Reverse psychology at West Brom?
Friday 25th November 2011, 9:30AM GMT.
West Brom blogger Jarrod Hill wonders what the real reason was for Roy Hodgson using the media to take a pop at the injury woes of striker Peter Odemwingie.
OK, guys and gals where do I start? The injury situation, the players leaving on loan, Roy’s outburst or the small matter of a home game against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday?
Let’s start with an outburst from our head coach Roy Hodgson that had a number of us scratching our heads.
Hodgson decided to let Peter Odemwingie know his frustrations this week by publicly stating he was disappointed with our Nigerian striker’s continuing injury induced absence.
The fact Roy has vast experience and works with these players every day leads me to assume he hopes his public gripe will inspire a positive reaction from last season’s 15-goal top scorer.
Time will reveal all but, as we are not privy to everything that goes on behind the scenes, I hope this is a matter that is resolved in the right way.
Our head coach frustrations are confounded by the fact we have a number of other key injuries at present, not least our other star striker Shane Long, as he again is forced to work hard to make match-day.
Paul Scharner and Graham Dorrans are both struggling, although reports suggest the former has more chance of being fit.
Dorrans also falls into the same category as Odemwingie in terms of niggling injuries, but he wasn’t mentioned by Roy during his press conference.
There could be multiple reasons for not tarring our injury-plagued Scotland international with the same brush but, in my opinion, in some ways I am more frustrated with Dorrans than Odemwingie.
‘Dozza’ has immense potential but is now entering into his second season where he has looked far from his best. At least ‘Pistol Pete’ has produced the goods when called upon, or rather when he has been fit.
I watch with interest, but I never find this type of media coverage as anything other than negative, but I hope Roy manages to gain what he desires, whatever that is.
On a different note George Thorne, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Joe Mattock have all departed on loan to the Championship, with George and Joe following Michael Appleton to Portsmouth and Fortune off to Doncaster.
I wish them all well and I see Joe and MAF’s futures away from the Hawthorns, but I view George’s loan spell as an opportunity to continue his impressive rise through the ranks.
Everyone I speak to rates our England youth international very highly and I hope he creates a big enough ripple down on the South Coast that we see it back here in the Midlands.
Finally, let’s talk about tomorrow’s game. If Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie both miss out, it’s in the forward line where Roy will have to make decisions.
Zoltan Gera’s impressive home return last week against Bolton makes him favourite to fill the second strikers role again. But who will play as the front man?
With MAF leaving on loan this week it leaves us with Simon Cox, Somen Tchoyi and Roman Bednar as possible starters. Bednar hasn’t had a sniff of first team action and I don’t see that changing this weekend.
I rate both Cox and Tchoyi, but they both offer something completely different in terms of player qualities.
Somen is unpredictable, physically strong, and he likes to dribble more than a teething bambino.
Cox, on the other hand, is a cuter player, a good passer of the ball and is an excellent striker of the ball, of which Spurs already have first hand experience of.
But what they lack and what both Odemwingie and Long have is blistering pace. Neither Tchoyi or Cox considered slow coaches, but neither would stand any chance of giving Usain Bolt a run for his money either.
Personally, I would like to see Cox given an opportunity, but I will leave it to Roy to get it right.
Something tells me Shane might just be fit, he strikes me as the type of player who doesn’t like to miss a game, let’s hope its catching! Only kidding Pete, we still love you!
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For those that don’t know, Odemwingie posted a picture of this leg last night on a social networking site displaying his supposed injury. Within hours Scharner had posted that Albion’s description of his injury on the official website was inaccurate.
Before everyone panics, there are a few things here:
a) Roy’s intention here would’ve been to get a reaction, he’s clearly getting one;
b) Odemwingie, whilst clearly hurt and trying to defend himself, is trying to justify himself to Albion supporters and doesn’t make specific reference to Roy. In doing this it’s a fairly unconfrontational response, PO clearly doesn’t want to burn his bridges, which shows he still cares and sees a future for himself at the club;
c) It strikes me that PO thrives on the adoration of the fans, he likes being liked, he’s often made reference to the support he gets from us. Now there’s a question mark being raised by RH about his commitment to getting fit and it’s been thrown into the public domain for supporters to question, Odemwingie is intelligent enough to know, the only way he’ll retain that adoration is getting fit and scoring goals, the ball’s in his court. This could still turn out to be a master-stroke from Roy.
The immediate problem PO has is getting back into the side, but if he scores on Saturday or next week, I imagine this episode will be quickly forgotten.
As for Scharner’s comments, he’s a different animal altogether, always outspoken and vehemently independent. I expect that’s probably already been resolved and forgotten with a few straight words this morning.
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Jarrod,
I like you, like Cox, but is he capable of playing as a lone front man? He’d win none of the headers that Long wins and wouldn’t be able to chase into channels like Odemwingie does?? I’d worry it’d keep coming straight back.
Can only echo what you say on the loanees. MAF gets stick, but we might still need him as season goes on so it’ll keep him fit. Think we all want to see Thorne blossom and will be a chance for Mattock to kickstart his career. I had read he’d lost a bit of weight, perhaps he just needs a run of games.
On Dorrans- was his injury a turned ankle? Not sure there’s a lot you can do with them. I did read- rightly or wrongly- that Roy’s issue with PO isn’t so much declaring himself unfit, but not being as willing as others to undertake the work that goes into rehabilitation e.g. days in the gym and hydropool.
Speaking of injuries, how’s the foot?
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@Warren
Great post. Better than the article itself.
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For all the good that modern technology does,things like social networking sites bring people airing their dirty linen in public.Is there any need for Oddy to post a picture of his knee for the world to see and for Scharner to comment as well.I remember Tony Brown telling me if some players were not pulling their weight or were not giving there all then they were dealt with by Graham Williams & John Kaye, problem sorted.Now we have all this nonsense of answering back for everybody to see.
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Warren, I totally agree with your thoughts about PO wanting to be loved and thrives on the adoration of the supporters. I remember when the contract saga was dragging on and he started by posting on twitter “To my beloved Albion supporters” I think somebody made the point yesterday that PO had lots of these injuries last season but it wasn’t highlighted as much. I am a big fan of PO and believe when fit is as good as anyone one his day in the PL but must admit have felt frustrated at his lack of action especially when SL battles back from a cracked bone in his knee in 4 weeks and puts in the display we all witnessed last Saturday which was quite simply brilliant. I think this all comes down to the individual. At all levels of football there are always players who will play with injuries and go through the pain barrier, then there are players who have one sniff and stay in bed with man flu! We have all played with these players!
I’m sure PO will be back tomorrow on the bench and i honestly believe SL will be in the starting 11. After all if SL had had both legs removed last weekend he would have crawled to a leg shop, purchased some new ones, sewn them back on himself and be fit in time to face spurs!
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IF and I’ve put it in caps because it is a big IF none of the injury doubts are fit, I’ll be interested to see the bench. Last week against Bolton I thought we had a strong looking bench but if Long, Odemwingie, Dorrans, Scharner and Gera are all out along with Thorne, Fortune and Jara on loan I assume Cox and Tchoyi would both play along with Brunt, Morrison, Thomas and Mulumbu but who does that leave on the bench in midfield and up front? I hope the fact that Thorne has been allowed out means that most of the doubts should be fit but it’s a bit worrying.
That’s my GHE outlook. Putting on my GHF head I see Mantom, Elford-Alliyu (forgive spelling) and Sawyer coming on and terrorising Spurs with their youthful exhuberance the way that Mickey Fudge, Hughie Reed and Gerry Howshall did in the 60′s.
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I still think this ahs been blown out of all proportion, the tabloids would love it if he was with a bigger club than us. I said before that you cannot keep comparing him to Shane Long, it’s a different injury. A broken bone (I know Shane’s wasn’t a break as such but the same principle applies) has a set healing time. Joint injuries are a different kettle of fish and doing too much too soon can put you back to square one. Is that what we want?
I don’t know anything about PO’s injury and because of this wouldn’t dream of saying when he should play.
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I know in the past I have said there are some things more important than football. One of them is health. Some time ago, when the Epress (national paper) was not a tabloid it ran a story about an ex-Middlesborough player, can’t remember his name, but he was one of those one club players of yore, adored by the fans etc. Anyway, towards the end of his career he was having regular pre-match cortisone injections to play through the pain. He finished the game in his early thirties, as most players did in those days, and by his late thirties he could only walk with the aid of crutches – knees completely shot. Imagine, probably another thirty years of arthritic pain he had to endure, and for what, exactly? Yesterday, posters were writing “If I got paid what he gets paid I’d run through brick walls etc.etc” But think about it- knowing the consequences would you, really? So, my advice to PO is be guided by your physician but do what you know is right for you. And raking in 40k while you do it must help. Ouch! think I just shot my argument in the foot.
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Hi Jarrod,
I think you’re right,it does seem to be reversed psychology,but maybe both Pete and RH need to look carefully at how they deal with the situation.
The injury itself,based on the photo I’ve seen,does appear to be genuine,so maybe Pete has a case,but there are some doubts amongst others as to how hard he tries to get back to fitness when he’s injured.
On the other hand,Roy has seen Shane get back faster than was expected,so he may be asking himself ‘why can’t Peter do that?’.
The problem is if Roy gets so frustrated that he ‘spurts out’ his feeling,he may lose sight of the fact that Pete just may not be physically fit enough to play at present,regardless of his attitude.
Anyway,I have to stop now,because my hand has been affected by too much typing.
I’m gonna put a picture on ‘twitter’ to show how my fingers have swollen up,in case anyone doubts my word…….
(only joking Pete,you’re still a hero,and you HAVE scored in the last two games against wolves……..:)
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Warren
You’re right with your last statement,I understood Roy’s comments to be on PO’s commitment to regaining his fitness through sheer hard work and has used, not by actually mentioning it, Shane’s speedy recovery and performance on Saturday in attempt to get a reaction.
I hope it works quickly.
Adéu
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All I have to say is, the volcano has erupted, now lets see how it pans out when it goes dormant again. Roy will sort it. Still think Osaze will be back.
Quite a few of our players were wanted on loan. One from wolves was also.
IF Long doesn’t play my choice would be Tchoyi, with his strength, trickery and height.
We have the ability to give Spurs a good game, so Come on you BAGGIES.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Long trained yesterday. Fortune would not have been allowed to leave if Long was not going to be fit in my opinion. Odemwingie will always take longer to overcome injuries as he’s older. He definately has an important role to play this season.
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Warren just admitted to liking Cox ;-)
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So I’m assuming he’s still not fit? it’s easy for us to start getting impatient with him, but Dorrens is in the same boat and on big money but we still love the guy.
I’m sure he is aching to get on the pitch and start scoring again but until then we have the luxury of Gera and Long, plus Tchoiy waiting too.
It’s good times for us so enjoy it!
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13 Charlo-
Warren also said to Jarrod ‘I like you’.
But don’t worry,he hasn’t ‘transferred to the other side’-
he’s got an attractive girlfriend,and has never tried to chat up Mallorca Kev,Wall Heath Max,or me in The Vine on match day-
but then again,I doubt if ANYONE would be that desperate………
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Guys
Living in the south east my local ITV station is Meridian. One of the main presenters is Fred Dinenage who is a big Portsmouth fan so there is usually some info on how they are doing. I will keep an eye out for our two loanees and report back.
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Roy said it as I think he wants a reaction from p.o. He will hopefully get it when he is fit again. We all want him fit, he is a fantastic player that will bring us another different option to long and great competition for places which can only be a positive. But with the busy winter coming up we need everyone fully fit so if a bit more times what he needs so be it.
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Cantello
I strongly rebuff a portion of the allegations in your no15 post.
Adéu
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Due to circumstances beyond my control, I expect to be in the Vine tomorrow, well I did, but I’m beginning to have doubts now. One good thing though, it’s usually so packed in there, even if you drop your drinks money, you CAN’T pick it up.
A very thought provoking blog Jarrod. I notice our new friend and informant ‘Inside Man’ hasn’t posted so I shall assume from that not even Roy knows who’s playing tomorrow as yet.
My ‘lady with the legs’ isn’t on here anymore so I must assume she’s been spoken for. Sad really, she cheered me up no end as I was young once.
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I shall shortly be releasing photographic evidence to prove Cantello’s allegations are incorrect!
adéu
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Ooo eer Charlo.
CR78
Cheers but I think you’re being a bit harsh on yourselves, if I was a man of that persuasion then you three make the perfect partners, I could argue with Wall Heath about Carson, storm off down the pub to meet you for a Bathams then go home to Kev who’d tell me everything was alright…..
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Kev
That’s not true. I asked to see your song lines not your tan lines…..
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Respect you opinion mate but how people think Cox is a more potent premier league player than Tchoyi is beyond me. The bloke has scored a couple of premier league braces and a premier league hat trick!!! Cox has had limitted oportunity in the premier league for a reason, he is just a decent championship player. Tchoyi on the other hand has proved himself in the premier league a number of times yet also has had limited opportunity and deserves a bit more respect.
Tchoyi every time for me Jarrod.
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I see Nicky Shorey is talking about a team meeting where they have decided that attacking Spurs is the best way to beat them…. this may give some clue as to why RH has gone public about wanting Peter back asap – we need our attacking players to play our football.
I also see Mick is talking about “roughing up” Chelsea and “parking the bus”……. wulfies must be licking their lips at the tought.
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Whenever RH is asked a leading question he has the knack of answering in a way you do not expect. Recently he was asked about Sept Blatter’s comments on racialism and whilst he condemned the remarks he also pointed out that Blatter was instrumental in staging the world cup in South Africa. As far as I can recall he was the only commentator to bring any balance to the subject.
I don’t think you can second guess his motives when RH makes a comment. All you can say is that both PO and PS are back in training.
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Team news won’t be confirmed until hours before kick off as Sharner will undergo a late fitness test. But as everyone knows the injuries have been widely reported so no real suprises.
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21 Warren,
if you ended the day going home to Kev,things would be anything BUT alright……!!
especially his ‘relaxation’ technique-
soft music,a la ‘Skinhead Moonstomp’,
and plying you with 2-star Spanish Brandy,at a euro a litre.
How could any Woman/Man/Donkey resist those charms?
(good job I won’t be seeing him for another month………).
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You can ignore my last post! Just had a word with ……. and they have confirmed to me we have a fully fit squad for tomorrows game. Sharner, Odemwingie, Dorrans, Long are all fit as is the rest of the squad …. Now you know that does anybody have opinions on the team they would play?
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Cantello
Their you go again, misinforming folk.
It is now 1:25euro a litre due to the austerity measures.
If you see Cyril in the Vine on Saturday try and get him to come next April,tell him I’ll invite a few suitable ladies.
Adeu
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29 Kev,
I’ll try,but Cyril’s currently got dates with all the ladiees on the ‘Mature Dating’ site that’s been advertised on here.
He’s literally got his hands full at present……
Adeu.
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28 Inside Man-
I would confidently predict the same line-up as last week,with the other guys on the bench.
If you’ve played well, and won with an attacking line-up,would you change it if you were Roy?
I don’t think so.
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CR78
I’d agree with that. I’d also predict that if things aren’t going well after 60 minutes, we’ll see Odemwingie sooner rather than later, perfect time to get a reaction from him…..
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31: CR78 …. If I were Roy I’d keep it the same, but as proved v Wolves & Arsenal he is not scared to change the team around.
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Inside Man
How do we know you’re not Roy….??
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As Cantello said.
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33 Inside Man,
yes I agree,I think Roy will do what he wants,regardless of what others think.
But someone said Nicky Shorey has revealed they intend to attack Spurs,so I think he’ll want to keep the momentum going from last week.
Apart from that,the other players have been out for a while,so he’ll maybe bring them back this time for just part of a game.
I think he brought Shane back quickly last week because he really needed one main striker to start the game.
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8 Bromham.
Yet another excellent post from you. Good work. I would have said the same to Warren @ 1 but people will talk.
13 Charlo.
You’re second name isn’t Beavis by any chance, I can almost hear the sniggers, again good work.
16 Medway.
Just heard that the Portsmouth owner is in financial difficulties, could be Appy will have some big problems to face.
19 Cyril.
I just loved the last para of your post, in a much gentler way it had me chuckling just as much as Charlo’s and I could just imagine Alan Bennett reading it.
25 RB.
Thought provoking stuff.
28 Inside Man.
You’ve just blown my previous post right out of the water.
Various Rocket & Kev.
In past lives were you the writing team on Round the Horne?
Sorry to lump everybody into one post but if I put more than one on at a time I get a peeved message and a lady from the E&S comes round and slaps my leg with a ruler.
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PS I think Gareth Bale against Stephen Reid will be a key battle. Bale has pace and strength so Reid will need all his experience but he’ll also need someone from the midfield doubling up.
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29.Kev. What’s happening next April then Kev ?
I’ll do my very best to stay alive whatever it is. I shall pop in the Vine tomorrow as my nephew Michael will have two friends in there who can only do the occasional game. I could wear a badge I suppose. I used to have one from Walsall Tech., but it was a while ago. Not that I’ve aged at all you understand. A better idea would have been to wear a picture of the ‘lovely legs lady’ then you’d all look. But she’s gone, the bubble has burst, my dream is at an end. Until I spot another.
37TRBH. You told me you LIKED having your legs slapped by the lovely E&S lady.
Enough of that. Reid will hold the key to the game tomorrow. Bale is one of the most exciting players around right now. Slowish, experienced and thoughtful versus speed and dribbling to die for. Intriguing.
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TRbhoo
No,but we are often mistaken for Jules+Sandy up the Vine.
Adéu
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TRBH
I agree with you on Reid and Bale and it’s obviously an area of concern. I recall Bale had a fair bit of joy at WHL, Reid went off injured and Jara came on and had a blinder, his best game for some time and Bale barely got a sniff. We obviously don’t have that option today though….
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Hi guys, sorry i couldnt contribute yesterday but i was in a meeting all day. The news that some of the walking wounded are fit has lifted my spirits for today. Bale v Reid is a key battle, but then their midfield is full of quality and pace. I am intrigued to see Mulumbu up against Modric, Lennon against Shorey. I just hope Defoe doesnt play, he has a habit of scoring against us.
Not expecting to get too much from today but then we are due a result against one of the bigger teams, and Totenham must surely be considered one of the bigger teams these days.
Cyril im gutted, im not going in the vine today!!
Meeting friends in Wednesbury, sods law.
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40 Kev,
I don’t know if Bully means the two guys who created the show,but one was Barry Took-who had glasses and ‘silvery’ hair-fair enough.
The other was Marty Feldman-
well,he was shorter than you,and had more hair……
but I can see where Bully’s coming from…..
(Although to be honest,with my posts,I’d have thought I was a lot more like ‘Ramblin’ Syd’……)
Adeu.
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As I said in my earlier reply this can only now be interpreted as the managers man-management style of PO.
We have to trust in Roy’s experience and knowledge of the player and the squad.
These are the type of situations that at the end of the season can be reflected upon as making a positive or negative impact.
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Joe Mattock was reported to be in the team yesterday on Meridian Today, but there was nothing about the arrest of the owner. Will keep listening and reporting on how our boys are doing.
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