Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Chelsea 2 Albion 1
Saturday 20th August 2011, 7:00PM BST.
A late winner from Florent Malouda condemned spirited Albion to defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Shane Long’s second goal in as many Baggies appearances gave Roy Hodgson’s side the perfect start with the lead on four minutes.
But Chelsea, who were outplayed for much of the opening half, grew stronger and equalised through Nicolas Anelka early in the second-half.
The Baggies were eventually beaten by Malouda’s close-range finish with seven minutes to go, but they will be left reflecting on missed opportunities.
At 1-0, Long failed to pick out the unmarked Somen Tchoyi for a tap-in while substitute Peter Odemwingie saw a late shot saved by goalkeeper Hilario.
Albion made the dream start when, after a couple of midfield skirmishes, they went ahead.
Alex made a hash of controlling a simple square pass and Long pounced quickly, robbing the Brazilian a shrugging off his attempts to win the ball back before racing clear to slot past Hilario.
But the Baggies maintained their lead comfortably for the opening half-hour and should have doubled it, when Long was sent racing down the right by a fine pass from Chris Brunt.
The Irishman had Somen Tchoyi waiting for a tap-in in the centre, but his cross was poor and the chance went begging.
Chelsea grew into the game and, before half-time, Ben Foster in Albion’s goal had to make a fine save to keep out a piledriver from Ashley Cole.
But the home side were level eight minutes after the restart as Nicky Shorey lost possession and Chelsea broke into the visitors’ box.
Frank Lampard’s penalty claims were rejected but the hosts kept the move alive, with Anelka showing some fine footwork before sliding a shot into the far corner.
Chelsea turned the screw but the Baggies could have restored their lead through Tchoyi’s fine shot, which was saved well by Hilario.
The hosts were in front with five minutes remaining, as Shorey gave Jose Bosingwa too much room on the right and his cross was converted at the far post by Malouda.
But there was still a great chance for the visitors to snatch a point when Steven Reid’s cross from the right was met by substitute Peter Odemwingie, but he saw his shot saved smartly by Hilario.
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Proud to be a baggie. We may not have picked up any points but our lads have shown enough quality to convince we have what it takes to finish top ten this year. We’ll beat Stoke. There’s only one shane long!
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Extremely disappointed. Not by the performance but because we could and should be sitting on 2 points now after more than coping with the two best teams in the country. Instead, because of two lapses in concentration we have nothing.
A few observations from today’s game:
1) Very disappointed with Brunt’s delivery from set pieces. He either didn’t beat the first man or put so much height on them, it made it easy for their keeper.
2) Why didn’t Roy bring Dorrans on after an hour for either Morrison or Brunt. We weren’t getting much from either of them going forward in the second half.
3) I felt we left our substitutions far too late as we did against United.
4) Foster is a class keeper.
5) I love Shane, he’s going to be huge for us. What a goal… again.
6) If we’re able to bring Hargreaves and a defender in before the end of August, this team and manager aren’t far away from doing something special.
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Unlucky Baggies things can only get better, and I’m sure they will.
Boing boing.
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Played 2 and lost 2. Dream start for you.
Your bubble has burst. Ha ha!!
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The Baggies’ spring has broke.
How many games yow won now?
Better come and support the old Gold and Black
Who was on the bench? remind me
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chelsea were below par today they were there for the taking awesome result get in there chelsea
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I didnt see the game live, just on bits of stream and radio. But i belive Albion gave Chelsea a good game. Hard cheese but im sure you will live to fight another day.
It cant be easy being bottom , but with only Stoke up next, whom you regulary take three points off, then im sure you wont be holding up the league for long.
Im sure some of the less galant losers amongst the Baggie faithful will no doubt blame the ref, linesmen, the sun in CARSONS eyes and the length of the grass etc, but 2-1 is quite respectable. Zero points still but well played none the less.
PS. it was also good to see, and very sporting may i add, that Robeto Di Matteo didnt thumb his nose to you and do a victory jig at the final whistle.
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As I wolves fan I thought the Baggies put in a good display tonight.
With a little more self belief I believe they could have won it.
Chelsea change managers on a regular basis but not tactics. It’s still like watch Ray Wilkins playing his ”crab” football. Lots of possession, lots of sideways movement but very little pace or penetration.
Baggies contained them with ease and frightened them when they counter attacked.
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Make no mistake, we’re in good shape.
We put up a wall in the first half, Mulumbu wasn’t like KaKa, a mix up with Morrison and Shorey and you can see the frustration from Roy, he knows we’re nearly there.
I’m sure Max and other will criticize Morrison ie what does he bring too the team? he does a job defensively as well as attack, not an attractive job but an important job.
I’ve said it before and I like Shorey, but in this division he’s not quite good enough, we need a left back.
I’m sure we’ll have plenty of pathetic posts from the Dingles, but what ever the result tomorrow I know we are in better shape than them, so please don’t respond too their inane comments.
They’ll get more frustrated if you ignore the comments and treat them with the contempt they deserve.
Adéu onwards and upwards.
PS I know we should put it behind us and yes it’s boring, but can you imagine the comments if the other bloke had been in goal for the Anelka close shave, ey Max!
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Disappointed with the result, not the overall performance. Let’s take this form into next three games and kick start our season.
I’ve got to say, Terry, Cole and Lampard makes me so glad not to be an England supporter!
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Watched the match on ESPN. Wonderful game with ALBION “Gaffering” the first half and Chelsea the second. Again Long took his goal well after going through their defence strongly. Read some daft things about how he should have set up Tchoyi for a tap in. He went to slip the ball to him but the ball bobbled onto the rightside of his shin, as he was then unable to weight the ball properly, it went too far ahead of Somen. Our keeper was superb, off his line like a flash. Brunt was a workhorse again, on the right. Having said that no-one could be faulted in that dep’t. Our passing game was mostly sublime. Match could have gone either way again, we certainly deserved a result. Last but not least, thanks to our great supporters, the game was made more thrilling. Even Robbie Savage gave us plenty of praise, cannot be put more encouragingly than that.
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(2)
NY,
Their second goal should not have counted, play should have been stopped moments before and their player ought to have been booked for diving and trying to force a penalty. The referee seemed in two minds. We played good football and were strong. I’m over the moon about this squad and the organisation Roy is instilling. Every time I read another post, it reminds me of another incident.
BOING~~~~BING~~~~JtH.
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to ny baggie
i think if you did more than cope with man u and chelsea you would have beat them chelsea were poor today any top 10 team would have beat them you albion fans are missing one big point about your team you are awfull in defence remember that defence from last season the same defence you still have now the same defence that conseded the most goals in the league
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Another outstanding performance, this team is definitely on the up. Feel gutted not to have got at least a well deserved point. A few thoughts.
How come the ref didn’t stop the game and yellow card Lampard for the blatant (even Tom Daley’s not that good!) dive immediately prior to the goal?, if that had happened to Chelsea, or heaven forbid Man Utd, the press would be talking about it till the end of the season.
Terry shouldn’t have been on the pitch for raising his hands to Odem, and, has for Cole whingeing after HE wrapped his self around Odem was just a joke. Anelka too, how can Foster foul him when he has his back to him and Anelka runs into him? but that’s what the so called pundits will claim no doubt.
Still, when they have to take a player off who cost more than our whole squad because he couldn’t break us, says a lot.
Foster and Tchoyi were immense, Somen never stopped, and Ben well earned his corn.
Oh well, just waiting for the propaganda that is MUMOTD to tell me how lucky we were, or how poor Chelsea played.
General synopsis? blue skies and hazy days are just around the corner my Baggie friends!
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Played 2 lost 2. A dream start.
Your bubble has burst
Ha ha!
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shane long, what a buy, dissapointed with PO comment “unless a TOP CLUB comes a long”, if thats how you feel jog on son, i thought a brilliant performance today, resiLient and organised apart from the mix up that led to the goal, and for keeper top man. i did say get the first 2 games out the way ( if any ones copied me comments) Come on you baggies a good effort, im super confident now that points are coming our way BOING BOING , NY BAGGIE I DO AGREE, that subs were a bit late at 60 mins , a fresh pair of legs would be good up front, Boing boing
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No 2 NY baggie: Fully agree. great performance two weeks running but Brunt is captaim but on the last two perfornaces he’s been found wanting in all departments. Foster is brilliant but Morrison is still a light weight. I do think Roy needed to bring subs on both weeks much earlier. We neede them on the hour not with 5 mins to go.
having said all that the future’s blue and white.
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NYbagie I agree. Not criticising but thought Tchoiy was the wrong one to take off, he was causing all Chelskis problems. With Thomas, Gera, Op and hopefully Hargreaves and at least one defender to come in, things are looking good.
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Wolves fan: Long looks like a good signing, 2 decent performances given the opposition just late goals, you will flirt at times with relegation but ultimately be safe with ease (as will my lot)
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You were the better side deserved at least a point.
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Max.
I think I may owe you an apology.
Yesterday I posted while under the influence of the old Vino Tinto and I did mention your name, it was meant tongue in cheek but thinking about it through the haze this morning, it may not have come over that way.
I’ve said it before that I’ll have too stop posting straight after the match ’cause I talk even worse drivel while under the influence.
I don’t know about you but again while having a feeling of what if, I’m quite optimistic for the season ahead.
Love and peace
Adéu
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Good performance.
Bad result.
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I won’t start by having a go at Mr. Ex-Walkers Crisps or Mr. know-it-all Lawrenson regarding their “through away” quips at Roy’s after the match interview on MOTD.
I watched the game on ESPN last night and I would like to say “Bravo and thank you Robbie”. He basically shot down the others saying that it was about time they gave WBA credit for their performance first half and not say that Chelsea played badly. We made last seasons runners up look ordinary for the first half. I didn’t hear any Chelsea fans singing until after they had equalised. I wasn’t as worried as I was last season when they, or United for that matter, piled into our area. And I didn’t think “there’s a goal” when they had free kicks. Okay, it should have been two nil in the first half and two two, or even three two in the second, but we have gotten two of possibly eight or ten matches out of the way against the top teams. And, although our points total is zero, our goal difference is only minus two after two games. I know that we won our second game and our difference had dropped to minus five, but that six nil dubbing did do some damage.
I am still looking forward to this season and I am confident that if we continue to play like we played against Chelsea that we will not be a pushover. I suspect that other clubs will not enjoy playing against us.
Our guys have aquitted themselves well these last two matches and it’s to their, and Roy’s, credit that after two losses the pundits still don’t consider us relegation material.
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Super performance again, nice to see us giving 2 of the big boys an uncomfortable time. 2 matches played now against the best 2 teams in the league, 0 points but with minimal damage done.
Our season starts now.
Boing Boing!!
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Very unlucky indeed, i think the only thing I would pick at was changing Sharner late on as he had run out of puff. Dorrens would have helped pick things up but the midfield played superb against a team packed with top players.
Shane Long I think is immense and is on the way to getting 10 goals as I predicted with ease.
We can start picking up points now.
Albion til I die!
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still gutted,lack lustre defending has cost us 3 points,Shorey at fault for both goals,whens he going to learn dont dwell on the ball get rid,how was boswinger allowed to go through to players without a tackle going in,it was criminal,aye boing boing
ps Foster was superb,apart from one scarey moment.
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must agree with 2 Brunts set pieces are awful we had 4 or 5 6ft plus players in the box and he never got near one of um,think its time to give sombody else ago aye boing boing
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TRBH if you thought it was quite at the hawthorns last week you should have been at the bridge yesterday if it wornt for ALBION fans you could have heard me slurping my john smiffs aye boing boing hic hic
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Shane Long has entered the (Premiership) Building. For the second game on the trot against the cream of English football, he has run the Centre-Backs ragged. Then there was an outstanding performance by Ben Foster. Chelsea’s first goal should never have been, because prior to, their attacker dived in the box and the referee should have stopped play and booked the player then given us a free kick. In both matches the winning goals have come by wicked deflections. Positives, too many to mention, so my other notable one is Osaze is back.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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First half we controlled the game and had a confidence that showed. Chelsea looked angry with themselves. Later one or two tired and should have been replaced a little sooner.
Just what does John Terry have to do to be sent off? Grabbing P.O. by the throat obviously doesn’t count! Ref was excellent first half but was a touch lax with such as the above incident. Maybe he tired too as it was a fast and furious game. Don’t let your heads drop lads, you’ll beat most teams if you continue in this vein.
(Smashing picture on the computateriser).
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You can’t shut em up can ya just like after 2 games last season
Dingles stick to your own side even if you want to throw some praise our way because lets face it give it a few more games and you’ll be calling for mad Mick’s head yet again
You know the song we need a left back .why is he playing there etc…
FACT last season we lost to Chelsea away Man U at home and still finished MID TABLE
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The bottom line is that last season we finished comfortably mid-table,and in my opinion,as a team,we look EVEN BETTER this time around,so once we get the top two clubs out the way,others BEWARE!!
As for the already hoardes of visiting dingles,last year they kept telling us all that matters is where we finish at the end of the season.
That being the case,I’m very,very confident we’ll end up looking down on them from a great height,as per usual.
So let them have their little bit of excitement,until they start playing QUALITY sides-like us for example?
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i cannot believe those of you saying lax defending has cost you in both matches
doesn’t the fact that the 2 goals you have scored have been absolute gifts by teams that do not usually give those type of goals away
talk about blue and white striped glasses,mind you have got 9 points from the next 3 games haven’t you ???
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wolves 2 fulham o
get in there we are top of the league
say we are top of the league
nice
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35.
If the league was over 2 games and you only had easy teams to play and we only had difficult teams to play you would be in the Champions League and we would be relegated
Is this this years version of the Midlands Clubs only league that you won last year?
Well done on your great success. Have you got the open top bus booked for Monday?
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This thread is supposed to be for Albion fans to talk to each other about our latest game.
So it’s very revealing that so many posts are from wolves fans,because it displays a basic psychological principle-
namely,that when you feel inadequate,and inferior to others,you have to do everything possible to get their attention,as if to say
‘look at us,we are as good as you,admire us!!’.
Such people should be pitied,and given sympathy.
They can’t help being inferior,that’s just the way life is………..
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29 Sir Terry.
I apologise to all those that bother to sing if it came over that I said it was quiet last week. There was a great atmosphere as PO mentioned this week.
What I was saying was that with more inspired songs and a few more joining in it would make a massive difference to encouraging our players, intimidating the opposition players and who knows we might even get the odd decision off the ref.
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yes, two defeats is two defeats. can’t help but feel upbeat though. the attacking flair is still there, long looks more than useful and we’ll look even more threatening when PO gets 90 mins alongside him. not sure what people’s problem is with Brunt. he was superb yesterday. his set-pieces weren’t up to his usual standards but David Beckham has had days when he just can’t quite get his set-pieces right. i hope Brunty ain’t gonna be the Carsonne Nouvau for the boo-boys
p.s. so glad to see the season underway and all the intelligent witty banter coming from our bigger and far superior neighbours (post 13 for example)
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what a win today for super wolves get in there.
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Watched it on ESPN and I thought we were fantastic for an hour – we outplayed, out fought and outclassed Chelsea.
We said on Jarrod’s blogg that this would be a test of our progression over the last 12 months – and I think we have proven that we are a much better team now – we looked organised and full of class….. Long won loads in the air and ran them ragged, Brunt covered enough grass for 3 people and mulumbu had Lampard in his pocket.
I never expected a point but hte performance was better than i hoped for – very proud of them all.
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So much to say about yesterday’s game.
First of all I thought the referee Mr John Terry kept excellent control of the game, whoops sorry apparently Mr Probert was supposed to be refereeing it.
I shouldn’t go on stats after I’ve knocked WONOH over this in the past but how interesting Chelsea fouls committed 15 – WBA 8.
Chelsea yellow cards 2 – WBA 4.
The two first half bookings of Tamas and Lampard were both unnecessary as a finger wagging would have done. Mulumbu fair enough as he knew what he was doing.
BUT… John Terry’s attmpt on the touchline to do serious damage to Shane Long was worthy of at least a yellow but we didn’t even get a free kick. Long saw it coming and jumped over it but the referee is allowed to give decisions for intent. Another example of a referee that knows all the rules but has no understanding of the game.
I watched MOTD and the football league show this morning and saw so many truly awful decisions it’s no wonder players are confused. Lampard’s dive should have been his second yellow but I’m sure the ref will say that he waved play on because of the advantage although how that was better than a penalty is hard to see. The officials now interpret the rules to suit the big boys.
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I don’t like to moan but I agree with earlier posters that again some players looked tired second half and the introduction of fresh legs came too late.
The other thing I noticed was a number of times we played crosses into the box from open play yet we worried them a lot more when we kept the ball and played across the edge of the box looking for openings. High balls into the box don’t suit our forwards and give possession away.
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Utterly predictable and spiteful remarks by a few silly Wulfies. You’ve done well for your first two games. Why not celebrate THAT instead of coming on here and behaving like the brats you are? Football ALWAYS kicks you in the goolies when you crow loudly. It’s the STRETCHING you see, exposes the vulnerable bits and then the naughty fairy gives you a swift reminder how cruel it all can be.
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My mate Scharner missed a sitter as well!
Very interesting that balanced programe MOTD failed to show the appalling Ashley Cole challenge and Terrys attack on Odem. Both red card offences just not in the Premiership eh?!!!
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An open letter to the fans of a club that is not WBA.
Metaphorically, i am probably wasting my breath in pointing out the following facts.
We have played the two clubs that have shared the premierships 1st and 2nd positions for the last several years, and that statistic is unlikely to change anytime soon.
You have played a Blackburn side, so injury ravaged, it included two centre backs with a combined age of 12.
You have also played a Fulham side who notoriously travel worse than Guiness.
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Well played Albion. No points but we didn’t get any points from these two fixtures last season either. It’s actually an improvement in terms of goals conceeded and goals scored.
We’ll bounce back I’m sure. The lads should take heart from those performances. We probably need to retain concentration for the full 90 mins due to the late goals but Roy can sort that out.
I have to agree that I feel we need another signing in the form of a defender. Having spoken to a few Blues fans it seems there is a little confusion as to who was thier worst defender last season but Ridgewell and Johnson keep on being mentioned, so I am hoping Onuoha, Dann or Hangeland pull on a Baggies shirt. For me Tamas just isn’t up to it and Shorey needs to work on clearing the ball if put under pressure.
What’s with all the Wulfies? Am I having De ja vu? Oh right, wait a minute. They did this last season didn’t they when they beat Stoke (which was a far more impressive acheivement than Blackburn who are a shambles at the moment and Fulham who are the worst prem away team traditionally).
I love the way these Wulfie bed wetters feel they can mix it with the adults on this website whenever the Baggies lose. Needless to say if we did the same thing when Wolves lose next week we’d probably be done for child abuse.
Boing Boing
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34 wolf-
less than half an hour after you came here mouthing off about wolves’ league position,they started dropping down the table.
You really enjoy making yourself look a plonker (not hard),don’t you?
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I know it hard too resist and I’ve said it before many times but please, please ignore the imbeciles.
We’re at match no2 out of 38, lets say nothing till we’ve played the last match when both sides can discuss, tek the p*** or whatever.
If you ignore somebody long enough they’ll go away, so why not give it a go?
But before I go I would like to say a last word in admiration.
Well done to the Dingles on their excellent start and I hope your season turns out as good as the last one, I also hope you have the same success with your predictions for us as you have previously.
Adéu
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48 Kev-
hola,
what you say does make a lot of sense,but for me,it’s like having a very impressive lawn at home,then noticing several ugly weeds have appeared on it.
You have this instinctive desire to either yank them out the ground,or pour something on them ’til they shrivel up.
But someone has the power to stop these weeds from getting on your lawn in the first place.
So why do they allow it?
Adeu,
from a greenfingered Baggie.
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Fulham are a shadow of their passed teams and they weren’t up to much then. Blackburn fielded half their reserves. Oh, wolves won their opening two matches. Now lets get a couple of months under our belts.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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38 Sherlock.
Agree about Brunt, yes he put a couple of poor corners in but the rest of his game was magnificent. I think the race to be the new Scott Carson is taking shape, Tamas is 5/4 favourite Brunt and Shorey are both evens while Morrison has lengthened to 7/4.
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It’s easy to think that our players suffer from the same syndrome as Max and me, IE they don’t expect to get anything against the big boys. But I don’t believe this, I think we competed with Man Ure and Chelsea for most of the game but as Bolton found out with Man City you can match them for effort, dsire and organisation but big bucks buys that extra skill, flair and razor sharp finishing. Well done to our lads on Saturday, all of them.
I also think the people saying ‘it’s the best time to play Man Ure’ are way wide of the mark. I’d rather have played these two clubs mid season when the weather can be an equaliser and they have their minds on the upcoming Champions League games and are resting players or are tired from the previous game.
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SUPER KEV IN MALLORCA
No apology needed mate , although i have always defended Morrison to be honest LOL.
Take your point about Foster’s rush of blood but at least he made a decision if you catch my drift.
Like most supporters will be happier when we have points on the board but no need to panics as our performances have been very good against two top teams.
Tranquillo everybody.
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One last thing. I only saw the PO/Cashly Cole incident once but to me I thought Cole launched into a reckless tackle to attempt to extract retribution for Terry’s unwarranted assault on PO. How did Cole receive no punishment and Chelsea get a free kick when I honestly couldn’t see what foul PO committed? Did I miss something?
Also on the Terry incident. He totally over reacted and his reaction wasn’t anger as much as petulance. If PO had chinned him or slapped him as in the case of Gervinho with Barton last week he would have been red carded.
Isn’t it about time refs got a grip on the players that provoke others instead of the ones that are reacting to the provocation. The idiot that is Robbie Savage rarely got sent off but often caused others to be.
How awful is the standard of refereeing in this country at the moment? I saw that plonker we had last week reffing Bolton/Man City yesterday and he did nothing to make me think otherwise. But then the current referee’s supremo was one of the worst offenders himself so why am I surprised. Rant over, sorry.
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53 Good morning Max,
as you say,there’s no need to panic,because last season we lost two of our first three games (Chelsea/Liverpool),then a half a dozen games later,we were 4th in the table.
Arsenal have also started slowly,so we’re not the only big club to have this problem……..
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Wbaforever – I would also point out last season Wolves got 1 point out of the same sides they have already played, home and away………….. This year we already have 6 and got to play them both again at some stage……… not bad really if you look at it.
As for WBA your season starts now. You would have been chuffed to get something from either of those teams. Its what happens next that matters but no point being disheartened losing to them. Most of us will.
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SUPER KEV
Sorry mate but i meant to add that i disagree with your comments about Shorey , i think it was WBABOMBER that dubbed him mr seven out of ten , in that he is a very consistent solid performer and for me he was excellent last season , indeed when RDM kept preferring Cech to him i thought it was a huge mistake.
Adeu
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We deserved a draw PO should have scored at the end (should have taken a touch first) but
they are one of the best sides in europe and we gave em a game
Told you all this Shane Long was gonna be all right (only joking)
I have instructed the wife to get in all the ingrediants for humble pie as i may have to eat it very soon
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54 TRBH-
as you’ve mentioned both Joey Barton and match officials,I did see the controversy in the ‘north-east’ derby highlights.
Barton’s header was cleared off the line when a Sunderland player stretched his arm out and ‘deflected’ the ball out of play.
Ref. Howard Webb was unsighted,so he consulted the linesman,who must have had a completely clear view of the incident,but after a long discussion,a corner was given.
So,why discuss it for so long?
The linesman either saw the foul,or it was a specsaver’s job,but either way,it should take seconds to tell the Ref. what you saw,so why the long hesitation?
It could have cost Newcastle a win,but fortunately for them,they did score a goal later.
Surely something needs to change soon concerning these big decisions in games,or do we have to keep doing what those highly respected,whiter than white,experts at F.I.F.A. order us to do?
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It’s good to see that there are some Wolves supporters who are real lovers of game and aren’t inflicted by crude tribalism. At the opposite end of the spectrum are posters like Sir Reg; who are so full of anti-Baggies sentiments, they’re prepared to publicly humiliate themselves.
Rather than crow after two games, let’s judge both teams in May.
I was wondering about Lampard’s dive because I would argue that this piece of cheating interfered with play and placed the Baggies at a disadvantage.
Anyone who tries to judge any team after two games is being stupid.
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CR78.
I know what you mean but I’m not so worried about decisions like that one which are down to the officials being unsighted or just looking elsewhere. I’m more concerned about referee’s ‘interpretations’ of the laws, often dubious where big clubs are involved but even in general. If referees started coming down a bit harder on provocation perhaps we’d have less reds for retaliation.
I thought Gervinho unfortunate to be sent off for Arsenal. It wasn’t just that Barton grabbed his shirt and dragged him to his feet, he then held onto it for much longer than he needed to and this should have been considered. Barton should have had a red for that but also a red for the play acting yet he ended up with a yellow. Also Steven Taylor should have got a yellow for indicating that it was an elbow (the man is a total tosser.)
Never mind ‘Respect the Referee’ it’s about time the FA backed referees a bit more and punished players for various forms of dissent.
PS Well done to PO for being professional and not reacting to provocation.
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BURNLEY BAGGIE
It takes guts to admit you may have got things wrong , so do not be to harsh on yourself mate.
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Well I for one ain’t gloating or crowing about anything yet, I ended up with an ostrich sized egg on my grid last season so I’m keeping it well shut lol, yes we have had a fantastic start but there is a long long way to go yet and every single game in this league is a hard game, there are no such things as easy games in the prem anymore. I would like to say aswell that I think you deserved something out of both your games so far and if you play like that for the rest of the season you won’t go far wrong, Shane Long looks a cracking buy as well he will do really well for you and so will po.
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WOLVES1877
Sensible post mate , life does have a way of biting you on the derrier when you think everything is hunky dory .
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61 TRBH-
it has been said many times that the Ref. can use his ‘discretion’ during a game,but as you say,it so often seems to favour players at so-called ‘big clubs’.
It reminded me of a game a few seasons back when we played at Wigan.
I seem to recall ‘Big Dave’ had already been booked,then around half-time,he obstructed a Wigan player near the touchline,and was instantly given a second yellow.
Last season,I remember both Gary Neville and Paul Scholes being booked in seperate games for Man.U.,then later,both took players out with X-rated late tackles,but were only spoken to by the Refs.,with no further action taken.
The whole thing smells badly,but who in power has the bottle to look closely at these things,and make an attempt at a ‘fair deal for all’ in the future?
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61 TRBH
‘The man is a total tosser’ , quit sitting on the fence mate. My only question after that , is Steven Taylor related to John Terry by any chance ???.
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A few bad losers on here today.
But for the record Albion have been unlucky not to have at least a couple of points in the bag after playing two of the best sides in the league.
If the roles were reversed and Wolves had played with such grit,style and determination but lost both games as the Baggies have, then i would also feel hard done by.
Last season, as well as this one Albion have had a tough start by having to play the top teams early on. But you almost finished top half last time, and im sure a similar finish will be yours again this season.
Long seems to be a gem, and with Odemwingie along side him Albion can look forward to many goals and wins.
I have recentley been accused of being anti WBA. I am not. And look forward to seeing Albion doing well again.
I am of course over the moon with Wolves start, but with only two games gone, both our early results will hardly mean that much by the end of the season.
Good luck to both our clubs this season.
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63 Wolves1877-
I’ve said before that personally,I only get angry at the idiots who come on here to brag loudly,or intimidate us,but someone fair-minded and friendly is always welcome.
We may be rivals,but we’re from the same part of the country,and are all football fans,so there shouldn’t be the need to get nasty,it just creates bad feelings all round.
To be honest,after wolves ‘lived on the edge’ last season,what you wanted at the start of this one was a decent,stable beginning,so that everyone can feel more confident about the future.
You can only take what’s in front of you,and two wins from two is as solid a start as you can get.
So hopefully,for the genuine fans,we can both have a successful season.
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Walsall would have stood a chance of a point at The Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea were awful – absolutely no invention in the team.
I was pleased Capello was there – Lampard was truly dreadful.
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69 wolf in notts.-
thanks for coming here to prove the point I was making.
Of course,when wolves beat Chelsea last season,I suppose it was because you thought they were brilliant,and had nothing to do with the fact that Chelsea were going through their worst spell of form for a decade at the time?
Refusing to acknowledge the quality of Albion’s play,and patronising Walsall just displays your arrogance and ignorance.
Sad.
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Lonely.
I understand your pain. I realise that you need to attack us because you really want to be one of us and the attacks mask your love of all things Albion.
If only there was a support group for people like yourself.
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70 CR78.
I think I agree with Kev on that post. Best ignored.
Baggie in Manc summed it up perfectly earlier when he called this type of post ‘bedwetters.’ They’re like the embarrassing kid at the family party trying to converse with the adults. At least you can have decent banter with Lonely, Father Ted, and 1877 while rich5wolves almost makes me feel embarrassed that I’ve ever said anything anti-Wolves (only almost though.)
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Lone
‘Bad losers’. Not one Baggie has asked for the managers head, not one has said we played badly. If there have been any negative comments it’s either to point out the obvious flaws which cost us against the big sides (not a major headache) or as a reaction to the mindless, unfunny drivel that come from some Wulfies who inexplicably get thier bile onto our site.
Seems like we’re both in for Baird. If we get him we’ll have half the Northern Irish national team at the club. It seems Wolves are tracking him as well. I feel a phone tapping scandle on the horizon? He does look a dodgy dealer that Jez Moxley doesn’t he?
Boing Boing
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Blinkin ekk Bully, i was trying to be nice.
Most of me posts do have double meanings, but not the last one. I was being genuine in my good wishes to Albion.
Looks like im gona be hung if i do and hung if i dont.
But just in case you have again misunderstood me last post; Good luck to Albion, but im sure you wont need it cus you have a good side and manager that will im sure make you proud this season.
I hope that isnt taken the wrong way, cus like Rocket says, were both from the same area that has for to long not been in the football backwaters. But not anymore eh.
You are one of the few i take notice of, so i hope you accept my good wishes to your club for this forthcomming season.
I can understand most of you feeling a bit sore at the minute, and because of this i am resisting rubbing salt in the wounds.
2 posts now, and no cheap gags at Albions expence. But it looks like it may be back to the drawing board.
All the best Bully.
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Wolf in Notts
Wow. It still amazes me how little some of you know about the game. It appears you need a new outlet. Hows about embroidery or cow tipping?
Boing Boing
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67 lonely-
you’re in a mellow and very agreeable mood today.
But I hope you don’t mind if I stay on guard,because you have been known to amuse yourself by getting on the right side of my fellow Baggies,then throwing a curveball with a sting in the tail.
After all,I have been taught ‘the ways of the wolf’ by the elders of ‘vale do lobo’.
Anyway,you’ll be pleased to know I got home OK.
I had a lift back (steady) from the guys I met at Club Tropicana.
They were on hol. from the national hairdresser’s association.
The main organisers were a very nice couple of guys,Leslie and Marmaduke.
I was particularly impressed with their coach.
Some may think it was a bit ‘over the top’,but I thought the ‘shocking pink’ re-spray,Laura Ashley curtains,and crushed velvet cushions were a touch of quality above the usual National Express ‘wagon’.
They were due back in Manchester sometime today.
I’ve given them your details,so expect a friendly visit soon.
But be warned,they can be VERY affectionate,and like to share EVERYTHING they do.
Good luck.
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74 – “hung if you do and hung if you don’t” – how about giving “don’t” a try ??
As you can see I’m not the only albion poster fed up of your attempted humour and snidey little digs…. go peddle it to someone who gives a ****.
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I wonder what RDM thought of us as he sat on the chelsea bench and watched us out play his team for over an hour ??
I have absolutely nothing against RDM but I hope he sat there and thought “ah, THATS what I should have got them doing” !!!!
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WOLF IN NOTTS
Sorry but your an idiot , jog on .
LONE WOLF
Beware a Wolf in sheeps clothing .
BAGGIEINMANC
What does cow tipping involve ?? i am most intrigued. Is it some quaint pastime popular in Mancunia ???.
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4) Yes you’ve had your once a year back to back win, that really IS a dream start for you.
5) Yes the results are hardly surprising thanks to the F.A.s “fix”ture list, but, look on the bright side, played the current and previous champions, yet still have the Premierships top goal scorer, not bad eh?
6) I thought it was dam sporting of Zamora to ring in his leg injury to save you the trouble, and give you a chance.
7) Lonely! “It cant be easy being bottom” you tell me? you know more about it then we do!
13) Yes, but you have the same team that avoided relegation by three minutes, feeling confident?
15) see 4 above (do you have a stutter by the way, or just schizophrenia?)
31)Lozza, it was after one game last season, they lost their second game, and the next, and the next….. etc etc. didn’t have has many points as they have now till the 16th October, so you can understand them getting over excited!
33)We don’t need gifts when we have Premierships top scorer, ref gifts, see point 6.
34) Wow, that’s like when you went top of us for 15 hours and you were crowing about it, amazing. Opps just checked your not anymore, shame.
48) Sorry Kev, its like that pimple on your ass you get occasionally, its out of sight, and you know in the grand scheme of things it does not matter, but at the end of the day you just have to scratch it!
63) What a refreshing change, welcome, and 6 points is an excellent start for you, no argument.
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69) Fancy a sporting bet? I bet you, come the end of the season Long is closer to where he is now at the top of the Premierships top scorers league table, than Wolves will be to where there are now in the current league table, feeling confident?
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Rocket, glad your back and enjoyed your hols. The drinks are on me if and when. Glad you enjoyed the ‘hoilday adventures’ i knew you would take it (no pun intended) in the right spirt. Your a good sport.
Have a word with “happy” ive got right under his skin, and it pains me to see someone that upset. Even him.
I did advise him, because of his thin skin condition, not to read or respond to me posts.
But it seems, to the detriment of his blood presure, he chooses to ignore me advise.
Oh well, i now consider him to be sport.
Welcome back Rocket !
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So after eighty-eight caps for England, Gary “Nevvile” states it was a big waste of time. Well Gary, it sure has been because you were involved. Before your debut, England were well rated for our football prowess, we then fell to pieces. Thanks for explaining the reason why. You weren’t good enough to lick Nobby Styles boots, Everton are you listening, You’ll be the next waste of time when you retire him.
Has the kick-off law changed?. the amount of games I watch and the ball doesn’t roll its circumference into the opposition half before being played is astonishing.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Some daft comments on here from fellow Wolves fans.
I’m sure we are in for a good season. Neither will go down for sure, think the three who came up will go straight back down. Top ten would be heaven for Wolves and also a possibility, of course I would love to see Wolves beat Albion home and away but wouldn’t it be fantastic if both clubs could become a power in this division and break up the Premier league mafia.
Perhaps Ive got too many drinking pals who are baggie fans, but lets hope it’s a great season for both, as long as Wolves finish higher that is!
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83 JACK THE HAT
Sorry to be pedantic but Gary Neville has retired and Phil Neville still plays for Everton.
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83) Jack, I hate to be critical mate, but its Phil not Gary at Everton.
On another note, pity he never retired just before the Albion game rather than after, then he couldn’t of robbed us of at least a point then (if not a win!)
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82 lonely-
It’s ironic that you started off with a friendly and flattering post,but some of the guys here have seen you change moods at times,and combined with the unwelcome comments from some of your lot recently,I think they’re losing patience.
I also think Happy has had some of his posts blocked on here by the Mods.,but you seem to have more than him allowed,which obviously doesn’t go down well.
It doesn’t bother me so much,because as an amateur psychologist,I’m just fascinated by what makes you tick,so I see you as an on-going case for study.
W’ton or Madchester?
Mrs.Lone- real or blow up?
Odd Fellow or Rebecca?
Wolves or Baggies?
Friend or Foe?
X-rays of your brain don’t help,because the only things identified there are fresh air and something like candy floss.
And if you’re buying the drinks,it used to be real ale-
but after the recent hols.,make mine a babycham-with a cherry,of course.
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85 Max-
I watched Phil Neville ‘play’ last season,and judging by his performances,I was sure he’d retired as well.
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84) I would love to see the “big boys” get a kick in, no matter where it comes from. The sooner rules are bought in regarding debt the better. The fact that the team and bench Man Utd put against us price wise was obscene in comparison, was not enough, obviously, as the following week they have to go to a foreign stock exchange to raise even more money. Greed, simple as.
On another note, and I am not having a pop here, do you not fear for the debt on the horizon coming for Wolves, regarding the new ground and training area? I have tried having a sensible debate with other Wulfies, but they just seem to be taking a Ostrich approach.
By my calculations 90 mill plus interest, means you will have to maintain Prem status for at least 15 years just to cover that, and that’s without money to bring in players, wages etc etc.
Do you not think this money would have been better spent on your team, I know I rib Wolves fans, but what was wrong with the current Mol? its not falling down, its not Fratton Park, you’ve not got a desperate need for bigger capacity, or a queue for season tickets, so why spend now on a ground, whilst telling your manager he has to off load players and not bring any in? (I have my own conspiracy theory on that, but I seem to be on my own)
And what if you do get relegated, what then? I would hate to see Wolves go bust, as without rivalry what would football be, but your current management is taking one hell of a gamble with you future, and the only beneficiary I can see for definite, no matter what the outcome, is Morgan.
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I was always taught never to kick a man when he is down…..so will keep this weeks report brief.
A decent performance by the Town, but yet again..for the 2nd week running, they will never have a better chance to glean 3 points from a top six team.
Chelsea were poor, very poor in the 1st half and were only marginally better in the 2nd (after the new managers choice words in the break i imagine)
But yet again Town didn’t have the ability to take advantage and atleast get the points tally off the zero mark.
Reasons to be cheerfull…Brunt gave his usual 110% effort again, and playing again to their maximum ability they will surely get 3 points in the next game. Wont they….?
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Watched ESPN and thought you were hard done by. That second ‘goal’ you missed would have made the difference. The main thing is you, like us are playing well, so things will get better.
It’s very early days yet and we haven’t played Man U or Chelsea yet, but, we did for them last year !
Cyril, You know there are Wulfies who you should just ignore. However there is one who needs pointing out. 8 English Exile. He claims to be a Wolves fan, but, take it from me all he does is slag off Wolves and Mick McCarthy. Can you keep him over on your side please ?
Hello Wall Heath Baggie, how are you ? I’ve been out jogging today as you recommended
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(85,86)
Wall Heath, One Half,
Thanks for straightening my road lads. Just incensed at That remark from Gary “Nevvile”.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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(90)
“….Chelsea played poor…”. So that was nothing to do with how good ALBION played, then. Fulham were chronic, that was to do with them playing in an high altitude match, midweek. Did you see that open goal sitter Doyler missed?.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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90) Keep posting mate, I am looking forward to reading it in a relatively short time!
p.s. how about a Blakenhall Parish Bugle? look forward to that in a few weeks too!
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FARMER TED
I am very well, thank you for asking and i am sure you must be after your jogging. Keep well me old mate.
88 CR78
Another scalpel sharp attack , you wicked man .
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89) Good questions. After the debacle of 1980s Wolves, our long-term financial security is at the forefront of every Wolves fans mind.
With regards to the £50 million training ground redevelopment, it is actually a three-pronged proposal, undertaken by Wolves, the council and Redrow Homes (surprise surprise!).
Wolves themselves will pay £6 million (for the new training ground & academy), funds which the opportunistic Morgan will accumulate from the sale of the 55 houses.
On a side note, I live right next to the Compton training ground and am not looking forward to 55 new houses muscling in on my doorstep, so to speak. Great deal for Wolves, not so much for the local residents.
As for the £40 million stadium rebuilding, it (apparently) makes solid financial sense. We’re not borrowing a penny – all of it is coming out of existing cash flow.
Thus, the £90 million figure is reduced to £46 mil, none of which will be financed by the dreaded bank loans which are the scourge of 90% of Premier League teams (our own two being the notable anomalies – I proudly hasten to add!)
As for the ‘Wolves have to sell’ comment; it’s just not true. Believe me – if you had Stefan Maierhofer and Greg Halford on your books, you’d want to sell! Getting £2 mill + for them is something that even your chairman must applaud, and I rate him as the best ‘selling’ chairman in the whole of English football!
Yet, you do hit on a rather interesting point. I’m a big Wolves fan, I think they’re a fantastically run club and I’d probably bleed gold and black. However, I despair sometimes when I see ticket prices in this day and age. Mr. Moxey is a very good commercial CEO, but I worry that Wolves are slowly ostricising their loyal, yet often financially poor, fanbase. The 37000 seater stadium is, on paper, an excellent idea – I imagine that it would be sold out for the first two seasons and provide a sizeable increase in revenue. Yet, after these years, Wolves will most likely either be a) mid-table regulars or b) back in the Championship. Either of these scenarios would, in my opinion, see attendances slowly fall; in the former scenario, the Charlton/Aston Villa effect of mediocrity not being enough for overly ambitious fans could be a problem, whereas the Championship sees a sharp decline in fans regardlss of team/region.
I’m hoping against hope that this would lead Wolves to reduce their already exorbitantly priced tickets in line with the far more reasonable prices offered by Blackburn/Wigan etc.
I may have digressed (!) so, to return back to your post (which, I hate to say, does seem to be influenced by tribalistic doomongering), Wolves are not gambling in any way, shape or form. They’re both advocating and implementing a sustainable business model, one which very few other clubs (your good selves excluded) implement.
I imagime in 10 years we’ll be in League One as 44 Asian Billionaires bankroll 44 random teams in the Prem/Champ, but that’s just the deplorable state of football nowadays.
I enjoyed writing that :)
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Hi Ryan, well done, you are the first Wulfie to put his head above the parapet and look at this in cold hard cash, rather than its just great to have a new ground (and bugger the expence) deluded lot that keep doing an Ostrich impression. I swear some fans (from all clubs) think they are playing Fantasy Football when it comes to cash and the figures they propose should be thrown around.
Your figures are interesting, and you have obviously looked at them closer than I have. I am surprised that you say there is 40 million available through normal cash flow, when this season you posted break even figures? are you saying Wolves were plus 40 mill this season?
However, even at half the price 46 million is a lot to have looking over your shoulder. In fact, its the same as Evertons current reported debt this season, and look at the state they have got them selves into, no transfers this window, a despondent manager, and restless fans, this will surely come through to the players on the pitch at some point.
If it is effecting Everton that way, the most established team in the English top flight (never been out the top division, I think they are the only ones?) what chance do less established top flight teams have? That coupled with the fact that nothing is certain, what is the plan if you lose Prem status?
No argument Moxey is a good businessman, I have said as much on these pages several times, but for whose benefit? I am not convinced that if his beloved Liverpool came up for sale tomorrow and he had the cash he wouldn’t be off without a second thought. He is not a Sir Jack, he is not Wolves, but like the majority of chairman now days, he is either using it has a toy, or, as a business opportunity, I see him as most defiantly the latter, that’s not being tribalistic, you could go through more or less the whole Prem and reach the same conclusions, Glazers-Man U-business, Abramovich-Chelsea-toy etc etc.
Some Baggies have accused Peace of being just a businessman I know, but at the end of the day he is a local lad, born in West Bromwich, and even his most cynical critics are coming around to believing its not just about the money, and that he does have a feel for the club.
If it works, and you can get 37,000 per week, maintain your Prem status to service the debt, and push on and win something, yes you have had a good touch. But that is a hell of lot of variables, and seeing this plan was announced last season, regardless of the struggles you were having, and what division you would be in, I am still not convinced this is not for Morgans benefit, not Wolves. If it does go tits up, Morgan will still be paid (eventually) so he cant lose, not much of a gamble for him, but where does that leave Wolves?
p.s. Its a shame you are going to have your area disrupted, I know the campus well has I sat my LLB exams there, very peaceful and tranquil, but that’s the price of progress I suppose.
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