Bournemouth 1 Albion 4
Tuesday 23rd August 2011, 9:59PM BST.
Albion’s shadow side moved comfortably into the third round of the Carling Cup as they eased past League One Bournemouth at Dean Court.
Marc-Antoine Fortune netted twice with Jerome Thomas and Simon Cox also on target, while Bournemouth responded early in the second-half when Steve Lovell made it 2-1.
Boss Roy Hodgson made 11 changes from the team that lost to Chelsea on Saturday and his second-string side were patchy at times in the opening 45 minutes.
But the Baggies still led 2-0 at the break, with goalkeeper Marton Fulop largely untroubled.
Thomas opened the scoring on eight minutes with a crisp low shot, after a fine ball from stand-in captain Graham Dorrans.
Two minutes before the interval Fortune made it 2-0, converting from close range after Cox had robbed Harry Arter and delivered an inviting cross.
Lovell halved the lead on 47 minutes when he turned home a low cross by Wolves youngster Scott Malone, on loan with the Cherries.
But Albion restored their two-goal advantage five minutes later when Billy Jones drove forward from inside his own half and fed Cox, who finished superbly.
Substitute Joe Mattock rattled the woodwork from distance just after the hour-mark, before Fortune completed the scoring with a fabulous finish on 77 minutes.
Fortune collected Marek Cech’s passed and turned away from Adam Barrett, before firing into the bottom corner.
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I feared this would happen haha! I’m sure a good cup run will divide the fans opinions. I am largely undecided on the idea, I am aware of the ramifications extra matches will undoubtedly bring, but such by-products do nothing to simmer down my joy of seeing the boys burst their way through to another round. Onwards and upwards, next up is Stoke…and who knows maybe we’ll see the old enemy in the next round for a bit of payback time ;-)
Well done to you lot as well.
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Comfortable win by all accounts. It was nice to see a few players get a run out. Pleased also that Fortune bagged himself a couple of goals and it’s great to se Thomas back playing after his injury.
Boing Boing!!
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Didn’t see or hear anything with regard to this game but the result is superb. Just the kind of result we needed to dispell any niggling doubts in the players minds. Yes it was against Bournemouth and yes it’s only the League Cup, but if we had lost this match or even drawn it, confidence would have taken a bit of a knock. The enphatic nature of the result will only spur on the first team to emulate thier understudies against Stoke.
Like I mentioned, I haven’t seen the game but I guess there will be a few players knocking on the first team door to be involved this weekend. Stoke will be tough, and we don’t do too well against them traditionally but this appears to be a new squad with a fresh mind set. Hopefully we can feed off this result and get something out of the game. Well done boys.
Boing Boing
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When I look at tonight’s team and read about the performances of Dorrans, Thomas, Cox and then consider we still have Gera to come in and we might sign Hargreaves, it made me realise how far we’ve come in the last 3 years. Who do you leave out from the guys above plus Mulumbu, Scharner, Brunt, Morrison and Tchoyi. Nice problem to have.
We have one of the best midfield’s in the country in my opinion, the options Roy has are unbelievable.
Then you consider we have Shane, Odemwingie or Tchoyi up front and if we did sign Hargreaves you now have the option of playing Scharner at center half.
I don’t think we’ve ever had a better squad, I really don’t and I think these guys are on the verge of putting us on the map in a big way.
Kudos to JP and co for having the vision and foresight to build this from the foundation up.
Remember, the three newly promoted teams all got beaten tonight which to me, shows a lack of strength in depth. We were able to put out a team tonight that had 11 changes from Saturday but was still oozing in quality.
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BOINGBOING666
I see your point regarding Cup runs , ie the Blues last season , but last night we put a team out that hardly featured a player from Saturday , i think it serves to keep squad players involved and on their toes for the season to come . Losing football matches can become a habit , so it is also nice to buck that trend.
Bring on the crazy Potters .
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1 BB666.
For the last few seasons I’ve been against cup runs partly because they take the eye of the ball of promotion or staying up but more importantly because we didn’t have the squad to cope with the extra wear and tear on key players and unfortunately the PL is the main thing these days.
This season is totally different though. We need cup runs to give all our players a game as well as being useful to give injured players some game time.
Yes Kev in M, I am agreeing with Max again and I have to admit it’s beginning to worry me.
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I’ll be interested to see who plays on Sunday. Do we go for stronger players to match their physical game? I’m not joining in the Mozza criticism but I’d consider GD for this very reason and possibly McCauley for Tamas. I think we have the personnel to fight fire with fire this season much as I dislike lowering our footballing ideals.
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Was at the game last night and the Chelsea game. 11 changes to the team and six academy stars included in the squad. Took a few minutes to get going but for the rest of the match they were all awesome. McAuley/Dawson played well with a good understanding but I thought Jones and Czech both had good games. Albion match report had Dorrans as the star man but he seemed to loose the ball to much in mid field. Cox was the hardest working man on the field. However, who would you pick because all played very well. Never seen a baggies team with such depth before. Apart from the goals my best moment from the game was Joe Mattock’s 25 yard drive. It is really exciting at the moment.
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As people have mentioned,it underlines how far we’ve come in recent years.
When we first reached the prem.,I seem to recall that the biggest plus at the time was the fact that two or three of the squad had some limited top flight experience.
Last night,the ‘reserve’ starting line-up had at least six full internationals in it,and none of them can currently get into the first team.
It reminds me of the time a few years back when we used to play cup games against the ‘big boys’,and despite them putting out ‘weakened’ teams,we said ‘yeah,but look at the quality they still have in their team!’.
Not anymore.
Now the opposition club’s fans are saying it about US.
Don’t that feel good?
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7 TRBH-
I was very impressed at how the Libyan rebels managed to get inside Gaddafi’s compound.
Any chance of getting a couple of them on loan,to help penetrate the Stoke defence?
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One of the pleasures last night at Bournemouth was to witness the respect we had among our hosts. Talking to fans and reading the club programme they admire how we are “well run” and doing things “the right way.” The phrases were used again and again. The column by old boy and club captain Wayne Cummings was also full of praise. Real fans in what is the old Third Division are not fooled by the false economies of Russian Mafia money or Middle East oil money any more than the rest of us. As one Bournemouth fan said:”You are a proper club.” On the pitch, our team of reserves did what they had to do, playing some good football along the way.
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Forgive me for saying this, but some of the comments I’ve read here appear a bit “dated”.
I accept there are players in the Albion squad who will be on the team sheet week after week if they are fit and playing well, but that doesn’t make the others in the squad “reserves”. I may sound like I’m being pedantic, but I think things have changed since the days of First Team and the Reserves – I fully support the points made by TRBH and CR78 because the nature of the game has changed and our squad’s depth illustrates this.
I believe Appy is right to encourage a good Cup run as it’ll keep players sharp and keen.
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11
Good blog mate, i think it is high time that some people realised that someone who supports a lower league or non league club are no lesser supporters than those that support Premier league clubs , in particular the self styled top four clubs.
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Was great to attend a ‘home’game last night!
Overall, can only r-iterate much of what has been said. I thought everyone had a decent game, I was impressed with Thorne. Fullop had very little to do and the centre halves were in total control although I would be a little concerned about the lack of pace. I sometimes think that GD needs to consider simple passes as he got caught quite a few times in position. Going forward, we looked as though we could score at will. Cox got better and better as the game went on.
11 changes and still a very comofortable win. The longer the game went on the bigger the win would have been. How far we have come in the last few years as a couple of years ago a 2nd string would have struggled last night.
Let’s hope we can finally end the Potters jinx.
Come on you baggies.
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Agree with most of the above and we’re in an exciting place at the moment. Pleased for MAF too who’s often subjected to unnecessary sarcasm and derision across boards. He might not be PO, but he’s not Luke Moore either and always gives 100%.
CR78/TRBH
According to an Opta stat I read the other day, Stoke conceded more headed goals (13) than all but two Prem sides last season. We weren’t one of them. Perhaps they’re not the tower of strength at the back we all imagine.
Also, Foster certainly not reluctant to come off his line, that will surely help defending their throw-ins and set-pieces.
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11 ATS-
in a fair and ideal world,West Bromwich Albion would be the club chosen as an example for all others to follow in this country.
The only outside funding we’ve received has been from the Premiership,and one or two sponsors,and this has been a result of steadily building up the squad of players over the years,so that improvement in our fortunes has brought with it just rewards.
Unfortunately,certain clubs,from certain parts of the country,are treated with favouritism,and are looked upon as the equivalent of being ‘major celebrities’ in the world of ‘entertainment’.
Predictably,if you can’t be a ‘celebrity’ yourself,many people believe the next best thing is to ‘attach’ yourself to one,in the belief that this will make YOU look cool and important,so the national media ignore us traditional family clubs,and drool at the feet of whoever happens to be in the spotlight at the time.
I see it as being very vain and superficial,but to be honest,I’d rather be who we are,than have The Baggies being plagued by hangers-on,and seeing kids in London or Tokyo wearing our shirts because they see us ‘on the telly’ all the time.
The rest can do what they like,I’ll just continue being proud to be a Baggie,whatever the circumstances.
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Wm Radio,
The fans on here paint a different picture than your match commentator put over. If you cannot be fair with your observations, I will find another station as and when, to follow my team. Through his commentary I cannot join in the debate on this string.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Some good points on here today, especially by NY Baggie, I dont comment much but love reading these pages, like to see what Warren, Cantello rocket, Kev in Mallorca, Walll heath, Real bully Hoo ect.. Have to say. Oh not forgetting Sir Terry Baggie with his short funny comments Keep it up lads boing boing.
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Some good points on here today, especially by NY Baggie, I dont comment much but love reading these pages, like to see what Warren, Cantello rocket, Kev in Mallorca, Walll heath, Real bully Hoo ect.. Have to say. Oh not forgetting Sir Terry Baggie with his short funny comments Keep it up lads boing boing
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18 Ryan-
I’d recommend reading Mallorca Kev’s posts on a weekend afternoon,after he’s had a couple of bottles of vino,and smelt the fragrant local flowers.
No idea what language it supposed to be in,it ain’t English or Spanish,but I usually get google to translate it for me.
If not,don’t worry,most weeks he comes back on monday morning to explain what he said.
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CR78
Kev assured me he was not blogging unless sober after last week.
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Ryan
Cheers mate, be good to read some more of your posts too, keep ‘em coming.
NY Baggie
I pretty much agree with everything you’ve written but on the point of Scharner, the first game Hodgson oversaw (albeit from the stands with Appy in charge) was against West Ham at home, when Scharner had an absolute shocker at centre-back, he was missing routine headers and all sorts.
We’ve not seen Scharner at centre-back since that day, and given Roy’s supposed fondness of defenders who are defenders before footballers, I’m not sure we’ll see him there again anytime soon. Fair point though.
Wall Heath
I was away last week, what’s our mate Kev been up to???
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In other news, Roy gave an interview today saying we left ’13 good players at home if you include Peter Odemwingie and Zoltan Gera’ plus the 11 that started at Chelsea.
That isn’t good news for Pablo Ibanez, he was left out of the 18 last night. If Roy discounts him as one of the good players we left at home, then I don’t think that says much about his future prospects at the Albion……..
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WARREN
Alright Mate , i think that after the Chelsea game Kev had drunk a little to much of the old Vino and name checked me a few times , which in the cold light of day he thought he may have offended me , which he had not by any means but he did promise only to post sober in the future in case he had more flashes of guilt. Beware the demon drink my young friend it is the road to ruin.
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21 Max,
I’d like to believe him,but he assured me that his new ‘cantello’ blond hair was real,until he sneezed in the Vine,and it landed on some guy’s chicken tikka at the next table.
Talk about havin’ a hair in yer soup……
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23 Warren-
I wouldn’t take Roy’s words as gospel,because he’s been getting a bit muddled recently.
It seems he told one interviewer that last night we were playing in the Carlsberg Cup.
It’s probably the best cup in the world…….
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23) Warren, apparently Pablo is on Paul Jewells radar. Cup tied?
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Wall Heath
Ha ha I’ll seek his posts out!! It’s a bit late for the drink advice I’m afraid, the divorce papers from my liver came through this morning after a long weekend away.
CR78
Funnily enough, I remember seeing Roy on the BBC during the last World Cup. It was the France vs Uruguay game (I think….either them or France vs Mexico, decent side either way).
Lineker or might even have been Murray asked Roy what he thought of France’s opponents that evening. Roy replied (straight up), with a 5-minute rant about how he didn’t think Algeria were a threat to France on the international stage, they were one of the weakest sides at the tournament and France would win easily. The camera panned back to Lineker/Murray and they looked confused but such was the time limit, they had to go straight to the game.
Touch of the Bobby Robson’s I think, God rest his soul!!
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Off topic, but another faux pass, a Bobby Robson (RIP) classic:
Reporter: “What’s your nickname in the dressing room?”
Shola Ameobi: “I haven’t really got one, that lads just call me Shola”
Reporter: “What does Bobby Robson call you?”
Shola Ameobi: “Carl Cort”
WONOH
Good point re: cup-tied!!
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28) Warren, a Bobby Robson (peace be upon him) quote that was made for Roy to use about Odem,
“He’s very fast and if he gets a yard ahead of himself nobody will catch him.”
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24 Max,
I was having a ‘chat’ with Kev this morning,so it reminded me of some of his weekend posts (like saying he agreed with everybody about everything,even if they hadn’t said anything),and I’d forgotten that he’d felt guilty about something last week concerning you.
I know how he feels-I often used to wake up with amnesia and an empty wallet.
You then go into a blind panic,trying to remember who you spoke to last,and what you’d said.
So these days,if I’m not having a couple before the game,I drink in moderation.
At least I’ve now got some sort of grip on reality,it’s not as scary as it used to be.
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28) and heres one for Mick when they were bemoaning losing in the final minutes of games last season.
“The first ninety minutes of a football match are the most important.”
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As sometimes happens this thread is full of interesting posts.
8 South Baggie.
Thanks for an excellent match report that filled in all the important bits that the media reports don’t mention because as Rocket says at 16 they’re not really interested in clubs like ours. Also 11 ATS and 14 SPB for making good points.
12 BB.
Good point and I agree, I think we’ll see the squad being used on a horses for courses basis. Something we’ve never had the luxury of doing in the past.
13 Max.
It’s true isn’t it that often on the various phone-ins on Radio and TV someone will ring in saying ‘I support Darlington, Yeovil etc’ and they will be patronised by the presenters as if this somehow means they don’t understand anything about football.
The said ‘media luvvy’ presenters inevitably ‘support’ Man Ure, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal and are the very worst kind of glory hunters. They don’t understand real football fans and never will.
PS Hope Kev is in a drunken stupor and doesn’t notice we’re agreeing again.
15 Warren.
Thanks, I think I missed MAF out of my runners and riders to be the new Scott Carson.
17 Jack.
Stick with Tom Ross, his station is usually the fairest. WM have never liked us.
18 BR Ryan.
Thanks for that because some days on here it feels like shouting into an empty cave listening to your own echo.
Warren, WONOH and CR78.
One thing about Roy is that he’s been around long enough to admit to mistakes as he did with Tchoyi. Who knows what might happen if Pablo has a good loan at Ipswich.
Better go now, I think I’ve said enough.
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Having said that, I’ve just read the JT article. Doesn’t it reinforce the point about the strength of our squad now. It happens with successful teams where players don’t want to be rested and want to get back from injury quickly because otherwise there is someone laying a claim to their shirt. Happy days.
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Just one other thing. Over on the dark side Mick is saying that if they win the Carling Cup he doesn’t want to be in the Europa League. Could be looked on as counting your chickens but then they have beaten a Div 2 side 4-0 and they are in a Champions League slot so who knows.
What does anyone else think, should Mick be aiming for the stars after this astounding run of success?
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35 TRBH-
I find it very hard to dislike Mick,because sticking it out for 5 years down at the mol.,with all the abuse he’s endured,must have been a tougher challenge than trying to gain entry into the S.A.S.
So by all means,let him aim for the stars,but if wolves lose their next couple of games,he’ll be SEEING stars,and aiming for the exit door,because the fans change their mind there more often than Victoria Beckham changes her outfits and hairstyle.
And if wolves do have a good cup run,maybe we’ll get to see him genuinely smile for once,and not put it down to just having excessive wind.
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Trbhoo.
Bright as a button son, bright as a button,takin’ it all in.
Adéu
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Reading all these ‘Confessions of a Boozer’ on here, I’m glad I don’t. Add addled to old age. SCARY ! I listened to WM last night. It wasn’t very inspiring. I resorted to one ear on the radio, the other surfing the internet to find Bournemouth v WBA. Loads of them said they had it. Ha Ha. They were all con tricks to get you to bet, buy Sims, study nude ladies, (as if), plus adverts that would close in 20 seconds but never did. Nice to read the blogs of those who did get there.
8, 11 and 14, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.
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Bully, careful you might upset our old mate wolf if you suggest Mick is being optimistic, after all most (not all) live in their own little universe!
Boing Boing!!
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35) RBH, if you were a cynical Baggie, wanting to see Wolves struggle again like last season, it could be argued that the two results they have had so far are the best case scenario.
They have had two good results, and six points on the board which is excellent, true. But, they are two results against opposition you need to be beating to beat the drop anyway. So, the fans are happy, Micks a genius, and all is rosy in the Wolves garden, for now.
Now imagine they had lost those two games? pressure from the fans, a revolt even (Morgan, Moxey, McCarthy out?) they may have been more likely to go out and get some class signings. The fact remains, which ever way you want to look at it, they have added one player to the relegation team of last season, what do they expect to earth shatteringly change?
As it is, before you know it, come Wednesday, bang!, the transfer window is shut, and they are stuck with that team till at least January.
Its true what they say that you can be lulled into a false sense of security!
Thats if your being cynical of course.
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To all you secret Dingles
Call me cynical but I couldn’t give a flying ?
what the Dingles are doing! nor should you lot.
Adéu
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40 WONOH.
Trying to be serious and risking a backlash from a section of Wulfies, we all know the ones I honestly think Wolves have missed a trick.
Perhaps they’ll make some signings before the window closes but yesterday Mick was saying he’s satisfied with his squad. We’ve followed up finishing 11th last season by adding a number of players that have improved our squad and we’re still looking.
I’m not going to be daft about it, they have some decent players. I’ve said on here before, I rate Johnson, O’Hara. Jarvis, Doyle, Fletcher and one or two others. Hunt if he stays fit. Kightly and Ebanks-Blake are like Simon Cox promising but yet to prove themselves at this level and Hennessy is improving.
It’s when you go beyond the ones mentioned that the doubts start. When the injuries and suspensions kick in do they have the quality in reserve? In modern day football you can’t afford to stand still, you need to keep improving. Wolves have a lot of Mick’s ‘put a shift in’ men in reserve but have only made slight improvements as you point out on the squad that nearly went down.
I haven’t posted this to be provocative or start a slanging match but I’d be interested to hear how Wolves fans view Mick’s dealings in the transfer window as I’m sure most were hoping for more. Are you confident about the new season.
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PS.
I’m sure somebody will say this is an Albion site, why am I talking about Wolves. Fair enough but I’m a football fan and they’re one our local rivals.
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Max
I’m back on the couch now.
Don’t do it, better the devil you know but if you can’t resist it make sure you get a Blue and White stripped tent, I think he’s about too defect.
Adéu
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Is it too or to I can’t remember? Always get mixed up with my O’s, suppose you could call me Ronnie!
Adéu.
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Trbhoo
If you’re a FOOTBALL fan what’s the Wolves got to/too do with it?
Adéu
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Thank’s Trbhoo
You distracted me! I’ve just let my pasta for chicken pasta salad boil dry and burn.
Adéu
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47 Kev-
hola,
chicken pasta salad for breakfast?
I thought that’s what footballers and athletes eat at that time of day?
Ah…..I suppose when the donkeys escape,you have to chase after ‘em.
And when they say the Bathams is about to run out,you need to sprint to the bar.
Now I understand.
Good thinking.
Adeu.
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Kev,
just remembered,at post 18,’Brummie Road Ryan’ mentioned you,me,Max,Warren,Sir Tel (The Vine’s imfamous five),and Bully.
We need to find somewhere to drink where Bully can join us.
So can you think of anywhere in West Brom where we can get Earl Grey tea and cucumber sandwiches?
And hot crumpet for Cyril?
Adeu.
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45Kev. Too many ‘O’ in Ronnie and you’ll be Roonnie. Then we’ll sign you up.
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Cantello
Don’t you have any time left to learn and enjoy the less active pleasures in life on your regular flirtations on Brighton beach?
After creating a dish it always tastes better if you let the ingredients infuse for a few hours,
Just look at some of your old photographs and see how well[or not] you’ve matured.
Adéu
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Cantello
I have heard of a drinking establishment hosted by a couple called Julian and his friend Sandy,
don’t know where but I’ll make enquiries.
Aéu
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To all who have expressed polite criticism of Roy’s team selections.
I hope his latest comments go a long way explaining his thinking.
In Roy we trust!
Adéu
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52.Kev. We’ve got one like that over here. Butch blokes in white vests serving the customers. Food’s good though.
49Cantello. You can’t beat Yorkshire for your tea, followed by chewing gum to shift the smell before the hot crumpet. We had a cat that ate cucumber. You dare not let her see one. Two end stalks would greet you if she did.
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51 Kev,
I realise your culinary skills are far superior to mine,because my idea of well prepared food is leaving boiling water on a pot noodle for a good two minutes.
But you do need the expertise to carefully squeeze just the right amount of soy sauce on it.
And I do understand the benefit of letting the ingredients of a meal ‘infuse’ for a few hours.
I’ve often fallen asleep in a chair,then woke up next morning,and eaten the take-away curry I started the night before.
But I wouldn’t advise dunking the naan bread,’cause it’s like cardboard the next day.
Adeu.
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CR78
If you’re promising cucumbers, I imagine Lone/Rebecca will make an appearance as well……
TRBH’s Kayser Soze, an enigma. We all want to meet him and imagine what he’s like, but nobody knows if we ever will….
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43) Your right it is a Albion site, but Christ the news is slow at the moment, so I dont think to many people will be bothered as long as it is football related. So here goes.
A couple of observations,
How seriously is Dalglish taking the League Cup? Reina, Meirless, Carroll, Suarez against Exeter!, all those players featured in the previous game against Arsenal, either Liverpool haven’t got the strength in depth we have (or Wolves for that matter) to make a 11 wholesale changes, which I doubt, or Kenny really, really, wants to take no chances on getting into Europe next season?
Secondly, will Steve Bruce become first Premiership managerial casualty this season? 4 wins in last 17 games, and this season, out of the League Cup to lower league opposition, even though he had selected ten first team players that had featured in previous match against Newcastle, (Brown, Richardson, Ferdinand, Cattermole, Wickham, Larsson, Gardner, Gyan, Colback and Elmohamady all got on the pitch), lost to bitter local rivals, and one point from Kenny’s lot, and we are only three games in! that coupled with the fact he has spent over 23 mill (plus what ever O’Shea cost) this window on 10 new signings including, Connor Wickham (Ipswich, £13m), Craig Gardner (Birmingham, £5m), Ahmed Elmohamady (ENPPI, £2m), Ji Dong-won (Chunnam Dragons, £2m), Wes Brown (Man United, £1m), James McClean (Derry City, £350,000), John O’Shea (Man United, undisclosed), Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham, free), David Vaughan (Blackpool, free), Keiren Westwood (Coventry, free), alarm bells must be ringing up in the North East. I like Bruce, fingers crossed for him, I hope he gets a fair crack (although 4 wins in 17 is a worry) before the board reach for the panic button.
Discuss?
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WONOH
Remember Kenny’s been away for a long time, he probably still thinks it’s 1988. Good on him though, at least it brings a bit of value to the competition and certainly gives value for money for the Exeter supporters who packed out the stadium.
Brucey- I think his saving grace may be Niall Quinn’s tolerance. That coupled with a potential for the division to pan out differently to last year i.e. if there are three or four real strugglers keeping them just above water.
If I had a tenner on the sack race, it’d go on Steve Kean. Those owners have already shown they’re not reluctant to pull the trigger and given his inexperience as a manager, I expect the natives will be quicker to get restless and hit the panic button.
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Some interesting facts lifted of the net about Sundays game, we all know they are a hoo doo side for us, but, some reasons to be cheerful!
Stoke have won both Premier League trips to the Hawthorns without conceding a goal, but, we have scored in our last 15 consecutive league matches, the longest current run of ANY side in the current top flight, has they say in boxing “someones 0 has gotta go”
Stoke have averaged fewer than a goal a game in the previous months of August in the Prem, scoring only 11 goals in 12 matches played in this month.
Best have all, Stoke have never won an away game in August in seven attempts.
Prediction 2-1
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CR78
I’ve only just picked up on your reply to me on the 12 months of progress thread. Quite how me having an accumulator bet on 5 games in the Europa League – one being against Bursaspor – equates to me watching Scott Carson and having double standards I don’t know. I’ve had Anderlecht in my accumulator again tonight…does that mean I have double standards?
To set you straight, I was actually watching the Bratislava vs Roma game as that was the one long shot that I picked and was 0-0 till the last 10mins.
And before you ask, no I didn’t bet against Bursaspor because of their GK. Anyway who cares, I won £300 last week so fingers crossed for tonight and let’s hope Stoke tire themselves out!
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58) Warren, Steve Kean not a bad shout, but less than 24 hours ago Venkys promised to back him with cash, be interesting to see what happens between now and Wednesday. Has for supporters revolting, are their any left? under 22,000 for opening game (traditionally one of the highest gates for the season) against Wolves, and it was reported on the radio they had only bought 150 to Villa Park!
Brucey, do you think Sunderland will be happy to rely on others after spending £23+ mill?
Kenny, see where you are coming regarding entertaining Exeter fans, but some how I cant see Kenny (and Liverpool) being that
philanthropic? With managers like Roy admitting hes not really sure what its all about, Mick saying it would be a burden, and dear old Neil Warnock actually stating he was glad to be out of it, I think in the modern game at least you are paying Kenny to much kudos, I think he is definitely in it to win it.
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LMS
Crikey, Stoke are in the Europa League aren’t they? I’d forgotten about that, although shouldn’t have given it’s a 3pm Sunday kick-off. Let’s hope they roll over tamely in the same way Fulham did last Sunday….
WONOH
I didn’t mean Kenny wanted to entertain Exeter- I’m sure he’ll do what’s best for Liverpool- I mean more he might have an old-fashioned view of the League Cup and take it a bit more seriously. Certainly good for Exeter’s fans though.
As for Warnock, I thought the Rochdale manager was spot on with his response: “Neil didn’t say before the game he hadn’t taken it seriously. To field a front line that has Adel Taarabt and Jay Bothroyd tells me it was taken quite seriously”
I think you’re right on the money with Bruce, just wonder if Kean might be shoved out sooner. Although to be fair, that’s probably born out of frustration on my part for not backing Allardyce when I fancied him last year at 40/1!!
Beyond that it’s difficult to see many candidates- Warnock would be fully undeserved but twitchy boardroom; Jol could test Al-Fayed’s patience if Fulham are struggling mid-season; Pardew if he falls out with mate?
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60 LMS-
it was the fact that when ‘Happy Baggie’ made a joke relating to Scott,you told him that continued references to him are old and tired now,and as you’ve often said to others,let’s stop talking about SC,and put him behind us-then in the next sentence,you say you’ve just won money on the result of SC’s new club in Turkey,which immediately makes us think of him again!
And now that we’re on a completely new story,a while later,you’ve just mentioned his name again on your latest post,so anyone reading today will yet again be reminded of him!
As you see,as a former player,his name can easily come up at anytime,so telling people to stop talking about him whenever someone says his name is just going to irritate that person,because this is where people express their thoughts,and he’s sometimes amongst them!
Anyway,good luck with your latest bet tonight.
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Once again WONOH I’m knocked out by your research although it all comes to nothing once te players step over the line. Having said that it’s amazing that the Stoke hoodoo has gone on for so long despite the fact that over that time both clubs have had numerous sets of players. Spooky.
On the Dalgleish point, I remember when Mourinho took over at Chelsea he did a similar thing to win the League Cup and as a new manager winning a trophy removed a lot of pressure.
Warren and WONOH.
Hope Steve Bruce gets it together as I said a while back, if ‘Arry turns down the England job we need someone else in the running and Brucie was one of the few that came to mind before they get round to Roy as a safe pair of hands.
On the Venky’s point, they tend to talk big but I heard on the radio the other day that the brothers have a personal fortune of around £32 mill, massive by most people’s standards but not by PL benchmarks. They were saying when they took over that they expected a Champions League spot and then said they would invest £4 to 5 mill to achieve this. I’m not a betting man but my half a crown is definitely on Kean.
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52 Kev.
Funny you should say that but they run my local, it’s called The Bona Vino and you get a real cross section of omy polones in there.
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Neil Warnock and Joey Barton at QPR, marriage made in hell for football lovers. Looking forward almost as much to the feast of skills that will be on display in that game as I am in the one against Stoke.
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At the risk of outstaying my welcome, form a queue to agree. I heard a very disturbing interview on the radio earlier.
Keys and Gray on Talksport were discussing agants that own players as with Tevez. Tevez agent Kia Chourabchan (excuse spelling) phoned in to explain things. He pointed out that these type of agents aren’t as bad for the game as journalists make out (excuse my cynicism but I failed to be convinced.)
He then went on to compare these sort of deals with the ones clubs get involved in when buying and selling players. He pointed out that when for example Liverpool sell Torres for £50 mill they might borrow money off a commercial bank to allow them to bring in a replacement. He also said that this also occurs more obviously when they want to buy a player. In all the cases money is haemorrhaging out of football.
A lot of what he said went over my head and I’m sure this is common knowledge to Warren and others with more financial nous. It shocked me though as it seems like a road to financial ruin for any club with a set budget ie ones that rely on running on common sense business lines, as well as the ones like Portsmouth when the sugar daddy gets bored, apparently Portsmouth were up to their necks in these sort of deals.
To me it sounded very much like today’s youngsters putting expensive cars, luxury holidays etc on the credit card as the banks happily shovel money towards them because they’re getting massive interest in return but no one is considering the problems this is creating for their future (the borrower as well as the banks.)
I don’t entirely blame the Banks and I don’t entirely blame the Clubs/young people. But where in all this are the people responsible for the future of our game? Like the Government the rulers of the game seem happy to bury their heads in the sand and pretend it’s not happening. Perhaps with the exception of Platini albeit that he may be motivated by anti-English reasons.
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CR78
No problem with mentioning him, it’s the same tired old jokes I’ve grown weary of. Although if my bet doesn’t come through tonight then of course it’s Scott Carsons fault…especially if he has a blinder against Anderlecht!
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63) CR78, reading that about not mentioning his name, for some reason the Jehovah sketch from Life of Brian “nice piece of halibut fit for Jehovah” kept coming to mind, thats the solution then, anyone mentioning SC gets stoned (and I dont mean in a pleasant way);-)
62) Warren, I hadn’t heard that Rochdale quote, but I cant say has I m surprised, look at the spin he managed to put on “The Battle of Brammall Lane” (it was all our fault dont you know!) That said, I have a begrudging admiration for Warnock, he is a character, and makes me smile like Holloway, too few in the game now, oh, by the way, have you seen Sir Alex has ordained to start talking to MUMOTD again (I said they had moved the studios to Manchester for a reason and every one said I was crazy, pass me the sick bag and queue even more fawning!)
I had read weeks back that management wanted Warnock out of QPR, hence, this was why QPR had done so little transfer business, even though they had (on paper) the richest sugar daddies in the world, with the change of ownership recently this would seem more plausible excuse for lack of business (or does it?)
Jol, not to sure on, Pardew is a very good shout, I can definitely see that one not being to far off.
p.s. CR78, “there aren’t any women here, are there?”
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68) LMS “stone him, stone him” ;-)
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64) TRBH, umm Asian businessman investing in English football clubs, Blackburn should have asked Wolves and Blues if they thought that was a good idea or not?
Money wise, when you have got Eto just signed up with a Russian club I have never heard of for, wait for it, £345,000 p.w. (yes that is pounds, not roubles) sense left the room along time ago, just out of interest, anyone know how much our whole first team wage bill is per week? I wouldnt be surprised if slightly less than Eto’s!
That local of yours, do they serve that cheap Spanish plonk? whats it called, oh yeah, Roe Ip Nul, I ve heard a glass of that, you not only wake up with a stonking headache, and memory loss, but for some unexplained reason you cant sit down for a few days after either!
p.s. if your in there and sneeze, and some one offers you their handkerchief, and it has the faintest aroma of pear drops to it, dont use it, apparently it has the same effect as the Roe Ip Nul plonk!
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68 LMS-
I always tried to defend Scott when he was with us,because the way I saw it,clubs paid money to buy him,and managers told him to get on the pitch and play,they even made him Captain-he just did as he was told,and I’m sure tried to perform the best that he could.
Because of all the controversy,after he left,I think some tried to relax the situation by laughing it off.
He’s still a young guy,with a fresh start,so hopefully he can move on,in the same way that we will now with the new ‘keepers.
Anyway,as I said,good luck tonight.
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Apparently Eto’s new club is called Anzhi Makhachkala (could get you out of a tricky situation in Scrabble!)
p.s. I wonder if it will come out in interview that its always been his dream to play for them?
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69 WONOH-
If you’ve got them,I’ll have one bag of large stones,and two small bags of grit-
And I don’t want to see anyone throwing before they’re told to……….
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WONOH
Don’t know if you’re familiar with Manchester mate, but the BBC’s new headquarters are in Salford Quays…….about half a mile from and in full view of, Old Trafford!! It certainly supports your suggestion!!
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74) yeah, because you will go to the back of the queue if you do!
grit? really? bit sadistic, but what ever floats your boat! I had a nasty experience once with some grit on a nudist beach (not Brighton) got some in my eye, then again, Brighton’s that cold if I had been there it probably wouldn’t have got into this particular eye, but that’s another story!
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75) Warren, yeah, on BBCifinalscoreredbutton or what ever its called, they did a piece on their new studios, and made a point of stating they could see Old Trafford from their office window, which is nice! oh well, that’s the BBC (Biased Broadcasting Corporation) for you.
Debate for tomorrow (barring anything interesting happening in the Midlands) based on last nights European results, just how rubbish is the SPL?
I bet Wolves now regret not playing Rochdale instead of Celtic pre season for a bit of competition!
Were you watching Mowbray?
Discuss.
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