Roy Hodgson to give Carlos Vela Albion chance
Thursday 24th February 2011, 2:01PM GMT.
Roy Hodgson today insisted Carlos Vela is ready to start matches in Albion’s fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Baggies head coach revealed he tried to sign Vela for Fulham and claimed the Mexican has proved he must be ‘taken seriously’ in the Albion squad.
The on-loan 21-year-old has started just once since moving to The Hawthorns from Arsenal but scored his first goal in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves.
And Hodgson said: “He’s ready to start games. He started games for Arsenal so he’s more than ready.
“He’s not that young. He’s 21. Jonas Thern captained Sweden at the age of 19 when I had him at Malmo so 21 isn’t a problem.
“In fact I think it’s a very good age. He wasn’t being left out due to his age, it was because people preferred other players.
“But he certainly showed enough in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch on Sunday to show I have to take him seriously and it’s good that he took his goal chance well.
“I knew of him. In fact we considered him when I was at Fulham, in January last year.
“Arsene (Wenger) and I spoke and he said that he might consider him going out on loan.
“We lodged an interest but then he got injured so didn’t go anywhere. But we’d studied him and thought he’d be a good addition.”
Vela could start in Monday’s Premier League match at Stoke but Hodgson today repeated his defence of another striker, Marc-Antoine Fortune, who received criticism from some supporters for missing chances against Wolves.
Hodgson said: “Forwards have to live with negativity. Goalkeepers and forwards are either heroes and villains and are often judged harshly.
“I’ve often thought that sometimes a forward does well but doesn’t always bring off the final pass or shot and fans won’t see how hard he’s worked to get to that ball, or the strong blow he’s received in trying to control it, or the push in the back he’s had.
“But I’m afraid if forwards do miss chances then they are going to incur the wrath of the crowd and whatever good work they’ve done in the meantime.
“Yet they can become heroes by playing badly for most of the match and then scoring a winning goal.”
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When Vela came on as sub. at Man.City,he looked a real threat,his diagonal runs and ball control made things uncomfortable for their defence,and within minutes he had what was probably our best shot of the game,from a very tight angle.
So the next game,against West Ham,looked to be the ideal situation for him to attack their shaky defence,but Appy left him on the bench,and brought on Barnes instead,who was completely ineffective.
I have to stress that this was just a rumour,but someone told me hours before the West Ham game that they had it on good authority that Barnes had complained above RDM’s head that he wasn’t being used in games,so it was interesting to see him come on instead of Vela.Just a co-incidence? Maybe.
Anyway,we saw what the lad can do in a short time against wolves (2 shots,1 goal,and one instinctive save by Hennessey),so he MUST be used in some capacity,he’s just too good to leave out of the picture.
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VELA should have been playing from the first moment we sighned him,it was plain to everyone but R.D.M. we need a poacher like him something we have missed since PHILLIPS infact VELA reminded me on sunday of KEV his touches and the finish,.i still think MILLER has a job to do and i feel now hes coming back i think ROY will get the best from him ROY admires vela so thats a good thing and someone like HODGESON will use it to our advantage
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I was delighted when Fortune returned to the Hawthorns. Let’s give him some time and a run in the team before jumping on his back.
As for Vela, there is no doubt that he added to the game on Sunday for the Baggies – not least of all because he scored the equaliser. I hope he gets a start soon and that, if he needs time too, fans will be tolerant.
In the case of any player we have to remember one man doesn’t make a team.
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Vela has craft, balance and can shoot, must play alongside Ozase. Roy you state ” Fans don’t see the blow or push on a player “. I tell you now, we see more than the referee or his assistants do. Believe me.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Cantello – interesting points…. Since RDM left we have heard quite a bit about dressing room splits, whispers in corridoors, players supposedly getting support from board members etc etc….
Now I don’t know if any of this is true – but it does sound a bit like the goings on at chelsea over the years, so it makes you wonder what RDM culture brought into the club.
If its true you get the feeling Roy is unlikely to let that continue.
Also agree with your evaluation of vela – he could be the spark we need and i hope Roy plays him cutting in from wide with P.O through the middle.
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I await with interest to see what team Roy puts out at Stoke.
He seems to suggest that Vela could be used from the start,and most fans would expect Mulumbu to also be in the line-up,so which two players could be left out for this to happen?
I suppose a lot of people would put Fortune as first choice,but Roy jumped to his defence,saying that his general movement and work rate were good,and against Stoke,he’s probably the only striker who has the strength to hold the ball up against their defenders.
Whatever the line-up,it should give us a clue as to which players the Manager has begun picking out in the task of turning things around this season.
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I was wondering how long it would take for vela to jump in front of fortune the goal machine. Vela was immense on Sunday, his 1st touch, running and calmness with finishing showed us how it should be done.
Hopefully he can out run them bolshy stoke defenders.
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5 Happy…RDM will take over as West Ham manager at the end of the season thats why Albion have not sacked him and he is on gardening leave was the latest I heard of “them in the know”.
Back to the Vela topic this lad is a real talent in all honesty he is probably too talented for our players he seems that fraction quicker with his thought process when it comes to the passing etc.. If our players can feed him the ball in the parts of the pitch that count he will score goals very much like super Kev as said in an earlier post
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Jack the Hat
Jack I agree with your comment about what the fans see or dont see as the case may be. Why do Managers, ex players and the Tv pundits always say and think that because we are fans and not played at that level we know nothing about the game….wrong…some of the best managers never kicked a ball at PL level and you dont have to be a PL player to see you tries and who does not. Come on guys to play at that level may be special but not to understand whats supposed to happen on the pitch.
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6 has a point we do need someone to take the
knocks up front Fortune seems low on confidence baiters wont help. We do need all
our big players to defend their aerial assault
is Miller back? Agree Vela could get a few goals. What a strange season this form going out the window lets hope for us to at last
defy the odds v Stoke plus a clean sheet must
stop drinking in the afternoon.
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TRBB – if RDM was responsible for a culture of factions and boardroom splits there is nowhere better for him than West ham – lets just hope it’s in the Championship.
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Not every one scores goals week in, week out. I thought we bought Fortune back as a feeder for Odemwingie, Cox and the other forwards, but who could also score the odd goal at times. What we have is Thomas, Brunt, Morrison and Dorrans who forfill that role and score as well and I believe that is what Fortune is going to be. Those five will be on the bench or on the pitch depending on the team we are playing and to come in when legs are getting tired or when we need to change things a little.
Everyone has their role to play and everyone who pulls on the stripes is a Baggies player and deserves our support. Like some on here I remember both our glory days of the late sixties and early seventies and our dark days. We now have a team that is creating the new glory days. I thank Megson, Mowbray, DiMatteo and the back room staff for getting together a team that has improved year on year.
Long may it continue.
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If you recall the Wigan game where Vela made his debut…playing wide on the right. Oh…hang on…he’s left footed well there’s another RDM classic. DOH ! When he did come against Man City and played wide left his linkup play with Shorey was good and showed that there was definite promise. When we visit the land of the giants on Monday, hopefully Roy the Boy will include him in our 4-5-1 lineup playing just behind POW. I thank you…
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I think no.6 cantello is correct in saying MAF would be a good choice v Stoke. He is more likely to go in where it hurts and win/keep possession for us up top than Odemwengie, who is a better striker and offers more in pace and skill but may disappear a little when the rough stuff gets dished out from Stokes giants. I actually wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Vela & MAF as the front two with Ode having to make do with a place on the bench.
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Hope he gets his start V Stoke but we will go 4-5-1 and try to stop them playing and St.Peter will start. He deserves to start after saving us from would of been a horrible week from the Dingles if we had lost.
Very worrying to hear about the players unrest and the dressing room being split etc, is this why our form has been so bad? The last place I wanted us to go was the Brittania but we got to break this horrible record we have against them sooner rather than later. If Roy can do this then I may get a bit more confidence in him keeping us up.
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To all the Fortune knockers – he is the only forward with any physical presence in the squad now Bednar has gone- he missed a sitter against the Dingles but his work rate is good and he keeps going – I like Miller but Fortune is way better at holding the ball up and allowing us to come out from defence into attack – Miller can’t do that and never will. For me, the team against Stoke has to have Vela, Odemwingie & Fortune in attack with Mulumbu & Dorrans pulling the strings in midfield. Brunty needs a break – not on form at the moment. Mozza needs to get down the gym and lift a few weights – too lightweight. As for Barnes – he should never wear an Albion shirt again – shocking. We’re due a win against Stoke ( now would be a great time for that to happen ). Keep the faith – come on you Baggies. Boing Boing !!
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The Stoke hoodoo is so deeply ingrained now that perhaps we make to much of it. After all the Wolves got a draw against us so anything is possible.
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I have just hear that inkeeping with Wolves fans, Blues fans will be taking flares to wembley….they are the same ones they where wearing last time they where there …..
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Over on the dark side or as I now like to call it, the gift that keeps giving. There is a thread titled ‘Jamie O’Hara tipped to be key player for Wolves.’
No problem there, quite probably true. However the first post is from our old friend Laughing Wolf.
‘Quality player and great to hear that if we survive everything has been agreed for the transfer to become permanent.’
Surely not the same Laughing Wolf that comes over here condemning any loan player we’ve had that has said he will only stay if we stay up, Paul Scharner being a good example.
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I can’t see the point of getting a player on loan, who incidentally is arguably better than any we’ve got, and then not playing him from the start. I don’t think Mr. Wenger would be too happy either. I’d personally give Carlos Vela a free role, I do think that’s where we would see the benefits of such an exciting player, a bit like the guy at Q.P.R. Taarabt?
Happy Baggie
If it’s true, that the players were split, and influenced the removal of RDM, for whatever reasons. Well, in my opinion, no players will ever be bigger or more important than the club, and this needs to be addressed A.S.A.P. Apart from possibly 5 current players, I’d like to see a change in personnel in the summer, whatever league were in.
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20 i dont think mr wenger will be to happy starting him at stoke either aye boing boing
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20.Barnsley. Would that be Tarra A Bit and his partner, ThankYerFerAvinWe ? They’re both from West Bromwich.
Sir Terence: In view of what happened to Fabric Ass and Fold-Down-Bed against Stoke the other night, Arsene will fine us if we play another of his gems. I’d only bring him on after say 60 minutes as Stoke mark your card early on when his speed could upset them.
I’m not at all happy that some are now criticising RdM. Something went wrong, of that there is little doubt, but accept it, that’s life. Please don’t turn him into yet another dartboard.
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Nice to see Kenny Dalglish give Roy praise for his previous work at Liverpool, that allowed Kenny to manage in Europe For his first time. Kenny’s first opportunity came when there was a ban on English clubs.
(19)
Bully,
Has Laughingwolf named the squad to be on duty against Blackpool, and are ALBION, WEST HAM and BLACKPOOL, still going down?. Hope there’s someone around to give him a shove and wake him up from his dream time.
(18)
Real,
Blues aren’t wearing their Wembley suits. Couldn’t get them made in time as the shade of blue was wrong. Appears they were made in navy blue, which in itself wasn’t too bad, but the club didn’t like the added white stripes.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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(9)
Sc,
Alan Ashman was a chicken farmer, and a great manager for us. Which proves your point.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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24 Jack.
Can’t agree with you there. He was a nice version of Ron Atkinson, took over a very good team of players that someone else had developed and failed to make any progress. He was a good bloke but not a great manager, yeah he won the cup but we went steadily downhill. Still more than Big Fat Ron did though, with better players.
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(25)
Bully,
I thought he was a great manager for us, in the light of big Ron and Jimmy Hagan. I was at Wembley when we lost 2-0 in the first League Cup to be played there. We were smack in the middle of the track suit bottoms discord. Mind you,we were the last club to win it on the home and away basis ( West Ham ) remember?. Sorry I got side tracked.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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