Roy Hodgson’s chance to be a hero
Friday 18th February 2011, 9:10AM GMT.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill has urged new boss Roy Hodgson to make himself an instant Hawthorns hero with a Black Country derby win over Wolves.
Eventually this fixture has arrived and the stakes couldn’t be any higher. Playing Wolves is always a big occasion but, this time around, there is the small matter of a relegation battle to throw into the mix.
The three points on offer are far more important than bragging rights over our near neighbours and a win would certainly help our new head coach settle in. Roy Hodgson could gain instant love and support from us Baggie fans, should he begin his reign with a win over the old enemy.
His first task will be to pick a side that can carry on scoring goals but not let them in at the other end.
The game does give him the opportunity for instant glory but, on the flip side, a poor result could see him vilified. I hear fans saying we must give him time but that commodity is in very short supply. The team under Hodgson must hit the ground running and there is no better opportunity than Sunday at the Hawthorns.
It’s a simply must win game and, after last week’s disappointing home draw against West Ham, the players need to stand up and be counted.
They need to show the same desire that the fans have. They need to give it their all and hopefully somewhere amidst the team a hero will emerge.
Goalscorers in this fixture live long in the memory, just ask Darren Bradley. His goal still remains my favourite, but I am willing to adopt another this Sunday.
A win would be huge to either team and the game promises to be an electric occasion. We are due some luck and they always say a new broom sweeps clean, how I hope so.
It doesn’t get any bigger than this for Albion, so come on you Baggie boys!
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
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.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
We do need a win, if you look at our remaining fixtures compared to Wolves, we have it all to do.
Very concerned that Mulumbu is out so I would put Scharner back in the middle of the park and have Tamas and Olsson at the centre of defence. This game will be won or lost in midfield so its important that Brunt, Scharner and Dorrans get the better of Henry, Milijas and O’Hara inparticular who I think will be Wolves threat from midfield.
I hope Woy has been working hard on defending set-pieces this week as I can see alot of balls into our box. St.Peter needs to be on his game and have a run at their defence.
Wolves are due a win but I think it be 1-1.
Report abuse
Every time I think of Sunday’s match I get a cold feeling. I’m sure its only due to the second half of last weeks match against West Ham, when I thought I was watching a pub team. Anyway onwards and upwards lads just go and play like you and we know you can, just like you did agains Man U, you were fantastic.
THOSE THREE POINTS ARE JUST WAITING FOR US.
Boing Boing :-)
Report abuse
I remember Bradleys goal and will never fade in my memory.
It will be interesting to see what has happened on the training pitch this week and am sure set pieces have been rehersed time and again. Plus the main threat of O’Hara and Jarvis.
Wolves have the steel thats for sure but we can out pass them and use the wings on a smaller pitch than they are not used to which will count for something. I have faith in Thomas and Brunt to break them down as they have a couple of dodgy defenders so getting it into the box won’t be a problem. I just hope St Pete has woken up as last week did not look interested in my mind.
Jimmy and Dozza get yer shooting boots on and don’t be affraid as you have both proved you can get long range goals.
Make me a happy man on Sunday please but not the wife as she’s a dingle.
Report abuse
It looks like Roy’s pride was badly hurt by what happened at Liverpool.Previously,he had a very impressive record in Management,and I feel it can work in our favour,because he will be strongly motivated to regain his reputation.
That being the case,I can imagine this week has been an intense period of training for the players,both physically,and mentally,because Roy will make it clear what’s at stake,and how important the remaining games are for everyone at the club.
What we then need is for the players to go out and do the business.And I believe two things can make a BIG difference this time around-
1)Roy’s ‘positive brainwashing’ will help the players to focus on going for that vital win,and
2)We have the largest support in the ground,so EVERYONE must raise the roof,and get behind the team vocally.
COME ON YOU BAGGIES!!!
Report abuse
I’m bricking it already.
Report abuse
i think the fust goal will be very important if we get it we will go on to win 5-0 if they get it we will go on to win 5-1 aye boing boing
Report abuse
Although the excitement level for the Black Country derby is as high as ever we have to look beyond this game and realize that both clubs are at severe risk of relegation. If their is a winner on Sunday the winning team will gain hope and there will be despair for the losers but in the scheme of things it will be one small step.
With the Blues and Villa very much in the relegation mix it is yet another sad season for West Midlands football. The broadcasters like Tom Ross , Tony Brown and Robbie Dennison who obviously are as passionate as we are must wonder if they will ever again celebrate winning anything. At least we have three managers in the area in Hodgson , Houlier and McLeish who will make the most of what they’ve got.
One final piece of advice to Mick McCarthy is to stop playing mind games with the Albion. Mr Hodgson has heard it all before from far better men than you. Save your breath for Sunday as hopefully you will be in desperate need of rallying your troops.
Report abuse
1 1973 Baggie(?)-
there is a genuine Albion fan with your name,but there is also ‘shadrag’ using it,and you do smell of wolf.Why?
1) parts of your post are giving wolves more credit than you would normally expect,and
2) apart from ‘laughingstock’s’ obsession with injuries,he’s also obsessed with who plays,and what formation and tactics are used.
So be a good little cub,and go run back home.
Report abuse
I think it will be a very close game. Regardless of the result, I sincerely hope both teams are able to stay up this season. This is the best local derby out of any in the country so lets show them why!
Report abuse
3 Astle-
I watched wolves v Man U on the net,and during the second half,on several occasions,I counted 10 wolves players in their own penalty area,they really have this ‘parking the bus’ down to a fine art.
So what we really need is is some kind of ‘cutting gear’ to break the bus up.
Someone should tell Mick that his players CAN use the other three quarters of pitch to run around in at times.
Report abuse
9 wolfsnever,i just hope you can sell your tickets make it a good atmusfere,aye boing boing
Report abuse
Jarrod. Your point about the defence, which of course is the biggest flaw in our team.
Are you and the other guys out there as shocked as I am that Dan Ashworth and RDM identified our most important signing in the January transfer window as a striker (apparently we made offers on 29 strikers)
Did they REALLY not realise that it was glaringly obvious that a decent defender was needed??
Report abuse
If Roy has somehow been able to work on the confidence of the players i think this could be similar to the game when TM took over.
When our heads are up (like the first half of the season and the first half against west ham) we are a solid middle of the table team – we have the quality on the pitch… but if we lose our way we see the other side of us.
I’m hoping the Roy effect will happen very quickly – but the players need OUR support too – so as Terr says – lets cheer them on even if wolves score first and we only win 5-1
Report abuse
8. Yes, I am an Albion fan and you are the first numpty to always call somebody ‘Shadrag’ or ‘Dingle’ as soon as something is not ultra optimistic. Were you accusing all of the Brummie Road End ‘Dingles’ on Saturday at 4.50pm? Are you just a ‘fan’ who sits on here and doesn’t actually go to games so doesn’t part with money to watch Albion and therefore can’t give as accurate a view as those of us that do go?
Those of us who speak openly and honestly about games and not just filled with hatred for Wolves can see that this is going to be close. We need a win as our remaining 11 fixtures are particularly more difficult than the sides around us. I’d take a 6-0 spanking on Sunday if we can stay up.
Report abuse
Jarrod…..we all want Roy to become a hero but I think we may have left it a bit late as he only has the same players we had last week. I’m very pleased to see Roy has asked for his own backroom staff as our’s have proved they are not up to the job. I just dont see how he can change the poor attitude (getting stuck in) our players have shown and the one player who did have the guts is not going to be available.
I prey for the best but prepare for the worst.
Report abuse
Well, what a minor game of football we have this weekend! The stakes are crucial – 3 points and bragging rights. I do fel that the with the run in that we both have, we need the points more than Wolves. What worries me is that I still have the West Ham 2nd half very much in my mind. However,onwards and upwards and looking at Sunday. I think Roy may make a few changes. Jara concerns me against Jarvis and so does the fact that they yet to win away. I would probbly play Reid at right back as he rarely lets the side down. I shall leave Roy to pick the centre of defence but I haven’t a clue who I would pick. Obviously Mulumbu being out is a blow but Scharner has to earn his money this week and hold the midfield together but with Brunt, Dozza and Thomas having licence to get forward, I do just feel that we have enough to outscore them. Roy, I want you to be a legend during your hopefully long & successful stay. A win against the dark side would be a great start! Come on ou baggies!
Report abuse
Are we playing Villa on Sunday…Only the E&S keep banging on our local derby !!!
Report abuse
14 1973 Baggie(?)-
If you are a genuine Albion fan,who watches what is said on here regularly,you would know that I grew up 100 yds from the Hawthorns,have watched the Baggies all my life,hold a season ticket,and even my Dad used to Manage the Supporters Club.
I said there is a genuine fan with your name,but we KNOW ‘laughingstock’ has also used it,so why would you come back at me with an insulting attack,calling me ‘numpty’ and ‘wolves hater’ unless I’ve hit a nerve?
One more thing-’laughingwolf’ has recently put a post on the wolves site detailing the final 12 games,and saying Albion have tougher games than wolves,and funnily enough,you’ve finished your post here saying exactly the same thing.He has a habit of repeating himself,repeating himself,time and time again.
So if you ARE a fair minded Baggie,you must see my point,right?
Report abuse
on my own at pub, 7am kickoff c’mon Roy organize the lads,big blow without mulumbo,however its only dingles.dozza & St Peter on target 2-0
Report abuse
Cantello – Thats closer than me and I used to live in “Greenhill Road” which is fairly close.
Anyway lets not start argueing and support our team together, it’s vital as you said for us all to really out sing the dogheads.
Report abuse
18. Cantello, I haven’t been posting on here very long but I have read your posts on previous threads and every time anyone mentions anything remotely negative you play the ‘laughingwolf’ card, it’s boring. With our form of late alot of supporters have been unhappy with the players attitude and application but if you were a season ticket you would know that, right?
Lots of people have posted regarding the end of season run-in over the past few weeks (see post 16)If you are a genuine Albion fan- change the record, if you don’t like another supporters opinion maybe you shouldn’t be reading and responding to comments on a WBA forum?
Buy me a pint on Sunday and were forget all about it!!!
Report abuse
I agree with the backroom staff who say we needed a centre forward, not a defender. Taken as individuals, our defenders are International players who can all play at the highest level. What they are not is a DEFENCE.
That’s down purely to discipline and organisation. We all know our discipline has been found wanting by silly fouls and cards. Just imagine then how the manager/coach feels when they also disobey orders he gave before the game started. Being wayward is not the way forward. If Roy can point them all in the same direction, we shall have a team to be reckoned with. One last point about St. Peter. He has been receiving exercises with staff and not with the team coaches. Does that tell us why he wasn’t at his best against The Irons?
Report abuse
(17)
Real,
The E&D, State Black Country derby, local derby, because their club would have to attach themselves to Stafford Rangers and Telford,that doesn’t make for good football reporting. ALBION being the only Black Country professional football club, have Birmingham City and Aston Villa on our doorstep, Our stadium is actually in Birmingham, just over the boundary from the place of our clubs origin, meaning wolves are in third place as far as West Midlands derbies go. Never let anyone tell you any different.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
Ozase,
You’re right, this West Midland derby is more aggressive, owing to the way wolves clog anything that breathes and their vicious fans. Who confront their own police force, ask ours and Cardiff fans. You watch after we’ve walloped them on Sunday.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
20 Astle-
I assume you live down past the Island Road route?
I was born near what is now the Hawthorns metro station,and lived in Middlemore Road before I was married.Went to school in Halford’s Lane.
My Dad ran the Halford’s Lane Supporter’s Club when it opened in 1969,and all the ’68 cup winning team would train at the back,my Mom cooked Alan Ashman’s meals.
As for ‘Big Jeff’-The King-he would sometimes quietly slip into the lounge after training,and supp a pint of lager in a dark corner,asking us to pretend we didn’t know where he was.
Happy days.
Report abuse
Blimey, anymore of this in-house squabbling and you wont need me. Must say in The Rockets defence, he does like to sniff out the odd wolf on hear, hes quite good at it an all, hes caught me out once or twice. Dilusional optimist yes, but numpty, never! I can vouch for his old man running the Albion supporters club. I remember their annual end of season trip to the seaside. Always 100% turn out it was. How they ever managed to get 7 blokes and a jack russell into an Austin 1100 ill never know to this day !
Report abuse
16- the dingles have won away they beat Liverpool with our Roy in charge oh dear
Report abuse
(26)
Odd Fellow,
Pity you dingles can’t define in-house squabbling from being reminiscent. Look at the McCarthy squabbling amongst you lot and Cantello and Astle posts, now that’s the difference. Glad to educate you.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
21 1973 Baggie(?)-
Isn’t it interesting that recently,you had a lengthy conversation with one of our regulars,Warren,and in the first post you said ‘it’s a fact that West Brom are third highest in playing the long ball…..’.The ONLY person to ever say that is ‘laughingwolf’.
You also said things like ‘we should use wolves as an example’,and ‘we should be like wolves’.It was SO blatantly obvious that ’1973 Baggie’ was ‘laughingstock’.
So it’s quite simple.Just do two things-
1) Say here that you would LOVE to see Albion beat wolves,and
2) we’re amongst friends,so if you just tell us exactly where you sit in the Hawthorns,I know people all around the ground,so I can ask one of them to come over and say hello to you.
Simples.Then we will all be happy.
Report abuse
21 1973 Baggie????
I still can’t decide if you’re genuine or not on this thread. I tend to agree with CR78. If you are a Baggie and read these boards you would understand the cynicism, as there are so many undercover Wulfie posting, a lot of them under your name.
The difference with Steve Poole Baggie is that his posts are positive about the club, even when he’s being critical. Whereas yours are universally downbeat and you disappear when we have a good result.
Laughing Wolf has used this name and has also gone down the line of coming back on pretending to be hurt by being accused. He cocked it up once by forgetting to change his name when he did this. Proving that even clever morons get things wrong.
I can only add that if you are a Wulfie then you must have a very ‘unusual’ mind to go to all this trouble. On the other hand if you really are a Baggie then I’m even more perplexed.
Report abuse
This is a new one-lone wolf disagreeing with things that ‘laughingwolf’ has said on here.
Two wolves fans arguing with each other over here-it’s just like being over on the wolves site,obviously the ‘pack’ just don’t get on with each other.
Report abuse
18 CR78.
I used to live in Smethwick by the London Works Tavern and then in Hales Lane. When I used to walk up Halfords Lane to matches I always felt great jealousy about people that lived where you did as it was so handy.
Report abuse
22 Cyril.
What a good post, I totally agree. A lot will disagree as it doesn’t suit the current fashion for criticising Dan Ashworth and blaming him and JP for everything that goes wrong.
There was some plonker on Tom Ross’ phone in last night jumping on the bandwagon and doing a hatchet job on DA and JP. I turned off when he blamed them for giving Fortune away to Celtic for nothing and buying him back for 2.5 mill. Totally overlooking the fact that he wasn’t ours to sell to Celtic. Some fan.
Report abuse
23 Jack.
I might be wrong but I thought the border marker for Birmingham was about 100 yards along the Birmingham Road from the ground, meaning that the Stadium is actually in Sandwell. Isn’t it the postcode that’s B71 but postcodes have no bearing on actual boundaries.
Report abuse
28 Jack.
I thought that. The disputes on here and on the dark side are like comparing a fight down the pub to WWII.
Report abuse
Oh Jack, What would i do without you ? Laugh more i guess. I dont need edukating Jack as i went to one of the best schools in the midlands, in fact, it was approved. ( im here all week, tell your friends ) The big un tomorrow. Cant wait. Our derby belongs in the big league. Black counry,west midland ,Local,Bitter, call it what you will, its still the big one for the likes of me and you. One of us will be walking tall tomorrow, while the other will need to lie down in a darkend room. (Unless its a draw,which it probably will be). May the best team win. As long as its us.
Report abuse
(34)
Bully,
You’re right, I remember seeing the sign. Villa and Brum are still our main West Midland derbies.
(36)
Odd Fellow,
I can understand you laughing more if I weren’t around to contend with. Glad you like being on our site, I’ll be as high as a lonesome pine, or the white cliffs of Dover, tomorrow, just you wait and see.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
36 lonely-
We know you’re here all week.And every week.We can’t get rid of you.
Any chance of working abroad in a country with no net connection?
I’ve heard they’re looking for wines and spirits salesmen in the middle east.Why not go over,and tell them you’ve got lots of booze with you?
With any luck,it might be quiet here for a few years.
Report abuse
32 TRBH-
There were some advantages living so close,but it can be a bit dodgy.
My Mom still lives in Middlemore Road,between the away support coaches and the metro station to Brum.
Last week,to get to her,I ended up walking in between a large crowd of West Ham fans,then stepped to the side of them,and rang the doorbell.
You realise that lots of away fans are suddenly aware that you’re not one of them,and they stare at you in silence for a few seconds.
It’s always a case of holding your breath until you go inside,and they walk away down the road.
I can’t see my doing the same thing this weekend,the risk factor would be much too high.
Report abuse
cantello rocket you are one boring kn*bhead,why do you think anyone wants to listen to your boring drivel about your sad life as a boggy fan? wot are you a wolf sniffing private detective?
Report abuse
woys wocket man i weckon you is a wolf in disguise
Report abuse
38. The Rocket, fair enough. If im getting you down ill find somewhere with no modern technology and that is stuck in the 1970s where i can do your sensibilities no more harm with my tongue in cheek banter…….. Ive got an Aunie that still lives in sandwell, ill go stay with her for a week or two. Dont take things to heart old pal. After TRBH, WOZZA,JACK,TEL,KEV,WONOH,DLB,CYRIL,WBA4EVA,ASTLE,and many others, you are still one on the main players. So chin up.
Report abuse
42 lonely-
I think you’re getting a bit too sensitive these days,me old mock mancunian.
I don’t REALLY want you to go to Bahrain,standing on the streets,ranting for the rulers to leave-you could do that in wulferhampton,outside molineux.
Anyway,if you wasn’t here,who else could we ridicule all the time?
It’s too much effort to find another whipping Boy.
Report abuse
40 royboywolf-
So I’m replying to another ALBION fan that I know,on the ALBION site,when you come gatecrashing in,hurling foulmouthed abuse.
Nice.You show yourself to be a real class act.
Send us another post,next time you drag yourself out the gutter.
Report abuse