Albion duo race to be fit for Arsenal
Friday 24th September 2010, 11:29AM BST.
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Albion duo Jerome Thomas and Gabriel Tamas are racing against the clock to be fit for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Arsenal.
Winger Thomas is doubtful for the Emirates Stadium clash with a groin problem, while centre-back Tamas is nursing a calf injury.
And Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo admitted both are major concerns for his team’s first trip to the capital since being beaten 6-0 by Chelsea on the opening day of the season.
Di Matteo said today: “Gabriel Tamas is very doubtful. He has a calf problem. Jerome is doubtful as well with a groin injury.”
Should the pair fail to prove their fitness, the Italian could be forced into a reshuffle of his team with both players having been likely starters.
Thomas’ place could go to Marc-Antoine Fortune, with Peter Odemwingie switching to the left flank to accommodate the former Celtic striker up front, while Pablo Ibanez would be the obvious candidate to step in for Tamas.
Di Matteo insisted he would have no qualms with drafting the Spaniard into the heart of the defence, for what would be his first league appearance since the Stamford Bridge demolition.
He added: “Sometimes I need to make changes for the good of the team. Pablo is a fantastic professional, a great guy, a great player.
“He was probably a bit unfortunate in the first game but I have full confidence in him.”
James Morrison is back after a three-match suspension but Marek Cech, Ishmael Miller and Joe Mattock are all still injured.
The Baggies’ first two Premier League trips of the new term have ended in defeat and Di Matteo admits it is not going to get any easier against the Gunners.
He said: “It’s a great game tomorrow, playing Arsenal at the Emirates.
“We experienced the stadium last year when we played them in the Carling Cup and it’s going to be a tough game.”
The Gunners will hand fitness tests to Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Eboue and Tomas Rosicky but are without the suspended Alex Song and the injured Thomas Vermaelen, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.
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This is be a blessing from the
almighty budda the fact Thomas and Tamas
will be out injured,Morrison and Ibanez will
be good replacments and could actually make
our starting 11 even stronger.
______________________________________________
CARSON,JARA,IBANEZ,OLSSON,SHOREY,MORRISON,
SCHARNER,DORRANS,MULUMBU,BRUNT,ODEMWINGIE.
MYHILL,MEITE,ZUIVERLOON,S.REID,TCHOYI,COX,
FORTUNE.
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Tchoyi for Thomas won’t be that bad after his performance on Wednesday night!
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A blessing Thomas could be out are you stupid ? He was man of the match against Bham wake up …..
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A blessing?!?! you have obviously not seen Thomas in any games this season, as against Chelsea, Spurs, Sunderland and Blues he was a strong contender for man of the match!!!! idiot
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1 DLB.
To add to what’s already been said regarding JT. What has Tamas done so wrong that’s upset you?
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Calm down Ant Lowe,acting like a spoilt child wont win you many friends. Read it like it say`s, maybe Morrison & Tchoyi will make the difference between losing / drawing against the likes of Chelsea, Spurs.
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Irrespective of which team RDM is able to pick the team must have a strong chance of getting something tomorrow. Ibanez was very impressive second half against Man City and we have several alternatives if Jerome Thomas is unfit. I feel sorry for Thomas as every time he hits form he seems to get injured. Has anyone noticed the betting odds for tomorrow with some bookmakers offering 16 to 17/1 for an Albion victory. Considering Arsenal’s injury list and the good form we are in it is a tempting bet.
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People
Historically DLB ALWAYS has to have a target, personally i dont think he/she goes to our games.
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1)DLB You want Thomas out ! I can’t believe it’s not Buddha either.
My mate reckons he’s been a star and I can tell you he knows zip about football. He’s a Tesco.
You won’t be playing a 19 year old reserve side this time.
Well on second thoughts Wenger might save a few of his first teamers for the Chelsea match.
Henry’s gonna getchya … Aaaaaagh!
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Whoever takes to the field I’ve got faith in them.
The Gaffers got it sorted already I think.
There’s strength in depth in all dep’ts.
Happy times eventualy returned.
Two good wins in a week,against good opposition. Never thought I’d use Blues in that context.Man C their third team probably cost more than our bargains.Quality.
Just need to go there,concentrate,do what we do,not get overawed and I think we can come away with something.
Arsene will be moaning tomoz.
BAGGIESBAGGIESBAGGIES
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Cuddly Dudley
You won’t be playing against a 34-year-old roofer this time, just a team full of established internationals.
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At the start of the season Arsenal at the Emirates was one of the games I expected us to get nothing from. Now even after the impressive start we have had I still feel we will have to be at the top of our game to get anything from the game. The encouraging start is just that, an encouraging start. Now while we all have the right to dream and hope for a win tomorrow, we need to keep our feet on the ground. You only have to glance a few miles down the road to the custard bowl to see the negative effect that the weight of expectation can have on the players. Having said that a repeat of the score vs the Blues will do nicely. Come on you Baggies! Boing Boing!!
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Wba Forever
I think you may be right about DLB or he/she would not know a decent footballer if they saw one. Nice to have the team sheet every week , i really look forward to it, NOT !!!.
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check tchoys utube vid,he can bang in for fun, i rekcon he could be a big big player for the albion
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Cuddly
I have to say i admire your front.
Managed an extra time win against a 10 man league one team, and had to bring on Doyle and Fletcher to do it, and then have a dig about our opponents, who still managed to field £100m of talent.
Henry`s gonna getcha !!!! You`re funny too.
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Much as I’m a glass two halves full sort of supporter I think we’re getting in front of ourselves expecting to get even a draw tomorrow.
Even with the injuries, they have some magnificent young players to come in. I just look forward to us giving a good account of ourselves without resorting to moving the coach park onto the pitch.
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9.
Henry warns Villa to expect a ‘ferocious’ game on Sunday.
Mmmm wonder what the Wolves tactics are going to be then?
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Newbury Baggie, a post well put.
I’m also thinking not quite a pesimistic way but a realistic way. We will give them a good game as confidence is high but they are a super footballing side with luck on the side.
I’ve said for some time that we are a poor mans Arsenal so it will be interesting to see what happens, and I will be there cheering them on!
Pablo + Choy in for me as the wing play is a great assett to us.
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As long as we give a good account of ourselves at Arsenal I’ll be happy whatever the score within reason. Gives us something to build on. Whoever plays it won’t weaken our team.
(1)
dlb,
I’m sure you’re a woman who hates football, and you probably come from Low Hill City.
(9)
cd,
Hope Jelly-bean plays against Brunty. Scharner
will look after (Clogger Henry) the backward player. You’ll need to park two buses.
(14)
Sid,
I saw it soon after Tchoyi joined us. That’s
why I believe him and Odemwingie will be something special when they can play in tandem.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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I really don’t mind if we lose to Arsenal (I do really)BUT I would like to see us have a real go at them especially as their defence is not the best and with Peter and Tchoyi or Thomas running at them we could give them a fright.
NO!
I am not saying forget good and proper defending but we can get players forward quickly when we have the ball and get some shots on target.
They assume, rightly in most cases, that any team going to Arsenal will sit back and try and defend.
Let’s not just hand it to them on a plate but go on the pitch with some real belief!
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Ive got nothing against Tamas or Thomas as
they are both decent players but I`d just
rather play Morrison wide left as he`s the
better player due to the fact he could score
more goals and has a decent final ball,
Gabriel Tamas is a very good defender and a
total bargain at 800.000.,Ive got nothing but
respect for him.
Albion can beat Arsenal tomorrow if players
show no fear,I know they beat Spurs reserves
4-1 but who couldnt.This Arsenal side are not
any great shakes and just seems to be full of
kids to me,ALMUNIA,SAGNA,KOSCIELNY,SQUILLACI,
CLICHY,DENILSON,SONG,WILSHIRE,NASRI,CHAMAKH,
ARSHAVIN.
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15)wbaforever
No problem …. what would life be without a chuckle. Just to let you know I’ve written an early letter to Santa.
Dear Santa, Have a break from painting and packing toys for all the boys and girls and bring us Wulfies an early present.
Can we have West Bromwich Albion away in the League Cup. We promise not to play too many 19 year olds.
We can feel a hat trick of Black Country victories coming our way this season.
Cuddly Dudley xx
PS Fresh out of mince pies and sherry. Will a pint of Bathams and a balti pie do ?
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LUCK really does seem to be with you at the minute. Half the propper Arsenal side aint even playing tomorrow. Even i might av a fiver on you to win. If this was a boxing match, it would be billed ” beauty an the beast “
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Cuddly
Like it mate.
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22) even if by some cosmic miracle you managed to get any thing against us in three games, still would not eclipse when we beat you FOUR times in one season would it!!!!
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21 DLB.
Those kids you’ve named are nearly all full internationals for quality countries.
22.
You’re right a letter to Santa is probably your best hope.
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Interesting Cuddly Dudley, you must be quite a new wolves fan as the last time we had a full season together was superb from our point of view.
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22. Cuddly Dudley. You really are rather funny. . . How long have you been receiving care in the comunity? I’m not suprised you believe in Santa though as you seem to think Wolves can beat us. . . That cup draw would not be a present you’d want, but i’d certainly want to be there for it! . . . Hope it’s not an away game, not that keen on getting the coach to the custard bowl;).
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CuddlyD. Why at The Moulinex? That’s only stirring up trouble. They’ll close you down if your lot commit any more atrocities. Can you imagine what might have happened to Notts County had they BEATEN you? You see, we shall and that could lead to big problems. The draw you want is Man.U. and get you out of the competition, out of the limelight, back in the twilight zone where all Wulfies belong, picking up scraps and scavenging a little here and there as they go. Enjoy your Bathams and Balti, Father Christmas isn’t coming your way this year.
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(22)
cd,
Stop confusing Santa, but there again I believe he already knows there’s only one
professional football club in the black country, West Bromwich Albion. Having said that I am hoping we can draw the Onagers from
Low Hill City at the Hawthorns. Haven’t you got any prawn sandwiches and Austrailian white?. Taking it out of the children again just like the Nottingham County riot.See what I mean, low life.
~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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22 cuddles- in order for you to win three games against Albion,you will have to score at least three goals this season against a premiership club-and if you believe wolves can do that,it’s no wonder you believe in Santa Claus!! Anyway,as a wolves fan,after all the years of beatings by the Baggies,surely you must be praying for just ONE win? Please God?
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The fact that we can lose at Chelsea and Liverpool,yet still be in the top half of the table,shows that Arsenal will just be one game-3 points-so whatever the outcome it’s not the end of the world,at worst just a possible minor setback.In other words,no one expects us to get a result tomorrow,so without being too reckless,why not be positive and ‘ave a go at ‘em? If we lose,it will be expected,if we were to WIN-how much fun would it be to see the national media and London lovers making excuses? Let’s see…’Arsenal had soooooo many injuries….West Brom were sooooo lucky……’
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22. PS Fresh out of mince pies and sherry. Will a pint of Bathams and a balti pie do ?
You may have to ask Uncle Jez for these again, if we draw you away in the Carling Cup. We will bring the carrier bags!!!
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9 Cuddly Dudley.
Mad Mick has crossed you of his list of witnesses for his defence of his team being clogger’s.
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23 lone wolf- I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d miss you if you wasn’t on the Albion site every minute,sorry,every day.It must be fantastic to mix with the Albion fans,I imagine it’s all doom and gloom on the wolves pages,you need cheering up.By the way,I wonder how your mates over there would feel about you saying to Albion fans that you believe we will beat Arsenal,even willing to put your own money on it? I bet you’d be really popular back in wulferhampton.
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23 lone wolf- sorry,I forgot that you’ve got no mates.
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