Singing in the rain for Albion’s fans
Tuesday 26th October 2010, 9:10AM BST.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill is proud as punch of the Baggies as a fairytale start to life back in the Premier League continues at the Hawthorns.
The rain came down and the clouds got darker and darker, but I would be surprised if there was a single Albion fan that cared or even noticed the weather.
The lads were simply outstanding on Saturday and the feel good factor continues to build as we swept Fulham aside.
Apparently boss Roberto Di Matteo has ordered a truck load of shoes made from cement as it is the only way he can keep his players feet on the ground, and I think I might need a pair!
I cannot over-state how excited I am about watching this team, not only are we winning games, we are winning them while playing entertaining football.
We are playing that well we feel the need to keep giving teams a head start and,o as a welcome back present, we allowed old boy Zoltan Gera to get a goal before we completely outplayed Fulham.
Seven games unbeaten and sitting sixth in the league and it is no more than this squad of players deserve.
So far this season we have seen our boys play with steel, flair, determination, resilience, and unity, but more importantly we have become consistent.
I was asked an excellent question last week by a fellow Baggies fan “at what point do we stop saying we have had a good start and accept that this is how good we are?”
I think I reached that point at about 4.50pm on Saturday. Another game, another fantastic performance, another three points, and we move on to the next game.
We have now performed consistently well since being hammered at Stamford Bridge. Do not misunderstand me, I still think we need to add a few things to the squad, and I am not naïve enough to think we will not have a dip in form or some bad luck along the way.
But I am now convinced we will stay up this season, and my conviction has come from the consistent high level performances of the team.
I thought Fulham were lucky not to be on the end of a real tonking and if I have any criticism it would be that we need to be more clinical when we are on top in games.
I think if Peter Odemwingie had he been fit could have filled his boots on Saturday, as we created chance after chance.
But I was glad to see my prediction of Marc-Antoine Fortune scoring come true, I mentioned on Friday that I fancied him to notch which was unusual for me to make predictions.
But the truth is the team are providing whoever plays up front with chances and it turned out to be a safe bet.
I want to recognise the players who really shone, but I would end up with a blog longer than a Wolves fan’s face if that was the case, as every player played well.
Fulham had a few set pieces but we looked comfortable, even when we had to make a double substitution due to injuries to Fortune and Jonas Olsson, Pablo Ibanez and Roman Bednar just slotted in and we continued to play well.
I know many people have mentioned how good our bench is looking at the moment and I totally agree.
Every first teamer knows there is someone ready to take their place, and I do feel some sympathy for players like Pablo Ibanez, Somen Tchoyi, Graham Dorrans, Steven Reid and goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
They have all looked good when called upon but you cannot argue with how the team is playing and Roberto is getting his team selections spot on.
I hope the Italian continues to get it right tonight as we attempt to make it through to the next round of the League Cup.
Get past Leicester and this competition starts to get interesting, but am I asking for too much?
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This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
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This is the blog I have feared for a few weeks!! Why have you done this Bomber?!!! I admit I’m a pint half empty guy (probably more like ¾’s!)- especially when it comes to our boys in blue and white stripes. I want to be positive and believe but potential disappointment doesn’t allow me. I was a wreck when we went 3-0 up at the Emirates – this was when most people started to relax and enjoy. It’s the hope that kills!!
I don’t disagree that we are 6th in the table on merit – I don’t disagree that watching us all season long (bar the trip to the Bridge) has been an absolute pleasure but I don’t think we can play the consistency card just yet after 11 games. We are just 6 points off relegation and there is no point in getting a magnificent point at Old Trafford to lose at Bloomfield Road on Monday night. We simply have to keep the foot on the gas as the next batch of games are mostly against the bottom half clubs and it’s vital we pick points up off these teams.
For me Monday night is the biggest game of our season so far. I’d take a point now for sure although we should be looking to pick up 3. Beat Blackpool and we will have an 8 point gap on them – lose and we’re only 2pts ahead. The league table is ridiculously close. Offer me 17th now and I’d snap your hand off even though I know we have the potential to achieve so much more with this group of players and manager.
We are enjoying an unreal start – long may it continue.
On another note – I see Mowbray has been appointed as Boro manager. Anyone else think that’s almost déjà vu of when he took over at the Albion. Squad which should be challenging for automatic spots in the championship but under achieving due to the incapabilities of the previous manager? I can see Boro picking up under ToMo and the playoffs are definitely not out of their reach with him there. Good to have you back in the game Tony.
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Bomber,
Whoever we call on comes up to scratch and produces. These set of twenty-five are going places. Fulham playing three of our ex-players gave us an insight into how far we have progressed, Had to get my binoculars out to see our progression, it was that far ahead.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Excellent blog Jarrod, what impressed me so much on Saturday was how committed we were when not in posession. With the exception of Fulham’s goal which was a little sloppy on our part, we never gave them an inch in posession.
Also, how many of us ever thought there would be a time where we would be looking out for Arsenal or Man Utd’s results to see where in the table we are?!
Having supported the Albion for many years now, despite the brilliant start I am still scared to get too excited. We’ve had so many false dawns over the years, but for the first time I think this could be different and whilst I would still be happy with 17th place at the end of the season, I can’t help wondering how high we can actually finish this season.
BOING BOING!!
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The real key is, as you say, the quality players waiting to step in. This has been missing from Albion squads since I was a kid. We have always relied on the first team players to see us through a season. Now we have excellent players.to back up the first team and push the first teamers for their place. The confidence in the team also seems to generate further confidence and the fear of losing diminishes with each successive positive performance. For the future, I can see players wanting to come to a well run and well motivated club.
Di Matteo and the rest of the crew deserve our praise, loud and long
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Hi Jarrod.
This blog seems to have got lost in yesterdays game.
I know what Beevower is saying and agree with Shropshire. What’s the saying ‘if it’s too good to be true it usually is.’ But like you I can’t see a problem at present, it’s all good. There is no fluke in our position or our performances. It’s the culmination of 10 years hard slog. Patience from the fans but a combination of business acumen, hard work and nerve from our Chairman with a bit of luck here and there.
I know I go on about JP but I condemned him for getting rid of GM and replacing him with BR, he was a hate figure to me. Gradually he won me round and while we owe a debt to Thompson, Megson, Mowbray and RDM for where we are today, I think Mr Peace’s contribution dwarfs all of those.
Also good point from Jeff about the squad. It’s only since the PL that big squads have become necessary and this is the first time we’ve had a top quality first team and players of equal quality to come in.
I think i’m like 99% of Baggies fans. We would like to let ourselves go and to celebrate but we’re frightened of breaking the spell.
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Beevower. You’re talking about football mate. A game that kicks you in the teeth as you pick yourself off the floor. But, would we have it any other way? Surely it’s the uncertainty that keeps us hooked. Bomber’s column is dealing with the present, the uncertainty is the future, because there we introduce ambition. We are a medium sized club with a pattern of money, players, coaching, boardroom, that may well be a blueprint for others to follow and copy. My fear begins there, simply because the ‘big’ clubs will try to lift the whole thing off us, lock, stock and barrel. They can’t wait as we have had to. Their debts are too high, their supporters too expectant.
Sir Alex has ruled out Man.U. pinching Roberto. He wants to be replaced by a ‘very experienced manager’. But will Man.U. directors give a monkey’s what Sir Alex thinks once he retires?
I see this as our biggest worry and danger. It is no fluke that we are doing so well. We have Roberto’s knowledge, professionalism, preparation, inspiration and man-management, backed by a superb talent spotting crew, coaching and a board of directors all keeping the money under control. Success on a shoe-string ? Rabbits out of a hat? So if you offer this management team a big club with oodles of cash to buy the best, will they be tempted ?
Wouldn’t you ? Loads of questions, no answers. My hope is already stated. In the not-too-distant future we can make RdiM a permanent part of the club, or as permanent as possible in this volatile business. Early days yet, no hurry, but what about the stability it would give us ?
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6 Cyril.
Your post brought to mind an old fable.
A gentleman is taken to a Scottish loch. The sun is shining and every time he casts his line into the water he lands a prize salmon.
‘Is this heaven?’ he asks his ghillie.
‘No it’s hell.’ is the reply.
As you say, in sport you need to have the bad times to fully enjoy the good times.
Unfortunately it’s not sport any more it’s big business and the new brand of Man Ure and Arsenal fans have no concept of waiting or sticking with your club through the bad times (remember we’ve even a few of our own glory hunters that only remember the last 10 years of comparative success and at the beginning of the season were complaining about our spending.)
I agree with you that the big boys won’t rest until they have asset stripped everything from our club. As I alluded to in my previous post, our ace in the pack is our Chairman, so be prepared to pay through the nose any carpetbaggers. Our days of being victims are over. I agree about RDM though, I don’t know if your idea of a place on the board is feasible, otherwise we’re relying on his sense of honour and common sense in knowing when he’s on to a good thing. Perhaps JP ought to organise an ex-managers get together and invite Tony Mowbray and Ossie Ardiles to meet RDM
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BOMBER
You are a brave man ‘ i am convinced we will stay up this season’ . I sincerely hope your right mate. It will come as no surprise to people that i am not yet convinced, to much Football to play and an awful lot that can go wrong, injuries etc.
I will keep my prayer mat close by , until it is all done and dusted.
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You can only write about what we are all seeing on the pitch and that means that we will be staying in the Premier League at the end of the season.We made 11 changes fot the Leicester match and the biggest compliment I could pay those players is that if they played against the team we put out against Fulham then I wouldn’t like to choose who would win.That tells you everything about our squad strength.My quetion is not if we can stop up but if we can mantain our current position and I would say yes because this season the Premier League has fragmented and Liverpool are just one example of that.Our minds as supporters are being clouded by past failures and let downs but just watch the team you are seeing and you have just got to be POSITIVE !
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8 Wall Heath.
I’m disappointed. I thought you were a changed man. I know nothing is cast in stone butyou have to admit our first eleven is much better than last time, our squad is much better and the rest of the league with a couple of exceptions are poorer. Even the top clubs seem to have gone backwards. So go on, be a Devil and if Jarrod’s glass is half full surely you can manage a bit of optimism.
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Beevower,
Don’t worry mate its only us lot that have noticed, I was waiting for a blog like this to get uploaded so I could unload a rant as I was simply astounded by the fact that the media STILL can’t give us credit for our boys hard work so far, I was browsing the internet earlier (yes, I should be working but I’m sure these can pass off as exceptional circumstances) and noticed report titles such as ‘Reid goal pushes Baggies through’ and ‘Logan clanger guides Albion into next round’…what about the other 3 goals, or the fact that we bulldozed Sven Goran Eriksson’s side!!! I thought I’d leave these tabloids behind and check the established media sites…so, onto BBC…they have full reports of Man Utd, Ipswich…and FALKIRK!!! Who the *bleep* are Falkirk!! If there were more than 100 hundred people who read that report about ‘Aberdeen 2 Falkirk 1′ then I’ll eat these words but my God, what a joke. I had to delve into our own personal BBC space to read the report.
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Like every baggie im euphoric my villa blues and wolves are telling me it wont last but
unless we lose a lot of key players to injury
we will continue to suprise everyone. However i do recall Reading doing similar and Hull
suprising many but as proved in the Carling cup we have excellent back up the present squad is brilliant never been convinced about
Meite though, also disappointed with GD is he
sulking at not featuring reguarly.Where is Wood ??
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Just wondering, if Matt Jarvis is supposedly deserving of an england call up, which i agree. Then surely our in form winger Jerome Thomas should be worth a shout. Just a thought
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TRBH
I accept all the point’s you make , but i think HUGGIEBAGGIEBEAR ( thats one hell of a name) makes a good observation when he say’s that some supporters minds are clouded by past failures and therefore find it difficult to get carried away with our current form.
Cox’s comment yesterday about the team feeling unbeatable was plastered across the back of the E&s last night and i just feel we have to keep our feet firmly planted on Planet Earth because Football and life in general will bite you back if you start believing your own press.
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