Nicely said Hilltop and very agreeable. I personally think Hargreaves has been completely cynical in his dealings with us and other parties. If he is completely fit again, good luck to him, but I shan’t be looking out for his performance ratings. More likely he’ll end up with splints in his bum as I can’t see him getting into ‘Billionaires Midfield’.
If our blokes can get into ‘Our season starts here’ mood and not feel sorry for themselves, we can have a good season.
There was a really good Wulfie on WM last night who put the case for the West Midlands as well as anyone could. Articulate, accurate and heartfelt. Good on him.

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The problem with west brom could be solved as easy as Arsenals could have been.

Pop a fax over to blues offering 7 million for Dann and Ridgewell. Maybe offer them Ibanez or bednar on loan as well.

Then the two weakest positions in our team, and the two that will plague us all season that of shorey and tamas will be eradicated by two higher quality players. Look at the difference Johnson has made to the wolves back four and he was a poor relation when compared to Dann.

If we had the team below we would be able to compete against most of the PL up front, in midfield and most suprisingly at the back. We wouldnt hve our hands in our months every time a team venture into our half of the pitch.

Foster
Reid
Ridgewell
Dann
Olson
Gera
Scharner
Mulumbu
Thomas
Long
Odemwingie

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When everyone is fit we have a good first team and good squad as a whole. Have no worries that we will be okay at the end of the season. Maybe Ridgewell would be a good player to get in to partner Olson but, if it does not happen, then Tamas has played well so far nad Schamner looked good there last season when we needed him to “step back”
Still hate Stoke. Just an awfull side.
Regards
AndyH

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Hi Pete,

I believe you’re right to say that there’ll be little,if any,activity for us today,unless something catches the eye of the management team.

I’m getting annoyed that some people here are already acting like wolves fans,lose a couple of games and certain players are getting ‘picked on’,with demands that we go out and buy new players after already adding six in the last few weeks.

The moaning seems to be about our defence-

well,every manager would like to make constant improvements in the squad he’s got,but how about a little patience here?

So far,not only did we come within a whisker of a clean sheet against Stoke,but the other two games were against the best clubs in the country,and two of the four goals they scored were deflections!

I also find it interesting that,last season,many were saying we should replace Scott Carson,and had he been in goal for the ‘Stoke incident’,he would have been crucified on here-

but because it was the replacement ‘keeper that seemed to be at fault,the attention for the mistake appears to be focused on blaming Tamas instead!!

Funny,that…

As for Hargreaves,I said in the closed season that I’m only interested in a player when he signs a contract for us,and not before.

So Hargreaves isn’t interested in us-

and I couldn’t care less about him.

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Good summary Hilltop – I agree with pretty much all you have said other than the comment – no individual blame on the goal.

The goal was an individual error from Foster – simple as. Yes Tamas could maybe have been stronger holding Shotton off or put it in row Z but at the end of the day Foster was in the best place as could see it all playing out in front of him and how close Shotton was. All he had to do was be ‘brave’. If he is brave he either takes a stud in the chest and wins the freekick or comes out holding the ball. Fact is he bottled out of it. Most disappointing and 1pt dropped due to his error. There is no getting on his back for it or booing like some of the idiots did with Carson but the fact is it was his error. People learn from their mistakes in life – lets hope Ben does and we see the best of him after the international break.

I do believe we need a quality centre back and a right back – as this is still the same as last season – which kept two cleansheets in the league. If very lucky Woy may get a centre back in but as Happy said – I’m not holding my breath.

As for the reduced attendances – sure bank holiday, playing stoke etc will have impacted it but the fact is games are too expensive to attend these days and fans will pick and choose the games they want to see and £40+ to see the more desirable games means many people will not attend as many games as they would like to.

Hargreaves – I don’t understand it if he moves to Man City – he specifically declared he has 40 games in him and his goal is to get back into the England squad for the Euros. To do that he must play yet I can’t see him being anymore than just a squad player there even if fit – most disappointing but we move on.

Huge pressure on our next two games – minimum 3 points required – 4 or 6 preferable!

Boing Boing

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Pete that’s an excellent blog. The point about the attendances is a really good one, No1 is right about the Bank Holiday effect but I’m not sure that this accounts for all of the empty seats as both of these games would be regarded as ‘local’ derbies.

I think JP and indeed Steve Morgan’s modest spending is a sign of their business acumen. Unlike a lot of other clubs we both rely on gate money. Stoke still puzzle me as they seem to be hoovering up players that will demand big wages. Stoke may have a richer owner but he’s no oil sheikh and their gates aren’t massive. Add to this that it is also a high unemployment area and you have a recipe for a potential disaster in the making.

I think that one unfortunate circumstance has been Gareth McCauley’s illness because we still don’t know how he will perform at this level, although he has played a lot of internationals. I’d love to see Onuoha come in as he looks a very versatile lad as well as being pacey.

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10 Beevower.
I’m glad you’ve said that as I would have been crucified if I’d said it, (someone suggested last year that I’d be hoping for Foster to make mistakes so that I could say ‘I told you so.’) Not really my style as I’m a dyed in the wool Baggies fan who supports whichever 11 wear the shirt. Let’s remain behind Ben Foster because getting on any players back will destroy him, no matter how good the player is.

I still can’t see what Tamas did wrong but I’ve been over that and don’t want another debate. As CR78 says at No8 Tamas has barely put a foot wrong but because Ben Foster is still in his honeymoon period with the lynch mob they have to have someone else to blame and Tamas was the only one close enough.

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I often check out the Wolves site for a laugh at Shadrag and his friends but like on here there are also a lot of very good posts.

Yesterday when it came out that Blackburn had agreed a fee with Blues, just like on here there was a groundswell of opinion saying sign him. Then a lone Wulfie (no not that one but sorry can’t remember the name) said ‘isn’t it strange that suddenly Arsenal, Liverpool, Villa, Chelsea even are no longer interested and at the same time the asking price has dropped dramatically.’ Is he the same player he was before his serious injury? I don’t know but it’s a very good question. Sometimes all that glistens isn’t gold.

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7 Happy.
N’Gog really does say it all about how mad our game has gone doesn’t it? When we were interested last season I thought ‘mmm he might be okay but he doesn’t really make me think YES!’

In other words a player with a bit of potential but who has achieved precisely nowt so far. As you say Stoke obviously aren’t put off by paying big wages but aren’t good enough for this nobody. Time for a reality check methinks (sorry to the medieaval Wulfie I pinched that word from.)

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13 LMS-

I also knew it would only take you a few minutes to pull me up about mentioning SC,but I believe it’s very much in the context of what I was talking about.

I said the other day on here that the Ref. should have blown for the foot and studs being so high,but can you honestly tell me that Scott wouldn’t have been blamed for what happened?

Even RH said in an interview that Foster should have been braver,because he had the ball pretty much in his hands,but allowed it to be taken away,instead of risking a boot in the chest.

As for a defender letting the ball bounce,John Terry did it for England,but Scott was obviously still blamed by the general public for that mix-up that lead to a goal.

I always like to see us improving the squad,but I thought Tamas had a good game on sunday,and I remember when we went to 4th place after a good run last season,he was the regular centre-half,and the media was linking him with a move to Chelsea.

He makes an occasional mistake,but what player doesn’t?
It surely don’t mean he’s suddenly a bad player for doing something everyone in the squad does at one time or other,does it?

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19 Danny.
It was just the way you phrased it ‘Certainly better than a certain Mr. Robinson in my opinion.’ Sounded as though you were being a bit disparaging. As it seems I’m wrong please accept my apology.

PS. As you say it’s all about opinion and I think if he was still here Robbo would still be our first choice LB.

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Great blog Peter, I totally agree on the major points you raise, particularly regarding the current healthy situation of the squad. JP has been as shrewd as ever with the additions, most of whom have been on ‘frees’ but have added quality to the squad, but he has not been afraid to release the purse strings when the right man (in this case Shane Long) has become available.
Like you, and many others I suspect, if any suitable players came along we would welcome one or maybe a couple of further additions before the window closes but if not I am happy with the guys we have to move the club forward.

10 Beevower

The Hargreaves situation doesn’t surprise me at all to be honest. He may say he has designs on getting back into the England squad for the Euros but like many others before him it’s amazing how ambitions fly out of the window when someone waves a big fat pay cheque. Like Peter I think he has used us as a shop window and although I admire him as a player, wouldn’t want him at the club unless he was 100% committed, which on the evidence clearly shows he isn’t.

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Hargreaves has spent the last 4 years barely touching a football in anger and then pontificates about how he wants another chance Blah Blah Blah, seems to me that he will now spend at least another year sitting on his backside playing no football, and if its a pay as you play deal, then he wont be earning a lot either (not that he needs to).
If the guy was truly interested in playing football then he clearly had better options or maybe he really is dillusional and believes he can step right back in.
I hope he does well, but deep down i think that come the end of this season he will not have played apart from the odd sub appearance and he will be another year older and then he will be begging Albion for a chance.
What a load of rubbish, this guy doesnt want to play football at all, he just wants his glory days back and a fat wallet.
Just my opinion.
6 points and 7 goals from the next 2 games, mark my words

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Cantello.
Can you believe after nearly 3yrs of discussion,disagreement etc in newspapers and on these sites there are still fans that don’t know about the Terry/Carson incident?
It seems that you, me, Warren and many others have been wasting our time trying to defend players who get the blame for incidents that happen during a match which are not their fault but they get the blame cause it’s fashionable and every body jumps on the bandwagon, I’m dumbstruck.
What’s the weather like? couldn’t wear a kilt here, I have too make do with a Wallace tartan sarong!
Adéu

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Cantello
It was Germany 2008.
Adeu

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over priced tickets for fans who to be honest arent exactly flush at the moment means empty seats and no atmosphere, time for cheaper tickets me thinks or at least offers for kids and familys. cant believe that most clubs dont give a discount if youre un employed !!! theres alot of us in case the clubs hadnt noticed.

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Ah yes I remember it now – although I would say that was Terry’s mistake rather than Carson’s in the same way that it was Tamas’s mistake rather than Foster’s.

Kev – I haven’t been posting on here that long so I don’t know about the arguments you all had at the time. To be honest I don’t know why I’m even replying to you as all you ever do is take shots at people like you did to Romsley Baggie the other day for no apparent reason.

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LMS.
I’m not having a go a you personally I’m just saying that people come out with statements that have been debated too death over a long period of time,as in this case nearly 3 yrs.
We’ll be getting “where’s the money gone” “get your wallet out Jeremy” before long.
You must have joined in the Carson debate,you were posting all last season.
As for Romsley Baggie I think you’ll find that during my first spat with him he was trying too ridicule me over my opinion on what happened behind the scenes during the Carson transfer, he just could not or would not see my point and began trying too belittle me, on the same thread Happy Baggie posted more or less the same scenario as me, low and behold Romsley agreed with him and pointed out too me that I should read Happy’s Post if I wanted too know what probably went on.
I don’t know if this is the attack you’re talking about cause I remember another little run in with him/her but can’t remember the content but what ever it was the mods wouldn’t print this post if I gave my true opinion of Romsley.
I posted too Happy and asked him did his post reflect mine more or less, his reply was yes!
Romsley attitude was unbelievable, so much so I had too read my posts a few times too check if it was me who was crazy.
As for having a go at people, I make no apology for challenging people that attack individual players or employees of WBA without just cause.
Adéu

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LMS
My memory isn’t what it was but vaguely remember replying too Romsley after ignoring a couple of snide references to me over a couple of weeks which you obviously didn’t pick up on.
So before you accuse people of random attacks I think you should pay more attention and keep up with the sub plots, it’s like a Brian Rix’s farce sometimes.
Adéu

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Pete

This is one of the best blogs I’ve written, full marks.

Let’s get behind them, onwards and upwards.

Re: attendance- The Grove, The Sportsman, Old Hop Pole, Red Lion and The Rampa all had game live. Could growing prominence of foreign satellite be a contributing factor along with prices/economy etc?

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29 LMS-

I think we can at least agree that it’s a matter of personal opinion,where we see things from our own point of view.

Maybe you were an outfield player when you were younger,and followed what you were taught about dealing with the ball.

I was never a ‘keeper,but they are encouraged to be confident,come out,and take charge of situations,and if Foster was coming out to deal with the ball,Tamas may have instinctively acted to protect him,especially if there was a shout from the man in goal to leave it.

All the same,the incident was in full view of everyone,and it was clearly dangerous to raise a foot and show studs in that way,so either the ref. or his assistant should have acted on it,and given us a free kick.

The way I see it,if you put the whole blame on one person,when all involved in the incident made mistakes,then that guy becomes a scapegoat,and the others get off scot free.

But so far,there’s been a very mixed reaction,so we’ll all probably have to agree to disagree.

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I think Hargreaves going to Man City (if it happens) would be detrimental to his career compared to a move to Albion, but sadly not to his wage packet..

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39.Kev. When people make rude comments about your shape, looks, etc., it’s because they are basically insecure. You may decide to pity them. Or in your case, being a big bloke, bost ‘em one on the snout!

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Firstly Hargreaves is a right muppet. How can he offer to play for United for free to ‘pay them back’ and then join their main threat and local rivals where he obviously isn’t going to be picked over the likes of De Jong, Toure, Nasri need I say more? He wants 40 games this season??!! LOL!!! I’d be surprised if he plays 10. A gifted player with a very poor perception on life.

The attendences are a slight worry but think it’d be better to judge after a few more games.

On the actual squad we have. It’s definitely a much better squad than we had this time last year. Our competitive level in every match so far proves that. The defence isn’t as bad as everyone is making out. Jonas Olsson is immense, my captain if I’m honest and we unluckily concede two against a team who put 8 past Arsenal this weekend. Shorey is reliable I think and Tamas although cynical at times is more than equipped at this level. Don’t forget Lazio were interested earlier this summer. And Reid will always give you 100%. So I think it’s unfair on the guys pulling on the beloved jersey to moan we need better players after an encouraging but unlucky start to the campaign.

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48 Lew.
What a good post.

And 47 Danny.
That’s pretty much exactly how I saw the goal and like you say, it’s over and done now so let’s not go looking for scapegoats.

45 LT.
How dare you call me thin skinned!
Seriously though another good post in that it’s thought provoking. I think there’s a lot in what you say and it probably applies to all managers. It’s easy for Fergie to say that because when he loses an international to an injury he usually has one almost as good to slot in.

Regarding our formation, it’s hard to argue with you as most of last season’s best results were gained using a lone striker. But we now have Shane Long and Somen Tchoyi looking good as well as PO to come back but it’s a good problem to have isn’t it?

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What’s going on (Taste – On the Boards.)
First Wolves sign a keeper called Doris and now Villa sign a defender called Edna?

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45 LONE-

as you’ve been reading these threads for some time,I feel like I already know you,you have a certain familiarity that it’s hard to put my finger on.
But I’m sure we will get to know you a little better as time goes by.

It’s good to see that you also like LONE wolf.

As you say,the Baggies have two LONE (it’s funny that this word seems to keep cropping up!) strikers,so I feel in future,it would be a good idea to play two LONE strikers up front together.

Glad to know you are thick skinned,it may come in useful.

Nice meeting you,

Auf wiedersehen,pet.

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52 TRBH-

and I hope the Baggies are trying to sign strikers Kelly and Nigella-

I’ve always enjoyed seeing a nice pair together up front.

(Now that IS Taste(y)).

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