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+----- Thread: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread (/showthread.php?tid=999)
WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 17-12-2014
Ah, the joys of the festive season. The family roasting pork scratchings round the fire. Granddad cradling a nice hot jug of mulled WKD. Children lying wide-eyed in bed, listening for the clatter of hooves on the roof as some tatter tries to get the lead into his oss and cart. And of course, me hunched over a keyboard with a cold turkey sandwich, trying to create four match threads in the space of a fortnight.
Not this year, folks! I'm following in the footsteps of the Radio Times and doing a special omnibus match thread. All of your thoughts and comments for QPR away, Man City at home, Stoke away and West Ham away are welcome on here, as well as any seasonal fun and chitchat between games, and I'll resume normal service for the FA Cup tie against Gateshead next month.
Welcome to the Albion Yuletide Match Thread!
![[Image: b5c460b7_e941_41c3_bb78_9d2826c9b75f_800.jpg]](http://s14.postimg.org/bhum9vmw1/b5c460b7_e941_41c3_bb78_9d2826c9b75f_800.jpg)
It's still better than pinstripes.
Following what seemed an unlikely - and certainly very laboured - but nevertheless welcome win at the weekend, is there cause for renewed optimism around the prospects of Alan Irvine's Albion side? It's possible we've taken the first faltering steps on the road to recovery, even though the football itself isn't exactly great to watch. In the short-term (which Irvine must focus on if he's to have any hope of a long-term), we have to build on the lessons of the last fortnight and come away from Loftus Road on Saturday with at least a point, however it comes.
Man City on Boxing Day is, as always, a bonus if we can get anything. This is one fixture where I'd forgive Irvine for keeping it cautious and compact and seeing if we can nick a goal on the break; memories abound of the goalless draw Roy Hodgson's team battled for on Boxing Day 2011, which was celebrated in the stands like a thumping win.
Stoke away has been an interesting one in recent years. Though they still hold their baffling curse over us at the Hawthorns, it's been years since the clayheads managed a win against us in their own quaint little windswept wasteland - 2008 to be precise - and you have to wonder whether they're finally due one. Still, their form of last season has faded away into a string of erratic results, and now is probably as good a time as any to face them.
West Ham's already-great season got that little bit better when we gifted them three points at the Shrine a few weeks ago, and for this one, in spite of their strong home record, I'd really like to see the team try and put that defeat right. It's usually around this time of year that the wheels start to come off for the "surprise package", so there could be points for us at Upton Park if we're crafty about it.
Classic Matches
A couple of Christmas crackers from years gone by, against inferior opposition who've since vanished off down the leagues.
Shameless Self-Promotional Spot
And finally, I'm pleased to announce that this week I've had my debut novel published, and it's all about the Albion. The online edition costs more or less the price of a pint, so if you've got a Kindle or a tablet/smartphone which can run the free Kindle app, then you can buy and download it here. If you don't have the gadgetry to do this then a paperback edition is also available, and you can buy that here.
If you've enjoyed the match threads I've written on 606 for the last couple of years (for free!) then you'll almost certainly appreciate this journey through forty years of Albion history, so give it a whirl, and if you enjoy it, don't forget to spread the word so I can avoid having to go and live in a tent on the Wolverhampton ring road.
Thank you for a great year, and merry Christmas!
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - WBA-Josh - 17-12-2014
Congrats on the novel Ska'd and thank you for providing all these match threads. I'd also like to wish every poster on this site a wonderful Christmas and a happy 2015.
The following is my team for the QPR match:
![[Image: 1167726_West_Bromwich_Albion.jpg]](http://www.footballuser.com/formations/2014/12/1167726_West_Bromwich_Albion.jpg)
Subs
Myhill
Dawson
Gamboa
Dorrans
Brunt
Blanco
Berahino
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Dingle-Dingle - 17-12-2014
I want that jumper. Oh and 6 points over Christmas. Best wishes to you and yours. DD
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Amelia Chaffinch - 18-12-2014
Congratulations, SKA'd. Will get that on me kindle.
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Amelia Chaffinch - 18-12-2014
Congratulations, SKA'd. Will get that on me kindle.
Purchased.
Will it be a gripping read for over Christmas?
Happy Christmas to all.
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Ska'dForLife-WBA - 18-12-2014
Cheers Am. It's as gripping as they come; Albion just don't do dull moments!
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Salopbaggie - 18-12-2014
Is it on Pirate Bay yet Ska'd
Only joking, I will look out for the paperback when online. Well done and best of luck with it.
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - Amelia Chaffinch - 18-12-2014
I will just finish my trashy novel (on about 65%) then I'll set to.
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - BaggieMan - 18-12-2014
With best wishes to all 'Baggies' for Christmas and the New Year
RE: WBA Xmas/New Year Thread - wba_1996 - 18-12-2014
If our results over the Christmas period go down the pan then feel free to drown your sorrows by cracking open the mulled wine and playing the West Brom drinking game:
Alan Irvine states that one of the new signings "is not match fit" = 2 fingers
Alan Irvine praises the opposition in the pre-match press conference = 2 fingers
Alan Irvine picks a team with no recognised wingers = 2 fingers
Andre Wisdom passes the ball sideways = 1 finger
Saido Berahino is involved in off-field antics = 2 fingers
Victor Anichebe picks up an injury = 2 fingers
Chris Brunt/Graham Dorrans fail to beat the wall with a free kick = 1 finger
Someone on sportsbabble bemoans negative tactics = 1 shot
Someone on sportsbabble bemoans lack of pace = 1 shot
Someone on sportsbabble calls for Alan's sacking = 1 shot
Someone actually comes up with a reason for Chris Baird being at the club = 2 shots
Peter Odemwingie pops up on SSN as the transfer window opens to slate the club and entice players to leave = down drink
Feel free to add more rules if you want but the above should be enough to ensure you are having your stomach pumped by Christmas Day
Merry Christmas