Roy Hodgson hopes Albion have luck
Thursday 24th March 2011, 2:00PM GMT.
Albion head coach Roy Hodgson will be happy to follow up the Great Escape with a lucky one.
The Baggies boss, who has began his Hawthorns reign with a morale-restoring unbeaten four-game sequence, has started to repair the damage done to his reputation by his sacking by Liverpool earlier this season.
But Hodgson, who faces his former employers next week, is concerned solely with the business of staying up – and doesn’t mind how he does it.
He said: “I don’t care how we stay in the Premier League as long as we stay there. If we stay there with people saying we’ve done fantastically well, like they did at Fulham and saying we played some good football then that would be lovely.
“But if people say ‘they were lucky’, that will do for me. I don’t mind being lucky, I have nothing against it.
“It’s encouraging to know we are not divorced from the rest of the league but it is also worrying that other teams aren’t as well.
“We all know that it’s a results industry, we all accept that, but there is no magic wand that transforms things instantly.
“Everything you get you have to work for and it is the case that sometimes you have setbacks on the way to something better.
“Every single minute is going to count because it’s a lack of concentration that costs you a goal or a wonderful moment that gets you a goal.
“That’s what it’s all about and what we have to do in our remaining games is make sure that we give ourselves the best possible chance of winning.”
Hodgson will be keeping an eye on his globe-trotting internationals aware that many are feeling the strain as they reach the final weeks of the season.
Youssouf Mulumbu is being carefully monitored by DR Congo and Hodgson would have been concerned to hear of Peter Odemwingie training alone and under the watchful eye of medical staff with Nigeria.
But, closer to home, a revived James Morrison is flush with optimism about Albion’s prospects as he takes a break from the survival slog to face the Brazil for Scotland this weekend.
Morrison said: “It is going down to the wire but we’re going well. It’s a good start to Roy’s career as West Brom manager but there is a long way to go and we have to keep working hard.
“The unbeaten run shows we’re more solid and you can see what we’ve been working on in training.
“Fair play to the lads for taking Roy’s methods on board and sticking with it.”
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I think that Albion do have luck shining on them at the moment and I hope it doesn’t run out before the season ends. Keeeper mistake in injury time V Wolves, Offside last minute goal V Stoke, Blues having 9 players out, Arsenal keeper mistake and injured key players.
If you finish below Wolves and stay up, I’ll be pleased for you.
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1 Golden Wolf.
Sorry, in the last thread I said you should call yourself Golden Black Spectacles. How about trying Laughing Wolf? or 1973 Baggie? Just a thought.
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Nice words Golden Wolf, i think every team needs a certain degree of luck, Remember that losing streak wolves went on in the champinoship and still remained top because no team below were capitalising, Remember Portsmouth having a 10 point deduction last year thus eliminating them from the relegation scrap, Saying all that however i do hope both wolves and albion stay up. The difference i have noticed between wolves/albion fans and villa/blues is where we have passion they seem to have a cocky “Were too good to go down” arrogance!
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We both deserve to stay up & I think we will both survive. Wigan, Birmingham & Blackpool to go down!!! Good luck for the rest of the season baggie boys…
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3. Wolves finished 15th last season so Pompey’s woes were to the saving of West Ham or Wigan?(cant remember).
We also finished the championship on 90 points which would usually see title won.
I must be honest I would like to see Wigan, Blues and West Ham go down. I think Wolves, Albion and Blackburn have played too well for the best part of the season to deserve to go down. We had luck on our side against Villa(Stearman Penalty) but we have been very unlucky to loose many games undeservedly. I truly believe we are good enough to finish mid table.
Roy Hodgson looks to have saved you. Funny how fans get it wrong as most of you were appalled at RDM’s sacking if your honest.
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Southern Wolf:
Yes Wolves & Albion have played well but I have to disagree… Blackburn playing well???
They are, by far the worst team I have seen in the Premiership this season. They were shocking at Villa park, looked like a pub team, got stung for 7 at old trafford and to be honest were lucky to beat the albion, even though the scoreline was 3-1 they are worst football team I have seen in the Prem this season!
KAK!!
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1 golden wolf(or Laughingstock?)-
I remember wolves fans whinging early season about how unlucky they were.
They’ve stopped complaining in the last few months-I wonder why?
I could make a long list of your ‘good fortune’,but shall we just take the most recent game?
Villa have just sunk to their worst state for many years.
The Manager was facing a massed protest inside the ground.
All the first choice central defenders were missing,with talk of injuries and rumours of bust ups behind the scenes.
And when I switched on ‘MOTD’,I saw Stearman get away with a nailed on penalty,followed by Villa crashing a shot against the bar.
And even Villa fans were saying they were awful.
So I’m afraid only a hypocrite would say Albion are ‘the lucky ones’.
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I meant Blackpool, agreed Blackburn are rubbish.
7. Dont be so bitter. We had luck with the penalty but what about the Spurs game before it.
Also you played blues who had every player still Hungover from the cup party.
You had luck with the 2 offsides in the goal at Stoke and a goalkeeping clanger in your last 2 home games has earned you points.
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Well just for fun I have crunched the numbers, looked at the remaining fixtures of the bottom clubs, and this is how it pans out.
I have calculated this by awarding the teams the same points as they they got in the “mirror” fixture, i.e. if you beat that team first time around you get 3 points again, if you lost first time round you get no points etc etc. I have also calculated goal difference on goals scored/conceded in the first meeting, added to current total.
Like I said it just for FUN, but unless anyone has crystal balls its as good an indicator as any.
So it would look something like this.
Blackpool 47
Villa 45
Wolves 44 -15 GD
WBA 44 -17 GD
Blues 42
————
Blackburn 41
West Ham 36
Wigan 35
Surprisingly no West Mids clubs go down?, but there you go, as I said its just for fun, so dont shoot the messenger!
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8 southern wolves-
It’s amazing how you guys only see what you want to.
Did you not notice that this is the Albion site,and the first post here is a wolves fan saying how lucky we are?
Should I not reply to it?
And as for the Spurs game,how about seeing the other side of things?
Like the fact that three of Spurs best players this season are Bale,Lennon,and Van Der Vaart,yet none of them started against wolves.
Two came on late in the game,but the best player,Bale,wasn’t fully fit.
Also Spurs had their biggest games in half a century coming up about three days later,so no one wanted to get injured or suspended.
Not to mention that Defoe also hit the post in the last couple of minutes,which would have won it for Spurs.
So despite what some of you lot think,everything of importance doesn’t revolve around wolverhampton.
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Number 1 was making a point relevent to the story. He also had the good grace to wish you to stay up.
Both teams have had some luck in recent weeks but over the season Wolves will feel more has gone against us then for us. I’m sure you feel the same.
I’m not so sad as I am going to start checking opposition line ups like you have. I will just repeat my first post. IMO, Wolves Albion and Blackpool dont deserve to go down based on performance. Maybe one day you will be big enough to show some respect back.
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What are dinglings doing on here?
A look back at fixtures shows quite a few were
we missed out(illfortune)but thats history now
more concerned about key players carrying injuries knowing our luck Carroll will be fired up after dismal showing previously and
what odds on Torres coming good when Chelsea
visit however anything from next two home games will be a bonus.
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You can only imagine the fun i could have had on this “lucky” thread.
But alas, Mr C is on duty once again.
The best chance i have, is later in the month when good old Mr. C takes his annual leave to North Korea.
Print that Mr.C.,,, I wont hold my beath comrade.
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10 CR 78
Good post, yes we’ve probably both had our aware of good and bad luck this season.
But you did get one thing wrong. Everything of importance DOES revolve around Wolverhampton. That said, good luck for the rest of the season!
In Mick we trust!!!
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That should have read ‘share of good and bad luck’ not ‘aware’.
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I don’t think Roy Hodgson should keep being reminded of his unsuccessful spell at Liverpool. The club were under the control of the previous owners when he went there and under great pressure from their bank and as a result his hands were largely tied. If he did make a mistake it was going there in the first place when Liverpool were already in turmoil. He has proved since he has been with us that his previous excellent reputation is well merited. He has transformed us into a side that looks capable of competing with any other in this league. I fear that the Liverpool fans will have all sorts of songs and chants ready for Mr Hodgson which won’t be complimentary. I just hope that our players make them swallow their words.
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I don’t think we need to rely on luck. We are a good team that for some reason went on a very bad run, in all probability we will never know what really went on with RDM, but all’s well now and our true quality will keep us up!
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11 Southern Wolves-
1) Post 1 is really ‘laughingwolf’,who comes on here everyday (a real saddo).He says several bad things about Albion,then throws in a compliment to try fooling us (as if).
2) I mentioned the Spurs players missing because I watched the game live on the telly,and you can’t help notice when some of the star names are missing,and
3) I said in a post the other day that I hope we both stay up (ask Lone Wolf),I honestly don’t feel bitter about wolves,only some of the arrogant and abusive fans that come over here.
I hope that’s cleared some things up,so for now,
thank you and goodnight.
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14 Shamrock Mick-
Thanks for the compliment,and I like your sense of humour.
Maybe we can both share a pint of the black stuff with Mick of the Emerald Isles one day,in his old hometown of Blarney,sorry Barnsley.
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Roy wasn’t backed by some big hit players at Liverpool, the main one being Torres. Roy put his own format in place and some players didn’t want to know. Liverpool’s Sporting and Technical Director is now glad Torres has left the club. You were not at fault during your stay at Liverpool, Roy. Old Chinese proverb: He who dirties clothes, finds, it all comes out in wash.
Take note Torres and Co.
The way Roy and the BAGGIES squad have worked their socks off in training and on the park shows luck is not really needed.
The droning Dingles are now feeling the pinch, as time and games are running out, still in the bottom three aren’t you.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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I dont dislike old Roy, but he did make some shocking signings at Liverpool and Fulham. Paul Konchesky to Liverpool, cmon Roy. Where is he now? In the championship where he belongs.
Cantello 5.57pm is a bit early for bedtime isnt it?
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(12)
1954 Baggie,
You ask why the Dingles are on our site.
It’s because they haven’t much to say on their own site, because of their league position.
(21)
Sw,
Where are you coming from?. Roy hasn’t bought a quarter of the tripe Mick has. Talk about deluded!.
Time the E&D reporters started telling the truth. Carson was not at fault with that goal against Croatia. John Terry stated “I should have cleared the ball”. So the ball shouldn’t have reached Carson, but it did, unexpectedly. The truth will set you free.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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21. Southern.
To quote you at post No 11, ‘Maybe one day you will be big enough to show some respect.’ Well, pots and kettles and all that.
‘He did make some shocking signings at Liverpool and Fulham. Paul Konchesky to Liverpool, c’mon Roy where is he now? in the championship where he belongs.’
Is that showing respect to a player who has played most of his time in the PL? He’s in the Championship because he wanted to play and couldn’t go on loan to a PL club outside the window. He’s probably a better left back than you have at your club. Try showing some respect instead of writing players off.
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1) hey shadrag how’s life in the bottom 3, hope you’re sitting comfortably as you’ll be staying there, just make sure not down by the time the mighty Baggies play you, as I’d just love if we sent you down!
Boing boing :-)))))
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