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McInnes happy with 2001
(31/12/01) |
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| Derek McInnes believes Albion are well placed for promotion
come the end of the season and are able to look back on a successful 2001. The
Baggies skipper, in his end of year report, feels the club have had a
highly-encouraging 12 months and that they can continue to improve under the
stewardship of Gary Megson. "We have responded positively to the shattering
play-off defeat at Bolton," said the former Rangers and Toulouse player. "And
we are once again well placed to finish in the promotion mix-up in four months'
time. "If we can maintain a positive attitude we should be OK." The Scottish
midfielder has been particularly pleased with Albion's defensive record this
term although they did concede two goals in a game over the weekend for the
first time in eight outings. |
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Gillingham 2- 1 Albion >>Match Report
(29/12/01) |
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| Albion played all but the first three minutes with 10 men after
having Tony Butler sent off for a professional foul on Marlon King. The pair
tussled for the ball and King went down. Referee Tony Leake brandished the red
card. |
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Defensive problems mount
(27/12/01) |
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| Albion are facing a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday's trip
to Gillingham as both Phil Gilchrist and Darren Moore are major doubts. Moore
was forced to retire at half-time during yesterday's Boxing Day draw at
Manchester City after sustaining an ankle injury, while Gilchrist pulled out of
the squad that travelled to Maine Road after suffering facial injuries against
Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. The former Leicester City defender was
elbowed in the face by Wednesday's Trond-Egil Soltvedt in the 1-1 draw at The
Hawthorns, yet a subsequent X-ray revealed no major damage. However, Gilchrist
has been left with a badly blacked left eye and swollen face, prompting Gary
Megson not to consider him for yesterday's game. Gilchrist could be in
contention for Saturday's trip to the Priestfield Stadium, but only if the
swelling has gone down. With Larus Sigurdsson suspended for the game in Kent,
Gary Megson will be desperate to have both Moore and Gilchrist fit, though Tony
Butler will more than likely make a rare start against The Gills at the
weekend. |
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Man City 0 - 0 Albion >>Match Report
(26/12/01) |
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| Gary Megson criticised ref Roger Furnandiz after the goalless
draw with Manchester City and was angry about Jason Roberts's caution for
diving. Roberts made his first start of the season at Maine Road after
recovering from a broken foot, but was yellow-carded by Furnandiz midway
through the first half for allegedly diving. City had Richard Edghill dismissed
after he picked up two yellow cards, the second of which was also for diving,
but Baggies boss Megson believes neither card was justified. "I certainly don't
think Jason dived," he said. "I also feel the same about Edghill. In fact, I
cringed when the official brought out the red card because I felt it just
wasn't justified." Megson admitted that he felt his side were fortunate not to
have conceded a penalty after Jordao appeared to have fouled Edghill, only for
Furnandiz to give the City star his marching orders. |
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| Notts County must decide later this week whether to sign Albion
striker James Quinn on a permanent deal or attempt to extend his loan stay.
Quinn, whose loan spell from West Brom runs out on December 31, has scored
three goals in four league matches and has impressed with his all-round
performances. The likelihood is that County will try to extend his loan spell
into the New Year, although The Baggies are thought to favour a more permanent
solution. |
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Duo ruled out of Baggies clash
(23/12/01) |
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| Man City will be without Richard Dunne and Darren Huckerby for
the Boxing Day game at Maine road, through suspension. Dunne was due to serve
his one-match ban in the trip to Crewe, but will now join Huckerby on the
sidelines on Wednesday following the postponement. Huckerby's absence will see
Paulo Wanchope restored to Kevin Keegan's starting line-up for the first time
since the 3-0 win over Walsall at Maine Road on September 25. In-form Dunne's
place will be occupied by the fit-again Steve Howey, who was due to start at
Gresty Road yesterday after a month out with a foot injury. |
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Megson blasts missed chances
(22/12/01)
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| Gary Megson claimed West Brom should have "comfortably" beaten
10-man Sheffield Wednesday. The Baggies needed to come from behind to scrape a
1-1 draw at The Hawthorns. Megson's men looked to be in for a comfortable win
when Trond Egil Soltvedt was sent off for elbowing Albion defender Phil
Gilchrist. But the visitors took the lead 10 minutes into the second half
through veteran striker Efan Ekoku and West Brom needed their own experienced
frontman Ruel Fox to rescue a draw late on. "I feared the worst when Wednesday
had a man sent off because we had already lost twice this season to teams
reduced in the ranks," said Megson. "This was a game we should have won
comfortably because of all the chances we created. It's a crime when you create
the chances we did and only get one goal. "We should have picked up six points
alone from our last two games and we have only got two. "We played virtually
all the attacking football, we carved out all the best scoring chances and we
gave Wednesday a sloppy goal." |
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Albion 1 - 1 Sheff Wed >> Match
report
(22/12/01) |
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| West Bromwich Albion's substitute Ruel Fox choose the perfect
moment to score his first goal of the season as he rescued a point against
ten-man Sheffield Wednesday at the Hawthorns. Fox's 84th minute strike earned
Albion a deserved share of the spoils as they dominated the match. But
Wednesday, who had to play the final hour with ten-men after skipper Trond Egil
Soltvedt had been sent-off, threatened to pull off a smash-and-grab raid when
Efan Ekoku fired them into a shock 55th minute lead.. |
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Dobies fit
(22/12/01) |
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| Scott Dobie looks set to return while Jason Roberts is expected
to be on the bench for Albion in todays's home clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Roberts made a surprise return to the side as a substitute at Crewe last week
and then started for the reserves against Lincoln on Monday. However, Megson
has said he does not intend to rush Roberts back and admitted he is not yet
ready to play a full game. |
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Megson hails Thompson's influence
(21/12/01) |
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| Gary Megson has praised chairman Paul Thompson for helping to
turn around the fortunes of the club. The Baggies boss has not always seen eye
to eye with Thompson and they have had a number of heated discussions over
players he has wanted to sign. But the Albion chairman has kept a careful eye
on the club books and has helped Megson build a team capable of mounting
another determined promotion challenge. "He has done a marvellous job when you
think what a state the club was in two years ago. And it isn't finished yet - I
know he has more plans up his sleeve," Megson said. |
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Crewe 1 - 1 Albion>> Match report
(15/12/01)
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| Jason Roberts was Gary Megsons surprise in this encounter .
Jason who broke a bone in his foot back in september, made his second half
appearance as substitute in the 68th minute for Bob Taylor. |
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Jason's back
(15/12/01) |
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| GARY Megson has sprung a major surprise by including fit-again
Jason Roberts on the bench. The £2.1 million record signing hasn’t
kicked a competitive ball since re-fracturing his foot against Manchester City
on September 8 – his only first-team action this season. |
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Johnson return pleases boss
(13/12/01) |
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| Andy Johnson returned to action last night after missing three
games - with Gary Megson admitting the player adds 'zest' to Albion's game. The
former Nottingham Forest star has been sidelined with a niggling hamstring
injury, but he came off the bench to replace Jordao after 65 minutes at The
Hawthorns. Megson said: "Andy puts extra zest and tempo into our game. He
proved once again just how effective he can be to our first-team squad." And
the boss was also quick to praise young schemer Adam Chambers, who has been
thrown into action following the loss of Michael Appleton for the season. He
added: "Adam just gets better and better. He also gave us the extra spark we
needed in what was a difficult game." . |
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Albion 1 - 0 Coventry >>More
(12/12/01)
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| LEE HUGHES'S keenly awaited return to the Hawthorns ended in
victory for his old club over his new one, as West Brom shaded a tense West
Midlands derby to edge up to fourth in the table. To cap a disappointing night
for Coventry, Marc Edworthy was sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable
offence. |
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Hughes deserves hero's reception - Megson
(11/12/01) |
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| Gary Megson says he expects Lee Hughes to be given a hero's
welcome when he returns to The Hawthorns as a Coventry player tomorrow night.
The goal ace stunned many Baggies fans when he joined The Sky Blues in a
£5million switch in the summer - but Megson is hoping the fans'
disappointment will not turn into rage. He said: "We didn't want Lee to go but
he is now a Coventry player and we have to get on with it. "I will be amazed
and somewhat disappointed if there is a single dissenting voice - it would be
like fans booing themselves. "Lee is exactly the same as each of the supporters
who sit in those blue seats week in, week out. "If it hadn't been for Lee's 16
goals last season the club would have been relegated to the Second Division."
Although fans will not enjoy watching Hughes running out for the away team,
they should remember the goals and commitment he gave to the club, and also
remember that the money received from his transfer freed up funds to bring in
the likes of Danny Dichio, Andy Johnson, Darren Moore and Scott Dobie, who are
now all first-team players in a promotion-chasing outfit. |
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Roberts return boost
(10/12/01) |
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| Albion hitman Jason Roberts is hoping to be back ahead of
schedule to play in the club's hectic Christmas campaign. The £2million
hot-shot has been sidelined virtually all season after breaking a bone in his
foot for the second time, an injury which he first suffered in a pre-season
friendly. Roberts has had the injury put in plaster as opposed to having it
pinned and he is now building up his training schedule to help boost the club's
push for the Premiership. Roberts said: "I certainly hope to be playing again
before the end of the month. Everything is going OK for me at the moment but I
have to take things one step at a time." |
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Asaba swoops to make Albion suffer
(8/12/01) |
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| Albion missed a golden opportunity yesterday to close the gap
on the First Division leaders when Carl Asaba's injury-time winner earned
10-man Sheffield United a hard-earned away win. With five wins from their
previous six league games, all by the same 1-0 scoreline, this had been a great
chance for Gary Megson's in-form team to improve their position. Daniele
Dichio, who played three games on loan earlier this season before breaking a
bone in a foot, made his home debut since joining full-time from Sunderland for
£1.25 million, as he took his place in an unchanged West Brom team.
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Megson's Koumas move
(7/12/01) |
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| Gary Megson has confirmed West Brom are interested in Tranmere
midfielder Jason Koumas. The £2m-rated 22-year-old, a regular in the
Rovers side, has been linked with a move to a number of First Division clubs
including Crystal Palace, Manchester City and the Baggies. Although Megson has
admitted his interest in the player, he insists a deal is no nearer to being
done. He said: "We shouldn't be talking about other clubs' players. "People
shouldn't be aware of our interest in Jason but it came out in Wales, which had
nothing to do with us, or, as far as I can see, Tranmere. "Nothing's changed
and we will have to wait and see if anything develops. But I would like to
bring in another midfield player." |
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WEST BROM AND WATFORD FINED FOR BRAWL
(4/12/01) |
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| West Brom and Watford have been fined by the FA for a goalmouth
brawl in their game in September. Both clubs were found guilty of misconduct by
an FA disciplinary commission. Watford were fined £5,000, while Albion
were fined £2,500. The charges arose after Albion's second goal in their
2-1 victory. Albion chief executive John Wile told the club's website: "They
could have fined us as much as £50,000, which shows they didn't view the
incident as being serious. "Our view is that our lads were trying to keep
players apart rather than trying to incite anything. "But the commission
decided they had acted in a disorderly fashion, and that it is something we
should avoid. "While we agree that type of incident should not be encouraged,
it is nothing uncommon on a football field. "And if the FA are going to stick
to the letter of the law, clubs could be making regular trips to face similar
charges." |
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Megson thrilled with Wolves win
(3/12/01) |
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| West Brom boss Gary Megson paid a massive tribute to his
players after the Baggies beat Wolves 1-0 on Sunday. "It was a fantastic day
for our supporters," said Megson whose side went fourth in Nationwide Division
One with the win. "To come to a team who are near the top and who are our arch
rivals was a great testament to the players. "The people round here didn't see
us compete when we lost this game 3-1 last season. We needed to redress the
balance because we were awful then. "The repercussions went on for a while
because it took time for the anger to subside. This is a fantastic result."
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Wolves 0 -1 Albion >>Match report
(2/12/01) |
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Midfielder Jordao chose the perfect moment to score his first
League goal of the season to send arch rivals Wolves crashing to defeat at
Molineux.
Jordao, who was only on the side due to Albion's injury problems,
volleyed home the winner after 58 minutes. His strike cost Wolves the chance to
regain the leadership of the division as they needed a victory to jump back
over Burnley.
Wolves failed to hit the heights that they had reached when
beating Barnsley 4-1 last week while Albion ground out their fifth 1-0 win in
the last six games. |
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