This result really should've been a comfortable 4-0 or 5-0 victory for Celtic, such was the dominance of their performance this afternoon with some good indicators that Ange's game plan is finally coming together. He's not there yet, but this was a decent test v poorer opponents than Celtic and they passed it with flying colours. One criticism is definitely "convert more scoring opps" - too many wasted from great positions and a missed pk by McGregor who still had a vg performance. Mikey Johnston's return and contribution in the last quarter really added another dynamic to the game - what an eye opener for Celtic fans to behold. Ange will be hoping Forrest returns in a similar manner to Johnston. Plus the new Greek striker initially looks like he could be a "real gem of a signing" based on his brief contribution towards the end of this match. Lotsa goals potentially coming his way! Yep, reasons to be cheerful.

Latest:
Transfer window opens Monday 3rd January and closes Friday 31st August at 11pm.

Rumours so far:

Not a comprehensive list so contributions backed up with links please

INCOMING
Keepers:
IN: None
Gone/Missed:

Defenders:
IN: None
Connor Goldson (Rangers) - (24 Jan, WestBromNews): West Brom keen to sign
Matt Riley (MK Dons) - (20 Jan, FFC): Last ditch attempt
Liam Kitchen (Barnsley) - (17 Jan, FLW): West Brom showing interest
Callum Styles (Barnsley) - (21 Dec, HITC): The Boss could raid old club
Gone/Missed:
Neil Taylor (Extended contract at Middlesbrough)

Midfielders:
IN: None
Jamie Peterson (Swansea) - (17 Jan, Various): Dispute with club means might be available
Okay Yokuslu (Celta Vigo) - (21 Dec, BrumLive): Possible reunion with popular player
Gone/Missed:

Strikers:
IN: Andy Carroll (Free Agent)
IN: Daryl Dike (Orlando City)
Uche Ikpeazu (Middlesbrough) - (26 Jan, Walesonline): Potential loan target
Liam Delap (Man City) - (25 Jan,WestBromNews): Potential loan target
Vedat Muriqi (Lazio) - (16 Jan, BrumWorld): West Brom close to signing him?
Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley) - (21 Dec, Footballfancast): Proven striker
Tom Lawrence (Derby) - (07 Dec, FLW): Needs to decide on his future
Rhys Healey (FC Toulouse) - (24 Nov, WestBromNews): Top scorer in league
Gone/Missed:

Rumoured to be leaving
Going, Going Gone:
Sam Johnstone - Multiple Club Interest: Newcastle, Rangers, Spurs, West Ham
Gone: Jordan Hugill - Gone to Cardiff
Gone:Robert Snodgrass 
Kenneth Zohore - He wil be sold if anyone is prepared to take him

International Duty Watch
Denmark: Zohore
England U21: Button, Diangana
England: Livermore, Johnstone
Ivory Coast: Kipre
N Ireland: O’Shea
Nigeria: Ajayi
Republic of Ireland: Robinson
Scotland: Phillips
St Kitts & Nevis: Harper
USA: Daryl Dike

Current 2020/21 West Bromwich Albion First Team Squad
Youth Players not in the squad are detailed in WBA-1996's Official Development XI Thread

Championship Squad
Goalkeepers:
01 Sam Johnstone (HG) - Contract expires June 2022
25 David Button – Contract expires June 2023
36 Alex Palmer – Contract expires June 2023
38 Josh Griffiths - Contract expires 2023 – Loaned to Lincoln City

Defenders:
02 Darnell Furlong – Contract expires June 2025
03 Conor Townsend – Contract expires June 2025
04 Dara O’Shea – Contract expires June 2023
05 Kyle Bartley – Contract expires June 2023
06 Semi Ajayi – Contract expires June 2023
16 Matt Clarke - Season loan from Brighton
21 Cedric Kipre – Contract expires June 2024
22 Kean Bryan - Contract expires June 2023
?? Cianole Nguepissi - Contract expires June 2024
29 Taylor Gardner-Hickman - Contract expires June 2026

Midfielders:
08 Jake Livermore – Contract expires June 2022
10 Matt Phillips – Contract expires June 2024
11 Grady Diangana – Contract expires June 2025
14 Jayson Molumby - Loan with option to buy
19 Romaine Sawyers - Contract expires 2022 – Loaned to Stoke City
20 Adam Reach - Contract expires June 2024
27 Alex Mowatt – Contract expires June 202?
28 Rayheen Tulloch – Contract expires June 2024
32 Quevin Castro - Contract expires June 2024 (with 1 year option)

Forwards:
07 Callum Robinson – Contract expires June 2025
09 Kenneth Zohore – Contact expires June 2023
12 Daryl Dike - Contract expires June 2026
15 Andy Carroll - Contract expires June 2022
18 Karlan Grant – Contract expires June 2027
nn Reyes Cleary - Yet to sign Professional Contract

Loaned Out:
Romaine Sawyers - Contract expires 2022 – Loaned to Stoke City
Josh Griffiths - Contract expires 2023 – Loaned to Lincoln City
Callum Morton – Contract expires June 2024 - Loaned to Peterborough

Home Grown Players: A player who, irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or The Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of 3 seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21) and for the purposes of this definition of “Home Grown Player” a season will be deemed to commence on the date on which the first transfer window closes and expire on the date of the final league match of the season

Disclaimer: Guys, this is just a collection of what I have seen and read. It is not necessarily the truth or indeed all the data out there.

LAST TIME OUT

PLASTICS 2 COVENTRY 2



MANAGER
MARK ROBINS

Rotherham United
Robins joined Rotherham United in June 2000 as a player and subsequently as assistant manager,[27] under manager Alan Knill. However, by the end of February 2007, the Millers sat 13 points adrift of safety, making the threat of relegation almost inevitable. This resulted in Knill being sacked on 1 March, with Robins becoming caretaker manager.[28] After a spell of three wins in six games while in charge as caretaker manager, and moving the club off the bottom of League One,[29] Robins' position was made permanent on 6 April 2007.[30] Robins gained much praise for his first two seasons with the Millers. The first saw Rotherham consistently in the automatic promotion places until a late dip in form, and the second almost brought promotion despite a 17-point deduction imposed by the Football League. Robins also attracted many high calibre players to the Don Valley Stadium, including League 2 player of the season Nicky Law and prolific goalscorer Adam Le Fondre.

Barnsley
Robins was appointed as the new manager of Barnsley on 9 September 2009, succeeding Simon Davey. After his first game in charge, the Championship club sat at the bottom of the table looking likely candidates for relegation. By Christmas, Robins had taken them a full nine points clear of the relegation zone and on a run of eight games unbeaten. This was followed by a poor spell towards the end of the season, and Barnsley finished 18th in the table. Robins resigned from his job at the end of the 2010–11 season, because of differences with the board.

Coventry City
On 19 September 2012, Robins was appointed as the new manager of Coventry City, signing a three-year deal. His first game was a 2–1 home defeat against Carlisle United at the Ricoh Arena.

Robins became a fan-favourite catapulting them up the league from relegation battlers to true play-off contenders all in the short time that he had been at the club.

Robins took the club to the Area Final of the Football League Trophy which left the club two games away from Wembley. Coventry City also had to face two Premier League clubs away from home during his time. The first, being Arsenal in the League Cup third round, which resulted in a 6–1 defeat and the second being Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur which ended as a 3–0 loss, knocking the Sky Blues out the FA Cup third round.

Robins was first linked with the vacant Doncaster Rovers position and various other clubs but nothing really came of this interest and he told the Sky Sports cameras before the JPT Semi-Final game against Preston North End that 'it's (Coventry City) in my blood'. However, on 12 February, Coventry City released a statement saying they had allowed Robins to go into talks with Huddersfield Town about their vacant managerial position.

Huddersfield Town
On 14 February 2013, Robins was unveiled as the new manager of Huddersfield Town on a rolling contract.[31] His first game in charge came three days later, a 4–1 defeat to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fifth-round at John Smith's Stadium.[32] On 19 February 2013, Robins took charge of his first league match as Huddersfield manager, a 6–1 defeat away from home against Nottingham Forest.[33] Robins earned his first win as Huddersfield manager on 26 February 2013, a 1–0 victory against Burnley at Turf Moor.[34] Robins made sure that Huddersfield avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the 2012–13 season after drawing 2–2 with Barnsley.[35]

After surviving the following season, Robins and Huddersfield mutually agreed to part company after the first game of the 2014–15 season, a 4–0 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth.[36]

Scunthorpe United
On 13 October 2014, Robins was appointed manager of League One club Scunthorpe United.[37] After a run of two wins in eight games, Robins was sacked by Scunthorpe on 18 January 2016, leaving the club six points above the League One relegation zone.[38]

Return to Coventry City
On 6 March 2017, Coventry City re-appointed Robins as manager with immediate effect, the day after the sacking of previous manager Russell Slade.[39]

Against all the odds, on 2 April 2017, Robins led Coventry to a 2–1 victory over Oxford United in the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley.[40] Robins won his first promotion as a manager after leading Coventry to a sixth-place finish in the 2017-18 EFL League Two, and winning the play-offs at Wembley.[41] Over the course of the 2017-18 EFL League Two season, Robins broke numerous records as Coventry City Manager including: first top six finish in 48 years,[42] first promotion in 51 years[43] and most points in a season.[44] Robins' achievements gained much plaudits from local press and fans alike,[45] when considering Coventry City had only moved down the Football League since relegation from the Premier League in 2001.

The win in the League Two Play Off Final, represented Coventry's third competitive win at Wembley and Robin's second trophy in just over a year.[46]

After an 8th-place finish in the 2018-19 EFL League One season, Robins signed a new contract with the club in October 2019.[47]

In the 2019-20 EFL League One season, Robins took Coventry City to the Championship after winning the league with just 3 defeats all season and unbeaten since 14 December 2019.[48]

Mark Robins won the LMA League 1 Manager of the year award.

On 8 May 2021, Robins guided Coventry City to beat Millwall 6-1 to secure a 16th placed finish, in the club's first season back in the Championship in 9 years.

FORM GUIDE

PNE 5 COVENTRY 10

MACS VIEW

Two league wins all season both in August and neitehr witnessed by me, one defeat in six draws one defeat in the last seven, could be worse like Cardiff but if we play like we did for the majority of the game like we did against Derby we won't be winning any time soon.
Suspect tomorrow's game against a decent Coventry side will be slightly more open than the game on Saturday, but a win is now a must.
Barkhuizen has had a pop in the media this week about we have not been good enough this season, he is right and it is now up to the plays to get their act together.
Doubts beginning to creep in about the head coach and it was rumoured that Robbins was said to be interested in the job when Neil got the DCM
Won't be 18000 tomorrow although some of those will be back for the cup tie next week, getting close to make or break time considering who we play on Saturday

I would normally classify this fixture as a vg one for Hibs at this current time as the Dons being pilloried by their own fans/media and question marks being raised re the ability and experience of their manager, Stephen Glass. Also after years n years of waiting for Hibs fans, IMO we've finally "buried" the bogey that AFC held over us in league matches - couldn't beat them home or away for long enough, an absolute disgrace! I watched their last match/defeat v Dundee at Dens Park and I think Hibs have a good chance of beating them again. However, I have obvious concerns that Hibs are gonna lose to another team that has never won a match in their last 10 fixtures albeit playing well in a lotta these games, but failing to score the requisite goals again - a case of deja vu, we've seen this scenario before and Hibs really have to "grow up" in that respect; in other words, it is an "acid test" following a disappointing showing v Dundee United and JR needs to "earn his corn", reassess his team selection/tactics and effectively "get it right" v a team/manager that is under pressure. If we beat the Dons, we'll go 10 pts clear of them and should get embroiled in the "scrap" at the top of the Scot Prem - I DON'T WANNA SEE A RETURN TO OLD HABITS TBF!! Porty still missing, a big defensive loss IMO!! But JR must try to solidify our defence and field players close to his 1st pick back line as possible. Balancing the mid area is imperative as well. It's a great pity Doidgy isn't playing because he normally plays well at Pittodrie - just gotta place his faith on Kevin Nisbet being the striker that "makes the difference". C'mon Hibs, nae slacking!

GGTTH

Gamball Game:
Brentford - Leicester

Others:
Leeds - Wolves
Cardiff - Middlesboro
Blackpool - Preston
Millwall - Stoke
Peterboro - QPR
West Ham - Spurs
Man Utd - Liverpool
Nottingham Forest - Fulham
Barnsley - Sheffield Utd

There's a quick turnaround as Town, fresh off the back of a strange 2-0 win, welcome Birmingham to West Yorkshire. I say strange as for the first 20 minutes it seemed as if everytime we ventured forward, there was going to be a chance on goal. After that we seemed to stop playing and allowed Hull to come back into the game, to the point that in the second half we were playing 5 at the back, 4 across midfield and a striker that at times was deeper than the midfield. At home, against a side that has scored just 8 goals all season, you'd have been forgiven for thinking we were up against Liverpool or something, but oh well, 3 points and we now sit in 6th position. When do we dream?

Our visitors have had the one extra days rest over us as they played on Friday night against West Brom. Former Town attacker Karlan Grant gave the baggies all 3 points with what could be called a typical Karlan Grant goal, with a well struck effort from outside the box after moving in from the left. Birmingham came close when Ivan Sunjic hit the bar, but the defeat leaves Lee Bowyer's City with only one point - and no goals - from their past five games.



The Blues sit 19th in the table and as mentioned have not had such a good time of it recently, but back in August they began with a surprise win away at recently relegated Sheffield United. They allowed United to keep the ball but limited their efforts on goal, french defender Maxime Collin scored the only goal of the game. The beat Colchester in the league cup before drawing 0-0 against Stoke in a game of few chances. Bournemouth came to town and a late showing from the Cherries condemned Birmingham to their first defeat of the season, Dominic Solanke and Jaidon Anthony scoring the goals that night. They would then head down to Luton, where they would proceed to rip the Hatters to shreds, winning 5-0, Scott Hogan bagged a brace, whilst Marc Roberts, Chuks Aneke and Gary Gardener also found themselves on the scoresheet. They then were knocked out of the League cup by Fulham before heading up to Yorkshire to face struggling Barnsley, Callum Styles gave Barnsley the lead before former Town loanee and notoriously difficult anagram, Lukas Jutkiewicz equalised from close range.

Their first game of September saw them welcome Derby County to St Andrews and would end up winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Hogan and Jeremie Bela, the game also saw Brumbie boy Troy Deeney come on for his Blues debut. Fulham returned to St Andrews soon after their recent League Cup win and put Birmingham to the sword, running out 4-1 winners, Dennis Odoi, an Aleksandar Mitrovic brace and Harry Wilson all on the scoresheet for the Cottagers, whilst Deeney scored a late penalty to give him his first goal for his new club. A first minute own goal from Harlee Dean showed what was to come for Birmingham as they travelled to Peterborough, Jonson Clark-Harris and Jorge Grant also scored to put the Posh 3-0 up, it went from bad to worse as Gardener received a straight red. A dull 0-0 against Preston followed before they headed to the capital to face QPR in a 2-0 defeat with Illias Chair bagging a brace. October has seen the Blues fail to score as they began with a 3-0 defeat at home to resurgent Nottingham Forest, Lewis Grabban, Ryan Yates and Djed Spence all getting on the scoresheet before the international break, then came the defeat away at West Brom.



So what is happening at Birmingham nowadays?

Well they are now being managed by former Leeds and Birmingham midfielder and Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. He was muted as a possible candidate for the town job when Danny Cowley was umming and arring over taking the job. Famous for having a punch-up with Kieron Dyer whilst both were playing for Newcastle and being an avid fisherman, he joined Charlton as assistant manager to Karl Robinson and took interim charge when he left by mutual consent. He got renamed as caretaker manager for a short spell before being given the job full time. At the time Charlton were a club in turmoil with the ownership issues at boardroom level but managed to guide them to promotion with a play off final win against fellow sinking Premier League side Sunderland. During his stay at Charlton he refused to sign an extension to his contract, but reversed the decision when the club got new owners. His Charlton side were relegated on the final day of the 2019-2020 season by Leeds and he resigned in March 2021 before being appointed Aitor Karanka's replacement at former club Birmingham the next day.



In the Summer transfer window, they were rather active, signing 8 new players. Notable signings such as Troy Deeney, who some Town fans may remember from way back when he lined up against us whilst at Walsall, fiery haired midfielder Ryan Woods joined from fellow Championship side Stoke, that could be a good battle on Wednesday between him and Lewis O'Brien. Highly rated Manchester United youth player Tahith Chong joined on loan, the skilful Dutch winger has had a few loans out already to the continent, but this is the first time he has been loaned out in England as United look to progress him through to their first team, fellow Dutchman Juan Familia-Castillo also joined on loan from Premier League Chelsea, but he has yet to really establish himself with Birmingham's first team. Former Villa youth player Jordan Graham joined on a free transfer from Gillingham, whilst goalkeeper Matija Sarkic joined on loan from fellow midlands side Wolves, Dion Sanderson also made the same loan switch from Wolves, but whilst Sarkic has become number 1, Sanderson is still struggling to cement a position in the first team. Finally Bowyer raided former club Charlton for the free signing of Chuks Aneke, one time highly rated by Arsenal, the forward has been plagued by injuries pretty much his entire career, he had a purple patch whilst at MK Dons, which led to his transfer to Charlton, he his strong and powerful, but has never lived up to expectations.



There was also numerous departures from St Andrews, the majority of Karanka's Spanish influx all left, along with a number of younger players to get first team football elsewhere. Former Liverpool defender Mikel San Jose left for SD Amorebieta in the Spanish second division, Agus Medina left for fellow second tier side SD Ponferradina, winger Ivan Guzman joined AD Ceuta, whilst young winger Fran Villalba joined Sporting Gijon on loan. Spanish goalkeeper Andres Prieto joined Dinamo Tbilisi and Jon Toral went to Greece to play for OFI Crete, former Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder Alen Halilovic joined Reading on a free transfer despite their transfer embargo. Bowyer loaned Jonathon Leko to Charlton, whilst Sam Cosgrove, who joined to much fanfare due to his impressive start to last season at Aberdeen, moved on loan to Shrewsbury after failing to adjust back down in England.


So what to expect?

Well it's probably going to be the same as what has been expected from Birmingham over the past few years, direct football trying to utilize their big players and try to bully a result, they have a few players such as former shayman Marc Roberts who possess long throw in capabilities, so it's fair to suggest they will be looking at getting the ball in the box from range. They have been fairly willing to sacrifice possession of the ball in favour for efforts and attempts to win the second ball, as one would suspect, but don't be thinking that that is all they have. They have players like Hogan who is a willing runner who will try and put defenders under pressure, whilst in Chong and Bela they have tricky wide men who will need to be well marshalled by Town. At the start of the season, I'd have said Birmingham would be a team in a similar situation to our own, and in fairness, how they try to score goals is not too dissimilar to our own, in that we try to make the most of set pieces, we probably try to keep the ball more, but that in turn is due to the players we have in the attacking third and that our height comes from the back.



In terms of team news, Matty Pearson went off injured/ill on Saturday, so he maybe touch and go for Wednesday, but a ready made replacement in naby sarr is waiting, goalscorer Duane Holmes was struggling come the last 10 minutes, so he may give way for Josh Koroma to come back in. Scott high will be looking for a starting berth after replacing Danel Sinani at the weekend, who to me looked ineffective barring a deflected shot in open play, defensively he was found wanting on a few occasions. Long term absentees will remain as such, with short term absentee Alex Vallejo a possible returnee, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench. As for any other surprises, I don't think Carlos will treat us to any, maybe Jon Russell from the b team may get a look in on the bench after impressing for the b team against Watford.

As for Birmingham, they have a couple of injury doubts and a few long term absentees. Defender Maxime Collin went off with an ankle issue that he has been playing through until then, so it could be a case that he sits out on Wednesday, fellow defender Marc Roberts picked up a dead leg against West Brom so he too could also miss out. Ivan Sanchez could return in some form against Town as he recovers from a Groin Operation. Neil Etheridge was a victim of COVID-19 and is still in the process of making his recovery.

In regards to ones to watch, winger Jeremie Bela leads the assist charts for the Blues with 2, whilst hustle and bustle striker Hogan will need to have a watchful eye kept on him. Maxime Collin will be a big miss for the Blues should he be missing, he generally features at right back for the side and his experience would help keep whoever Town pick on the left quiet. A big player for them will be Ryan Woods, he was named on the bench for the WBA game, but I expect him to come back into the side. They are likely to line up in a similar formation to ourselves with Lukas being the most pivotal player in their system.



In terms of head to heads, it has been a very common match up, with Town winning 42, drawing 34 and losing 39, The first meeting coming back in 1910, with other results including a 2-1 defeat back in May 2001, which has resulted in a few Town fans having no time for Birmingham, I was barely understanding football at the time, so I think it was because we got relegated, but I dont know what actually happened. It would be 7 years before the two sides met again, with an FA Cup tie seeing Town win 2-1 thanks to goals from Luke Beckett and Chris Brandon, either side of a Gary O'Connor goal, it would also be the last time Town ever beat the Blues in West Yorkshire. A Jermaine Beckford goal gave Town a 1-0 win in our first season in the Championship after promotion from League One, in the promotion season, Town drew at home with Eilias Kachunga scoring in the second half, before Lukas equalised, a much changed Town side lost the return fixture 2-0 prompting a few unhappy fans from other clubs. The two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup whilst Town were in the Premier League, Steve Mounie scored for Town before Lukas score once again against us to force a replay. Town would come from behind to win the replay after extra time, Che Adams, now at Southampton opened the scoring, before a Roberts own goal got Town back into it. In extra time Town put the blues to the sword and saw Mounie, Rajiv Van La Parra and Tom Ince all get on the scoresheet. Since our return to the Championship, we have drawn 1-1 at the John Smiths, a Fraizer Campbell goal being cancelled out by, yes, Lukas, before the return fixture was played behind closed doors as Town won 3-0 to help secure their place in the Championship, Campbell scored once again and was joined by Karlan Grant and Kachunga on the scoresheet. Last season Town lost 2-1 away at Birmingham, Gardener and I'll let you guess the second scored for Brum, with Isaac Mbenza scoring for Town. Campbell scored again in the home fixture in a 1-1 draw, with Marc Roberts equalising for the Blues. Does anyone think we should just re-sign Lukas, just to stop the bugger scoring against us?



Played for both- Jutkiewicz isn't an answer

1) Began his career at Man City and had loans at Carlisle and Leeds, before going there permanently. Loans at Peterborough and MK Dons followed before he made the move here. A productive two year spell at Town saw him move north where he saw his role change. After 6 years he moved down to Birmingham and has yet to appear this season.

2) Began his career at Birmingham having come through their academy. A rumoured attitude problem saw him loaned out to Notts County and Chesterfield, before he went vegan ahead of his move to Town. No league appearances for Town followed, instead he found himself back out on loan in league one in an attempt to put him in the shop window.

3) Another Birmingham boy, he made his name in the Premier League for another team in blue. He had many loans out during his Premier League days before a move to another Premier League side. He became a cult figure at Town as he scored 31 league goals for the club during his stay. A falling out saw him move to his boyhood club where he would fail to score a league goal, before becoming a lower league journeyman featuring for sides such as Bradford, Tranmere and Wigan.

4) A lower league hotshot that found his way into league football without ever being part of a Professional clubs academy. His time at Town saw him overshadowed by others in the side and at times he struggled to make a telling impact. He left after rejecting a new deal and joined Birmingham and proved useful without being spectacular and they released him when his contract expired. He struggled big time in the capital before moving towards the east coast for a spell before moving back to Yorkshire.

5) Defender who made his breakthrough at Newcastle before establishing himself at Burnley. He stayed there for 5 year before moving to Birmingham, he struggled there and had a loan at Town, which was underwhelming, Birmingham later released him and he went to ply his trade in North America.

6) International midfielder who had loan spells at both Huddersfield and Birmingham. His loan at Brum came first and he made 17 appearances for the side and won their goal of the season during his loan. Injuries started to plague his career ahead of a move on loan to Town. He managed to play 30 games that season as he showed his fitness. Despite Town being interested he moved to Cardiff instead but struggled and joined Ipswich before ultimately becoming a free agent.

7) Began his career at Newcastle and is now a coach elsewhere in the Championship he made 58 appearances in all for Town and scored no goals, but played an important hand as the club looked to return to where many felt it belonged. His time at Birmingham was longer as he spent over a decade there and made 287 appearances for the club and is still held in high regard by both clubs.

8) Spent nearly a decade at Birmingham having made his name at Blackburn, was the victim of numerous serious injuries and did well to be playing into his 30's, he joined Town after a poor spell on the south coast and had two spells in blue and white before finally retiring on the west coast.

9) Had a three year spell at Town where he endeared himself to the fans before leaving to join Birmingham where he struggled to make an impact in the early days of his time there. He eventually got going there but his time didn't last too much longer afterwards due to an injury that saw him fall out of favour once again. He had a few loans out before retiring in 2006 only to come out of retirement for one season in 2008.

10) Made 165 appearances for Swansea before making a further 258 for Town. He made a loan move to Birmingham but nothing came off it as he ended up spending the final years of his career in the lower leagues before retiring in 2012.


Anagrams

1) Lame as chill ale

2) Imbue bum ear

3) Tit theft adored honker hope gone

4) Jumbled Healing

5) A firm slayers

2 points for a correct result
4 points for a correct score
2 points for each correct scorer
Correct joker doubles your score      
Wrong joker result gives you minus 2
Correct Random Badger gives you 2 points

The random badger is used for any random prediction used once in each matchday sequence. For instance, a scorer at a particular match, the number of red cards in the matches or yellow cards or own goals or owt you want really within reason, I do need to be able to check whether it's correct or not. Please don't put stuff like....."Commentator says...."  
The joker   is played for one match in each sequence and if correct you get double points. So if you've predicted 1-0 and it finishes 2-0, you get 4 pts, but if you've predicted 2-0, that's 8 pts. But if you get it wrong, it's minus 2.
Jokers and badgers are optional. You don't have to play one if you don't want.


Cup games:
In the event of a draw, it's half the points if you've predicted a draw when it gets to 90 mins and the full points if it's still a draw after extra time. Half the points will be awarded for correctly predicting the winner of the match if it goes to penalties. Similarly with the badger, if your random prediction is affected by this, it'll be half the points.

Random score generator: I will be using the random score generator again for those who miss predicting, so we shouldn't get some people too far behind that after missing a couple of weeks they lose all interest, because I know it's not easy getting on here every week.
To be fair to everybody, this is going to be like, say if three people in one week miss their predictions, the first one in the table will be given all 0-0, the second one down the line will get 1-0 and the third will get 0-1 and so on, like if there's four missing the 4th will get 1-1, then 5th 2-1, 6th 1-2. and if there are so many missing, might as well pack in.
And if you miss two weeks on the trot, I'll stop until you come back on again. Not doing it for half a season like I did t'other year.  

NEW FOR THIS SEASON: End of season Play Offs.

The one who finishes top of the league will still be champion, but after the season finishes there will be Play Offs between the top 4, with 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd. This will take in stuff like the EFL Play Offs, FA Cup Final, final day of Prima Donna League, European Finals etc. It will be one matchday for the semis and one for the Final. It will be the individual scores for each matchday against the allotted opponent, with some kind of tie breaker for a drawn match.
So last season's matches would've been Baggiebob(BBB) v theo_luddite and jjamez v St Charles Owl and would've given a bit more to play for towards the back end of the season.
The prize for winning will be enormous. Another rep point.

We now have an Appeals Committee set up, consisting of me, myself and I. All appeals must be made before the next Matchday kicks off.

Saturday 23rd October:
AFC Bournemouth v Town
Town scorers:
AFCB scorers:

Cardiff City v Middlesbrough (12:30)
Birmingham City v Swansea City
Blackburn Rovers v Reading
Blackpool v Preston North End
Coventry City v Derby County
Luton Town v Hull City
Millwall v Stoke City
Peterborough United v Queens Park Rangers
West Bromwich Albion v Bristol City

Sunday 24th October:
Barnsley v Sheffield United (12:30)
Nottingham Forest v Fulham (15:00)

EFL Cup:
Tuesday  26th October:
Arsenal v Leeds United
Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland

Wednesday 27th October:
Preston North End v Liverpool
Stoke City v Brentford

Table after Matchday 12:

1. Baggiebob(BBB) = 315 pts
   
2. Lord Snooty = 284 pts
   
3. jjamez = 282 pts
   
4. St Charles Owl = 282 pts
   
5. theo_luddite = 271 pts
   
6. neonfoxinthebox = 267 pts
   
7. themaclad = 260 pts
   
8. SHEP_HTAFC = 257 pts
   
9. WakeyTerrier = 247 pts
   
10. ritchiebaby = 226 pts
    
11. Amelia Chaffinch = 198 pts

THE MATCH

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER KO 7:45PM

v

LAST MATCH



Well in true Wednesday fashion we threw away more points after getting into a 2 goal lead. We started the better and took the lead when Bannan found Gregory and finished well. We had other chances but there keeper was denying us. Onto the 2nd half and we continued to have chances and took a 0-2 lead when Wing was pushed in the box and Gregory fired home the penalty. We seemed to be in control but our fragile defense let us down. Walker pulled one back with a decent strike but the initial shot should have been dealt with better by Wildsmith. We missed a couple more chances then Wimbledon completed there comeback when Rudoni finished from close range via from a cross. 7 points thrown away so far and counting     

THE MATCH



Next up and a trip to Cambridge. They haven't made the best start to the season and languish in 18th place. I expect them to stay near the bottom for the rest of the season. Don't know much about there current squad, but Dion Dublin used to play for them before he became a "star". We haven't played them in the league for 37 years but they have beaten us 3 times in the cup competitions. One last thing, they haven't won for 4 games       

CURRENT FORM

OWLS               -                                    

CAMB              -                       

EFL STOOGES

DOES IT MATTER THERE ALL CORRUPT  

SCOTT OLDHAM
Andy Bennett and Conor Farrell
Fourth Official : Abbas Khan

THE TEAM

Peacock-Farrell
Hunt Hutch Iorfa Palmer
Bannan Wing Adeniran
Paterson Gregory Brown

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

1-1 Gregory

BML STANDINGS

Kev 5
Wash 3
Pei 3
SCO 3
Imre 2
Wereham 2
SS 1

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Oxford United v Shrewsbury Town
Plymouth Argyle v Bolton Wanderers
Portsmouth v Ipswich Town
Rotherham United v Wycombe Wanderers
Wigan Athletic v Milton Keynes Dons

HHAHH

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football...hp&pc=U531
I watched this game in disbelief re a Man U side facing the Foxes who haven't won a game in their last four fixtures. OGS has been around the club as manager for a good period and really should've "rubber-stamped" his own brand of footie on one of the top favourite footie clubs on the planet. Yet they look like they have lost their identity - well beaten by a team that showed more passion and commitment to winning a match. They were well set up and "geared to win" compared with a United side that showed none of these qualities. Man Utd should have a top quality pedigree manager who can deliver what the board and fans really want - proper success and much less of these "random accidents" that always appear to be "hovering on the horizon" for Solskjaer's team. Reading Pogba's "withering criticism" of OGS and I suspect a more reputable and tough manager would likely "ditch" him as I still think he is a problem to the proper functionality of the team. OGS has had lotsa time to change this whole team for the better, esp the defensively frail bits. He hasn't done that!! I think he must know that the "end of the road" is coming into sight as these duff results never seem to go away.

Happy with result. First half, Sevco played Hearts off the park imo but only went in at the interval with a 1-0 lead thanks to a decent Lundstrom strike, which I think Gordon should have done better and saved it. However, Morelos misses a few chances and suddenly Hearts start to play a bit and put them under some pressure, resulting in a corner kick in 89th minute. In comes the cross, McGregor totally flaps a5 it and Halkett nods in at far post- yeeha.