View From the Opposition - WBA fan

Oviedo37 · January 13, 2014

1) What are your opinions on Everton's season so far?
It's been great, totally over exceeded my expectations. We've had some fantastic results so far such as beating Man United and beating Chelsea, I'm loving this new brand of football we are playing.

2) What are your opinions on WBA's season so far?
I expected more to be fair. It was always going to be hard after last season of finishing 8th in the table and pushing for the Europa league. I do believe you will still finish 11/12th this season, Mel will do a good job.

3) Roberto Martinez seems to be doing the business. What have you made of his tenure at Goodison so far?

He's been a total breath of fresh air for the club. I was quite pessimistic when he joined the club, quite underwhelmed but he's surprised all of us Evertonians and I hope we can push for 4th this season.

4) WBA recently sacked Steve Clarke and appointed Pepe Mel. What are thoughts on Clarke's sacking and eventual replacement?

Personally I would of gave him another month or two, I think he's honestly a great manager but I do understand why your chairman made the sacking. I saw Real Betis at Goodison in pre-season and they played quick attacking football and I think he will do well for you.

5) Romelu Lukaku won many hearts at The Hawthorns. How has he performed for you?
He's been fantastic, he can always score a goal in a game. Sometimes he can be a bit lazy in a game and his hold-up play can be disappointing but lately he's been working on that and it's all much improved.

6) The transfer window is open, is there anywhere that strengthening?

We obviously need a Striker now that Jelavic is leaving for Hull, I also think it would be useful to get another central midfield player.

7) What side is RM likely to choose?
Howard, Coleman, Jags, Stones, Baines, Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar, Osman, Mirallas, Lukau

8) Who are the three clubs that will be relegated?

Fulham, Cardiff, West Ham

9) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I think we create lot's of chances and have a great squad balance at the moment, however, sometimes we lack in finishing teams off and being more ruthless.

10) Score predictions
2-1 to Everton.

mutley · January 13, 2014

good luck after Mondays game

nsno-chris · January 13, 2014

There you go

hudd101 · January 13, 2014

qlkql

njligernj · January 13, 2014

Everton.

What do WBA this weekend and score predictions have in common?

They're both pointless!

Bantz!

I'd feel fairly unhappy about a board only feeling confident enough about their manager hire to give him an 18 month contract and I'd feel fairly unhappy about a manager who was willing to sign an 18 month contract.

Robertor · January 13, 2014

There you go mate. Good luck for the game.

BoysInBlue · January 13, 2014

There you go mate, all the best.

WarwickHunt · January 13, 2014

Thank you.

allezlesbleus · January 13, 2014

Broke my heart and still see in my nightmares the split second when the lucky rebound fell perfectly for him!!! Grrrr! But they are good traditional club with passionate loyal fans so no nastiness from me regarding their current difficulties.

Bluerover · January 13, 2014

In the early days at the Hawthorns the gate men used to be escorted by the police with the takings - all coins back then- along the sideline to the office under the stand.

Fans used to shout "here come the bag men" which was then shortened to the "baggies".

Courtesy of Tony Matthews official WBA historian.

Bluerover · January 13, 2014

Fellow founder members of the Football League.

No sign of the Gooners, Citeh, The other Mancs, chelski, the RS, spuds etc etc back then.

barneygumble · January 13, 2014

1) What are your opinions on Everton's season so far?

It's been a great one. I don't think anyone expected this, and everyone seemed quite pessimistic about bringing in a recently relegated manager in, but we've done excellently, and shown we are know push overs as Liverpool, Spurs, United, Arsenal and Chelsea have discovered

2) What are your opinions on WBA's season so far?

I'd say it's possibly a little underwhelming, if not a bit more realistic. West Brom undoubtedly overachieved last season, whilst taking nothing away from the season, you've had rocky patches, but you're certainly not relegation fodder for me, and now it's about regrouping, picking up those valuable points, crossing the 'magic' 40 point marker, and letting your new manager get a pre-season under his belt.

3) Roberto Martinez seems to be doing the business. What have you made of his tenure at Goodison so far?

Amazing. He's instilled a belief into the players, and the fans. He's brought in some very exciting players, and after a tough time initially getting into the Bobby style of football, we've finally kicked on, and it's such a refreshing change to see us attacking teams, and wanting to win every match. Going behind, or being pegged back isn't all doom and gloom anymore, because we know we always have a rabbit to pull out of the hat.

His decision to play Barkley, for me, has shown that the replacement of Moyes was truly needed, and looking at United, it's no surprise to see them there. Martínez is doing a great job so far, and long may it continue.

4) WBA recently sacked Steve Clarke and appointed Pepe Mel. What are thoughts on Clarke's sacking and eventual replacement?

I thought it was harsh, but stats speak for themselves, and West Brom's record in 2013 was simply not good enough, but as we'll soon find out, losing a huge figure like Lukaku, is tough, and replacing him with Anichebe was like suicide.

Pepe Mel, well, this is why i thought Steve Clarke's sacking was harsh, it took so long to replace him, and the fella has a tradition of being sacked. His achievements are the equivalent of leading the current West Brom team out of League One, as that's how strong Rayo were when he was promoted with them, and Real Betis, was a mere formality, all he had to do was turn up.
Eventually the one flash out of the pan, last season has turned out to be a fluke, and naturally he was relieved of his duties, with Betis languishing at the bottom.

I'd slightly sceptical, for me Clarke is better.

5) Romelu Lukaku won many hearts at The Hawthorns. How has he performed for you?

He started off brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly, but i feel of late, he's started to tire a bit, and needs a good rest, sadly for us, we have no options on the bench to start, so until a new striker is signed, Lukaku will continue to become stale, however, he is the best striker we've had on our books for many a year.

6) The transfer window is open, is there anywhere that strengthening?

Upfront as i've just said, we're perilously lacking depth up top, and our only recognised strikers are Lukaku, and Vellios, and whilst i like the lad, he clearly has upset Martinez by refusing to go out on loan.
Midfield is sharp, but i'd like another centre mid just to give McCarthy and Barry a bit of support, especially as they both like to get yellows.

7) What side is RM likely to choose?

I'd say seeing as we'll have no Barkley, with the current squad

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
McCarthy Barry
Mirallas Osman Pienaar
Lukaku

However, if we sign someone else, then there's a chance they could start.

8) Who are the three clubs that will be relegated?

For me

Cardiff, Fulham and Crystal Palace

9) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

We're very hard to play against, we pass a lot, so teams need to be very fit, or else they will be in trouble, if you go 4-4-2 aswell, you'll struggle, as your midfield usually becomes overrun, by our passing.
We're excellent from free kicks lately too, and have excellent options from that.
Our Wing-Backs are the best in the league imo, and poses a deadly threat always.

Weaknesses? I guess, that we try to pass a little too much, and we often cut off the supply line to Lukaku, but i'm not complaining, but would like to see us get into the box a bit more.

10) Score predictions

I've always got to back Everton

So i'll say 2-0 Everton.

TyphooToffee · January 13, 2014

Best answer so far!

bainesontoast · January 13, 2014

1) What are your opinions on Everton's season so far?

A new manager, a new system yet we're one point outside of the Champions League places when the vast majority of "pundits" effectively suggested we were finished without Moyes. Lets just say my opinion on our season so far is positive.

2) What are your opinions on WBA's season so far?

You have won 4 games of football all season. Need I say more? When you've won less games than Fulham, Palace and Norwich then you really can't expect to be any better off than you currently are.

3) Roberto Martinez seems to be doing the business. What have you made of his tenure at Goodison so far?

I quite frankly refuse to downplay what he's done so far. He's implemented a dramatic shift in playing style within 5 months of competitive football in the "best league in the world." He's well and truly established his foundations already and, providing he receives support, we're in for a good future with him.

4) WBA recently sacked Steve Clarke and appointed Pepe Mel. What are thoughts on Clarke's sacking and eventual replacement?

I think your home defeat to Stoke on December 1st, 2012 was the beginning of the end for Clarke. He won 9 league games in 40 attempts after that. I'm sure it was him who said he was content with where West Brom after their good start to the 2012/13 season. I bet he regrets that lack of ambition now (but I suppose your board can be blamed too).

5) Romelu Lukaku won many hearts at The Hawthorns. How has he performed for you?

In all honesty, he can be very frustrating. Before he scored twice v Liverpool I wanted him to be subbed off...then boom. He is still very young, of course, but I completely understand why he's not starting for Chelsea based on what I've seen.

I'm hoping we can sign another striker this transfer window who can realistically challenge him for his starting position. I think he's the sort of player who needs someone breathing down his neck to make him really show his ability.

6) The transfer window is open, is there anywhere that strengthening?

I just answered this in the previous post, I think. We need a striker who can realistically challenge Lukaku. Another central midfielder wouldn't go a miss either.

7) What side is RM likely to choose?

As it stands I think we'll be unchanged from our last game. McGeady hasn't played competitively since 23rd November so I think we can rule him out for a start.

8) Who are the three clubs that will be relegated?

Fulham are the only side I am confident will be relegated. I think Sunderland will be fine. It could be a serious royal rumble between the rest as far as I'm concerned.

9) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The game against Arsenal highlighted just how good we can be at the passing/possession game. We're hard to break down at the back and we also don't know when we're beaten.

Our squad depth is a massive weakness. If our first XI isn't winning, we're painfully short on players that can turn a game around at the moment.

10) Score predictions

You've got a new manager and know how to take points off us but I think we'll turn up and send a message going into the derby. 3-1.

shaun · January 14, 2014

Liam, be interesting to see your answers to the questions based on your opinions and what you have seen of us so far this season???

View From the Opposition - WBA fan

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