Closed West Brom 2-1 Chelsea

[Rmpr 8,977]

Well here is why I thought we played well:

- We completely dominated them in terms of possession

- We moved the ball well which is evident by the fact that we managed to create something with most attacks (put the ball in the box, create dangerous movement around it, take shots...etc)

- We had 20 shots in total. 12 corners.

- We were unlucky with our finishing, with the saves made by Myhill, and with pen decisions.

- We allowed them few chances ( granted they were clinical and scored two of them )

In short, we created more than enough chances to win it. Why did you think we did not play well?

1. Possession does not translate to good performance, we passed to the side and to wrong directions most of the times. No changing of position or infiltration to disorganize their system, Torres didnt go out of the box to open their defensive line, lack of long distance shots, etc.

2. We did not create enough chances and the ones created werent that clear, besides Sturridge at the end.

3. Most of our shots were off target and only 3 or 4 were real difficult shots. Again, if you look at how many chances big teams create and look at their convertion, we will be behind both.

4. Unlucky is not the right term, inaccurate works better. Also, there were no penalties.

5. They were clinical, but that was their purpose in the game (defend and score when there is chance). We are the one to blame for not stopping it. Should we have lost the UCL because we played the same way vs. Bacelona and Bayern?

6. Cahill and Luiz made silly mistakes (positioning, marking, air balls, cover, etc.) and our double pivot was not offering any resistence to their counters, they passed through it like hot knife and butter.

7. Oscar underperformed, that made our midfield lose a bit control at the end.

8. RDM did what he could, but if he was a bit more energetical at the sideline, we could have inflated the game a lot more.

9. No heart or will. Besides Mata, Azi and Sturridge it seemed that nobody was too bothered to have lost.

I think we did enough to draw, but we clearly did not perform well and did not deserved the win. We must give credit to Steve Clark for what he was able to do.

[Shaan 263]

Really lost my patience watching torres game aftr game give shit performance consistently.......... :rant:

How was this same guy was Voted as one of the 100 greatest chelsea players ever in the new Chelsea Magazine as by fans??

On the positive note mata, azpi and moses were excellent...

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Still dont know why RDM plays luiz everytime he is available.

[Tomo 21,751]

Legitimate opinion, so my question to you is why? why do we need to settle for 3rd place when City and United arent looking that good in the league and in Europe, and our squad is pretty much in the same level? and lets say in January we'll get Falcao or Cavani or anyone else who can score lots of goals, what would you think about our chances?

The team doesnt look good enough at the moment, its mainly about very poor defense and poor finishing, definitely not look like champions... but what im saying is that City and United arent look too impresive to write us off so early.

Because we are well and truly a work in progress, they are not.

25 points is to big a gap to rectify in 12 months, it will not only require us improving by 12-13 points, it will require both of them to do the same in the other direction, It just won't happen. We just finished 6th last term and we are making a radical change of our playing style, which will bring inconsistent results. Our only major changes to the first team so far are bringing in two 21 year old's, while in the future that should set up up pretty well, the idea they will close the huge gap between the Manc's club at such a young age is pure fantasy.

The future looks as good as it ever has been, but as the far as the title race goes, this season we will have to bite the bullet watch it from the distance again.

[Tomo 21,751]

Still dont know why RDM plays luiz everytime he is available.

Because despite his flaws he is still better than Cahill.

[Liam_Baggies 30]

So bloody proud of our boys today, done our football club immsenely proud. I shall apologies in advance if this does offend you (although it isn't meant to). I appreciate some of you maybe a bit disappointed at the defeat and this isn't me gloating by any means.

I thought we were outstanding if I'm honest, we can play much better going forward, we're aware of that, but defensively, we were very good and although you had some good chances, it would have been bitterly disappointing had we conceded late on. It felt bad conceding late against Man City and I didn't want to experience those emotions today. Thankfully, the lads chucked their bodies on the line, played their hearts out and continued to do this football club proud. Shane Long lost his nan yesterday, yet went out and would have made her extremely proud today. Very dominant display alongside a well taken goal - He's been superb for us this season.

Again, Yacob and Mulumbu were terrific in the centre in disrupting your rhythm and protecting our back four. Mulumbu pulled his hamstring towards the end and signalled to come off yet he solidered on which was pleasing to see. Hopefully there's no lasting damage. Today's performance reminded me of a team "all in it together". Spirit, effort, willingness, passion, grit, strength, determination and quality in abundance and this is certainly the greatest Albion side I've ever seen. We'd be foolish not to enjoy this.

If Chelsea had a half decent striker, perhaps we would be cursing our luck and walking out with a defeat but such is football, it's never as easy as it's made out. You bumped into a highly motivated side who weren't going to give you an inch. Torres was poor, don't think he brought anything to the game. Hazard, undoubtebly your best player didn't get the ball enough, and Sturridge and Mata looked decent when they came off the bench - I have to pay credit to Boaz Myhill for some quite outstanding saves.

Atmosphere was very good too. Slightly disappointed with the Chelsea supporters as I expected much better in terms of noise, but The Hawthorns was rocking with 23,000 Albion supporters willing the boys on to get the victory.

Good luck for the remainder of the season

We know what we are!

[Muzchap 8,966]

So bloody proud of our boys today, done our football club immsenely proud. I shall apologies in advance if this does offend you (although it isn't meant to). I appreciate some of you maybe a bit disappointed at the defeat and this isn't me gloating by any means.

I thought we were outstanding if I'm honest, we can play much better going forward, we're aware of that, but defensively, we were very good and although you had some good chances, it would have been bitterly disappointing had we conceded late on. It felt bad conceding late against Man City and I didn't want to experience those emotions today. Thankfully, the lads chucked their bodies on the line, played their hearts out and continued to do this football club proud. Shane Long lost his nan yesterday, yet went out and made her extremely proud today. Very dominant display alongside a well taken goal - He's been superb for us this season.

Again, Yacob and Mulumbu were terrific in the centre in disrupting to your rhythm and protecting our back four. Mulumbu pulled his hamstring towards the end and signalled to come off yet he solidered on which was pleasing to see. Hopefully there's no lasting damage. Today's performance reminded me of a team "all in it together". Spirit, effort, willingness, passion, grit, strength, determination and quality in abundance and this is certainly the greatest Albion side I've ever seen. We'd be foolish not to enjoy this.

If Chelsea had a half decent striker, perhaps we would be cursing our luck and walking out with a defeat but such is football, it's never as easy as it's made out. You bumped into a highly motivated side who weren't going to give you an inch. Torres was poor, don't think he brought anything to the game. Hazard, undoubtebly your best player didn't get the ball enough, and Sturridge and Mata looked decent when they came off the bench - I have to pay credit to Boaz Myhill for some quite outstanding saves.

Atmosphere was very good too. Slightly disappointed with the Chelsea supporters as I expected much better in terms of noise, but The Hawthorns was rocking with 23,000 Albion supporters willing the boys on to get the victory.

Good luck for the remainder of the season

We know what we are!

LOL well done Liam - unfortunately we had an off-day and you guys capitalised

Luckily it was SC who won - so whilst a defeat is bitter - pleased that SC is doing his reputation no harm...

Good luck for the rest of the season, well at least until return fixture at SB

I think our fans are a bit frustrated at the moment - hence the lack of noise

EDIT: The GRIT/DETERMINATION part of your post - that typifies SC as a person and I guarantee thats what he has brought to the Team

[Sheva. 5,373]

Because despite his flaws he is still better than Cahill.

That does not matter when Luiz keeps costing us goals.

[Stats 7,145]

So bloody proud of our boys today, done our football club immsenely proud. I shall apologies in advance if this does offend you (although it isn't meant to). I appreciate some of you maybe a bit disappointed at the defeat and this isn't me gloating by any means.

I thought we were outstanding if I'm honest, we can play much better going forward, we're aware of that, but defensively, we were very good and although you had some good chances, it would have been bitterly disappointing had we conceded late on. It felt bad conceding late against Man City and I didn't want to experience those emotions today. Thankfully, the lads chucked their bodies on the line, played their hearts out and continued to do this football club proud. Shane Long lost his nan yesterday, yet went out and would have made her extremely proud today. Very dominant display alongside a well taken goal - He's been superb for us this season.

Again, Yacob and Mulumbu were terrific in the centre in disrupting your rhythm and protecting our back four. Mulumbu pulled his hamstring towards the end and signalled to come off yet he solidered on which was pleasing to see. Hopefully there's no lasting damage. Today's performance reminded me of a team "all in it together". Spirit, effort, willingness, passion, grit, strength, determination and quality in abundance and this is certainly the greatest Albion side I've ever seen. We'd be foolish not to enjoy this.

If Chelsea had a half decent striker, perhaps we would be cursing our luck and walking out with a defeat but such is football, it's never as easy as it's made out. You bumped into a highly motivated side who weren't going to give you an inch. Torres was poor, don't think he brought anything to the game. Hazard, undoubtebly your best player didn't get the ball enough, and Sturridge and Mata looked decent when they came off the bench - I have to pay credit to Boaz Myhill for some quite outstanding saves.

Atmosphere was very good too. Slightly disappointed with the Chelsea supporters as I expected much better in terms of noise, but The Hawthorns was rocking with 23,000 Albion supporters willing the boys on to get the victory.

Good luck for the remainder of the season

We know what we are!

Well said, don't mind your posts, very honest and welcome. Brilliant win for you lots, good luck against Sunderland next week, can't believe you are in the top 4!

[YouNameIt 1,511]

On the bright side of things, united lost to Norwich.

Seriousley though, we should AT LEAST have gotten 1p from this game. However this game has given us some lessons, and I hope RDM and Chelsea really does their homework now. One of those are, Danny needs more starts and Torres actually needs to be sent a message. He needs to know that he simply isnt good enough. Some time on the bench will (hopefully) do him good. He's not a child. The bitter truth is you suck son, he needs to realize that.

Another thing is that our defense is leaking. Im not sure what to do about it, but its about time to mix it up:

Azpi - Iva - Luiz - Cole

Iva - Cahill - Terry - Bertrand

etc..

[laura90 556]

We can blame RDM as much as we want but the sad state of affairs is that he is the only top club manager who DOES NOT have a striker on his disposal.

Or a strange mix of winger- striker who can't have game without at least one goal a la Messi or Ronaldo.

And before you start about Sturridge, he was a winger when he was scoring for fun at Chelsea . A speedy,skilled and tricky WINGER who had little difficulties to outplay one full back he usually was against and make space for himself to score or to make an assist. And he was quite succesfull until he thought he is the lone striker with exclusive right to shoot .

At Bolton he was second striker in midtable team, if I'm not mistaken, which means less pressure, less defenders against and more space than Drogba had as a lone striker at Chelsea.

How many games of Danny as a lone striker we have seen? To claim that RDM is so wrong for not playing him there? As a lone striker, you have to make off the run and create space for yourself with 2 center backs breathing on you and make the right move and remain efficient and accurate in a very small space. That requires innate sense and intelligence only world class strikers have.

We will see if Danny have those, but anyway, if we don't bring a decent striker on 1. January we're doomed.

And Torres. Lost case. Nothing to add. This club somehow had to/believed in him and we're paying the price. Second time around.

On the other note, David Luiz needs to make Torres company on the bench.

[Liam_Baggies 30]

Well said, don't mind your posts, very honest and welcome. Brilliant win for you lots, good luck against Sunderland next week, can't believe you are in the top 4!

You can't believe it?

How do you feel for us?

I'm expecting someone to kick me in the balls and I finally wake up to us being stuck in the bottom three with us miles adrift of everybody else. That's the Albion I know.

What's going on?!

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

We got played. It's as simple as that. People who say we dominated need to get there heads checked. Yeah we might have had more possession but that's exactly what they wanted. They crowded the center en pushed us out wide as it was the only way to move forward. They then simply waited untill we got fed up passing the ball around and took a shot on goal from a distance or decided to cross the ball in. They then kicked the ball long to long , no pun intended. Long basically man handled Luiz and Cahill all game long. Also it seems Morrison used some sort of experimental camouflage or something because that's simply the only way to explain what happened today. Although another scenario has been playing in my head. It's a scene where Romeu walks up to Mikel after the game and says to him:"Damned Mikel you really did a crappy job at marking Morrison didn't you?" and then Mikel replying "What? I thought you were supposed to mark him ?" Romeu then replied "no you were" Mikel replied "no you were" Romeu replied "no you were" Mikel replies "no you were" and so on and on. Ah well. No seriously now. There was just to much space for Morrison. I mean we played with 2 holding midfielder the least you would have expected was for us to keep the centre compact but apparently that was wishfull thinking. Azpi looked solid seems to also possess a good cross.

Bertrand looked solid as well. Moses was lively and good at times but i feel that sometimes he's so focused on crossing the ball in that he doesn't spot a free player around the 16 yard box. Hazard: didn't think he played well but in all fairness he wasn't helped by the fact that he had no distributor behind him causing him to receive absolutely no balls in the forward central area. He then had to constantly drop deep to pick up the ball and act like a distributor.

Now the thing is Hazard is a different kind of number 10 then Oscar or Mata. He's not a player that thrives on distributing the ball. He's a nr 10 that plays between the lines and wants to receive the ball in those tight areas. That's his game to get played in those tight central areas even when he's marked and hold that ball up so that other players can make overlapping runs or so he can turn away from his marker and try and beat 1, 2 maybe even 3 players on a good day so he can then run at the defence. Force the defence to tighten up leaving room on the side to exploit and then either play a throughball, take a shot or continue dribbling. That's what you can expect from Hazard on the nr 10 however for him to be able to play that way he has to have someone playing in the pivot who actually has the abillity and the balls to play a ball into those tight areas and make a freaking forward overlapping run. Now you might have seen Hazard make some sort of hand movement multiple times during the game . A stretched hand pointing at his feet. For people who don't know hand signs that means " pass me the mother f****** ball."

He had to move to the wings to finally get the ball in a forward area but even then his dribbling just didn't seem to come off.

Now who's next ? ah Sturridge. Thought he looked lively and eager. He was our most dangerous man but also missed some chances he shouldn't have. Still he seems like a massive improvement on Torres.

Then Torres well i think i made myself clear with the well and the kid who did nothing. He saw that we were struggling to reach him and did nothing to help the team. Mata was our best player on the pitch from the moment he came on. Immediately created danger. Oscar didn't do much except that 1 time where he put Sturridge in front of goal with his brilliant 1 touch pass.

When Oscar and Mata came on we looked more dangerous but we were just all over the place. I mean if i was a neutral fan watching the game and i didn't know the qualities of Oscar and Mata or the position they play then i would have had no clue where they were playing. Our attacking style is just random movement.

After rereading my comment i've kinda noticed i've come down pretty hard on Romeu and Mikel. To be clear i don't bame them for being conservative in possesion and not choosing to play the risky ball. It's what they were taught to do. I blame RDM for this. No manager in his right mind would choose to play 2 holding midfielders when he clearly has a better team then the opposition.

[Tomo 21,751]

The Hawthorns is turning into Villa Park for us.

[underdrog 18]

so united lost.we can amend this loss if we can win against city.dont want to see torres anywhere near starting line up.

[Stats 7,145]

You can't believe it?

How do you feel for us?

I'm expecting someone to kick me in the balls and I finally wake up to us being stuck in the bottom three with us miles adrift of everybody else. That's the Albion I know.

What's going on?!

I am very happy for you lot, espec with Steve Clarke in charge, like the manager with the link he use to have here and also a friend of a friend plays for them (Donervon Daniels if you know who he is lol).

The key to WBA is that player for player against a few teams you may be inferior but you make that up in teamwork, belief and brilliant organization. I mean Yacob was unheard of before he came to you and is now being considered as the bets buy along with Cazorla, Hazard etc. Your defence doesnt have any standout names but again brilliant organization and belief is helping you and that is the key sometimes and you have strikers who know how to put it in the back of the net unlike a certain one for us. Mulumbu is very underrated btw and Shane Longe, thought it for a while now is a fantastic all round striker

[Styles 9,790]

Sturridge did more in 20 minutes playing as a striker than Torres has all season. He missed some chances but he also made the keeper work and more importantly was actually in a position to miss chances. I would rather that than somebody who does absolutely nothing but play with his hair for 90 minutes.

If Sturridge doesn't start on Tuesday I will lose all faith in Di Matteo and won't defend him against the 'sack RDM' types.

Thought Azpilicueta looked good today.

Oscar really needs to improve his core strength. He'll never be a powerful player but he is too weak at present.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I'm so fucking happy manchester united lost

[Liam_Baggies 30]

I am very happy for you lot, espec with Steve Clarke in charge, like the manager with the link he use to have here and also a friend of a friend plays for them (Donervon Daniels if you know who he is lol).

The key to WBA is that player for player against a few teams you may be inferior but you make that up in teamwork, belief and brilliant organization. I mean Yacob was unheard of before he came to you and is now being considered as the bets buy along with Cazorla, Hazard etc. Your defence doesnt have any standout names but again brilliant organization and belief is helping you and that is the key sometimes and you have strikers who know how to put it in the back of the net unlike a certain one for us. Mulumbu is very underrated btw and Shane Longe, thought it for a while now is a fantastic all round striker

One of our hottest prospects is Donvervan Daniels - Getting rave reviews in the academy.

Thanks for the kind words, also. Shane Long had his nan pass away yesterday which just puts added perspective to how good his performance was. Yacob and Mulumbu cost £150,000 between them and would probably get into the majority of the sides in this league.

[Styles 9,790]

So bloody proud of our boys today, done our football club immsenely proud. I shall apologies in advance if this does offend you (although it isn't meant to). I appreciate some of you maybe a bit disappointed at the defeat and this isn't me gloating by any means.

I thought we were outstanding if I'm honest, we can play much better going forward, we're aware of that, but defensively, we were very good and although you had some good chances, it would have been bitterly disappointing had we conceded late on. It felt bad conceding late against Man City and I didn't want to experience those emotions today. Thankfully, the lads chucked their bodies on the line, played their hearts out and continued to do this football club proud. Shane Long lost his nan yesterday, yet went out and would have made her extremely proud today. Very dominant display alongside a well taken goal - He's been superb for us this season.

Again, Yacob and Mulumbu were terrific in the centre in disrupting your rhythm and protecting our back four. Mulumbu pulled his hamstring towards the end and signalled to come off yet he solidered on which was pleasing to see. Hopefully there's no lasting damage. Today's performance reminded me of a team "all in it together". Spirit, effort, willingness, passion, grit, strength, determination and quality in abundance and this is certainly the greatest Albion side I've ever seen. We'd be foolish not to enjoy this.

If Chelsea had a half decent striker, perhaps we would be cursing our luck and walking out with a defeat but such is football, it's never as easy as it's made out. You bumped into a highly motivated side who weren't going to give you an inch. Torres was poor, don't think he brought anything to the game. Hazard, undoubtebly your best player didn't get the ball enough, and Sturridge and Mata looked decent when they came off the bench - I have to pay credit to Boaz Myhill for some quite outstanding saves.

Atmosphere was very good too. Slightly disappointed with the Chelsea supporters as I expected much better in terms of noise, but The Hawthorns was rocking with 23,000 Albion supporters willing the boys on to get the victory.

Good luck for the remainder of the season

We know what we are!

Congrats. You have a very fine team there with a good manager in charge. I really rate Mulumbu, Odemwinge and Long.