtic will have to go through the correct channels to speak with him.
    Sir Terry, the fans are treated like what??? There’s more to life than this. Do you live in a Goldfish pond?

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  19. 19
    TheMowbrayWay

    Everything is heresay, speculation, gossip.
    TM is a man of principal, I am sure of that.
    He’s busy with his third child on the way and taking a break from the season. He will feel no need to comment on hypothetical situations and I agree with him. I think Celtic will have to go through the correct channels to speak with him. Sir Terry, the fans are treated like what??? There’s more to life than this. Do you live in a Goldfish pond?

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  20. 20
    BAGGIEBOYNICK

    SPECULATION OR NOT
    TM SHOULD COME OUT AND PUT ALBION FANS MIND AT REST
    HES TOLD THE SQUAD THE FANS DESERVE 1 MORE SEASON TO GET BACK UP
    I SUGGEST TONY YOU DO THE SAME AND SHOW US A BIT OF LOYALTY

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  21. 21
    Baggie Tait

    What a 1st game for Celtic, Champions league qualifier, lose that and the fans and board are really gonna be chuffed to bits!!!!!
    TM to stay at the Hawthorns, I hope.
    Boing Boing

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  22. 22
    Gera's Rage

    Turmoil….Another one leaving the sinking ship. Managerless,sponsorshipless,hopeless…Players must be looking down the road in awe and Wanderment…Get the cheque book out Sir Steve Morgan,might be some bargains to get in the sinking ship sale.

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  23. 23
    Gera's Rage

    Another one leaving the sinking ship.Managerless.sposorshipless,hopeless.Players must be looking down the road in awe and Wanderment.Get the cheque book out Sir Steve Morgan.Might be some bargains in the sinking ship sale.

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  24. 24
    Nedball

    Just wanted to say a big well done to Chris Wood for making his international debut too. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Championship next season.

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  25. 25
    weemupyoaye

    Time to get real folks, statisically TM was the worst manager in the prem last season, his team got relegated by finishing bottom of the league.
    They had the worst defense in the league letting in the most goals, they had the worst strikers in the league scoring fewer than anyone else,and finished with less points than anyone else,so why all this hero worshipping?

    Get rid and start again!!

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  26. 26
    Baggie Boy

    14… Are you for real???? I remember the days of exciting football under Big Ron and its a joy to watch Albion again playing such football and thats down to Tony Mowbray.
    If as you state you want the best for WBA then we already have him.

    would you prefer the bobby Goulds of this world to come in and manage

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  27. 27
    Baggie Boy

    Geara rage… you got a bit of a stutter old bean. what was it you could not believe how stupid your comments where you had to put them twice. is your school closed for voting today!!

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  28. 28
    Santa

    IF Mowbray has spoken to Celtic,would you want him at the Hawthorns anyway,not so sure i would.It might just say ,that ,if he doesn’t get the Celtic job, he could be off to a bigger club at a later date when anyone comes knocking.Shoudn’t we say ta!ta! now and appoint someone else.I mean if he’s prepared to talk to Celtic ,and we don’t know for sure whether he has,but there seems to be a lot of smoke,he’ll talk to other clubs when it suits!

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  29. 29
    AMS

    To be fair TM is awaiting the imminent arrival of baby 3 and if I was him I’d be too busy at home to be worried about this nonsense.
    What seems certain already is that this is delaying the team building excercise yet again.
    Another summer of lost opportunities…

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  30. 30
    baggietastic

    TM will stay – thats if Coyle, Martinez or someone else takes it. If he gets offered it, of course he’ll take it. It looks like TM’s not first choice so I think he’ll end up staying, but how will his relationship with Peace be? Could be a long cold Summer.

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  31. 31
    Cyril Randle

    Keep calm. Conducting business through the media is one sure way to get lies, more lies and even a few statistics. How can the boss deal with this situation? Just like he is doing, not getting drawn into it until it is REAL, OPEN and HONEST. He must need a holiday as must his expectant wife and two kids. I’m sure he’ll level with us if and when an official approach is made.

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  32. 32
    mboy

    Tony Mowbray is a decent and honest individual, who only speaks when he’s got something useful to say. I wish others would do the same!

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  33. 33
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    18,no i dont live in a goldfish bowl im the fisherman remember,treated like we dont we dont excist,sunderland,swansea,burnley,wigan,have been in same position this week they have made statement after statement,all we get is what we hear through talksport,nothing from mowbray, few lines from the club,all im asking for is to be put in the picture,i spent near on 3,000 quid last year on me n my daughter following albion as did many other fans so yes i think we are entitled to know whats going on,if he says he wants to talk to celtic thats fine by me i wouldent blame him,it may not be important to you but i can assure you it is 1,000s of others,as wbabomber said it could go on for weeks n weeks, before we know be start of the season and we will be left in limbo.boing boing

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  34. 34
    baglad QUALITY??

    He’s on his way as i said yeaterday cause if he wasn’t Mowbray would have made a statemnet saying that..Why is he so quiet???

    You should know by now there is no loyalty in football its just a job to them..

    At the end of the day..CELTIC OR THE BAGGIES??

    Come on now he played for Celtic…

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  35. 35
    Oldburyite

    Terry, who would want to ridicule you, you dont need any help with that one, you do a good enough job of it on your own.

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  36. 36
    happy_baggie

    I can understand the frustration from the fans – particulary those like Terry who spend 1000s a year home and away. The silence from TM would suggest that he is at least interested in the celtic job.

    Whilst i want him to stay, there are other managers out there who would do a great job for us – I just hope our preparation for next season and the buying/selling of players isn’t disrupted too much with this.

    I’ve said previously that we fans are always let down by the heros we hope have the same passion for our club as we do – so either way we will go on – lets just get it sorted quick!!

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  37. 37
    CELTICBHOYO

    Tony Mowbray will become new Celtic Manager on Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HEARD IT AT OUR CLUBSHOP TODAY.

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  38. 38
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    I think that like a lot of others on here, the thing that is getting really annoying is having every sports programme on radio and TV telling us that TM is on his way to Celtic. It would be nice if TM now came out and stated that he isn’t interested in going anywhere.

    PS Anyone else think that Gera’s Rage has all the hallmarks of Laughing Wolf with spellcheck technology?

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  39. 39
    Warren (Albion)

    37- It’s amazing how the club shop sales assistant heard it all before Sky Sports

    Is it mischievous to suggest TM might be deliberately staying quiet to force JP’s hand with this 20-players, no-money policy for next season?

    TM holds all the aces here, that might not be ideal for us, but ultimately it might be best for the club. What’s more important for TM? Giving himself the best chance of being successful as a manager, or appeasing us lot and sacrificing all the bargaining power he has?

    Also, as Cyril Randle sensibly points out, TM’s got personal commitments at the moment.

    25- Middlesbrough scored less and we’re not as fickle as you lot.

    I’d be devastated if he left, but he’s a genuine man, lets see what happens first.

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  40. 40
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    33 Sir Terry.
    You rarely fail to make me laugh but this post is very profound and right on target. One in the eye for anyone that dismisses you as a court jester.

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  41. 41
    G&BArmy

    Hopefully a Wolves fan with a serious point here!,… I think it this is awkward for Mowbray as he has already asked his players not to leave and stay and take them back up,…surely now Mowbray has to practice what he preaches,( and I rate him as one of the best portential managers around) But why donsnt he just publicly state either way what his intentions are at least then you will know what is going on,…silence in these cases add fuel to the fire!

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  42. 42
    Nedball

    Just read that Olsson has said he wouldn’t mind a move in the Summer…….that doesn’t exactly help the cause considering he said he’d stay next season.

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  43. 43
    Happy_baggie

    TRB 38 – yeah i know what you mean… but unfortunately I fear that there may be another poor soul as moronic as old LW… lets hope they never meet or it may be the end of civilisation.

    37 – and lets face it – tracey who sells the woolie teddy bears is gonna know aint she ?? muppet !!

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  44. 44
    Rogersaid

    After reading your comments – well what do you expect from these “Football People” – there all there to feather their own nests. Fans just look down the road at AV – Barry has left for a weekly wage between 90 and 130 grand per week depending on what article you read. It’s nothing to do with winning trophy’s it all down to Greed. Call me an old cynic and you’ll be right – but WBA pays TM whatever – in comes a Big Club like Celtic and you have no chance – There is no loyalty in Football – Bring back the Days of Vic Buckingham Ronnie Allen Jeff Astle – They were proud of their club. TM well Celtic will pay JP a good pay off – TM will sign a 3or4 Year Contract at a lot more than WBA pay and so what.
    It’s nothing to do with any particular club or player – It’s all Greed.
    Sorry Folks !

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  45. 45
    baggiesbadger

    23 & 25….. I see some of the dingle are skiving off school again. You know what they say people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, lets see what numpty’s MM buys, you already wasted 50 million trying to get in the prem over the last 10 years or so, and you can spend another 50 million and you still won’t stay there. Lets see come Jan how well you are doing and then you can comment.

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  46. 46
    Ant Lowe

    people are moaning that mowbray isn’t making a statement, the way i see it is if he doesn’t want the job then why bother talking to the press? i’d just get on with my holiday myself

    if he does want the job i think we would have heard about it by now, these ‘sources’ in scotland that said he had opened talks with celtic are just thick reporters trying to stir things up,

    So my advice to you all is relax, he’s been honest and genuine with fans and players ever since he came to the club, i don’t see him changing now just because this so-called big club is sniffing around him. he keeps telling us how much of a good thing he is building with us, why would he give that up for the SPL which is a poor standard of football?

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  47. 47
    sid

    Listen up people,stop getting so emotional over the manager leaving, and the fans have shown him loyalty etc, this is football, where there is no loyalty get it! he dont come from smethwick, or west brom, like us. west brom will always be west brom with him or with out him. The next manager will be the same, if he does a good job, then he too will be poached. So at the end of the day, someone will come in, and we’ll just have to get behind him, because we have one thing in common, we are albion.

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  48. 48
    baggiealfie

    ONE POINT NO ONE HAS MENTIONED IS THE COMMON LINK BETWEEN PLAYERS / MANAGERS LEAVING, POTENTIALLY LEAVING OR SACKED IS ……JP

    JP YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK TIME TO GO!

    SMETHWICK HOME AND AWAY.

    NB

    WHY ARE WE CHANGING THE SEATS TO MAKE THEM LOOK UNIFORM, THE ONLY TIME YOU WILL SEE THEM IS WHEN THE GROUND IS EMPTY OR IS THAT HOW HE PREFERS IT ?

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  49. 49
    Albion Til I DIE!

    I for one completely bought into T.Ms long term plan.If he goes back on his word i will never trust another manager again.This is because i beleive T.M to be a honest and loyal person with proper values.If my beleif in him turns out to be unfounded,i will be dumbstruck.If J.P allowes him to go,i will be asking for a refund on my season ticket.The one i purchased in good faith that T.M will still be our manager.I will also be calling for J.Ps head.As i am sure thousands of other fans will.

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  50. 50
    PTC

    MOWBRAY is only a second division manager, don,t make out he is good, took your team straight back down ha ha ha

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  51. 51
    danobaggs

    25 – There was 3 or 4 teams that scored less goals than us, get ur facts right. If the table went on goals scored, we would have stayed up!

    Statements are normally made by now, we are STILL completley in the dark! I can understand peoples frustration. Especially when we have been so loyal 2 the manager. How sad would it be if the last 2 games home/away with a huge ovation/show of support followed by an away following of Mowbray masks was his last 2 games in charge and he just left out of the blue with no statement! 46 hope ur right.

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  52. 52
    dudleybaggie

    if Mowbray goes jp for manager i think

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  53. 53
    BaggyBallsack

    Face facts, Celtic is a relatively easy job as the Scottish league is a joke. They’re a massive club and he’ll earn a lot more money. Of course he’ll go if it’s offered to him. On the flip side, who will want him if he makes a mess of it in Scotland? I could manage Celtic or Rangers!

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  54. 54
    Romsley Baggie

    Time for a reality check, If TM does decide to go then the sooner the better for me. Alan Irvine would be my number one choice with Darren Fergusson maybe as an outsider. I like what TM has tried to achieve but let’s face facts we were the worst team in the Premiership after spending more than we ever have done before after a promotion. We had the worst defence and didn’t score enough goals. Yes I like what he was trying to achieve but there were times in the middle of the season where our tippy tappy safe sideways football got us no-where. The league doesn’t lie. If he wants to go fine just get on with it. The SPL is a joke anyway there are only two teams in it and he’ll probably finish bottom of those two!!!. I like TM as a man but after the support he has been shown for failing miserably i think we the supporters deserve better. If your going to go then go, if your going to stay come out and say you are and stop all the speculation.

    Boing Boing

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  55. 55
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    49 Albion Til I Die.
    1) TM has given no indication that he wishes to speak to Celtic. Until he does we cannot attack him. It would be nice if he came out and ended all the speculation by saying he is staying here but until then we should trust him.

    2) Albion have said three times that Celtic have not asked for permission to approach TM and they would not welcome an approach. What else can JP do to satisfy you?

    3) TM is under contract, therefore if Celtic have made an illegal approach (something I don’t believe TM would entertain) even if he were to resign, we could keep him on gardening leave until Celtic paid what we asked in compensation, as Simon Jordan did with Steve Bruce at Palace. We could also sue Celtic.

    4)As for wanting a refund on your season ticket. Read your own monicker and then hit me with that one again.

    5) With JP’s track record, do you really think he would let Celtic ride roughshod over the Albion?

    PS 50 PTC.
    You have raised the standard of badinage on here to a whole new level. Are you a close personal friend of Oscar Wilde by any chance?

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  56. 56
    Baggie Boy

    50 PTC… You can google “Oscar Wilde” that was mentioned the the real bully hoo.You never know you may learn something.
    Why oh why did they shut your school for voting yesterday!!!

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  57. 57
    LondonThrostle

    Tony Mowbray is awesome. But if he goes how about

    Keegan…?

    Well i got to say the thought of that gave me butterflies. Probably the only manager (who would ever consider us) whose better than mowbray

    oooh ahhh that would be a laugh what with Newcastle’s new adventure with us in the champions league

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  58. 58
    Cheslyn HAy Wolf

    going going……

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  59. 59
    WORCESTERBAGGIE

    me thinks mowbray aint going nowhere,,im sure if the club had of been approached mowbray would of given a statement by now..of course all this could change but untill owen coyle signs hes new contract at burnley or takes the celtic job mowbray remains ours..if celtic do come in for mow then hopefully he will turn them down…if not then how about coppell joining us………….STILL GOING UP THE MOWBRAY WAY,,FOR NOW ANYWAY….OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YES

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  60. 60
    truewolves

    58. leave the baggies alone , they,ve got enough problems . cyrille regis what a player

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  61. 61
    Happy_baggie

    58 & 60 – don’t worry about the baggies mate – i would be worrying about needing those 20 new players and so far have signed……..??? Oh yeah collins and Ward have got new contracts !!!!

    Linked with no marks and over the hill journeymen, put off by the price of anyone half decent – Looking great so far aint it.

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  62. 62
    Premier Dingle

    On your bike the Mowbray way

    Boing boing…….. splat.

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  63. 63
    mboy

    Players come and go.
    Managers come and go.
    Even Chairmen go (eventually).
    Only the fans stay for ever.
    Chill out everyone, enjoy the summer, whatever will be, will be and we’ll be back at the Hawthorns in August – come what may!

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  64. 64
    danobaggs

    Why are Celtic saying they have spoke 2 Mowbray when WBA are saying no contact has been made?? How sad is that! Someone is telling lies

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  65. 65
    pugsy

    Yam just a club going nowhere….no sponser, players wanna leave, manager wants to leave, chairman everyone hates, cac players waste of money spent by your poor manager, no home grown talent, no academy players coming through, could go on all night!!! oh and by the way, your in whats going to be the hardest fizzy pop league for a few years!

    Report abuse



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