[Tibby Baggie]

A total inability to pass a ball more than 5 metres without giving it to the opposition.

At times they looked like a pub team and, that's flattering them.

If you guys who can get to the games are being served that rubbish every week, then you have my utmost sympathy.

There is a rumour doing the rounds that JP is still planning to sell the Club probably at the end of this season.
If so, he needs to take steps to protect his investment for, if we get relegated, the Club's worth is going to nose dive.

So Jeremy  a few words in TP's shell like is long overdue.

How much time is left on Pulis' contract and what compensation do we need to find to end his tenure right now?

Contracted until the end of next season I do believe. I'd struggle to put a figure on the compo he'd be due if we ended the contract now as I have no idea what wages he's on.

In other news it appears I still have the masochistic streak that most Albion fans inherit when choosing to support the club, as I'm very likely going to be buying a ticket for the Reading game. £10 so fair play for Reading for choosing that price. 

Unlike Posh who decided to be very greedy and not reciprocate our cheap £10 tickets for their away fans. You'd think for all of their successful transfer dealings that their chairman constantly boasts about; they could've lowered the prices like we did? Greed.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Quite simply, if we play like that against Reading then they'll demolish us.

It's no coincidence that our best moves of the game - including the one we equalised from - came when we kept the ball on the deck and moved it around, with the fullbacks pushing forward to give us width. The problem is that we're so poor at doing that for so much of the time, hoofing it aimlessly just seems like an easier option. We're not a long-ball team in the sense that Wimbledon of old were, or the likes of Bolton or Blackburn in the last decade, because being a long-ball team generally means that you're actually effective at playing (and scoring from) the long ball. We aren't at all, and never have been. We're a team whose Plan A is to get the ball up to the striker or wingers and hope they can create something from nothing with next to no midfield support; if we can't even get that far up the pitch, it goes back to the defence and we get another Olsson special into no man's land.

The worst thing is that we've seen glimpses of an Albion team better than this, and yet this keeps creeping back in, over and over again.

[Slick_Footwork]

Very poor performance.

I never expected Mozza, Brunt and Evans to be so badly missed, but without them, we really struggle to pass the ball. I'm not sure if that is testament to those players being exceptional, or their replacements being complete dross; but I'm suspecting the latter.

I absolutely detest watching Gardner and McClean. They are so far out of their depth as 'attacking midfielders' it's embarrassing. Surely a basic prerequisite for an attacking midfielder actually has to be able to control the ball, pass to team mates and occasionally try and put the forward through. Apparently not, 'putting a shift in' will do.

Our lack of width stands out like a sore thumb. We have 2 forwards playing together but we aren't able to play through the channels to get high enough up the pitch to supply them with anything other than a long hoof. Saido missed the header, which was terrible, but had little to work with in terms of balls actually provided by the midfield.

Why has Foster just walked back into the team? That's 2 goals in 2 games that he's cost us after coming into no mans land against Newcastle and making the finish easy for Mitrovic. I'd have been embarrassed letting that goal in that he conceded yesterday. In his comeback games against Bristol City he looked a bag of nerves. Although Myhill makes the occasional mistake, I'd have him over Foster any time based on his performances in the past year. At least he's calm and kicks the ball well, Foster seems to lose his head when the going gets tough.

TP has to take a large portion of the blame for selecting square pegs in round holes but the board are not without blame. It was obvious in January that we were geting stretched by injury and we've pulled in 2 loan singings (one of which has only played once at this level). How can we go into a Premier League season with only 1 recognised left back (Pocognoli) who is deemed 3rd choice behind midfielder and centre halfs? We've had 3 windows to address the fact that he wasn't deemed good enough and have done nothing.

The only positive was Saido played 120 minutes and IMO, was the only player who looked threatening going forward. Gamboa also did okay considering he's barely features and on the occasions he did get forward, actually tried to pick someone out rather than just boot the ball anywhere like most of the others.

I can't see us getting past Reading anyway, they're a bit of a bogey team and I don't think we can beat anyone on current form.

[drewks]

Maybe there IS a silver lining here.
With all the injuries to our so-called defence, TP will be forced to make changes; he won't have his first choices available so - I'm thinking and HOPING - he'll also realise that this makeshift defence can't hope to withstand pressure for vast swathes of the game .....
....and that a Plan B is needed.
This can only mean a game based more on possession (it could hardly be less) and more adventure (ditto) .

We ALL know that even our FIRST choice defence isn't good enough even when all are available, so surely a more adventurous line up is now inevitable? Kinda forcing TP's hand a tad?

(Not holding my breath, just living in hope)

Thoughts?

---

Very poor performance.

I never expected Mozza, Brunt and Evans to be so badly missed, but without them, we really struggle to pass the ball. I'm not sure if that is testament to those players being exceptional, or their replacements being complete dross; but I'm suspecting the latter.

I absolutely detest watching Gardner and McClean. They are so far out of their depth as 'attacking midfielders' it's embarrassing. Surely a basic prerequisite for an attacking midfielder actually has to be able to control the ball, pass to team mates and occasionally try and put the forward through. Apparently not, 'putting a shift in' will do.

Our lack of width stands out like a sore thumb. We have 2 forwards playing together but we aren't able to play through the channels to get high enough up the pitch to supply them with anything other than a long hoof. Saido missed the header, which was terrible, but had little to work with in terms of balls actually provided by the midfield.

Why has Foster just walked back into the team? That's 2 goals in 2 games that he's cost us after coming into no mans land against Newcastle and making the finish easy for Mitrovic. I'd have been embarrassed letting that goal in that he conceded yesterday. In his comeback games against Bristol City he looked a bag of nerves. Although Myhill makes the occasional mistake, I'd have him over Foster any time based on his performances in the past year. At least he's calm and kicks the ball well, Foster seems to lose his head when the going gets tough.

TP has to take a large portion of the blame for selecting square pegs in round holes but the board are not without blame. It was obvious in January that we were geting stretched by injury and we've pulled in 2 loan singings (one of which has only played once at this level). How can we go into a Premier League season with only 1 recognised left back (Pocognoli) who is deemed 3rd choice behind midfielder and centre halfs? We've had 3 windows to address the fact that he wasn't deemed good enough and have done nothing.

The only positive was Saido played 120 minutes and IMO, was the only player who looked threatening going forward. Gamboa also did okay considering he's barely features and on the occasions he did get forward, actually tried to pick someone out rather than just boot the ball anywhere like most of the others.

I can't see us getting past Reading anyway, they're a bit of a bogey team and I don't think we can beat anyone on current form.

Great post Slick
The bit about our midfield - I'd also add Yacob to them........but would also say that IMO ONE workhorse in a team is ok



, but when your most creative midfielder by a mile is Fletcher, then you're definitely in trouble.

No suprise that we looked a sight better when Sess came on!

This is no criticism of the players, its the person who picks them all together who's to

 blame. 




(no idea what's happened to the text here?!!)

[Beefy 1965]

Very poor performance.

I never expected Mozza, Brunt and Evans to be so badly missed, but without them, we really struggle to pass the ball. I'm not sure if that is testament to those players being exceptional, or their replacements being complete dross; but I'm suspecting the latter.

I absolutely detest watching Gardner and McClean. They are so far out of their depth as 'attacking midfielders' it's embarrassing. Surely a basic prerequisite for an attacking midfielder actually has to be able to control the ball, pass to team mates and occasionally try and put the forward through. Apparently not, 'putting a shift in' will do.

Our lack of width stands out like a sore thumb. We have 2 forwards playing together but we aren't able to play through the channels to get high enough up the pitch to supply them with anything other than a long hoof. Saido missed the header, which was terrible, but had little to work with in terms of balls actually provided by the midfield.

Why has Foster just walked back into the team? That's 2 goals in 2 games that he's cost us after coming into no mans land against Newcastle and making the finish easy for Mitrovic. I'd have been embarrassed letting that goal in that he conceded yesterday. In his comeback games against Bristol City he looked a bag of nerves. Although Myhill makes the occasional mistake, I'd have him over Foster any time based on his performances in the past year. At least he's calm and kicks the ball well, Foster seems to lose his head when the going gets tough.

TP has to take a large portion of the blame for selecting square pegs in round holes but the board are not without blame. It was obvious in January that we were geting stretched by injury and we've pulled in 2 loan singings (one of which has only played once at this level). How can we go into a Premier League season with only 1 recognised left back (Pocognoli) who is deemed 3rd choice behind midfielder and centre halfs? We've had 3 windows to address the fact that he wasn't deemed good enough and have done nothing.

The only positive was Saido played 120 minutes and IMO, was the only player who looked threatening going forward. Gamboa also did okay considering he's barely features and on the occasions he did get forward, actually tried to pick someone out rather than just boot the ball anywhere like most of the others.

I can't see us getting past Reading anyway, they're a bit of a bogey team and I don't think we can beat anyone on current form.

So you're blaming Foster for a goal that he made easy V Newcastle yet made 4 or 5 outstanding saves and helped keep the score below a cricket score and got us through to the next round off the FA cup by saving 2 Penalties and conceded from a deflected shot ??? 
MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  

---

Morning All,
                Shall we try a put a little perspective on where last night really sat?
We started the game with a back 3, 2 wingbacks, 1 holding MF, 2 creative MF and 2 Strikers. 5,3,2 formation.
Realistically, this was 2 of 3 centre backs who only just passed as being fit, the third a £8 mill buy yet to prove himself, 1 wing back who is a winger whos temperament and defensive ability is questionable at best, but is willing if not too skilful but works hard, 2 "creative" MF who cannot pick their noses without guidance let alone pick a defence splitting pass, or even pick out their own team mates, and 2 strikers, 1 who is out of sorts and out of shape, and another whos confidence is lower than a snakes belly.
Take into account the oposition are mainly talented youngsters in a position where they are not expected to win, but believe they can cause an upset, especially as we go to them off a game where we never troubled the oppositions keeper in 90 minutes, so they are right up for it.
Then after a torrid 30-35 minutes when we were lucky to remain nil - nil and were definately second best, we lose our most consistent CB,G Mac, and we could almost begin to see the writing on the wall. Posh were rampant, and could see we had no attacking threat, so knew they could keep attacking without much danger to themselves, and eventually the goals had to come.
Actually, the loss of G Mac so early was probably the saving of us, as TP had to introduce someone from the bench, and his lucky dip was Sess, who in my opinion, was exactly what we needed, as it gave Posh someone to deal with in defence, and someone who could bring our other attacking minded people into play. McLean started to play as a winger, Chester had , IMO, his best game so far for us, and actually looked as if, given chance, he could make  a half decent CB, not RB.
Rondon did nothing except take up valuable space at the back post, SB should have finished the game in normal time, and Foster was redeemed for missing their goal by performing wonders on the pens.
After a period of 2 games a week pretty much since Christmas, too many important players missing through injury, too small a quality squad, and the fact that the other strugglers around us have spent a bit and are now picking up points means we have a harrowing few weeks ahead, but at least we are still in the FA Cup, with a trip to another lower league side , Reading, who have a bit of a hoodoo sign over us at their place, so lots more for the less optomistic to give vent over.
Life can be so boring.
I do not support the way TP sets his sides up, but can see we only have a limited pool of skill to choose from, and this is getting less each week, we have some difficult games coming up, but I believe we will get through this, survive relegation quite easily in the end, but then need to sit down and decide where we go next season. TP will have fulfilled his mission of keeping us up until the big money kicks in, and then we might see a full change in Squad and style (or so we can hope).
Cheers,
            Kookiebags

Poco actually replaced G Mac , Sess didn't come on until the second half  

[Mosestheballwinner]

If Rondon had gone off for a shite during the game do you think anyone would've noticed?

[Tibby Baggie]

If Rondon had gone off for a shite during the game do you think anyone would've noticed?

The cleaner would have. The form he's in he probably can't even find the pan when having a shit!

[Slick_Footwork]

So you're blaming Foster for a goal that he made easy V Newcastle yet made 4 or 5 outstanding saves and helped keep the score below a cricket score and got us through to the next round off the FA cup by saving 2 Penalties and conceded from a deflected shot ??? 
MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  

I am blaming Foster for the Newcastle goal, McAuley would've caught Mitrovic before he got into the 18 yard box and it'd had to be a good shot to beat the keeper from 20 yards out if Foster had stayed on his line. However, when he came into no mans land, anything on target from Mitrovic was a goal.

He also made another mistake in that game when Tiote had a shot straight at him that he dived out the way of. There was an offside player who was in his line of vision so the goal was rightly ruled out & it's all forgotten, but he should've threw his cap on it regardless.

Likewise, he should've thrown his cap on the shot for the goal yesterday; the deflection took all the pace of it. He also made a meal of some really easy shots yesterday.

Yes, he made some good saves against Newcastle but I expect a keeper to be able to do the basics first and he made 2 fatal mistakes that both went in the net

Myhill made 1-2 mistakes all season and Foster has already eclipsed that. Have no idea why he's suddenly come back in - it's just one of many perplexing decisions Pulis has made recently which have contributed to our terrible form.

[Beefy 1965]

Don't agree so its all about opinions
But without Foster we would have lost by 4 or 5 on Saturday,
You also seem to forget Myhill has made more than a few mistakes this season twice with balls just hoofed Forward the latest being Deli ali's goal for spurs when he decided not to come for it and just stood on the edge of his box and using your words just stood in no man's land
More recently if it wasn't for his mix up with Poco against Peterborough in the first game a replay that Foster got us through wouldn't have been even needed
Mind you i see Fosters kicking hasn't improved !!

[wba1978]

If Rondon had gone off for a shite during the game do you think anyone would've noticed?

The cleaner would have. The form he's in he probably can't even find the pan when having a shit!

Classic!!