Life begins at 40 for super Albion
Tuesday 26th April 2011, 9:10AM BST.
Albion blogger Jarrod Hill is waiting to break open the champagne after the Baggies all-but-confirmed their safety by reaching the magic 40 point mark.
The 40 point total has been reached by Albion and, boy, it feels good.
Simon Cox and Peter Odemwingie hit absolute crackers in Saturday’s draw at Tottenham but it was the team performance that ensured we got a point from a tough fixture at White Hart Lane.
This team just refuse to give up and, even when Jermain Defoe put Spurs in front, we looked to have another goal in us.
We may be setting records for our lack of clean sheets, 32 and counting, but who cares when we score goals that make me jump around like I’ve just trod on a plug.
The game was a cracker and the football played by both sides was great to watch. A draw was a fair result, although either side could have nicked it.
Peter Odemwingie had a great chance with his header and I thought we should have had a penalty when there looked to be a blatant hand ball in the box, but the point was gratefully received.
The lads gave absolutely everything, totally committed and, when that much effort is put in, us fans can’t do anything other than be impressed.
I won’t say ‘put a shift in,’ because it’s a cliche I hate. But there’s an old saying that says the harder you work the luckier you become and the hard work is definitely being put in.
Reaching 40 points still might not be enough in this strangest of seasons but, with the four games we have left, I am confident we can get more.
The teams at the bottom continue to stutter and, with many of the clubs having to play each other, I would be surprised if 40 points wasn’t enough to ensure Premier League football next season.
But ,until it’s mathematically guaranteed, I will keep the champagne on ice, although I must admit we did celebrate Saturday’s result with a big smile on our faces.
The national media keeps posing the question what has boss Roy Hodgson changed to have had such a dramatic effect?
Yes, our head coach has made us more compact in shape when defending and the reintroduction of Abdoulaye Meite into the team was Derren Brown-ish in its conception.
For me, it is the work rate of the players that has really changed. We all knew how this squad of players could play silky football, but it’s when you combine it with a work ethic and good tactics that you really see results.
I am not saying there was no work rate before Roy arrived because that’s just not true, but there is now a resolve within this team that wasn’t there before.
Spurs had a number of set pieces on Saturday but created little, goalkeeper Scott Carson got over his Chelsea hiccup by commanding his back four and Jonas Olsson and Meite were outstanding.
Not since Gary Megson and big Dave have I seen us defend corners so well and it’s these small things that are making big changes in our fortunes.
Another great game and another great result, while things are going this well I don’t want the season to come to an end.
Hope you all had a great Easter weekend, I know I did.
Bring on the Villa.
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I think the main difference under Roy is what our players do when we DON’T have the ball.
Under TM & RDM we always looked good with the ball and played some great stuff – and that was good enough to see us get promotions under both those managers…. but when we didn’t have the ball we always looked vunerable, especially in this division, and Roy was got the lads looking far more organised and caapable of soaking up pressure.
His experience has given us the missing ingredient to go with our skill and flair !!
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I to Bomber had a smile on my face and shouted whoop at the final whistle (which when your at a wedding is probably not the best thing to do lol).I have seen no papers or even the goals ,but if we beat the vile and other results went our way can we be mathematically safe come 5 to five on Saturday???
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2 – TRBH
It might take until Sunday, but that is my feeling
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I’m afraid i find our lack of clean sheets somewhat embarassing , but i am sure Hodgson will address this matter in the Summer , Two new goalkeepers ???
Sorry mate but who is Derren Brown ???? .
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Sorry, I should have typed TRBB.
If you look at the fixtures, there are quite a few “bottom” of the table matches. Mathematically Newcastle (in 9th) could be relegated. What this means that teams below us will be playing like stink to make sure that they don’t lose points and fall closer to the drop zone. Wolves have Stoke, Blues and us, West Ham have Man City just to pick a few. Looking at what we’ve got I can see us getting the 6 points that we need today and it might be less on Saturday. These last few games are going to be both interesing and nail biting.
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Got to agree with 4. Carson seems to be suspect with low shots. Several come to mind in the last few weeks where he should probably have done better.
Still happy to be on 40 points.
Well done Roy and the boys.
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Max
So you’re putting all the goals down to Carson and Myhill then?
Adéu
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4 – “embarrassing” ???
Who cares really ??? We have done so brilliantly this season – first under RDM and then with Roy with only a run of about 10 games when we struggled and you are embarrassed ??
Unbeaten against Arsenal & Spurs home and away, a draw at old trafford, and all the other things to celebrate this season and you moan !!
I think you should find something else to worry about mate cos everyone else on here is too busy being proud to worry about one statistic that means absolutely nothing !!
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Hi Bomber,
I think you’re spot on with work-rate. In fairness to RDM I think he had found that balance, earlier in the season we were working to get behind the ball whenever we lost it. It just seemed to evaporate over the winter, no more evident than in his final game at Man City where we looked a team of sitting ducks waiting to be picked off, almost a Bryan Robson away performance.
Roy’s got them so well-oiled though, it’s almost like watching a show from the red arrows or a group of synchronised swimmers when you watch the two banks of four move around together whenever we haven’t got the ball. His stout defensive organisation seems to compliment the brilliant attacking flair of Thomas, Brunt, Dorrans, Odemwingie etc perfectly. The frightening thing is I didn’t think Vela or Thomas played particularly well Saturday. This team has so much potential (that’s not to say it’s faultless), lets hope it’s harnessed well in the summer.
Wall Heath- Good to see you’re enjoying the sunshine!!
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Over on the dark side I see Kevin Doyle is hoping to be back for their last 2 games, or as he is calling them….. “The shop window” !!!!
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Morning Jarrod.
The usual high standard of blog except that this one really is a bit special. I refer to the fact that you who are not really a member of the glass half full or half empty club, you are very much in the ‘I’ve got half a glass of beer’ realistic outlook (quite an achievement when your Dad has always had an ‘I’ve got an empty glass’ way of thinking. Sorry Hill senior but you know it’s true.)
Anyway the point is that we’ve all waited so long for this moment. Barring Acts of God we’re staying up. And unlike last time this has all been our own work. Not because of the low standards of other teams. Not because of luck, we’ve had possibly more bad decisions than the first time under Sir Gary.
The penalty you refer to was the latest example but we now have the resilience to shrug them off. Perhaps if we can keep Roy and establish ourselves these dodgy decisions will be confined to when we play Man Ure, Arsenal etc.
I think the Meite point is another good one. I don’t know if he’s a better player than Tamas or Pablo but I always make a point of watching him when we lose the ball upfield and as well as positioning himself he’s telling others where to go and who to pick up. That is experience that money can’t buy. And again I wonder if that’s what Roy spotted when he brought him back. I think at Fulham he had Aaron Hughes not the greatest player and while Hangeland got all the rave revues, Hughes was the steady Eddie that organised the back four.
One other thing. I agree with Warren’s point on JT, he doesn’t look the player he was a few weeks back. He seems reluctant to take on his full back which he was doing for fun earlier. I wonder if he’s playing through an injury or is it just a drop in confidence?
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Jarrod,
You are right, this squad sleeps standing up, as it doesn’t know the meaning of “Lay down”. Clean sheets!, there are a few teams below us, who would exchange their clean sheets to be in twelfth position in this league, right now.
We used to be caught, with the “Over the top” ball, when we pushed too many players forward when raiding. This doesn’t happen any more since our rear guard has been sorted, by Roy.
(10)
Happy,
Whilst you’re on about that blog. I set a trap for my imposter, with an idea I got from Kev.
Number (11) post on that string is mine. Number (34) is my imposter. Number (42) is mine. I’m sure you will tell the difference from my nom de guerre. So just be aware of the dope who’s copying me. Use you discretion when reading posts that bear my nom de guerre. I don’t know if he has the brains to copy my new one. Oh, and THANKS Kev.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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HAPPY BAGGIE
You are in good company because Mowbray and Di Matteo did not bother about the defence either . Good sides are built from the back , thankfully we have a Manager who realises this and will sort it in the Summer.
KEV IN MALLORCA
They are not totally to blame but have certainly not helped the situation . Our defensive record this season is a shambles , thankfully our goals for as compensated somewhat , but we have a Manager who will address these problems, although it does not concern the happy clappers on here.
Does anybody know who Derren Brown is ???
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Happy- brilliant!!
TRBH- JT seemed to have a similar spell early-mid season where he was reluctant to take on his full-back and often slowed down attacks. I thought then he might’ve been carrying an injury but where RDM might’ve allowed that, I’m not so sure Roy would accept passengers when he speaks so highly of his ‘squad players’.
Perhaps it’s confidence, in JT’s defence I thought he was our best player between Jan-late Feb. Also I’ve noticed there have been quite a few games (Stoke and Blues away spring to mind) where JT would get the ball and be immediately surrounded by 2 players, potentially freeing up others. Maybe he’s become more focused on retaining possession.
Either way he’s a great talent and has undoubtedly contributed greatly to this season’s effort, like you suggest though, something of an enigma at times.
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13 – I’m not blind to the fact about goals against, and have addressed it in my post – I just find your “embarrassment” a little silly and more than a bit picky given the successes that you could be focusing on.
Jack – I had noticed your new “accent” but thought you had just gone all “mid-table posh” LOL !!
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Wall Heath Baggie
I honestly don’t know why you bother. If we were losing every week and in the bottom 3 like the dogheads I could understand but we’re not. Yes our defence needs to tighten up and Roy will do it but to call people happy clappers when we’ve only lost once in the last 8 is ridiculous…of course we’re happy clappers, we’re mid-table!!!
We’re one of the great entertainers in the league this season with only Blackpool games seeing more goals – plus we are joint 6th in goals scored. Would you rather win 1-0 or 3-2 bearing in mind that the goal difference would be the same?
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HAPPY BAGGIE
Just think where we could have finished if not for defensive problems , i would suggest that your post about not bothering about the defence was just plain daft , but hey ho .
Have a look at the new story on our page where Hodgson states his thoughts about new defensive players , thankfully he does know what he is on about.
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I think Jerrom Thomas is playing to orders and is reluctant to lose the ball in dangerous positions. He showed on Saturday his desire to tackle for the team which is not really a feature of his game.
Peter Odemwingie probably had his best game in an Albion shirt and Drogba apart must on current form be the best striker in the league. It’s difficult to compare players from a bygone era but I wonder how fellow contributors compare him to the illustrious names from the past including Ronnie Allen,Jeff Astle and Cyrille Regis. On the basis that he is outstanding in the world’s best league could he be the best striker we have ever had ? .
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LORDS MY SHEPHERD
I have no idea why i bother either .
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Derren Brown’s that magician type illusionist type predicts what your thinking type of bloke lol
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17 – are you doing this just for effect ??
Show me my post about not bothering about the defence….. its your fixation on one statistic that I’m not bothered about.
We know we need to strengthen – its not news mate – but Roy also praises the efforts and improvements in our current players – something you seem strangely unable to do.
I’ve read your boo boy posts before and ignored you – so il just do that again cos you can’t have a debate without twisting comments and writing lies.
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Anyone see this in todays Sun ??
KARL HENRY reckons Wolves’ clash at Stoke tonight could be a bloodbath.
The Molineux skipper knows his side will be matched physically by Stoke but insists they are ready to unleash hell.
Henry said: “Everyone else hates playing Stoke and going there – but we are going to relish it.
“It’s going to be a really dirty game up there. Both teams will be kicking lumps out of each other, it’s going to be an ugly, dirty game that no one wants to go and watch.
Anyone fancy going ??????
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(15)
Happy,
I wouldn’t even scrape in at bottom place in the posh league, with my Black Country accent. Although I could get a job in the Black Country museum, if the visitors could understand me!. Laugh Out Loud.
(18)
Robin B,
Give Osaze another good season and he’ll be well on the way, mate. Don’t forget, he hasn’t had a full season with us yet and he has had time out with injury (Please note Laughingwolf).
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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20, you mean like lone wolf aye boing boing
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Max.
I know Real Baggie Boy has answered your query but could I go a bit deeper.
Derren Brown is an illusionist of such high repute that he could probably get you to give an unbiased view of Scott Carson and have you believing it.
Now, look into my eyes, into the eyes not round the eyes, I’m going to count to ten, 1 2 3 4 ZZZZzzzzzzzzz.
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18 Robin
You pose an interesting question, which has partly been answered by Jack the Hat @ 23 but let me ask you this;
Given all the 3 you mention being in there prime, would you play Odemwingie in front of them on Saturday.
Personally I’d go with King Jeff!
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Sorry, not for the first time I’ve been trumped by Sir Terry at 24. B****r!
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Wall Heath
Have you considered that had we conceded less goals we wouldn’t have scored as many?
Tony Mowbray once quoted Rafa Benitez on covering all areas of a pitch being similar to lying in bed with a blanket too small for you. If you pull the cover up you expose your feet and vice versa.
If Albion hadn’t pushed high up the pitch we wouldn’t have got results at the Emirates and Old Trafford. By sitting behind the ball we may have got into a rut through lack of goals. It’s arguable the belief of this side has been born out of a belief we’ll score against anyone. It’s not black and white that concentrating on our back four would’ve changed the season for the better.
For the record, I saw nothing embarrassing about our performance at White Hart Lane. For long periods, a side that reached the last 8 of the Champions League never looked like scoring against us. The work-rate and organisation of our players is clear to see and that clean sheet is only around the corner. For that, and a likelyhood we’ll do it all again next year, surely you could put your feet up and raise that empty glass?
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I would just like to say well done to you lot, you have certainly proved a few people wrong (me included). When RDM was sacked it certainly opened a can of worms amongst your own fans whilst we just laughed (we’re not laughing now)but his sacking and the appointment of Woy has turned out to be a masterstroke as you a definatley safe and you have had some really hard games and got the results you needed, credit where credit is due. Wolves on the other hand seem to have folded in the last few weeks but I still beleive we will get out of trouble it might be on the last day it might be before then but ultimatley if we go down then so be it, we have been in the bottom 3 nearly all season and we haven’t got the results we deserved at times but thats footy. So well done again and I hope we at least beat you at the Molineux (we’re due a win).
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Terry 24 & TRBH 27 – I’ve gone and fallen for the old dingle in disguise trick aint I !!!! DOH !!
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An optimist: My glass is half full.
A pessimist: My glass is half empty
An Engineer: Your glasses are twice the size they need to be. That’s me folks!
Our away support is colossal and the home supporters turn up when we go to pay a visit.
Why? Easy. Football with GOALS. When the first coats were put down as goalposts, kicking a bag of wind became interesting. Without them, just a melée. Of course we don’t like letting a goal in, but it is what the other team are there for. I sat here on Saturday, a bit down at 2-1, but hopeful. Even the somewhat deaf wife heard the equaliser in the living room. “You’ve just scored. I can tell”, said she of zero interest. I wonder how she knew ?
I do hope those noises of evil battle coming from MicMac and Henry are just bags of wind to intimidate because sport and football it ain’t! We are in 12th, we don’t have to do that stuff, we get entertained, be HAPPY.
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18 Robin.
What a brilliant question (BTW I owe you an apology from the other day when I attributed one of your posts to Cyril.)
Anyway, what have we got in PO? The pace of Kevin Bartlett, the control of Willie Johnson and the speed of thought of Bomber (the real one not our beloved blogger.) All of these make for a heady mix.
We then have to assess him against our all time greats. Unfortunately Ronnie Allen was one of my Dad’s heroes and I only saw him play in testimonials.
The King? Jeff wouldn’t be so effective in today’s non physical contact game but then how would PO have fared back then getting his ankles chopped from behind on a regular basis? This question applies to all of todays flair players, George Best’s brilliance was against a background of intimidation and while Messi would probably have survived I doubt if Cristiano Ronaldo would.
I think the same applies to Cyrille who took a lot of physical stick. Ability wise I think they’re possibly on a par, as you say the PL is much better than the old First Division but Cyrille had that magnificent physicality that allowed him to score goals that I can still replay exactly in my mind’s eye now IE ‘THE GOAL’ against Middlesboro.’ All who saw it will never forget it, probably the best goal I’ve ever witnessed although unfortunately I don’t think there were any TV cameras to capture it. Pure natural instinctive ability, MAGIC!
I’ve gone on a bit so I’ll shut up. A bit of an excuse to do a Jethro Tull, Living in the Past.
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Wolves1877.
Well said (I’ve even stopped calling you 1983.)
I don’t know whether you will stay up but I think you’ve as good a chance as any and better than some in the scramble to come.
West Ham do look to good to go down which is never a good sign. I saw Blackburn last night and they look to have that battle hardened attitude that could see them through. Blackpool and Wigan are similar enigmas which makes it such an interesting situation, you wouldn’t risk betting a penny on their results. Anyway, good luck and power to West Midlands football in general.
The interesting thing is what do you do with Mick if you stay up? He seems to totally divide your fans.
Can you afford to get rid of a manager who has won promotion and kept you up for two seasons?
Can you afford not to as he sometimes looks out of his depth and relies heavily on battling players?
Will you have money for players with the twin whammy of ground improvement and the reduced funds from a lower capacity?
Very interesting times ahead at your club whatever happens.
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Great debate – and whilst we all know how good peter is… just check out Big Cyrille on this link. 5 minutes of pure class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-wjh_1bPwk
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22 Happy.
If it’s true and I always work on the rule that if it’s in the Sun it most likely isn’t, then it sounds as though Henry is going in for a bit of psychological warfare ie Stoke have a Cup Final coming up, let’s make them nervous of getting injured and put them off their normal ‘robust’ style of play.
Not really thought it through though has he? I don’t know who the ref is but if he’s a Sun reader surely he’ll be thinking he’s just read a plea from Henry to ‘send me off for my first heavy tackle ref, I’ll probably deserve it.’
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23,26 & 32
I did wonder when I wrote my original post if PO has played enough to be considered as one of our ” greats ” and perhaps he has not. But I was referring to current form . I cannot remember a player since Cyrille Regis who had such an impact on the team.
No Baggies Dad I would not play King Jeff instead of PO on Saturday but it would have been nice to see them together ! .
I must be older than the TRBH because I started watching the Albion as a small boy at the time Ronnie Allen was emerging and what a player he was. Not very big but a very intelligent player with dynamite in both feet. In many ways a bit like PO .
It’s good to have memories Bully and if your an Albion fan like us there should be plenty of good ones.
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33.TRBH, West Ham ain’t the same team without Parker and they can’t buy a win at the mo, Blackpool are another team who have imploded down the table after a fantastic start and Wigan who I think are doomed because they also can’t buy a win, Blues ain’t out of the woods yet neither are Blackburn but after watching Blackburn last night they should be ok. As for Wolves well we need a result at stoke I will take a draw now but will be over the moon if we sneak a win, Blues away on Sunday is another game where we need a result but seeing how poor we have been away from home the odds on us getting two results away on the bounce are very high.
As for Mick well I don’t belong to the Mick out club I actually like the bloke and whilst I would not always agree with his tactics I have never knocked or slated him, I don’t think Wolves will sack him and if we stay up he will get another load of money to waste I mean spend lol.
One thing is for certain it will be a nail biting squeaky bum time end to the season for us and for you lot its party time and fancy dress time, as it would surely take a disaster of epic proportions for you tobe dragged back into the dogfight.
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34 Happy
Cheers for the post, just had alook at the link and what a great player Cyrille was, what a shame there’s not more footage of Jeff, and virtually none of Ronnie Allen.
Given what I’ve just seen I think I’ll stay with Jeff this week and bring Cyrille off the bench to give him a hand if it starts getting nasty.
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1877
I do not wish to sound condesending, but talking football with you is a damn sight more enjoyable than taking swipes at each other. So thanks for that.
For what is`s worth (from a steptoe, LOL)
I truly believe Wolves will survive the drop, IF Mick allows them to be a little more expansive, begining tonight at Stoke.
Everyone else.
Unfortunately, the “who is the best” is, and will always remain hypothetical.
Considerations one would have to take into account…….the speed of todays game, fitness levels, all but banning the tackle.
All i can say, i feel privaleged to have wittnessed most of them, Jeff, Bomber, Cyril, Laurie and now PO……All of them great players of their day.
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Wolves 1877
At the back end of February, we were at a low ebb, we’d amassed 3 points from home games against West Ham, Wigan and yourselves (the former two looking very mediocre) and looked devoid of confidence with some tricky fixtures on the horizon.
We then had 2 games in 5 days, the first at the Britannia Stadium the next at St. Andrews, they changed the course of our season, I’m sure those 2 fixtures can change yours too.
West Ham have Man City and Blackburn, Blackpool have Tottenham and Man Utd, everybody’s conspiring to gift an advantage to the others at the moment. Obviously the game against us can be written off but I honestly think 38/39 might be enough if Mick gets you scrapping!!
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39. wbaforever I agree totally and yes it is a lot more interesting to have an adult conversation about the game we all love so much, and from a (steptoe) I do appreciate the fact you think we will stay up.
40. Warren I hope you’re right, why can’t we go to stoke and beat them or get a result and the same for blues, if we did win those too things are certainly looking a dam sight better for us.
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(40)
Warren,
The defining factor is, we had Roy as Head Coach, for those matches. Mick has got to get them scrapping as they can’t play football. wolves have already stirred the “Mugs” up. That match will be settled by the team that can clog the most.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Jarrod,
A good blog again and you are almost sound positive!!!
Robin 36, I agree that the Prem is better than the old Div 1 but it is really hard to compare players from differing era’s, I can only remember the end of King Jeffs career when his knees had gone and Cyrille was my first real hero. However if it is impact on the team and indeed the club as a whole I would look to Bob Taylor, when we came up through the play offs under Ossie he was immense and with Andy Hunt kept a poor side in what is now the Championship, Megson then bought him back and he kept us up again before firing important goals to get us prtomoted over the Wolves. He barely played for us at the top level but had a massive imnpact on the team. I think PO needs to do it for another season to really prove himself.
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JT hasn’t been the same player since Brunty publicly rollocked him at St Andrews!
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Feel I need to answer my critics (TRBH, Mallorca Kev and Warren) from another thread. I cannot believe that ANYONE took my comments on Scott Carson’s performance on Saturday seriously – did you actually read the whole message?
For the record, I am probably Scotty’s biggest supporter that contributes to these pages and I have NEVER said a negative word against Jeremy Peace (his only mistake was not sacking Di Matteo earlier!).
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To all those who are comparing forwards, Derek Kevan was king.
His score ratio to games played (157 in 262 games – all in the First Division) is the best in our club’s history, at the top level. He also won more England caps (14) and scored more goals (8) than any other Albion centre forward.
He could head the ball harder than most players could kick it, charged his way through defences, winning him the nickname of The Tank and almost broke those old nets with his right foot shot. Yet he was not particularly fast and his first touch was average. He also had a straightforward attitude to defenders who fouled him. “You can give it out,” he would say. “I hope you can take it.”
To watch Derek Kevan in full flow was such a pleasure. His reputation and time at the top – late 1950′s/early 60′s – is now squeezed between that of the great Ronnie Allen and the equally great Jeff Astle. Kevan, I assure you, was king.
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The only real blight on this season for myself has been the massive reduction in my attendance of away games. That aside,it really has been a pleasure to be a baggie. I remember the disaster that was Bobby Gould. the heart felt yet embarrassing protestations of Trevor Summers to Spurs regards Ossie Ardilles. the sacking of Dennis Smith ten days before the start of one season where we seemed to have gone through a period of one mini disaster after another. Brian Little. At that time we were becoming a laughing stock. We eventually stumbled upon the stubborn belligerance of one Gary Megson,in my eyes a club was reborn. We have stumbled every now and again at times over the ensuing years but the spirit of this club and us as fans remains. I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of you out there,my ALBION brothers and sisters. It is a pleasure to support and share this mighty club with the likes of yourselves. WE ARE ALBION,COME ON YOU BAGGIES!
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TRBH, Warren and others.
I think it’s best we ignore Myboy, I was right in the first place he’s a nut case and a stereophonic one to boot, WIERD!
By the way I’ve had a lovely night tonight!
Adéu
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46 KWK.
Derek Kevan was at the end of his Albion career when I started going but I remember enough of him to know that a lot of current PL players (especially Arsenal ones) would have an attack of the vapours just seeing him cross the touchline.
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47 SD.
That fair brought a tear to my eye. What an unashamedly lovely post.
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45 mboy.
I did say that I wondered if it might be ironic but in fairness to us, if you read it again it is very ambiguous and with all the unfair criticism of Scott Carson that occurs on here surely you can see where we were coming from.
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What`s funnier than a Dingle loss?
The comments they leave afterwards!
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(46)
Kevan,
He was my hero, frightened the Russians to death when England took him over there. It was them who tagged him with Tank and Locomotive. Remember him scoring five against Everton. Scored a “bostin” header by out jumping Billy Wright. The ball hit the Brummie road net that hard I’m sure it lifted it a foot off the deck. Any road, we won two-one. He was frightened of nothing or no-one. His last game for us was against Sheffield Wednesday. there were only two matches on that day. Snowed under we were, had to chip the ice off our seats to sit down. Derek signed for Chelsea. Broke my heart it did. Yes, for me he was the best. He was supposed to present the prize at a talent competition at my then, local pub. but couldn’t make it. that was the time I thought I could meet my hero. Probably my worst night out.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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TRBH and Warren
If my post go through I meant schizophrenic not
stereophonic, told you it was a lovely night.
Adéu
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I have said on other threads that I believed that our current success is due in no small part to the likes of Megson, Mowbray and DiMatteo. I think it was Megson who showed us that we could be successful and Mowbray who brought football back to the Hawthorns. As a child of the fifties I was steeped in the likes of the bionic goalie, our Willie, Bomber Brown, Wyle, Hope and Big Jeff. And who could forget John Kaye. I’m sure that he’d have given Henry a run for his money.
I’ve had a quick look at the remaining games and feel sure that we should get at least 6 to 8 points and the bottom three will stay the bottom three.
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(4)
Wall Heath,
Derren Brown is a guy who can tell you where you are, before you get there.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Anyone got a spare bit of rope lol after that shambles last night I might be needing it, we were a disgrace no two ways about it but as I have just posted over on the light side now is the time to stay calm and save the post mortem til after the season, we are in serious trouble now but I’ll keep the faith as I have done for the last 32 years of this emotional rollercoaster called being a Wolves fan.
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Majorca Kev – I think you need to chill out a bit!
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53 Jack.
If I remember correctly the last time I saw Derek Kevan was when he turned out for Graham Williams Testimonial. I think he came on as a replacement for the 1954 Cup Winners team as some of them were puffing a bit as the game went on. Paddy Ryan was quite overweight but Ronnie Allen looked as if he could still have played in the league. I may be wrong but I think the Tank came on and scored a couple.
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Mboy
I’m not sure which post is the sarcastic one?? If I got it wrong then apologies, although sarcasm is sometimes difficult to detect in text. I can’t remember exact posts but we have crossed swords after I’ve perceived some of your past to be negative, so forgive me for thinking it was an attack on Carson.
Kev
Sounds like you’ve been on the vino after the Wolves result!!
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57 1877.
We spoke yesterday about your conundrum with Mick. I think the same problem applies if you go down as if you stay up. Do you stick with a proven Championship Manager to get you back or try for a younger man with new ideas?
Before yesterday’s game I heard Mick going through his usual repertoire of talking up his players but for the first time I got the impression that he didn’t actually believe it himself.
This morning the same thing happened. He went through a catalogue of woe and bad luck, some real some fairly ridiculous. But again he sounded like a defeated man.
Last night was a bit of a get out of jail free card in that if you won you’d stolen a march on the other four but by losing you’re no worse off than them. Yet I almost get the feeling Mick has given up.
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54 Kev.
Perhaps it says it all about my confused state that I read your post last night and it seemed perfectly normal. Tired and emotional as they say in Private Eye.
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Thanks for the apology Warren.
For the record, I don’t think that Carson was at fault for ANY of the goals against Chelsea, but couldn’t be bothered to post as I’d probably have got slaughtered more than I have been in the past. Goal 1 – Shorey (a player I have gone on record as saying is a quality left back) made an uncharacteristic mistake by kicking the ball to Drogba. Goal 2 – Drogba was allowed time and space to shoot and our players stood around when Kalou tapped it in. Goal 3 – Odemwingie gave the ball away cheaply and it looked like it was going to be a goal from that moment.
The only mistake that I was unhappy about was the one at Fulham, as we were set up for a 0-0, and the first goal was always going to be important. Other “mistakes” haven’t cost us, the ones coming to memory were at Stamford Bridge where we had no chance anyway.
My only negative posts on here were regarding Di Matteo: I got ridiculed by yourself and a few others (inc Wall Heath) when I argued that Di Matteo should be sacked. A week later it happened. I didn’t want to come across as arrogant and say “I told you so” – that’s why I’ve kept relatively quiet, but I don’t think that ANYONE can argue that Jeremy didn’t get it exactly right.
I hope this puts the record straight (but it probably won’t!)
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1877
I stated to you yesterday that i thought the Wolves had enough to stay up, but they needed to be a little more expansive.
I didn`t see the game, but from what i can gather, you played with a lot of caution in the early stages……..maybe you can confirm or deny ?
If the affirmative, then the Blues game Mick simply MUST change tact, and go for broke.
What he does with the last four games, will define the season OR they will define him.
Good hunting.
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Jack the Hat 53
I remember that game against Everton when Derek Kevan scored 5 times. We were losing 2 nil at half time and I am pretty sure that he scored all 5 goals at the Smethwick end. At that time Everton were more fashionable than Liverpool and it was some win. Kev had a difficult start to his Albion career spending some time in the reserves. When he broke into the team fans thought he was clumsy and did not take to him. His improvement was rapid however and for a couple of seasons he was virtually unplayable , much as an on form Drogba is today. I think ” Kevan was King ” is right , Derek deserves his place in the Hall of Fame.
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Mboy
Re: Di Matteo- yes, you were absolutely spot on. I thought it was a premature sacking but it seems to have been perfect timing and JP deserves nothing but credit for his bravery and astuteness.
Perhaps I’ve pigeon-holed you and I shouldn’t have done. Again accept my apologies and I look forward to us crossing swords in the future, or perhaps having a beer at the end-of-season do.
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PS 1877.
One of Mick’s best excuses has just come to mind.
‘Then we had a 2 week break before the Newcastle game that didn’t help.’
Yes Mick but so did the rest of the PL including Newcastle.
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61. TRBH It does seem to be the same old stuff that comes out of mick’s trap, I personally think he has run out of ideas and has played too many players out of position whilst sticking with his favourites whom even when they have a mare they still get picked week in week out, what is the answer well he has got to go and go now, get big sam in for the last 4 games and we might just stay up. I won’t criticise him though he has done wonders for us for that I thank him but he has taken us as far as he can time for a change.
64. Forever, truth is we played like schoolboys from start to finish, it was embarrassing, I don’t know how any of those players can look at themselves in the mirror when they get their big fat pay cheques tomorrow, all we fans ask for is for them to show effort, desire and to fight for the shirt they’re wearing over the last 4 games we have had none of that.
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(65)
Robin B,
That’s right, also he scored three with his head. Dave Burnside scored the other goal. If you remember, Everton had a new forward line. Little Bobby Collins scored and I think Alex Young got their other, We were two down after only twelve minutes. Then ALBION forward line swapped round. Derek went Centre Forward,
Burnside Right Wing, Ronnie Allen Inside Right.Somebody fill in the other two places. Then,all hell broke loose. Goals just rained in. I’m sure all West Bromwich went in mourning when he left ALBION.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
P.S. the Russians also dubbed him, locomotive.
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