Just having a look round T'interweb and Albion fans seem by and large a fair minded bunch, giving credit where its due , and accepting we were deserved winners in the end.

“Best team in the league by a mile”

I’ve read comments like this from opposition fans of plenty other teams as well.. It’s nothing we don’t know ourselves - it’s nice to receive some positive recognition from others though.

They're a very strong, physical and well organised side, with a fair degree of talent in there too. They got in front early doors and we were definitely up against it. Their downfall ultimately was not pressing home their advantage and sitting back, especially second half, trying to protect what they had. We weren't playing at our best, but if you give us enough time and space and plenty of the ball we'll always find a way to make you pay in the end. We've seen it so often now to know it's inevitable!

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:16 pm

They're a very strong, physical and well organised side, with a fair degree of talent in there too. They got in front early doors and we were definitely up against it. Their downfall ultimately was not pressing home their advantage and sitting back, especially second half, trying to protect what they had. We weren't playing at our best, but if you give us enough time and space and plenty of the ball we'll always find a way to make you pay in the end. We've seen it so often now to know it's inevitable!

They didn't deliberately sit back in the second half. We pushed them back because we are the better team.

I thought west brom were very poor but that's probably discrediting how good we were they offered nothing in the second half & constantly on the backfoot rallied very briefly.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:16 pm

They're a very strong, physical and well organised side, with a fair degree of talent in there too. They got in front early doors and we were definitely up against it. Their downfall ultimately was not pressing home their advantage and sitting back, especially second half, trying to protect what they had. We weren't playing at our best, but if you give us enough time and space and plenty of the ball we'll always find a way to make you pay in the end. We've seen it so often now to know it's inevitable!

Inevitable? Really Dark Cloud?
Didnt you post before the game that you feared them?

Changed your tune, haven't you?

I thought West Brom were decent. They held the ball well in spells and carried a threat at set pieces. Decent bit of pace. Well organised defence. Hard working and honest. The tempo change in the passing second half changed the game in our favour. I fancy West Brom to come up and hink they are better than Blades. They just wasted too many games with a bad manager. Good luck to them.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:24 pm

I thought west brom were very poor but that's probably discrediting how good we were they offered nothing in the second half & constantly on the backfoot rallied very briefly.

they were so far from poor - Bastards were poor, Boro weren't much better but I'd say WBA are miles better than both of them - we are the anomaly this season, we are just at a different level.

I don’t mind WBA as a club or their fans. They are level headed and can generally talk about football without getting above their stations.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:28 pm

they were so far from poor - Bastards were poor, Boro weren't much better but I'd say WBA are miles better than both of them - we are the anomaly this season, we are just at a different level.

I wasn't impressed with them but I get where you are coming from it's a poor poor league absolutely dog****.

We're very good, the rest of the league is very poor.

They were decent but didn’t have much up front. Even their goal was from a FB after a corner. Solid defensively but we got them in the end.

Thought they were dangerous with their corners in 1st half....otherwise, no better than Coventry. They had gone after about 60mins, we knackered them out. UTC.

I thought Coventry last week were as good a side as we’ve played all season. Both games were similar in that we slowly and gradually outplayed them until they cracked.

West Brom were very well organized but as usual they faded just like all the other teams do when they spend the first 60 mins chasing the ball. Cracking pass and shot for our first and if my memory is correct. Twine has taken 2 free kicks. Hit the woodwork at Huddersfield and the net today. Is he our 16th scorer this season

Yes, Coventry were very good, but to say the Baggies were poor tonight is laughable.

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:53 pm

Yes, Coventry were very good, but to say the Baggies were poor tonight is laughable.

They were very average. Maybe it’s because we are so good.

I thought WBA played quite well and threw themselves in the way of everything. Yes they got quite a bit of luck along the way (ably assisted by one of the most incompetent reffing performances I have seen) but they did cause some problems. One of the better sides to come here this season but in the end we got what we deserved.

We just grind teams down. I could see it in their eyes from around the 65th minute onwards. Just like others before them, they were blowing out of their arse, and going down with cramp.

We tire teams out. There was no way WBA could keep up that pressing for 90 minutes

Indeed

We’re just showing what you can do when you:

a) have a few bob to spend
b) spend it overseas for better value, getting 15 decent players (from June to the end of Jan probably)

Other sides have done it, but we never have, so it feels an amazing novelty. These £5m English buys other sides make just don’t look good enough now.

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:52 pm

West Brom were very well organized but as usual they faded just like all the other teams do when they spend the first 60 mins chasing the ball. Cracking pass and shot for our first and if my memory is correct. Twine has taken 2 free kicks. Hit the woodwork at Huddersfield and the net today. Is he our 16th scorer this season

60mins - that’s the magic number. That’s when s*** goes down and Burnley win games.

Steve-Harpers-perm wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:58 pm

They were very average. Maybe it’s because we are so good.

It's not our fault the teams in this league are so poor Sheffield aside & you can only beat what's put in front of you.

Wets Brom looked a typical above average championship team. Well organised, plenty of height, competent on the ball without any really interesting players. They'll be in the play offs.

We are miles better than that though.

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:18 am

We’re just showing what you can do when you:

a) have a few bob to spend
b) spend it overseas for better value, getting 15 decent players (from June to the end of Jan probably)

Other sides have done it, but we never have, so it feels an amazing novelty. These £5m English buys other sides make just don’t look good enough now.

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:24 pm

Inevitable? Really Dark Cloud?
Didnt you post before the game that you feared them?

Changed your tune, haven't you?

You're right, I did fear them and I think they showed enough for you to see why as they're definitely a good outfit and we found it very tough. For long periods of the second half I felt we'd apply ever greater pressure, but that they might have what it takes to hold out. After the euphoria of the 2 late goals (yet again!) there's a tendency to start to believe there's an inevitability there.

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:18 am

We’re just showing what you can do when you:

a) have a few bob to spend
b) spend it overseas for better value, getting 15 decent players (from June to the end of Jan probably)

Other sides have done it, but we never have, so it feels an amazing novelty. These £5m English buys other sides make just don’t look good enough now.

Agree

West Brom were very organized and caused us problems in the first half.
Second half we gradually wore them out and deservedly won the game for our bravery

Going back to the topic... Really good fans are the Baggies, as stated, honest bunch and not many muppets amongst them all. One of my favourite away days, incorporating a trip the Vine which always makes you welcome and you can speak to their fans about all things football. I hope they make it up, seems they have serious financial trouble off the pitch and the money would help them out massively. I wish them well.

West Brom fans seem a level headed bunch. Far better than those delusional lot from Coventry. Some good comments from their fans before and after the game on their board.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:21 am

It's not our fault the teams in this league are so poor Sheffield aside & you can only beat what's put in front of you.

This is just entitled Premier League fan opinion tosh. The majority of championship teams are good football teams and probably much better than the last time we were at this level. The gulf to the PL is getting wider because that division is getting better not because this one is getting worse

The last two home games have been the toughest.

Jakubclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:21 am

It's not our fault the teams in this league are so poor Sheffield aside & you can only beat what's put in front of you.

How about giving the lads some credit for a change? We make teams look poor.

roperclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:53 am

This is just entitled Premier League fan opinion tosh. The majority of championship teams are good football teams and probably much better than the last time we were at this level. The gulf to the PL is getting wider because that division is getting better not because this one is getting worse

The Championship has a more level playing field in terms of player quality, commercial income, and attendance;- that's why anyone can beat anyone, and it's wide open until the last game of the season for the race for promotion. It's the best league in the world.

Belgianclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:28 am

West Brom were very organized and caused us problems in the first half.

But in the first half we had a marginal offside decision rule out a goal, we hit the post, hit the bar and had three shouts for a penalty. On another day it could have been 4-1 at the break.

I though WBA were pretty good and you can see them being the best of the rest even if they don't manage to claw back the gap to the top 2.

But overall we battered them.

First game I’ve gone on in a while where I feared they might punish us. Especially with the early goal and how they managed the game for long spells. They were a team of giants, and pressed well.

Inevitably fitness came into it and we tired them out. On to the next.

roperclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:53 am

This is just entitled Premier League fan opinion tosh. The majority of championship teams are good football teams and probably much better than the last time we were at this level. The gulf to the PL is getting wider because that division is getting better not because this one is getting worse

Absolutely. The idea this is a poor division is nonsense. It's stronger than ever, because the Premier League is hoovering up the very best talent from around the world more than ever, and players who would once have plied their trade in the top flight are playing Championship football every week.

We're a very good side at this level, but as Kompany would tell you, it still requires a huge amount of effort. Being 19 points clear just represents that we're marginally better - but pretty much every week (except against the B**tards, we genuinely are miles better than them). As Swansea, Coventry and WBA have shown, it doesn't mean we'll turn up and blow anyone away easily. It's not like we're going to do what City do, and beat cannon fodder 7-0. Going back to our previous manager, it's fine margins every week and we're top because we're very good at getting on the right side of them.

NottsClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 9:15 am

Absolutely. The idea this is a poor division is nonsense. It's stronger than ever, because the Premier League is hoovering up the very best talent from around the world more than ever, and players who would once have plied their trade in the top flight are playing Championship football every week.

We're a very good side at this level, but as Kompany would tell you, it still requires a huge amount of effort. Being 19 points clear just represents that we're marginally better - but pretty much every week (except against the B**tards, we genuinely are miles better than them). As Swansea, Coventry and WBA have shown, it doesn't mean we'll turn up and blow anyone away easily. It's not like we're going to do what City do, and beat cannon fodder 7-0. Going back to our previous manager, it's fine margins every week and we're top because we're very good at getting on the right side of them.

Very true, had we been as gelled and drilled as we are now in those opening 2 months, we would probably almost be up, talking about Luton, Blackpool, Hull, Preston (away) even upto Stoke at home! Not a criticism, we were learning, so much progress so fast.

I thought Coventry were the better of the two sides. However I do wonder with WBA if they or their manager had a bit more belief then they could have caused us a lot more problems attacking wise. Dike did not impress me at all, though I thought the big lad in defensive midfield looked very tidy first half in particular.

Putting all that aside we are a very very good side this year. Quick at the back, hard working, have players who are comfortable one v one and a management team that have a feel for the game and how to impact it.

I felt they were poor. Another team like Boro that had very little football quality in their boots and had set out to do little other than clog us and try and waste time. They had a spell for 15 minutes when they scored, but it was a waiting game for an inevitable equaliser from that point on.

Very relaxed in the stands when we go behind this season, no frustration or anything from anyone - everybody knows what’s coming.

You could see they had a gameplan, and they played with a lot of confidence

But once we matched their work rate and intensity, then we slowly pulled ahead until they were encamped in their penalty box desperate throwing everything at the ball to stop it going into the net

And eventually, that cracks, and it almost always will when you are under that much pressure

There are a lot of decent sides in this division, but we are not one of them, we are up there with one of the best this division has seen

It’s almost like we are talking about two different matches. In the first half West Brom looked very strong. We were playing well but they matched us. In the second half we just upped our game but they still made it difficult for us

WBA were good physical side and it was a tough contest as were Coventry previously. We were deserved winners last night though and are a better side than earlier in the season in many aspects of our game including game management. Good point above about the games against Luton and Blackpool etc earlier in the season. We wouldn’t be drawing them now.

Strange take by some.

Blackpool scored 3 against us and could have got a few more but for Murics best game as an actual keeper.
They dominated us all 2nd half.

WBA had 2 shots on target against us.

TheOriginalLongsider wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 9:58 am

It’s almost like we are talking about two different matches. In the first half West Brom looked very strong. We were playing well but they matched us. In the second half we just upped our game but they still made it difficult for us

I think WBA only narrowly had the better of the first half.
They scored and had another good chance, but we hit the post, hit the bar, and had a goal ruled out for offside.
Some of the comments I've read is like they absolutely battered us which wasn't the case at all. There wasn't much between the xG either.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:16 am

You're right, I did fear them and I think they showed enough for you to see why as they're definitely a good outfit and we found it very tough. For long periods of the second half I felt we'd apply ever greater pressure, but that they might have what it takes to hold out. After the euphoria of the 2 late goals (yet again!) there's a tendency to start to believe there's an inevitability there.

Same here. I thought they would end our winning run. This mainly because we were missing 2 of our best players.
We really do have a fine squad and great team spirit.

In our run of 8 league wins we have played some of the better sides in the Championship. WBA started off strongly and defended well, but in the end we had too much talent and energy. WBA would be a very dull PL side if they went up, and reminded me of a side managed by SD, ie well organised, good defensively, but offering little going forwards

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 9:00 am

How about giving the lads some credit for a change? We make teams look poor.

thought west brom were very poor but that's probably discrediting how good we were they offered nothing in the second half & constantly on the backfoot rallied very briefly.

Already did earlier on in the same thread see above, you obviously missed that! But you got a like from eddietheheadbanger so that's kudos.

claptrappers_union wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:54 am

The last two home games have been the toughest.

Teams raise their game against us. We're the team to beat.

All the doom mongers/negative posters have left this year is all the other teams in the division are poor. We must be playing well.