[theo_luddite]

I read it Slick, beating Liverpool and the rest of top 6 isn't the objective this season, beating the bottom 6 is. Anyone above them are bonus points.

Thanks for the encouragement - we don't need or want to be in the play-off's this season. We were completely unprepared to go up last time, but we did - we are in a far worse position to even consider it this time.

[Stairs]

We are in a relegation battle and rebuild. This will not be pretty and if we get a big offer for Johnstone or anyone I am sure Big Sam will take it and invest it in the type of player that is proven and close to end of prime that is prepared to battle for survival (Bonus payment) and if not will also be prepared to fight for West Brom to get promoted again (Bonus payment) fully in the knowledge that it would be their swan song.

I have been here so many time - thinking the good times are nearly back again only to have it reset to a further two seasons time.

That said, new owners and attractive winning football in the Championship next season would get my vote immediately.

Jonathan Bond - off to LA Galaxy
Charlie Austin - Off to QPR (loan)
Filip Krovinovic - Off back to Benfica

Welcome Lonergan and Snodgrass

Next?

[drewks]

We are in a relegation battle and rebuild.  This will not be pretty and if we get a big offer for Johnstone or anyone I am sure Big Sam will take it and invest it in the type of player that is proven and close to end of prime that is prepared to battle for survival (Bonus payment) and if not will also be prepared to fight for West Brom to get promoted again (Bonus payment) fully in the knowledge that it would be their swan song.

I have been here so many time - thinking the good times are nearly back again only to have it reset to a further two seasons time.

That said, new owners and attractive winning football in the Championship next season would get my vote immediately.

Jonathan Bond - off to LA Galaxy
Charlie Austin - Off to QPR (loan)
Filip Krovinovic - Off back to Benfica

Welcome Lonergan and Snodgrass

Next?

It's a real tricky one for Sam really; as you say Stairs, the only players that would want to come in, where we are, will be 32 or so on a short term contract, so hardly planning for any sort of future. But these ARE the sort of players that would give us half a chance - experienced, hopefully combatative, hopefully fit enough..... able to slot in and give us some resilience.
The more I think about it, if we get even just 1 more in of that ilk, this, coupled with Sam's down to earth coaching and man management COULD make a big difference.
Who knows?

It's the hope that kills, as they say!    

[wba13]

Austin rumoured to be at QPR v Fulham today and will probably sign sometime today.

[Salopbaggie]

Lonergan really, I thought we had learned the lesson of all our signings being geriatric (that is a combined age of 71 from our two signings so far) . If we are going to bring someone of that age at least make it someone decent, someone like Ben Foster, who is the same age. If a player gets to this age and you have not really heard much of them, there must be a reason. I really cannot see any reason for this signing unless it is as a backup for our new first team keeper, I have said it before but will repeat it, getting rid of Johnston would be a catastrophic mistake. With a defence like ours getting rid of statistically the best keeper in the country is lunacy.

[Slick_Footwork]

Austin not involved today, so certain to be going.

Krovinovic starting, so we'll have to wait and see on that one.

---

Lonergan really, I thought we had learned the lesson of all our signings being geriatric (that is a combined age of 71 from our two signings so far) .  If we are going to bring someone of that age at least make it someone decent, someone like Ben Foster, who is the same age.  If a player gets to this age and you have not really heard much of them, there must be a reason.  I really cannot see any reason for this signing unless it is as a backup for our new first team keeper,  I have said it before but will repeat it, getting rid of Johnston would be a catastrophic mistake.  With a defence like ours getting rid of statistically the best keeper in the country is lunacy.

I presume if we sold Johnstone, the money would be invested to improve our rubbish defence, so we concede less shots. I mean is it even worth having statistically the best goalkeeper when we're conceding 3-5 goals on a regular basis anyway? There's obviously a problem in front of him that needs to be addressed. But I realise we're covering old ground here, so i'll leave my opinion at that

I don't think Johnstone will go until the summer anyway. Teams will know we're likely to get relegated and will get him much cheaper if we go down, with 12 months left on his contract.

Lonergan on the bench today, with Button starting. So it does look like he's just a replacement 3rd choice for Bond and will not impact upon the first team picture.

[Blue Baggie]

Clear out for next season needed, staring with big Sam. His appointment hasn't worked. No need to persist IMO. He has failed to motivate anyone and his tactics are no longer effective at this level. Thanks for trying though.
ADVERT - NEW MANGER NEEDED, MUST BE SKILLED AT DEAD WOOD REMOVAL.

[Salopbaggie]

I presume if we sold Johnstone, the money would be invested to improve our rubbish defence, so we concede less shots. I mean is it even worth having statistically the best goalkeeper when we're conceding 3-5 goals on a regular basis anyway? There's obviously a problem in front of him that needs to be addressed. But I realise we're covering old ground here, so i'll leave my opinion at that

I don't think Johnstone will go until the summer anyway. Teams will know we're likely to get relegated and will get him much cheaper if we go down, with 12 months left on his contract.

Lonergan on the bench today, with Button starting. So it does look like he's just a replacement 3rd choice for Bond and will not impact upon the first team picture.

I gave up assuming or presuming anything with this club decades ago, especially when it comes to money. In terms of money for Johnston if he were to be sold. The last year discount only applies if there would only be one club in for him, I doubt that and think there would be several clubs coming for him so he will hold his price.

[BaggieSteve]

Clear out for next season needed, staring with big Sam. His appointment hasn't worked. No need to persist IMO. He has failed to motivate anyone and his tactics are no longer effective at this level. Thanks for trying though.
ADVERT - NEW MANGER NEEDED, MUST BE SKILLED AT DEAD WOOD REMOVAL.

In all honesty, I haven’t seen any tactics. However, I would also say that the quality of players he is able to select is desperately poor. There seems to be a basic deficiency in controlling the ball, passing the ball and heading the ball. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a poorer squad of players at the Hawthorns, and I’ve been going since 1962, and I include the wilderness of the eighties and nineties. We are wretched

[Stairs]

What a lot of crap.

I have accepted we sis not have the quality to survive in Premier League. But I don’t accept that these players could not beat Blackpool in the cup.

Where is their pride. Forget pride of being an Albion player, I just mean personal pride at playing well a s winning games.

Some I am sure played well and do not deserve my words. Also we did not have a striker as such, but last season we scored from all positions so why not today.

Sickening. I hope big Sam strips the squad a s brings footballers with pride and guts. I do t care what people say about his football style, at least he expects, as I do, players to earn their pay and put a shift in.

Let the season end soon. With that we kiss goodbye to a lot of this squad, clear the world of Covid and please please we get rid of Lai and welcome a new owner.

The value of this club plummeted more today. If Lai does not sell soon, even I will be able to afford West Brom.