Well Bugger me I actually agree with RTE about Hodgson He was one of the better managers we've had since returning to the prem and i agree he adapted. Its just a shame he was stolen from our grasp so early as we will never know how far he could have took us. In many respects England is the perfect fit for him. They are the international equivalent to West Brom IMO They never really get far enough. I for one will be very interested to see how we cope with the euros's
Anyway back to Albion and where I disagree with RTE is I don't think Pulis is a one trick pony either. I believe at the start of this season he had his tactics still embedded in his Palace stint and that opening day at MAN C was a disaster we just don't have the pace that palace did. I also agree with RTE that we have a team of central defenders But I think Daws has adapted and become quite a decent RB tbh He's got a bit of pace and gets up that wing with some speed at times I really think he will develop into that role and be very good at it
I think our real Dilemma is left back cos Brunty aint the solution Chester and Evans are ok but its not there chosen position. That said Poco is the obvious LB but theres something about the way he goes about his job that gives me the Jitters and its his discipline.
We will never know if we actually tried to get a left back in the summer JP and TP are the ones that know that and if we did maybe its a case of nobody wanted to come that was going to seriously improve on what we had. We're not the first team on the list of places to come for the really skilful players are we?
Lets take a look at the forward line shall we again we are really not blessed with extreme talent here Rondon is new he didn't hit the ground running but he has pace and strength and can obviously score goals we need to keep this guy and hope next season he improves. Next Sulky Saido I'm sorry but this boy has been a massive part of the problem his antics cost us very dearly and I believe TP has handled this kid the best way any manager could have. Albion have brought this kid through the ranks and really looked after him and his family from what I read yet he has caused us most of our trouble this season. He has talent he's not particularly strong or able to hold the ball up so well but he sure can score its a crying shame he shat in our nest and wasted half a season.
Big Vic bless him I really wish he could score more often he's strong and can turn a defender but he's woefully lacking in goals and high on the sick list
Finally Lambert I really feel for this guy I thought he'd be good for us but it looks like he thought the Hawthorns was a retirement home whatever he may have had several years back has all deserted him now.
Back to managers Somebody mentioned Clarke, here's my thoughts on that. One great season and one more sulky striker incident Odem wingie and Somebody mentioned Lukaku. His 17 goals were the main reason for Clarke's success IMO but yet again he wants away and Clarke struggled and was sacked.
To sum up I don't think its all down to one person how we play there are many many factors involved not least player skills and ability even a bit of luck but a good manager will assess what he's got and adapt in order to get results I think TP does that and yes RTE I agree I don't think it will change that much next season unless we land some really talented quick agile players that can cope. I for one will be very interested to see what business we do in summer coz I think we have a lot of dead wood and some ageing players that will struggle Yet I will remain optimistic and I hope we continue to improve and yes I really do hope one day we will reach a point where it is glamorous to come to WBA and we have some silky football to watch. I live in hope but until then COYB whatever it takes :-)
Anyway back to Albion and where I disagree with RTE is I don't think Pulis is a one trick pony either. I believe at the start of this season he had his tactics still embedded in his Palace stint and that opening day at MAN C was a disaster we just don't have the pace that palace did. I also agree with RTE that we have a team of central defenders But I think Daws has adapted and become quite a decent RB tbh He's got a bit of pace and gets up that wing with some speed at times I really think he will develop into that role and be very good at it
I think our real Dilemma is left back cos Brunty aint the solution Chester and Evans are ok but its not there chosen position. That said Poco is the obvious LB but theres something about the way he goes about his job that gives me the Jitters and its his discipline.
We will never know if we actually tried to get a left back in the summer JP and TP are the ones that know that and if we did maybe its a case of nobody wanted to come that was going to seriously improve on what we had. We're not the first team on the list of places to come for the really skilful players are we?
Lets take a look at the forward line shall we again we are really not blessed with extreme talent here Rondon is new he didn't hit the ground running but he has pace and strength and can obviously score goals we need to keep this guy and hope next season he improves. Next Sulky Saido I'm sorry but this boy has been a massive part of the problem his antics cost us very dearly and I believe TP has handled this kid the best way any manager could have. Albion have brought this kid through the ranks and really looked after him and his family from what I read yet he has caused us most of our trouble this season. He has talent he's not particularly strong or able to hold the ball up so well but he sure can score its a crying shame he shat in our nest and wasted half a season.
Big Vic bless him I really wish he could score more often he's strong and can turn a defender but he's woefully lacking in goals and high on the sick list
Finally Lambert I really feel for this guy I thought he'd be good for us but it looks like he thought the Hawthorns was a retirement home whatever he may have had several years back has all deserted him now.
Back to managers Somebody mentioned Clarke, here's my thoughts on that. One great season and one more sulky striker incident Odem wingie and Somebody mentioned Lukaku. His 17 goals were the main reason for Clarke's success IMO but yet again he wants away and Clarke struggled and was sacked.
To sum up I don't think its all down to one person how we play there are many many factors involved not least player skills and ability even a bit of luck but a good manager will assess what he's got and adapt in order to get results I think TP does that and yes RTE I agree I don't think it will change that much next season unless we land some really talented quick agile players that can cope. I for one will be very interested to see what business we do in summer coz I think we have a lot of dead wood and some ageing players that will struggle Yet I will remain optimistic and I hope we continue to improve and yes I really do hope one day we will reach a point where it is glamorous to come to WBA and we have some silky football to watch. I live in hope but until then COYB whatever it takes :-)
(13-04-2016, 18:18)Zinman Wrote:Worry not Zinman Not upset at all I just wanted to point out my passion is as strong as anybody here but my predicament doesn't afford me to attend matches sadly. However I completely understand the frustration you must be feeling when you've paid good hard earned money and you're not seeing the quality of footy you deserve I'd be miffed as well. But as I've said I don't think this is entirely a Pulis issue I think its a much bigger catalogue of failings thats got us in the mire and tbh were lucky we've avoided relegation for several seasons lately. Thats why I think Pulis was brought in by JP after a number of very ill judged appointments at least with TP you know you've a good chance of staying up and I believe that's what JP realised and what was needed. After all we are safe well before the end of the season. Job done. Better times and better football will come as long as JP plays it safe and smart for now. Likewise think about your decision to attend next year cos at the end of the day its the supporters money that keeps the club financially secure if people who can afford to go stop then it will have a negative impact. :-)(13-04-2016, 02:42)valpayne Wrote:(12-04-2016, 12:43)Zinman Wrote: Because the standard of football and level of entertainment has been, with very few exceptions, dire. I accept that things could be a lot worse but I will no longer waste around £1,000 and many hours of my free time being bored out of my mind watching us set out to get a 0 - 0 draw at home to the likes of Villa. Instead I shall join the armchair fans and enjoy the fact that the only thing that matters to me will be the result.
This after 30 years of having a season ticket and watching us home and away during our 3rd division days. I can honestly say that I've never felt so disillusioned with our football as I do today.
I live in London. I'm on a low wage. I work shifts incl saturdays and sundays I can't even dream of getting a season ticket so excuse me if I have to watch from my armchair Zinman but thats the best it can get for me in my position so before you make sweeping statements about armchair fans. I've played football at league level so I think I know a bit more about it than quite a few of you on here. Our team yes OUR team have been progressing very nicely since 2001 IMO.
We got out the championship consistently at first time of asking (no mean feat as we all know) we've ditched the yo yo tag and we've established ourselves as a prem club for 8 seasons.
We don't have a money pit chairmen we don't pay high wages and we don't attract big names so you know what I'll take it anyway it comes right now and look towards another season in the prem and not be chewing that tea towel on final day feels good for me.
If you must insist on finding fault and point fingers then do some thinking and look at the history a bit more closely instead of banging on about Pulis all the time cos its a complete bore now.
Megson was not a prem manager and was found out very quickly He did however kick arse (good championship manager at best)
Bryan Robson kept us up but it was his legacy not skill and it turned to sh*t very quickly the season after.
Mowbray he had a go didn't he attack attack oh sh*t we just got thrashed again
Di Matteo championship manager promotion then a 6-0 thrashing by chelsea welcome back to the prem.
Pepe saved by the bell with a draw after draw bore fest.Does anyone remember all this??? 6-0 losses to teams like fulham ffs 5-0 liverpool 4-0 blue nose and you're all banging on about shots on target pretty football lol!
Irvine. Oh god help us I actually felt sorry for this guy He was and is a totally honest and very decent character but JHC what a dreadful appointment
Now lets have a look at this period.
Hodgson defensive minded manager but arguably despite his liverpool fiasco as manager this was the perfect appointment for us and what happened ladies and gentlemen (say it in an alan rickman voice RIP) I GIVE YOU THE FBA. Hodgson and Ashworth gone to England appointed by Football Bloody Association equaled kiss of death for albion.
If you're not happy now lets look at other factors. How about some players? Lets start with Odem wingey shall we. Absolute disgrace totally F****d us over then follow that with Sulky Saido> drink driving on his wages??? he could get a helicopter to a bar in australia FFS but he chooses to drink drive then he turns into billy big nob I'm too sexy for my team. Didn't Mozza have a word with this kid in the DR? Or was it a slap.Yes he did coz we need more like players like Mozza than these sulky brats who think they're too good to play for us.
So to sum up WBA has very little to offer big time managers or players and yet were still in the prem for 8 consecutive seasons whilst villa newcastle and most likely sunderland will join a host of other so called big clubs next season a division below us. So I'm not negative at all I'm looking forward to a future where we may just see entertaining football and win games regardless of who's in charge because quite simply we still have our toes in the big pond and that means we can yet learn to swim with the dolphins next year.
Oh and Zinman if you prefer to join me in my armchair next season and save yer money for a years subscription to the wine warehouse you're very welcome to join me :-)
I'm sorry if my comments upset you and I wasn't having a go at "arnchair fans" merely pointing out that prioorities are different if you are actually at matches rather than looking at results, but I stand by every word I wrote. The football under Pulis may well be effective but it's more boring than at any of my 40+ years watching Albion. So ,if he remains, I will simply choose to save my time and money
