16-09-2020, 20:31
Not many players staking a claim for first team place really.
League Cup 2020
16-09-2020, 20:34
I’m not normally one for having a go at Albion players but Austin has been so very poor. Some very good crosses into the box and nothing. 2 great long range efforts so far. This magnifies the need for strikers.
Standby Austin off, Robbo on
Standby Austin off, Robbo on
BLACK COUNTRY BY BIRTH, ALBION BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND MY OLD MAN
You go in the cage? cage goes in the water, sharks in the water....Our Shark
Ultrinque Paratus
You go in the cage? cage goes in the water, sharks in the water....Our Shark
Ultrinque Paratus
16-09-2020, 22:02
(This post was last modified: 16-09-2020, 22:10 by Blue Baggie.)
Nothing to talk about tonight - a useful run out if nothing else - my thoughts :-
Button wasn't tested, but looked OK
The defence looked solid enough although not put under pressure.
Midfield were OK - Harper and Field need a run of games to build confidence and understanding or must go out on loan.
Strikers wise Austin and HRK still are lacking, neither at the races (barring HRK goal) - opportunity to impress lost.
Robinson looked a lot more enthusiastic in the 10 minutes he had.
Phillips is another major problem, we know he needs half a dozen games to get up to speed. I think his time is up now.
Nobody really staked a claim for a place against Everton IMO - maybe Edwards deserves a mention.
Which is puzzling in my eyes - do our players understand the word "Shop window"
A 3 - 0 win and I expect more - I want the players to make Bilic pick them for the first team.
Button wasn't tested, but looked OK
The defence looked solid enough although not put under pressure.
Midfield were OK - Harper and Field need a run of games to build confidence and understanding or must go out on loan.
Strikers wise Austin and HRK still are lacking, neither at the races (barring HRK goal) - opportunity to impress lost.
Robinson looked a lot more enthusiastic in the 10 minutes he had.
Phillips is another major problem, we know he needs half a dozen games to get up to speed. I think his time is up now.
Nobody really staked a claim for a place against Everton IMO - maybe Edwards deserves a mention.
Which is puzzling in my eyes - do our players understand the word "Shop window"
A 3 - 0 win and I expect more - I want the players to make Bilic pick them for the first team.
2020 the year the bubble burst 
16-09-2020, 22:17
Totally agree blue thought some would put in more effort. Back 4 did a decent job in which O’Shea looks like he is going to be a big player.. Button did everything asked of him . For me except for the Brilliance in creating the 3 goal Edwards didn’t do enough.
16-09-2020, 23:37
(This post was last modified: 16-09-2020, 23:42 by Slick_Footwork.)
Was a bit of a damp squib really.
3-0 sounds like easy work. But to be honest 2-0 at half time flattered us when we did nothing for 45 minutes.
Looking past the result and at the general play, it was disappointing.
IMO those midfielders and forwards aren't even really back up quality at Premier League Level. Austin looks completely woeful. Hal was his usual self, going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Edwards shows flashes of brilliance but is largely anonymous for most of the game. Harper likewise. Field is just a run around.
Edwards possibly could be used as a 15 minutes impact sub at most. I don't see any place for Harper at all, you can't be anonymous in the centre of the park and he doesn't have the quality to justify his lack of tackling and tracking. Field is just a runner, so unless we plan to park the bus, I don't see how he figures. Charlie looks like a shadow of his former self and when he's not even finishing, what is he bringing to the fray? Might as well pay him off.
Do feel a bit sorry for Grosicki as he was hauled early when I thought he did okay and put some nice deliveries into the box. Wanted him to get more minutes, but it just doesn't feel like Bilic rates him. Wouldn't shock me if he was a deadline day mover as Forest were also keen when we signed him. Given his lack of game time, he must be wondering why he came.
As for the subs, Phillips added a different dimension but is it just me or has he lost a yard (or 3) of pace? He just looks a lot more laboured than in previous years. TBH, he hasn't looked completely sharp for a while.
Robinson was by far the best attacking performer which just about sum the performance up as he had about 15 minutes.
I'll reserve judgement on the defence as Harrogate didn't pose much threat. They still created a few too many chances for my liking.
The one positive was Button and that he was willing to command his area. Obviously early days, but it was quite refreshing to see our goalkeeper come for corners.
3-0 sounds like easy work. But to be honest 2-0 at half time flattered us when we did nothing for 45 minutes.
Looking past the result and at the general play, it was disappointing.
IMO those midfielders and forwards aren't even really back up quality at Premier League Level. Austin looks completely woeful. Hal was his usual self, going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Edwards shows flashes of brilliance but is largely anonymous for most of the game. Harper likewise. Field is just a run around.
Edwards possibly could be used as a 15 minutes impact sub at most. I don't see any place for Harper at all, you can't be anonymous in the centre of the park and he doesn't have the quality to justify his lack of tackling and tracking. Field is just a runner, so unless we plan to park the bus, I don't see how he figures. Charlie looks like a shadow of his former self and when he's not even finishing, what is he bringing to the fray? Might as well pay him off.
Do feel a bit sorry for Grosicki as he was hauled early when I thought he did okay and put some nice deliveries into the box. Wanted him to get more minutes, but it just doesn't feel like Bilic rates him. Wouldn't shock me if he was a deadline day mover as Forest were also keen when we signed him. Given his lack of game time, he must be wondering why he came.
As for the subs, Phillips added a different dimension but is it just me or has he lost a yard (or 3) of pace? He just looks a lot more laboured than in previous years. TBH, he hasn't looked completely sharp for a while.
Robinson was by far the best attacking performer which just about sum the performance up as he had about 15 minutes.
I'll reserve judgement on the defence as Harrogate didn't pose much threat. They still created a few too many chances for my liking.
The one positive was Button and that he was willing to command his area. Obviously early days, but it was quite refreshing to see our goalkeeper come for corners.
18-09-2020, 00:26
(This post was last modified: 18-09-2020, 09:34 by harrogatebaggie.)
After getting past Harrogate the baggies play in round 3 home v Brentford, round 4 has been drawn tonight and we have another home draw probably v Fulham. Seems a chance to be in the last 8, should we be looking
a/ to give a proper go at some silverware, by playing some of the first team,
b/ continue with the b team and see if we can get a bit further before risking some of the first teamers
c/ give some of the under 23’s a chance of making their debuts and probably Going out of the competition early and not risking fixture congestion.
I want ‘a’ . silverware is silverware, it will always be remembered whatever league or division you are in in the future.
Over to you.
a/ to give a proper go at some silverware, by playing some of the first team,
b/ continue with the b team and see if we can get a bit further before risking some of the first teamers
c/ give some of the under 23’s a chance of making their debuts and probably Going out of the competition early and not risking fixture congestion.
I want ‘a’ . silverware is silverware, it will always be remembered whatever league or division you are in in the future.
Over to you.
18-09-2020, 06:18
(This post was last modified: 18-09-2020, 06:18 by Blue Baggie.)
My greatest memory of our beloved baggies is winning the FA Cup. The club owe it to us fans to play the strongest side in an effort to win silverware. Shame on any club who treats silverware with disrespect. We should never adopt an attitude that chasing PL survival (money) is the be all and end all. The training ground is for fitness workouts. 5 a sides and friendly games.
2020 the year the bubble burst
21-09-2020, 14:52
My best guess for the Brentford game.
Button
Peltier - O'Shea - Kipre - Townsend
Phillips - Field - Harper - Grosicki
Edwards
HRK
Bond, Austin, Soule, Sawyers, Gallagher, Furlong, Bartley
I would play
Button
O'Shea - Ajayi - Ivanovic - Townsend
Field - Gallagher - Livermore
Pereira - Diangana
Robinson
Bond, Peltier, Bartley, Edwards, Sawyers, HRK, Phillips
Get the win and set the team out for games to come.
Button
Peltier - O'Shea - Kipre - Townsend
Phillips - Field - Harper - Grosicki
Edwards
HRK
Bond, Austin, Soule, Sawyers, Gallagher, Furlong, Bartley
I would play
Button
O'Shea - Ajayi - Ivanovic - Townsend
Field - Gallagher - Livermore
Pereira - Diangana
Robinson
Bond, Peltier, Bartley, Edwards, Sawyers, HRK, Phillips
Get the win and set the team out for games to come.
2020 the year the bubble burst
21-09-2020, 15:35
I think Gallagher has to play as he cannot play on Saturday and needs matches.
Button
Kipre Ivanovic Hegazi
Phillips Gallagher Field Harper Townsend
Edwards
HKR
Bond. Peltier O’Shea Livermore furlong Austin Grosicki
Not team I would play because winning breeds confidence.
Button
Kipre Ivanovic Hegazi
Phillips Gallagher Field Harper Townsend
Edwards
HKR
Bond. Peltier O’Shea Livermore furlong Austin Grosicki
Not team I would play because winning breeds confidence.
21-09-2020, 16:00
If Bilic is going to persist with 5 at the back in the league, I personally think he should be playing this formation in the cup too.
Continuity, players getting to know their roles, looking at how players operate in the role they would for the first team.
But I doubt he will do that. I think he will just give the 'reserves' a run out to protect the main players from injury. This will mean a more attack heavy line up as our squad is unbalanced in that way.
I suspect the team will be:
Button
Peltier
Kipre
Hegazi (Or O'Shea if Hegazi is "injured")
Townsend
Phillips
Harper
Field
Gallagher
Edwards
HRK
Possibly could see Austin/Grosicki in for Gallagher if Bilic decides not to risk him. If Grosicki, then Phillips in number 10 and if Austin, HRK dropped back to 10. I suspect which one he chooses determines who is most likely to be still at the club at the end of the window.
Continuity, players getting to know their roles, looking at how players operate in the role they would for the first team.
But I doubt he will do that. I think he will just give the 'reserves' a run out to protect the main players from injury. This will mean a more attack heavy line up as our squad is unbalanced in that way.
I suspect the team will be:
Button
Peltier
Kipre
Hegazi (Or O'Shea if Hegazi is "injured")
Townsend
Phillips
Harper
Field
Gallagher
Edwards
HRK
Possibly could see Austin/Grosicki in for Gallagher if Bilic decides not to risk him. If Grosicki, then Phillips in number 10 and if Austin, HRK dropped back to 10. I suspect which one he chooses determines who is most likely to be still at the club at the end of the window.
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