[Slick_Footwork]

A lot of people are saying how bad we were against Villa in the league but to be honest,
it was a game of 2 halves. First half we didn't handle their long ball and they could've
been a goal or 2 up. As it happened, they were a goal up at half time.

Second half, we were the better side, got our goal back and had a couple more chances.
Villa looked to have completely ran out of ideas and never looked like scoring until
Foster lost his head.

I don't really see how Pulis could be responsible for this for loss.

Foster is usually pretty dependable but completely lost it. It wasn't even denying a
goalscoring opportunity - he pushed Chris Baird out of the way who would've cleared.

The cup game was a carbon copy in reverse. We were the better side in the first half
and missed a couple of real easy chances with Ideye and Lescott. Ideye's especially
was criminal and when you consider he's a £10m man - I think that sums up our
greater problem.

I think the Leicester game was definitely a killer and I have no problem with people
grumbling about Pulis' tactics for that game. But to blame him for the league loss at
Villa seems to be very much clutching IMO. Doesn't matter who you have in charge
when the keeper drops a clanger like that.

[talkSAFT]

You're quite right, Slick. I couldn't remember the content of the Villa games - only the fact that we lost both to a team who were as desperate THEN as we are NOW. I'd still question TP's player motivation for both games, though, especially as the players were buoyed up from their previous 1/2 doz games.

[Thomas1]

I remember Stan Jones really well. Rock solid centre half and occasional captain very strong in the air and tackle used to have some great tussles with Bobby Smith at Tottenham, Dennis Law and Jimmy Greaves et al. He played around 260 games for the baggies alongside Bobby Robson, Don Howe, John Kaye, Bobby Hope, Chippy Clarke and Jeff Astle. His type of defender was prevalent in that era typically like Jack Charlton and Maurice Norman and Bill Foulkes. He knew how to defend the lines and provide for more create players. I wish we had his like today but I guess he would get sent off every game!!! Happy days and played in a great Albion team!!!

Hi Folks,

Travelled up yesterday from the wilds of Suffolk with my Grandson. Enjoyed the occasion,emotion and atmosphere but oh dear the result. It must be embedded in Albion culture that we have to make things difficult,now in my sixties been the same all through the years,whenever we have had a golden opportunity we cock it up. Why oh why did we sit back and let them come at us, bad subtition to bring Olson on, it was crying out for invention, not sitting back. Time to let Olson go me been thinking that for a few seasons now backs off to much for me. Noticed in the group of ex players yesterday the name of Stan Jones played n the early days of Jeff at centre half if in doubt kick it out usually to row Z and that was just the player.

Back to Astle Day have to admit had a few tears as I was with my Grandson and I used to go with my Granddad. Explaining to Rian that I remember well Jeff's first home game 5-1 against the Wolves, Granddad saying to me we bought a good un ere referring to Jeff. Can we say that about our two forwards yesterday, think not, long way to go, not fit to tie Jeff,s boot laces, different times I know. We both left gutted and penny less in the club shop, but enjoyed the memories, hey that's Albion and always will be. Still think we will be okay and pick up points we never expected as I say it is engrained we do it the hard way.

[Thomas1]

Hi Folks,

Travelled up yesterday from the wilds of Suffolk with my Grandson. Enjoyed the occasion,emotion and atmosphere but oh dear the result. It must be embedded in Albion culture that we have to make things difficult,now in my sixties been the same all through the years,whenever we have had a golden opportunity we cock it up. Why oh why did we sit back and let them come at us, bad subtition to bring Olson on, it was crying out for invention, not sitting back. Time to let Olson go me been thinking that for a few seasons now backs off to much for me. Noticed in the group of ex players yesterday the name of Stan Jones played n the early days of Jeff at centre half if in doubt kick it out usually to row Z and that was just the player.

Back to Astle Day have to admit had a few tears as I was with my Grandson and I used to go with my Granddad. Explaining to Rian that I remember well Jeff's first home game 5-1 against the Wolves, Granddad saying to me we bought a good un ere referring to Jeff. Can we say that about our two forwards yesterday, think not, long way to go, not fit to tie Jeff,s boot laces, different times I know. We both left gutted and penny less in the club shop, but enjoyed the memories, hey that's Albion and always will be. Still think we will be okay and pick up points we never expected as I say it is engrained we do it the hard way.

[Thomas1]

I remember Stan Jones very well as a rock solid centre half, very powerful in the air and strong in the tackle. He was in the mould of jack Charlton at Leeds, Ron Yeates at Liverpool, Maurice Norman at Tottenham and had some tremendous tussles with Bobby Smith, Dennis Law, Wynn Davies, tony hateley, Ian St.John etc.

He knew how to defend first and give the ball to more creative players to effect results. That is what is lacking in my opinion nowadays, we have centre halfs who try and play out of trouble in tight situations. Outlets to wingers made the game look a little long ball but it was completely effective as an outlet to relieve pressure on the back 4 and create goal scoring opportunities for the centre forward. Great to watch and fast flowing rather than this boring 10 yard meaningless possession football.

Going back to Stan
He was an occasional captain at the Albion at virtually ever present between 1960 and 67 when he lost his place to John Talbut. That Albion side with Bobby Robson, Don Howe, Clive Clarke, Bobby Hope, John Kaye and indeed Jeff Astle (who had replaced Derek Kevan) was a great side to watch, pure entertainment. When I think back to the sixties we used to beat Liverpool 3-0, Chelsea and all the big sides and more importantly went out to beat them.