Gareth McAuley can use age as a strength for Albion
Saturday 23rd July 2011, 11:29AM BST.
Jonas Olsson today claimed Albion new-boy Gareth McAuley can use his age as a strength as competition for centre-back places hots up at The Hawthorns.
McAuley is preparing for his first ever crack at the Premier League at the age of 30 after joining the Baggies on a free transfer from Ipswich this summer.
But Olsson, who is likely to be Albion’s No.1 centre-back in the coming season, believes the Northern Ireland captain’s wait for a chance in the top-flight is a benefit rather than a cause for concern.
“His age is a strength,” said Olsson. “When you’re 30-years-old and you’re finally getting a go at it you want to prove that you’re worth your chance.
“So I see that as a positive thing. He’s got experience of playing against good players in big international games so it is a level he has played at before in terms of opponents.”
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Dead right Jonas, one should never underestimate experience. We’ll have a defence whilst Roy is in charge, it was a cause for concern before Roy, as other head-coaches were more attack minded, leaving the manpower at the back, thin on the ground. Saying that we wont be too defence minded under Roy, just more balanced.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH
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‘Olsson, who is likely to be Albion’s No.1 centre-back’ – never have i read something so scary!!
we’re in a lot of trouble unless we bring in some actual defenders!
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2. Olsson was our number 1 centre half last season and we finished 11th in the best league in the world.
Go back to your own site and worry that all you`ve got is an overrated centre half in johnson who is no good without Dann next to him, he won`t be able to say `beam me up scotty` next season
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#2 jonas olsson! He is a very good defender and last season cut out most of those silly lunges he would make on the half way leaving us in trouble from there in! He would slot into most sides outside the top six and i think we are lucky to still have him! And now we look like we will get foster in nets ime sure you will see a vast improvement in our defending,because lets face it ! I dont think the back four had much confidence in sc! Foster is far more comanding in and around the area! I think Roy knows wot he is doing and must see in training a player that can do a good job along side JO !
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Baggies4eva
What are you talking about?
So u reckon with the new season about to kick off we should scrap our defence and start looking for a new backline?
So who do you think we can bring in that we can afford, that wants to come to us and will actually benefit us?
We still need another good striker and a goalkeeper.
IMO if Gera is fit and we bring in foster and maybe Hargreaves, we only need to bring in a decent striker and that in my opinion would have been a good bit of business
I would like keane to be bought in a natural finisher but I can’t see that one
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Olssen was brilliant last season. Who is this clown ?
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No.2. It’s my ‘being thick’ day today, another Saturday without football, but I’m sure you may have confused others besides me.
It’s the reporter saying ‘Olsson is likely’ etc. We have good defenders, lots of them. What we didn’t have was a system of defence. That has probably been corrected, or will finally be when we get a top priority goalkeeper.
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Baggie4ever, Personally I think that’s really harsh on jonas, seeing as how well he’s played for us over the past few seasons and many points we’ve gained in games with than without. He’s a class act!
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2…Are you mad!? Jonas was a rock last season and is far better in the premier than the chumpionship! He commands the defence well, the main problem we’ve had is their lack of confidence in Scotty which is a shame. Our defence will be far stronger next season especially with the imminent arrival of Foster in goal. Another CB wouldn’t hurt though
COYB
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I understand what number 2 said it’s not jonas he’s worried about it’s that we don’t seem too have anyone who can play next too him hopefully Pablo is going to be there next too him cuz it would be a bit odd that a defence that was bad last year is dependent on a 30 year old who has only played professional football for a few years yes his international games count but N Ireland ain’t set the world on fire but neither has england I’m on the fence with the defence still hopefully he will be able to handle the top strikers of the league
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and now for a quick mention for Gareth McAuley…
i like the look of the lad (though not in a homo-erotic kind of a way, although he ay a bad-lookin’ chap i s’pose)
ashworth and co. have brought a fair few players in in recent years who have exceeded expectations. i very much doubt they’ve brought him in for the sake of it. good luck to the strapping big handsome bugger!
2
i’d be more worried about your own defence if i was you mate. they came within minutes of getting you relegated last season and you’ve only managed to add one defender…one who DID get relegated. i see your sorry lot crying out for a left-back on your own drivel-strewn pages, but there’s no sign of one. never mind, Wardy might improve.
3,4,5,6,7&8
please please PLEASE don’t tell me you didn’t spot the Dingle in Disguise?
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Anyone else think it’s strange that Foster didn’t play in Blues ‘pre season match today because of a ‘virus’??
Foster, Hargreaves, a striker and a centre back by end of September and I think we’ll do well again next season
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5. New York Baggie, I don’t appreciate you copying my blog name considering I’ve been here significantly longer than you have.
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7 Cyril.
I don’t know about being thick but I think you’re having a blonde moment (I know it should be blond for a man but then it doesn’t work does it?) if you don’t recognise the cold, clammy hand of Shadrag at work.
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For the third time.
(2)
Baggynever,
I have, YOUR defence, down at the Custard-Bowl. How did it do, against NOTTS.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Have a read of, “wolves quids in” blog. It states, they only paid £7.5m for O’Hara and Johnstone. Being as their transfer fees have never been divulged, where did these figures come from?. I believe E&D had a phone-call from Laughingwolf.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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2 Baggie4ever-
well we did think about bidding for Johnson,but considering Dann spent last season protecting him,most clubs realised Blues’ valuation was way too high.
That being the case,almost everyone said ‘Blues want far too much for him,we’ll let some mugs with more money than sense have him’.
And I think those mugs did end up doing a deal………
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what are you guys on! olsson is slow, clumsy and thick as to short blanks! how many freekicks does he give away in dangerous areas?
yes we did finish 11th, but have you all chosen to ignore we had had the second worse defensive record in the league!
olsson is a good squad player, not a number one center half!! id be more than comfortable is he was on the bench as back up.
i cant believe you all seem happy with our defence, suppose you all think fortune is a quality striker as well!!
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Olssen is good but he’s not great, id like to see another centre half personally.
JtH don’t take this personally, but you do talk tosh at times. Roy is renowned for his attacking style.
Shane Long will be a great signing, fingers crossed.
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(18)
BAGGYNEVER,
Give it up, you are not very convincing. Look, go back over to the dark-side and sort out the defence that almost got you relegated. We will carry on trying to make sound adjustments to our own. Thank you.
(19)
RCR,
You are correct about Roys attacking style, but as I stated “He has made the defence more resilient, without losing its attacking flair”, i.e. the side is balanced. If that is “Tosh”, I apologise.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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18 Shadrag.
‘thick as two short blanks.’
Says more about you than we ever could.
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JtH (15)
why would you assume im a dingle? because i dont rate a average CB as highly as you? or is it because im not afraid to point how poor our defence was last year, and several years before that to be fair.
im proud of of our attack, taking away 5 of the top 6 we scored more goals than anyone! so give us a decent defence where could we be??
so, based on last season. fantastic attack, poor defence. so PERSONALLY id built and spend in the defence department.
mulumbu was and is our best defensive player, without him we would be way worse off.
any way, foster in this week and hopefully hargreaves on pay as you play, things looking up!
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While perusing the Dark Side for my ‘Deluded Poster of the Week’ award (Wish I could have that sung the way they do it on Harry Hill) I thought BRW had got it with this effort
“23
brummierobwolves
July 22, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Can so called Wolves fans stop moaning and having digs on here at the players and management? It only gives the likes of Jack the Hat and we only need one half, a bit of ammunition. They have enough concerns themselves and would you want to support a team with a ramshackle ground, not much money and support and sing church hymns?”
Although his usual predictable diatribe, always very satisfying. Then I spotted this one.
“55
Sir Lupi
July 22, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Moving on, I can’t wait for the season to start. Great signings, a great young squad with international recognition and Premiership experiance, a new state of the art training ground a huge new stadium on the way and a great board and manager,who are British and it for all the right reasons.
Oh and I forgot to mention, some rather tasty looking WAGS lighting up the place!!
50pt target for me this new season.
I bet them Boggies are soooooo jealous!!”
It’s as if he’s attended a master class presided over by BRW and Shadrag and then put his own spin on top. But low and behold short sharp and deluded beyond belief along comes one to top them both.
“Law Bus Driver
July 22, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@1 Quality, again.
I’d say it was way too clever for a baggie and looks like the irony was lost on several of the posters.”
Taken from that intellectual chat room that is only bettered for wit and repartee by the Establishment Club or an Oscar Wilde sortie, his attack on the intelligence of Baggies suggests that irony is indeed a stranger at his own table as well.
These wonderful posts and many more are still available free on the Thomas Hitzelsberger thread. Many thanks to all of the contributors.
PS.
On the thread Jack referred to I saw this interesting one from Shadrag.
“60
laughingwolf
July 23, 2011 at 2:29 pm
7.5mil for two quality Premier League players! This is exactly the sort of reason why we are the ONLY club in the Premiership with no debt. Albion give it a go to their credit but they have brought in two free transfers from Championship and League 1 club.
Hitzelberger on a free and Warnock from Villa will finish off very nicely!”
After the kickings he’s taken when trying to be attack us he’s obviously decided to give patronising a go. Back to the drawing board Shadrag.
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19. Have you only just realised that JtH talks tosh all of the time. I also wouldn’t bother too much about him taking it personally. Have seen the personal insults he throw around every time he posts?
I repeat again (thats ifit gets through) I AM NOT SHADRAG!!!!!!!!!
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19. He is too thick skinned to take it personaly don’t worry he will come back with some pathetic
comment as he always does.
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TRBH.”when trying to be attack us” DOH!!
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21 TRBH-
it’s obvious why shadrag is all over this story about our central defenders-
it’s because he’s still excited,like a big kid,over wolves signing Johnson from Blues.
It’s just a shame that this multi- million pound player struggled as wolves drew with mighty Notts. County,and lost to fourth division Crewe.
Oh how he wished that Scott Dann was there to help him out like he did last season………
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22 laughingstock-
why do we think you’re shadrag?
How about-
‘we conceded more goals than 7.8 other teams last season’,
or ‘we scored more goals than 14.2 teams last year’.
Ever heard of that popular mixer spirit called
‘nerdy prat’, or something similar?
You must love it………..
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24&25JthHeadmaster. Your relationship with notre Jacques le Chapeau seems to be a love-hate one. Obsessive? Totally. You even title your blogs with him in it.
TRBH. I always give benefit of the doubt initially when a poster adopts a ‘Baggies’ bit in their title. That’s why I am so scornful when they are exposed. Childishness in the extreme.
Jonas Olsson is my hero. One of the best centre halves we have had in many a long year.
Criticise him at your peril. I shall attack you with all words at my disposal.
Which brings me nicely to ‘TescoBaggie’ on another heading. Superb explanation of the grammar and spelling mate. Are you male or female though? We need to know. If you are of the ‘lady type’ we mere men may worship at your feet for such brilliance. If you are ‘bloke type’, there are few ladies on here will be mightily impressed. Over to you.
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I see Uncle Jack’s getting some bad press today.
I dont bother picking him up anymore. Its too easy, like shooting fish in a barrel.
I actually stuck up for him the other day ;
Some bloke said Jack wasnt fit to converse with six year olds, but i said he was.
3 weeks to go and still Albion aint signed anyone (of note)no wonder all the baggy faithful can do is bitch about our 3 latest multi-million pound signings with more sure to follow.
Ive had a week off posting on the E + S pages, but can see the lack of ambition Albion are showing is starting to bother most baggys. And rightly so.
Days drag into weeks, weeks into months, and still nowt to show. Mulumbu and Peter O must be well impressed.
Just the opposite down at our place, as you will know by casting envious baggy eyes in our direction daily.
I wouldnt be as condescending as to say i feel sorry for you. Cus i dont, But all the more reason for the premier league to be cut down to 16 or 18 clubs that show ambition and show that they can afford to belong in it. Like Wolves do.
Oh well, just enjoy it while it lasts eh.
Its only a game.
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30 Lonely.
Are you suggesting 16 to 18 clubs decided on who has the most money?
Because with 16 to 18 clubs you would be down if it was done on results.
In financial terms I’m guessing that Man City would win the coming season with Chelsea as runners up.
It might be the only way you can finish above us but would it be very exciting?
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30 lonely-
it’s luverly outside today.
Reminds me of this time last summer,when temperatures were high,and the air was warm.
Although most of that was due to the hot air being expelled by wolves fans.
Remember? There were loud voices coming from the old mol. Saying-
‘we’ve spent millions on new players,you’ve spent nothing so far-we’re on the up,you’re going straight back down’.
And do you remember how cold it then went in autumn and winter down Wolverhampton way (and in spring for that matter).
It was so cold,no one could speak anymore,so it went silent until very recently.
And having watched wolves against Crewe and Notts County recently,it looks like it will soon be silent from your side again……..,
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(29)
Cyril,
He is one of my biggest fans really, but he doesn’t like to say so.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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@ (30)
Odd FELLOW states I’m having bad press off the Dingles lately!, I get bad press off the Dingles ALL the time and love it. Shows I’m hitting the back of their net. Ask the Dingmods on their site. They can’t take it either.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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(22)
Forever,
Listen,
1/ Olsson is our most stable centre back. Question, How did ALBION do, over the three months he was injured?, case proven. If you want to make him your next Carson on account he had a go at you, if you were one of those in the crowd who had a go at Carson, that is your prerogative.
2/ Mulumbu is not a defender, he is predominantly our midfield ball winner, as Scharner, also is. Just because he has a pop at goal, does not make him a striker. Are you with me?.
Our defence will be a more solid unit this season. Roy is working on that department, and apart from the obvious signings needed, it is shaping up nicely, thanyou. So if you are indeed a BAGGY, start talking like one. Catch you later
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Cyril, are you related to the old comedian Frank Randle? I thinkyou must be because some of your comments are just a bit amusing.
33 In the words of John McEnroe “you cannot be serious”Any way if I thought you were a fanny I would have said so.
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(36)
Try using your own saying, instead of one that was thought up by someone else, It will give you a better sense of achievement.
See you have got your knongue in a Tot again, Never mind. Another injury I see, now we will have that laughingwolf over here with his “Woe are we” bit.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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36JthHead. You ARE giving your age away if you know of Frank Randle the film and stage comedian. Even in wartime films he was touching around 40 years old. A very funny man, but of Northern persuasion with I believe a Lancashire accent to match Corrie. So no, not a relation. Actually, the ‘just a bit amusing’ is naughty of you. Damned with faint praise. I may forgive you in time, but only if you admit to being a fan of Jacques le Chapeau.
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