The Hawthorns' our home,
The Hawthorns' our home.
We are the Albion,
The Hawthorns' our home.
December 2011 Review
Albion only picked up 2 wins over a very tough December. The month started with games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea. Albion thrashed Spurs 5-0 to humiliate Harry Redknapps side and briefly put them top of the table. The Baggies put up a good fight against Manchester United, however two late Park Ji-Sung goals were enough to see them off, despite Shane Long's double. A trip to Stamford Bridge then showed how well Albion can play on the road, despite not getting the points. Albion were unlucky as Drogba scored two goals against them either side of half time.
A home game against Blackburn Rovers put the Baggies back on track as they thrashed Rovers 3-0, courtesy of a Shane Long hat-trick. A Midlands derby then followed on Boxing Day. 2-2 was a fair result, Chris Brunt's free kick was the pick of the goals. Finally, on New Years Eve, Albion were very poor at Everton, despite coming from behind twice. Shane Long was sent off and Graham Dorrans stretchered off were followed by a late Leon Osman goal as Albion ended their brilliant year on a low. Long will serve a three match suspension, missing the FA Cup 3rd round draw against Liverpool and also a Carling Cup Semi-Final clash against the Reds.
Game of the Month
Graham Dorrans and Shane Long stepped up to show Spurs how it's done at the Hawthorns. Dorrans found Odemwingie in the box after 6 minutes to fire Albion into the lead. Spurs tried to respond instantly, Ben Foster and Loic Nestor performed well in the Albion defence to ensure they would hold the lead. After 18 minutes, Spurs were caught to high up the pitch, Shane Long accelerated past Michael Dawson to square it to Graham Dorrans who got the second goal for the Baggies. Ruben Yttergard Jenssen played in Shane Long in first time injury time to make it 3-0 to Albion before the break.
The second half wasn't as much a spectacle as the first and the game finally sparked back into life in the last 10 minutes. Graham Dorrans was bought down in the area for Shane Long to score from the spot. Dorrans and Long combined again in the 86th minute to make it 5-0 to the Baggies.
Barclays Premier League Table
After a very tough month for the club, Albion have dropped to 7th place in the league. Yet only 2 points seperate 8th placed Villa, and 3rd placed Chelsea. Arsenal's woeful campaign continues as they sit in 17th. Swansea, Wigan and Blackburn are already beginning to look like the sides to go down this season.
Player of the Month
Graham Dorrans
Shane Long may be scoring the goals, but Dorrans is creating them and the versatile midfielder has played well over December
The BBC understands that West Bromwich Albion have rejected offers from two of Italy's top clubs for two of their players. Albion manager, Cyrille Regis, told the BBC that Yousuff Mulumbu and Jonas Olsson have both been bided for by Italian Clubs. AC Milan are reported to have made an offer of £9.5m for Mulumbu, whilst Napoli are said to have had a £7.25m bid for Jonas Olsson rejected. Cyrille Regis said, "Yes, a few of our players have been attracted some attention, but none of them are for sale unless I say so."
Regis also reveiled Manchester United's plans to try and sign George Thorne, he continued, "That goes for Man United too, George has a big future at the club and he is not for sale under any circumstances. Jeremy Peace has had a word with David Gill to tell him that we will not accept any bids until a massive improvement is made. And when I say massive, I mean massive."
Mulumbu has been at the heart of Albion's success this season and a move to AC Milan may be too good for him to turn down
West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Brazilian right back, Romario, for a fee of £3.5m from Brazilian Club, Vitoria. The 18-year old right back comes into the Albion side who have recently lost Steven Reid for 3 months through injury. Romario spoke on West Bromwich Albion | WBAFC Scores, News, Transfers, Fixtures saying, "I am pleased to join such a big club. I always dream of playing in the Premier League and West Brom look to be on their way to European competition. I am very happy to work alongside Cyrille Regis." Romario has made 13 appearances for Brazil's U20 side, scoring one goal.
Romario joins the squad who have also lost Peter Odemwingie through the African Cup of Nations, this has also forced the Baggies to recall Chris Wood and Gonzalo Jara from their loan spells at Bristol City and Brighton.
Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be.
We're going to Wembley,
Que sera, sera.
January 2012 Review
West Bromwich Albion marched on to Wembley to play Arsenal in the 2012 Carling Cup Final and improved their league form, despite dropping out of the FA Cup at home against Swansea. Two league wins against Sunderland and top-of-the-table Liverpool got the month off to a good start. A Jerome Thomas hat-trick helped Albion to a 4-2 win against Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-final. A thrashing against QPR was followed by a humiliating defeat at the Brittania Stadium. Erick Torres' brace helped Albion overcome Liverpool in the second leg to face Arsenal in the final. Swansea forced a weakened Albion team out of the FA Cup, however Regis' men regained their form to beat struggling Arsenal after a late Graham Dorrans stunner.
Game of the Month
Albion held a 4-2 lead going to Anfield, and the Baggies' fans knew that their sides poor away record could let them down. It seemed that way after Emanuel Villa put Liverpool 1-0 up after 18 minutes. 10 minutes later, on-form striker, Erick Torres pulled Albion level. Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool back ahead before half time to cast doubts in the minds of all associated with the Midlands club, who seemed to be lacking composure at the back.
It was the Mexican striker who equalled the scores for Albion to make the West Brom fans believe that they could be on their way to Wembley. Finally, on the 75th minute, Chris Brunt's corner was headed in by Gabriel Tamas for his first goal of the season. Tamas sent the whole of West Bromwich into raptures as they booked their place at Wembley in February to face Arsenal.
Player of the Month
Erick Torres
The young Mexican scored 8 goals in as many games, half of them against Liverpool.
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool are leading the title race, with Spurs and Man Utd hot on their heels. Man City, West Brom and Chelsea are fighting it out for a Champions League place as Newcastle and Aston Villa's challenge cools down. Arsenal cannot pull away from the bottom 3 and found themselves in the red for a period of January.
January 2012 Transfer Window Review
West Bromwich Albion's only signing was Romario from Vitoria for £3.5m, the Brazilian made his debut against Swansea in the FA Cup. Man City have signed Glen Johnson for a staggering £22m and Dede for £17m. Antonio Valencia left Manchester United for Juventus for £6.75m. Finally, John Obi Mikel joined Sevilla for £7.5m and Moussa Dembele left Fulham for Lyon.
Come on you Baggies!
Come on you Baggies!
Come on you Baggies!
Come on you Baggies!
February 2012 Review
What a miserable, diabolical, poor, awful month for the Baggies. Four losses, one of which a loss in the Carling Cup final against a very poor and weakened Arsenal side. First of all, Man City thrashed Albion after the Baggies held a steady ship in the first half. Ruben Yttergard Jenssen received a hip injury in that game and will likely miss the remainder of the season, Then came two of the worst performances an Albion side has made under Regis. Having led 1-0 against Bolton, and 2-0 against Fulham, the Baggies complacency and lack of passion showed as they lost 2-1 and 3-2. Albion picked up a fine from the FA after 7 players were shown yellow cards against Fulham. Finally, the Carling Cup final was the only game the Baggies players seemed to try, Albion had the better of possession and the score didn't reflect the performance.
Game of the Month
Although West Brom lost the game they were the better team and were on the receiving end of some terrible refereeing. Abou Diaby put Arsenal 1-0 up but was cancelled out by Chris Brunt's powerful free kick. The fourth official stated there would be 2 minutes of injury time at the end of the first half, however the referee failed to blow his whistle as Arsenal bombarded the Albion box for two more minutes and Per Mertesacker headed into the net after 4 minutes of injury time! After half time Marouane Chamakh put Arsenal 3-1 up and the tie was dead and buried when Gervinho got Arsenal's 4th after 53 minutes as it seemed to be the start of a rout. However there was a glimmer of hope when Chris Brunt's corner was headed into his own net by Mertesacker, but Albion's constant pressure wasn't enough to beat an in-form Wojciech Szczesny, who picked up man of the match.
Barclays Premier League
West Brom's awful form sees them fall to 8th in the table as the European dream seems to be fading. Fulham and Newcastle's good form sees them rise above the Baggies. Liverpool lead the title race, followed closely by Spurs and Manchester United. Wolves' poor form has seen them drop into the bottom half, they play Albion next to start off March in a very important Black Country Derby, Arsenal have guaranteed a place in Europe next season, but haven't justified themselves as a Premier League team as they drop into the relegation zone.
Player of the Month
Brunt has kept up his form in a poor month. His stunning free kick against Arsenal being Albion's only hope this month.
After a shocking few months, following a brilliant start to the season, West Brom will face their fierce Black Country rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers in the start of march. Albion suffered their first home loss of the season to Bolton last month and Cyrille Regis is keen to put the Baggies back to winning ways against their old rivals. "We must beat Wolves. It's as simple as that really. European places look too far away now so we must concentrate on being the best we can be and give the fans something to smile about."
The Baggies lost at Molineux earlier in the season, but Regis has called upon his key players to perform. "Brunty, Long, Odemwingie, Olsson and Mulumbu all need to step it up a notch and find their form that was their when we beat Man City, Spurs and Liverpool. We haven't won a derby game yet so we must start here."
Regis had a spell as a Wolves player as his career began to end and one of his few appearances was against West Brom. "I love West Brom, I can't deny that. Wolves are a club that have welcomed me as one of their own so to be recognized as a good guy by them is nice. But on Sunday there will be no Mr. Nice Guy. We are going to show the fans a show they won't forget."
The Black Country's ours,
The Black Country's ours.
**** off to Staffordshire,
The Black Country's ours.
West Bromwich Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Derby Day Special
Preview With a lot riding on this game for West Bromwich Albion, Cyrille Regis will be desperate to avenge his sides 4-1 defeat at Molineux earlier this season. Wolves and West Brom have both experienced a dip in form that has seen the Black Country clubs slip down the table. West Brom are 4/1 favourites to win the match. West Brom will be without Ruben Yttergard Jensen through injury, whilst Wolves will have to cope without Roger Johnson and Nenad Milijas. The game is going to be massive for both clubs. Only one can win.
The Match
The revival of Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie helped West Brom to overcome their fierce rivals by 5 goals to 1, avenging their 4-1 defeat at Molineux earlier in the season and going one goal better. Albion took 5 minutes to take the lead. Odemwingie's shot was stopped by Hennesey but Shane Long was in the right place, at the right time to pounce upon the lose ball to fire West Brom 1-0 up. Moments later, Kevin Doyle thought he pulled one back for Wolves, however the assistant correctly flagged for offside as Doyle moved to soon. The rest of the first half was a typical derby match. Tackles flew in from left, right and centre. Stephen Hunt and German Re picked up yellow cards for Wolves. 2 additional minutes were added at the end of the half and Albion made them count. Peter Odemwingie picked the ball up after a slack pass from Christophe Berra to fire Albion 2-0 up before the break.
Odemwingie sends the fans into raptures before half time
West Brom came out in the second in the same manner they ended the first. Spurred on by a passionate manager and a wealth of pace, the Baggies won a corner on the 47th minute. Brunt's floated cross was flicked in by the head of Shane Long to settle the tie at 3-0. However, West Brom weren't finished there. Shane Long found Odemwingie in space to grab his brace to put the Baggies 4 up after 50 minutes. Chris Brunt's heroic performance on the right wing wasn't over yet and as he and Billy Jones combined, he managed to break past the Wolves backline and square the ball to Shane Long who picked up another hat trick. And after the 54th minute, West Brom were 5-0 up. Long and Mulumbu were taken off to a standing ovation to be replaced by teenagers, Erick Torres and George Thorne. After 73 minutes Brunt was replaced by Albion's modern day legend, Zoltan Gera to the fans delight. Gera could have made it 6-0 but Hennesey did well to push the Hungarians shot wide. Kevin Doyle got a late consolation goal for Wolves but even that couldn't ruin Albion's day.
The fans were delighted, the players were delighted and as for Cyrille Regis, a little smile was etched onto his face as he watched the Hawthorns 'Boing Boing'.
West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City have agreed a deal to keep Ben Foster at the Baggies. Foster has been on loan at Albion this season and has played every Premier League game for the club, despite his recent decline in form. Jeremy Peace stated that a fee of £4m was paid for the English shot-stopper. Ben Foster has spoke on Twitter about the news, stating his delight.
@benfoster Delighted to be a Baggie! Love the club boing boing
Cyrille Regis has labelled Foster as the best English goalkeeper after Joe Hart
Oh when the stripes,
Go marching in.
Oh when the stripes go marching in.
I wanna be in that number,
Oh when the stripes go marching in.
March 2012 Review
A great month for Albion started off with a massive win against Wolves, although two wins against Liverpool and Newcastle were definitely a possibility as Albion led against the Reds and took the lead twice against Newcastle, before a late Ameobi goal won the game for the Toon Army. Two wins against the new boys including a smashing of Norwich 5-1, Erick Torres getting 4 quality goals. Finally, an away win was well overdue for the Baggies and it was clinched in an amazing affair with Swansea City.
Game of the Month
Yes, a massive win over Norwich was a good game, but for Albion to win 1-0 away and to be so solid at the back has been hard to come by all season. A first half full of drama ended 0-0, with Chris Brunt running riot around the Swansea box but the Welsh defence was well up for the challenge. Ashley Williams snuffed out each wave of Albion attack, whilst Loic Nestor performed well at the back for the Baggies.
The second half began with Swansea pushing the Albion defence to their limits. Ben Foster made a string of top quality saves to reassure the West Brom fans that he will be a good signing for them. Chris Brunt and Graham Dorran's ran the show in Albions midfield and finally the Baggies found a gap in the Swans defence. Brunt fed through Shane Long who smashed in his 33rd league goal of the season. Swansea responded immidietly and kept Albion camped on the edge of their own area. But Ben Foster, Loic Nestor and Liam Ridgewell held their own to make a great defensive performance and see out West Broms 4th away win of the campaign.
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool are pulling away at the top and look to be on for their first Premier League title. Man City's form is laying siege on the top four with Chelsea looking vulnerable. A host of teams look to be after a Europa League place, Newcastle leading the race over West Brom, Fulham and Everton. Arsenal may have beat Manchester United in March, but fail to pull away from the bottom 3. Wigan and Blackburn look dead and buried.
Player of the Month
Shane Long
Long hit 7 goals in March, with atleast one in each game. Long also picked up Premier League player of the month, with Erick Torres picking up the Young players award.
There's only one JT,
There's only one JT,
There's only one JT.
JT!!
April 2012 Review
West Brom had a month to remember in the business end of the season. Despite a predictable away loss to Spurs, Albion regrouped to beat Wigan and Blackburn on their travels as well as putting Manchester United and Chelsea to the sword. The run of games suddenly put West Brom in a position to gain the 4th Champions League spot in the Barclays Premier League. West Brom were poor at Spurs and went 3 down before half time. The loss of Odemwingie and George Thorne through injury after the game looked to end Albion's chance of European football. However the Baggies came from behind at Wigan to win 2-1, Shane Long and Graham Dorrans with the important goals. A home game against Manchester United looked tough, but West Brom dominated throughout. Erick Torres' screamer and a Shane Long header gave West Brom a memorable win.
A contender for game of the season took place at Ewood Park. Blackburn went 1 up through Grant Hanley, soon after Keith Andrews was shown a straight red card for Albion against his former club. Shane Long got two goals after half time but Blackburn pulled it back to 2-2. Jerome Thomas scored on the 90th minute to win the game for the Baggies for a third straight win, And then Albion faced 4th placed Chelsea..
Game of the Month
Chelsea dropped out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich and looked to this game to make sure they were in the same competition next season. However, the Baggies' own European dream proved more passionate as they smashed 4 past Chelsea. It only took 8 minutes for Shane Long to nod in Jerome Thomas' cross. After 23 minutes Thomas got a goal of his own to put Albion 2-0 up before half time. Only 5 minutes after the break, JT (The good JT) got his second of the game to effectively end the tie. Chris Wood came on and set up Shane Long to get Albion's 4th and his 38th league goal of the season. Drogba came on and got a late consolation for Chelsea, but the damage was done. Albion moved, temporarily, up to 4th to replace Chelsea.
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool are within a point of their 19th title, but their goal difference puts them well in front. Manchester United and Spurs will compete for 2nd place. However the exciting part of the table is the race for 4th. Manchester City lead the way with a 3 point gap over West Brom and Chelsea with a game in hand. Albion will be happy enough with 5th. Arsenal finally found their form and won't go down this season. Blackburn and Wigan have been relegated with Bolton looking likely to join them, but Norwich and Wolves are outsiders of that happening to them.
Player of the Month
Jerome Thomas
3 very important goals from the left winger who has signed a new contract at the club this month.
Chelsea, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion will fight it out to get into a European competition next season. Chelsea currently sit in 4th on 64 points, Man City are on the same tally but have a poor goal difference in comparison. Outsiders, West Bromwich Albion still face a chance of getting into the Champions League via 4th place as they sit 3 points behind Chelsea and Man City, but have a superior goal difference. Newcastle have just missed out on a Europa League place after Fulham have reached the FA Cup final to play Man Utd. With Man Utd already qualified for the Champions League (along with Spurs and Liverpool), Fulham will qualify for the Europa League place, meaning 5th place is the only league spot for the Europa League. Below is the table and the teams remaining fixtures:
Chelsea - Liverpool H, Newcastle A
Manchester City - QPR A, Stoke H
West Bromwich Albion - Aston Villa A, Everton H
Chelsea have the hardest fixtures and will have to fight off Liverpool and Newcastle. Man City have the easier fixtures against Stoke and QPR (10th and 14th). West Brom face a crucial away game at rivals, Aston Villa and a potentially hard home game against Everton.
Cyrille Regis has hailed his West Brom team's performance this season and has stated he will be proud of whatever the outcome this season. "The lads have been amazing. If we finish 6th I will be immensely proud of the lads. 5th place and Europa League will be brilliant but we could come 4th and that will be the greatest achievement of my career." West Brom have finished 11th last season and have been fired up to 6th in the league with Shane Long bagging a Premier League record of 38 goals, with 2 games to go.
We hate Villa,
West Brom West Brom!
We hate Villa,
West Brom West Brom!
May 2012 Review
The Fight For Europe Special
Part 1
Remarkable, unforgettable, unpredictable and completely surprising are some of the words that could describe the events that took place on the 5th and 6th May 2012. On Saturday 5th May, Manchester City travelled to QPR. Rangers have been poor at home, but managed to pull off a historic win which could put Manchester City on the back foot for a European place. A Bobby Zamora hat trick consigned City to a 5-1 defeat in the most surprising result of the season. Chelsea then faced Liverpool at home. Dirk Kuyt's 28th minute goal made sure Liverpool would lift the Barclays Premier League title for the first time since its formation.
The 'Battle of Villa Park'. There is no other title for it. A passionate and truly memorable performance for West Brom gave them a 4-2 win in an unforgettable game. Chris Brunt's free kick put Albion 1-0 up after 5 minutes and on the 23rd minute Shane Long put the Baggies 2-0 up. Alan Hutton pulled a goal back for Villa, an unlikely scorer, but Graham Dorrans made sure Albion were 3-1 up before the break.
Jerome Thomas was fouled in the area, Shane Long converted the penalty as Albion went 4-1 up and the tie looked all over. Darren Bent's goal was too late for any effect on the score as Albion are favourites for a Champions League spot.
West Brom will now just have to beat Everton to get into the 2012/13 EUFA Champions League.
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want. He makes me down, To lie! In pastures green, He leadeth me. The quiet waters by. The West Brom! The West Brom! The West Brom!
May 2012 Review
The Fight for Europe Special
Part 2
West Bromwich Albion have done it! They will be representing the great footballing nation of England in next seasons EUFA Champions League. All they had to was beat Everton at home and a penalty from, who else but, Shane Long settled the tie. Chelsea and Man City both picked up the big wins but had to score a lot more to be able to challenge West Brom's goal difference. Shane Long bagged 41 goals over the season, a Barclays Premier League record to help West Brom to gain that vital edge on goal difference. West Brom fans surged onto the pitch at full time and shared their joy with players and staff. TV images show Cyrille Regis on the shoulders of Jonas Olsson.
2011/12 Season Review
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool conquered England, finally. FA Cup winners Manchester United, Spurs and West Bromwich Albion get the Champions League spots. Chelsea edged a Europa League spot over Man City, with Fulham (FA Cup runners-up) and Arsenal (Carling Cup winners) grabbing places in Europe. QPR enjoyed a decent first season in the top-flight, but Premier League perennials, Wigan, Blackburn and Bolton will drop to England's second tier. Burnley, Blackpool and Reading have been promoted to replace them.
Footballer of the Year - Shane Long
Players' Player of the Year - Wayne Rooney
Top Goalscorer - Shane Long (41)
Players' Young Player of the Year - Scott Sinclair
Manager of the Year - Kenny Dalglish
WBA Players in Team of the Year - Shane Long and Chris Brunt
End of Season Managerial Sackings - Roberto Mancini, Roberto di Matteo, Alex McLeish, Owen Coyle
One draw against Villa of all teams lol.. Lost too many away games in the end, most of them come close to a point or even 3. So we should have won the league! Haha
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