Striker confident Albion won't have a Christmas crisis (From The Argus)

you get the sense that the players fancy themselves to bag a play-off spot this season and I reckon it's worth a few pennies at the bookies

I listened to this (radio) interview on the BBC website. CMS sounded really positive about the the team and his own ambitions to get more goals this season. I don't think any of the fixtures over the Xmas period are 'bankers' and think if we can accumulate 7-10 points then it can be seen as a success.
Really looking forward to the next couple home games, it's a shame Orlandi is injured at the moment, I'm wondering who Gus will put in his place against forest. Will Dobbs be given another chance or will Dicker get a call up? I also hope Hoskins keeps his place in the starting line up and then see Lua Lua coming on for the last half an hour. UTA!

He's off to Norwich ...mark my words

Albion fan in London wrote:
He's off to Norwich ...mark my words

Who's coming in then?

Bob! wrote:

Albion fan in London wrote:
He's off to Norwich ...mark my words

Who's coming in then?

Same as always. Michael Owen and Zamora of course!

The next 4 matches coming up to and over the Christmas period look exciting, 4 points from the next 2 games should see us sneaking into the play-off places, while 3 strait home wins should see us firmly established in them come January whatever happens at Blackpool. Not easy but doable and what a Christmas present. Defiantly some good football to be watched .

Good to hear positivity from the players
.If they play the way they have & finnish in front of goal theyve as much chance as the rest of the top few.

Blackburn Sorry

Albion fan in London wrote:
He's off to Norwich ...mark my words

Who is? CMS/GP/TB?

We will pass Norwich going in the other direction, if not this year, then next!

Albion fan in London wrote:
He's off to Norwich ...mark my words

Who is? CMS/GP/TB?

We will pass Norwich going in the other direction, if not this year, then next!

Albion fan in London wrote:
He's off to Norwich ...mark my words

Who is? CMS/GP/TB?

We will pass Norwich going in the other direction, if not this year, then next!

championshipgull wrote:
The next 4 matches coming up to and over the Christmas period look exciting, 4 points from the next 2 games should see us sneaking into the play-off places, while 3 strait home wins should see us firmly established in them come January whatever happens at Blackpool. Not easy but doable and what a Christmas present. Defiantly some good football to be watched .

Yep, you're right champ, 4 points from the next 2 games will see us ok.

I think we are due a 2 or 3 games winning streak, hopefully we can get a decent run in before Christmas, if not then at some point after will be ok.

Does anyone use this link to visually compare our form to other teams?

http://www.bbc.co.uk
/sport/football/cham
pionship/table

I am going to give this idea one more go... in recent months I shouted the virtues of Connor Wickham at Sunderland - and then Stephen Fletcher got injured. Having wasted the season on the bench with just 2 minutes pitch time he was propulsed into the 1st team, making an immediate impression on O'Neill... only to be replaced the very next game by Fletcher. Check the guy out which ever way you can. He meets every criteria set by GP - height, weight, overall technique, already spotted by the national selectors... and yet he cannot get a game at Sunderland. Get in there GP, go for it... he is the answer to all your questions (he cost £8m from Ipswich!) and he must be desperate for 1st team action to prolong his quest for international football. Simples!!!

BBC reporting Gus plans to bring back JFC in January.

Hovite wrote:

championshipgull wrote:
The next 4 matches coming up to and over the Christmas period look exciting, 4 points from the next 2 games should see us sneaking into the play-off places, while 3 strait home wins should see us firmly established in them come January whatever happens at Blackpool. Not easy but doable and what a Christmas present. Defiantly some good football to be watched .

Yep, you're right champ, 4 points from the next 2 games will see us ok.

I think we are due a 2 or 3 games winning streak, hopefully we can get a decent run in before Christmas, if not then at some point after will be ok.

Does anyone use this link to visually compare our form to other teams?

http://www.bbc.co.uk

/sport/football/cham

pionship/table

I like Football 365 for stats.

http://stats.footbal
l365.co.uk/

northstand4 wrote:
I listened to this (radio) interview on the BBC website. CMS sounded really positive about the the team and his own ambitions to get more goals this season. I don't think any of the fixtures over the Xmas period are 'bankers' and think if we can accumulate 7-10 points then it can be seen as a success.
Really looking forward to the next couple home games, it's a shame Orlandi is injured at the moment, I'm wondering who Gus will put in his place against forest. Will Dobbs be given another chance or will Dicker get a call up? I also hope Hoskins keeps his place in the starting line up and then see Lua Lua coming on for the last half an hour. UTA!

Unfortunately Northstand4 Dicker has picked up an injury in training so can't be considered. It's the reason I believe that Harley was on the bench against Charlton. (see report entitled 'One back and one still out' on the Argus website).
Jonathan Mouette your idea of getting Wickham on loan I would have thought was worth considering unless Poyet/Burke and Co have a permanent signing lined up.
7 points or more over the next 4 games would be make for a good Xmas.

Ipswich did well Jonathan Mouette.

Taking Connor Wickham from trainee too an £8.1 million sale.

Cheers for the link championshipgull, it's a good visual.

I wil be surpised if anyone comes in in January unless it's a defence minded player. Just a personal opinion like. CMS is talking the talk we all wanna hear, let's see him do the walk.

To quote..... "Are you gonna bark all day little doggie? Or are you gonna bite?" (Can't remember the film. Resvoir dogs maybe?)
UTA!

ballantrrae wrote:

northstand4 wrote:
I listened to this (radio) interview on the BBC website. CMS sounded really positive about the the team and his own ambitions to get more goals this season. I don't think any of the fixtures over the Xmas period are 'bankers' and think if we can accumulate 7-10 points then it can be seen as a success.
Really looking forward to the next couple home games, it's a shame Orlandi is injured at the moment, I'm wondering who Gus will put in his place against forest. Will Dobbs be given another chance or will Dicker get a call up? I also hope Hoskins keeps his place in the starting line up and then see Lua Lua coming on for the last half an hour. UTA!

Unfortunately Northstand4 Dicker has picked up an injury in training so can't be considered. It's the reason I believe that Harley was on the bench against Charlton. (see report entitled 'One back and one still out' on the Argus website).
Jonathan Mouette your idea of getting Wickham on loan I would have thought was worth considering unless Poyet/Burke and Co have a permanent signing lined up.
7 points or more over the next 4 games would be make for a good Xmas.

I thought Harley was put on the bench to make him look as if he is in the team.

Transfer window purposes?

That's possibly the reason he why was warming up the bench instead of Toby.

Just a conspiracy theory and not a proven fact, he may have deserved his place.

I think it will be very difficult for the club to buy a striker come jaunuary, a loan deal looks much more likely.

CMS is right, we are stronger this year than last but just as last year, we are still weak in the airial department and that makes us both vunerable and less lethal.

Southampton, West Ham and Reading were in the Championship last season, they aren't now. On paper the league looks easier than last year but we are not doing any better in it. That is a concern and suggests to me the team is no stronger than last season.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
I am going to give this idea one more go... in recent months I shouted the virtues of Connor Wickham at Sunderland - and then Stephen Fletcher got injured. Having wasted the season on the bench with just 2 minutes pitch time he was propulsed into the 1st team, making an immediate impression on O'Neill... only to be replaced the very next game by Fletcher. Check the guy out which ever way you can. He meets every criteria set by GP - height, weight, overall technique, already spotted by the national selectors... and yet he cannot get a game at Sunderland. Get in there GP, go for it... he is the answer to all your questions (he cost £8m from Ipswich!) and he must be desperate for 1st team action to prolong his quest for international football. Simples!!!

Just to back up your theory on this guys availability. I believe that Sunderland are pursuing Guidetti from Manchester City.

sussexram40 wrote:
Southampton, West Ham and Reading were in the Championship last season, they aren't now. On paper the league looks easier than last year but we are not doing any better in it. That is a concern and suggests to me the team is no stronger than last season.

I have to think that you only posted this comment to get a response, this has to be a wind up.

VegasSeagull wrote:

sussexram40 wrote:
Southampton, West Ham and Reading were in the Championship last season, they aren't now. On paper the league looks easier than last year but we are not doing any better in it. That is a concern and suggests to me the team is no stronger than last season.

I have to think that you only posted this comment to get a response, this has to be a wind up.

Im with you Vegas,i think this season is far harder than last,and with so many potential big spenders in January,the gap between the top 6 and the following pack will start to open up.
Apologies if i have misinterpreted your meaning. UTA

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
I am going to give this idea one more go... in recent months I shouted the virtues of Connor Wickham at Sunderland - and then Stephen Fletcher got injured. Having wasted the season on the bench with just 2 minutes pitch time he was propulsed into the 1st team, making an immediate impression on O'Neill... only to be replaced the very next game by Fletcher. Check the guy out which ever way you can. He meets every criteria set by GP - height, weight, overall technique, already spotted by the national selectors... and yet he cannot get a game at Sunderland. Get in there GP, go for it... he is the answer to all your questions (he cost £8m from Ipswich!) and he must be desperate for 1st team action to prolong his quest for international football. Simples!!!

Well, that was a short self-imposed exile! But welcome back to the brotherhood, nevertheless...
Not a bad call regarding Connor Wickham, I wonder what he'd cost today?

If come january we are in the play-offs it would be my hope that Gus secures the services of maybe four existing prem players. I would also hope that they would come to us on a, 'loan then purchase deal,' should we make it to the top flight.

I can't see the use in buying a striker in the 3 to 4 million range when if we go up we will need strikers of better ability. I would say the same about a midfield play maker or two.

We could spend a whole lot of money during january and not make it all the way up. I suppose what I am trying to say is, if we are buying to get promoted then lets buy players that will play if we get there. If we are buying for a run next year, we don't need to rush in, we can study the market a little longer.

I wonder if Progrebnyak from Reading would be worth a question too. He is currently not getting much game time and would certainly do a job for us until the season closes.

VegasSeagull wrote:
If come january we are in the play-offs it would be my hope that Gus secures the services of maybe four existing prem players. I would also hope that they would come to us on a, 'loan then purchase deal,' should we make it to the top flight.

I can't see the use in buying a striker in the 3 to 4 million range when if we go up we will need strikers of better ability. I would say the same about a midfield play maker or two.

We could spend a whole lot of money during january and not make it all the way up. I suppose what I am trying to say is, if we are buying to get promoted then lets buy players that will play if we get there. If we are buying for a run next year, we don't need to rush in, we can study the market a little longer.

C`mon Vegas make your mind up mate,thats very non committal,do you think the powers to be are going to go for it!. Surely we have studied the market for quite some time now.
I appreciate that December is going to make a difference one way or the other,but are we going to procrastinate until its too late. UTA

SMF20 wrote:
I wonder if Progrebnyak from Reading would be worth a question too. He is currently not getting much game time and would certainly do a job for us until the season closes.

I hope SMF20, not I've only just learned how to spell Kuszczak ;o)

I mean I hope not

What about Andrey Ashavin. He's no good at Arsenal and rarely gets a game.

sussexdonkey40

VegasSeagull wrote:
If come january we are in the play-offs it would be my hope that Gus secures the services of maybe four existing prem players. I would also hope that they would come to us on a, 'loan then purchase deal,' should we make it to the top flight.

I can't see the use in buying a striker in the 3 to 4 million range when if we go up we will need strikers of better ability. I would say the same about a midfield play maker or two.

We could spend a whole lot of money during january and not make it all the way up. I suppose what I am trying to say is, if we are buying to get promoted then lets buy players that will play if we get there. If we are buying for a run next year, we don't need to rush in, we can study the market a little longer.

January can be a very 'dodgy' time for buying and selling,and some managers don't seem to like doing business during the window. Although Gus would certainly take promotion, I'm not convinced he's particularly optimistic it can happen this season and unless one of his very top targets became available and was within budget, I believe any incomings will be loan deals, followed by a revaluation of the situation at the seasons end.Certainly I'd like to see one or two in that can add to the quality and freshen things up a bit. No doubt every manager and fan in the championship is thinking along similar lines.
With regard to what Sussexram40 says above about the division being easier this season, that's something that's been said just about every year I've been watching the game. What may be slightly different this year is the amount of teams with a realistic shout at making the playoffs, although some will probably fall away as the serious end of the season really swings into action. I expect the Albion to remain firmly in the picture. UTA

I think all championship clubs with any realistic chance of promotion will be pulling out all the stops to get up this year especially as the T.V. revenue which was already substantial increases by 70% and comes into force from the start of next season. SEAGULLS

Get to the play-off finals and lose. The extra revenue will be invaluable for a meaningful push for the top two next season. I don't feel that we are adequately equiped for the PL at present. On the other hand if we do get promoted this season I will happily take it. Then I will subscribe to Sky Sports.

tug509 wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote: If come january we are in the play-offs it would be my hope that Gus secures the services of maybe four existing prem players. I would also hope that they would come to us on a, 'loan then purchase deal,' should we make it to the top flight. I can't see the use in buying a striker in the 3 to 4 million range when if we go up we will need strikers of better ability. I would say the same about a midfield play maker or two. We could spend a whole lot of money during january and not make it all the way up. I suppose what I am trying to say is, if we are buying to get promoted then lets buy players that will play if we get there. If we are buying for a run next year, we don't need to rush in, we can study the market a little longer.

C`mon Vegas make your mind up mate,thats very non committal,do you think the powers to be are going to go for it!. Surely we have studied the market for quite some time now. I appreciate that December is going to make a difference one way or the other,but are we going to procrastinate until its too late. UTA

Yes non-committal sounds about right, sorry about that.

My main issue is that if we go up our squad is not good enough to keep us there, ergo players must come in.
If we buy big, big as in high prices, to get promotion then one would assume that those coming in would be good enough to play prem.

If we do loan deals to get promoted we still have to buy once we are up.
Do we want promotion this year, of course we do, do we have the finances for promotion, I doubt it so what we do spend must be spent wisely.

In a previous exchange of postings with Hovite he commented that he thought that our squad is good enough to reach the play-offs, and they may be true. I didn't ask him if he thought our squad was good enough to keep us up, but I suspect he would say no.

The market changes depending on when you buy, what others do and, where you are in the table when you go shopping. There might be players that would come to us if we are looking good for promotion but wouldn't if we are out of the top six. Others might only come if we get promoted, hence we could study the market more depending on our position because it would be different.

Are the powers that be going for it, kind of, maybe, perhaps. If they do, 'go for it,' I think they will do so in such a way as to not burden us with massive wage bills should we not get there, hence loan deals with a view to buy. If we go up it won't be too late. If we act too quickly we could end up with a financial headache.

I don't think this posting is non-committal but it certainly shows the cautious side to my thinking.

VegasSeagull wrote:

tug509 wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote: If come january we are in the play-offs it would be my hope that Gus secures the services of maybe four existing prem players. I would also hope that they would come to us on a, 'loan then purchase deal,' should we make it to the top flight. I can't see the use in buying a striker in the 3 to 4 million range when if we go up we will need strikers of better ability. I would say the same about a midfield play maker or two. We could spend a whole lot of money during january and not make it all the way up. I suppose what I am trying to say is, if we are buying to get promoted then lets buy players that will play if we get there. If we are buying for a run next year, we don't need to rush in, we can study the market a little longer.

C`mon Vegas make your mind up mate,thats very non committal,do you think the powers to be are going to go for it!. Surely we have studied the market for quite some time now. I appreciate that December is going to make a difference one way or the other,but are we going to procrastinate until its too late. UTA

Yes non-committal sounds about right, sorry about that. My main issue is that if we go up our squad is not good enough to keep us there, ergo players must come in. If we buy big, big as in high prices, to get promotion then one would assume that those coming in would be good enough to play prem. If we do loan deals to get promoted we still have to buy once we are up. Do we want promotion this year, of course we do, do we have the finances for promotion, I doubt it so what we do spend must be spent wisely. In a previous exchange of postings with Hovite he commented that he thought that our squad is good enough to reach the play-offs, and they may be true. I didn't ask him if he thought our squad was good enough to keep us up, but I suspect he would say no. The market changes depending on when you buy, what others do and, where you are in the table when you go shopping. There might be players that would come to us if we are looking good for promotion but wouldn't if we are out of the top six. Others might only come if we get promoted, hence we could study the market more depending on our position because it would be different. Are the powers that be going for it, kind of, maybe, perhaps. If they do, 'go for it,' I think they will do so in such a way as to not burden us with massive wage bills should we not get there, hence loan deals with a view to buy. If we go up it won't be too late. If we act too quickly we could end up with a financial headache. I don't think this posting is non-committal but it certainly shows the cautious side to my thinking.

What a fine posting.

VegasSeagull wrote:

tug509 wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote: If come january we are in the play-offs it would be my hope that Gus secures the services of maybe four existing prem players. I would also hope that they would come to us on a, 'loan then purchase deal,' should we make it to the top flight. I can't see the use in buying a striker in the 3 to 4 million range when if we go up we will need strikers of better ability. I would say the same about a midfield play maker or two. We could spend a whole lot of money during january and not make it all the way up. I suppose what I am trying to say is, if we are buying to get promoted then lets buy players that will play if we get there. If we are buying for a run next year, we don't need to rush in, we can study the market a little longer.

C`mon Vegas make your mind up mate,thats very non committal,do you think the powers to be are going to go for it!. Surely we have studied the market for quite some time now. I appreciate that December is going to make a difference one way or the other,but are we going to procrastinate until its too late. UTA

Yes non-committal sounds about right, sorry about that.

My main issue is that if we go up our squad is not good enough to keep us there, ergo players must come in.
If we buy big, big as in high prices, to get promotion then one would assume that those coming in would be good enough to play prem.

If we do loan deals to get promoted we still have to buy once we are up.
Do we want promotion this year, of course we do, do we have the finances for promotion, I doubt it so what we do spend must be spent wisely.

In a previous exchange of postings with Hovite he commented that he thought that our squad is good enough to reach the play-offs, and they may be true. I didn't ask him if he thought our squad was good enough to keep us up, but I suspect he would say no.

The market changes depending on when you buy, what others do and, where you are in the table when you go shopping. There might be players that would come to us if we are looking good for promotion but wouldn't if we are out of the top six. Others might only come if we get promoted, hence we could study the market more depending on our position because it would be different.

Are the powers that be going for it, kind of, maybe, perhaps. If they do, 'go for it,' I think they will do so in such a way as to not burden us with massive wage bills should we not get there, hence loan deals with a view to buy. If we go up it won't be too late. If we act too quickly we could end up with a financial headache.

I don't think this posting is non-committal but it certainly shows the cautious side to my thinking.

To be fair to you Vegas,my question should have been rhetorical,as to finding an answer is nigh impossible,but you have put it better than i could.

All of us on here,do not have the inside of GP or TB heads to read. I think when you get to the half way point of a season,your decisions must change game by game,as above ,a good run opens up more options. Everything you say about signings,you dont need me to agree that you are spot on.

I wont go over old ground about,what we could or couldn`t,its pointless. However Golddene makes a good point about TV revenue next year,i wasn`t aware the increase was so large. An increase this big may be big enough for a,man who takes calculated risks daily,to up the anti.

So now im in the position that i unfairly put you!. I hope the lads on here that think GP and TB have been eyeing up certain target players are correct,and have been waiting to see if come early January we are in the position (Top 8) to make a serious attempt at promotion. This month will be the decider,a repeat of last Dec and its Championship for sure,8-10 or dare i say 12 points and we must have a good chance.

Players are fickle,but there are certain criteria they look for. We have an Amazing ground,fantastic fans in abundance,beautiful city to live,money is the only uncertainty. As Golddene (hopefully correctly-no offense points out) going up would erase that difficulty. All the best Vegas . UTA

The increase in TV revenues will help all clubs next year but it also helps player's agents to up their demands.

We will have a budget plan for every scenario and I am sure TB knows when to raise the stakes and to even go all in.

Promotion is always going to be tough for any team no matter how much money is spent. QPR is a good example of this.

However, Swansea went up with a good footballing philosophy without overspending because it’s more about the team than one stand out player, and they all understood the style football that was being played.

A real test and sign of a great manager is to get a group of goodish players to up their game, work together and peak at the same time.

To overspend isn't really a good test of the manager's ability and it doesn't assure success. Maybe TB needs Gus to prove himself with working within a realistic budget.

In any case are not going to get a Van Percie any time soon.

Hovite I can pretty much go along with your posting.

If we were to get promoted we would certainly have to deal with our lack of airial ability, that might come expensive, one at the back and one up front.

Different budgets for different circumstances, agreed.

Spending doesn't always mean success, agreed.

Getting the goodish players to up their game, agreed.

Where you and I may disagree is, I think if promoted we are some 8 to 10 players short of having a squad capable of prem survival in our first year, do we have a budget of my way of thinking, perhaps.

for my way of thinking, perhaps

Hovite wrote:
We will have a budget plan for every scenario and I am sure TB knows when to raise the stakes and to even go all in.

Promotion is always going to be tough for any team no matter how much money is spent. QPR is a good example of this.

However, Swansea went up with a good footballing philosophy without overspending because it’s more about the team than one stand out player, and they all understood the style football that was being played.

A real test and sign of a great manager is to get a group of goodish players to up their game, work together and peak at the same time.

To overspend isn't really a good test of the manager's ability and it doesn't assure success. Maybe TB needs Gus to prove himself with working within a realistic budget.

In any case are not going to get a Van Percie any time soon.

Impossible to disagree Hovite,the evidence is there for all to see,Swansea have played superb football ,and have earnt the right to be called a premiership club.
On the other hand ,what is happening at QPR is unfathomable,with the squad they have,they should be lower mid table at least,look at Wigan,great manager who has made a tough team to beat and plays quality football,and with the type of players you are talking about,we could do worse than follow in eithers footsteps.
To spend money you cant afford is a mistake,for a club to spend money they cant afford is suicide,....Im happy to not have that worry..All the best Hovite..UTA

A measure of the support in America for football and the draw of the FA Cup.
Here I sit some 6,000 miles away in North Las Vegas and I am about to watch Hastings play Harrogate live on TV.

I wouldn't disagree about being short of 6-8 players for the Prem Vegas.

Hopefully we may get a couple of them in Jan to help steer us to the playoffs. If we then got promoted I am sure TB will trust Gus enough to go all in.

Lots to look forward to over the next few weeks, the transfer window and the FA Cup against Newcastle on the 5th.

I think we will all have a better idea where we are after then.

And tug.............UTA

Hovite wrote:
I wouldn't disagree about being short of 6-8 players for the Prem Vegas.

Hopefully we may get a couple of them in Jan to help steer us to the playoffs. If we then got promoted I am sure TB will trust Gus enough to go all in.

Lots to look forward to over the next few weeks, the transfer window and the FA Cup against Newcastle on the 5th.

I think we will all have a better idea where we are after then.

And tug.............UTA

Ive got a deal going with a few WHU lads for the 5th. My local is run by two of them,the deal is a couple of them will wear an Albion shirt for the Newcastle game (Ive got about 30),and i will reciprocate for the following match against Man U. UTA

All in the true spirit of football, as it should be ;o)

Thanks Willie for writing 'Well, that was a short self-imposed exile! But welcome back to the brotherhood, nevertheless...'

Willie, I didn't know you cared. As I said, 'I'm going to give this one more go...' It is a pleasure to read a thread with no totally unnecessary insults, no trolling, just an exchange of often excellent ideas and honest(ish) opinions. You never know, I may even contribute again (yawn) if it stays like that. Fingers crossed not only for that but also for a season long loan for Connor Wickham.

We all want this JM. Good honest debate and friendly banter amongst genuine fans.

Your posts would be missed and other good posters who have left this site, are missed, but I hope to see them return one day soon.

gordongull to name but one.

Hovite wrote:
We all want this JM. Good honest debate and friendly banter amongst genuine fans.

Your posts would be missed and other good posters who have left this site, are missed, but I hope to see them return one day soon.

gordongull to name but one.

Well said Hovite.

United we stand, divided we fall mr punch. This site will only be as good as we make it ;o)

Whoever we are playing next,i try to read as much as possible on their site,and in all honesty they tend to be far worse than our site. We`ve got a good thing here,and i hope with all you lads that the nasty and negative elements dont win by pushing good honest supporters away. There are some very true fans who would be missed,even in my short time as a contributor to this site,i have seen a lot disappear i hope JM you are not the next,Hovite tends to give them both barrels ,and im learning fast,maybe you could adopt a similarly thick skin!. UTA