West Bromich Albion

Hibs grant Baggies Venus approach
Hibs have given Mark Venus permission to speak to West Brom regarding the vacant assistant manager's position. The Baggies are hoping that contractual matters can be tied up so that Venus can join Tony Mowbray on board. Ex-Hibs boss Mowbray will take up his managerial duties at West Brom after Tuesday's match at Crystal Palace. Venus joined Mowbray at Easter Road two-and-a-half years ago and also played alongside each other during their time at Ipswich. Venus said he would be sad to leave Hibs but feels the club has a good future ahead. \"There is a platform to build on,\" he added. \"There is a lot of talent here. \"Over the period that I've been here the fans have been great and the people of Edinburgh have taken to me and Tony. \"I would just like to thank them all for everything that they've given us and how they have made us welcome. \"I hope we've given them something to shout about and gave them what they were looking for. \"Maybe we didn't win a trophy but we tried our best.\"

Pearson stands down at West Brom
Nigel Pearson has stepped down from his role as caretaker manager at West Brom. Reserve-team boss Craig Shakespeare will take care of first-team matters for the Baggies' trip to Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. Tony Mowbray, who will take over at the helm after the match, will again be watching from the stands. Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace said: \"Nigel felt with the imminent arrival of Tony, it was in the club's best interests for him to stand down.\" He added: \"We understand Nigel's reasons and wish to acknowledge the role he has played, not only since Bryan Robson left the club but also over the past two years. \"He has conducted himself in a professional manner during what must have been a difficult time for him considering he joined the club with Bryan.\" Robson left the Hawthorns by mutual consent last month with Pearson installed as caretaker manager while the club sought a replacement. Peace added: \"Although Nigel never put himself forward as a candidate for the vacant manager's position, the way he has handled the situation, and the results he has gained, I am sure will have done no harm to his future career prospects.\" Pearson guided the Baggies to three victories and one draw in his four-match stint in charge including Saturday's 5-1 win at Ipswich and a 4-2 triumph against Leeds.

Peace backs Mowbray to get WBA up
West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace believes new manager Tony Mowbray can lead the club back to the Premiership within two seasons. Peace is anxious to get back to the top flight before West Brom's Premiership parachute money runs out. \"It is very important we try and take the opportunity, hopefully this season but maybe next season, to get out of this division,\" he said. \"We believe with Tony, we will optimise the opportunity.\" He added: \"We are third in the table and playing decent football now and the team is brimming with confidence so hopefully it is a good time for Tony to take over. \"I am sure he will rise to the challenge of the increased performances - and hopefully carry that on. \"Tony came through very strongly as someone who had the desire and the motivation for the job. We wanted to get someone who really wanted it.\" But Peace said he was braced for a tough struggle to get out of the Championship. \"It will be a long hard season, that's for sure, and there will be many twists and turns along the way.\" Mowbray was renowned for playing attacking football at Hibs and Peace said this was also a factor in him landing the position of Bryan Robson's successor. \"He likes his teams to pass the ball around and it is in keeping with the Albion tradition of the great sides we have had who play free-flowing football,\" said the West Brom chairman. \"I think our fans will like that and hopefully Tony will be able to deliver that here together with success on the pitch.\"

West Brom v Wolves
West Brom are sweating on the fitness of striker Kevin Phillips. Phillips is hopeful of returning after he missed the 2-0 midweek win over Crystal Palace but midfielder Darren Carter is suspended. Wolves could be boosted by the return of Carl Cort and Jackie McNamara while Denes Rosa is back from injury. Mark Clyde continues to struggle for match fitness despite recovering from a shin injury and Mark Davies is also expected to be ruled out (knee).

West Brom 3-0 Wolves
Tony Mowbray's reign as West Brom manager got off to a flying start with a comprehensive win in the Black Country derby against Wolves. Jonathan Greening gave the Baggies the lead, drilling home from the edge of the box after Jason Koumas set him up. Diomansy Kamara's sixth goal in four games doubled West Brom's lead when he headed home Martin Albrechtsen's cross. John Hartson sealed the Baggies' fourth successive league win from the penalty spot after Kamara had been fouled. Mowbray was given a dream start when his side took the lead after 11 minutes. The Baggies had already given notice of their intent when Kamara was crowded out as he cut inside and then Koumas drove an inviting cross across the face of goal, which led to the game's first corner. In a match played in a highly-charged atmosphere, Greening was booked for a foul on Rohan Ricketts on nine minutes but two minutes later the Albion midfielder put his side ahead. Koumas rolled the ball into the path of the former Manchester United player, who unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard shot past Matt Murray's despairing dive. The home side's initial onslaught meant Wolves took time to gain a foothold in the game and it needed a sharp save from Baggies keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler to deny Darren Potter from a narrow angle. But Wolves' recovery was strangled at birth as West Brom made it 2-0 in the 27th minute. Albrechtsen worked his way down the right before crossing for Kamara to plant a header past Murray from six yards. It might have been worse for Wolves had Greening not blasted a volley straight at Murray. Ricketts did his best to rally Wolves and was inches off-target with a fierce shot into the side netting. No doubt stung by a few choice half-time words from boss Mick McCarthy, Wolves looked a different proposition in the second half. Ricketts was the mainspring as Wolves began to ask serious questions of their rivals, with Jemal Johnson's shot deflected wide, Seyi Olofinjana going close with a long-range effort and Jay Bothroyd shooting straight at Zuberbuhler. The Baggies weathered the storm and, with five minutes left, Kamara was ripped down by Mark Little and Hartson, who replaced Nathan Ellington, despatched the penalty to give a flattering look to the scoreline. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Zuberbuhler, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Perry, Robinson, Gera (Watson 86), Koumas (Chaplow 74), Quashie, Greening, Ellington (Hartson 66), Kamara. Subs Not Used: Steele, McShane. Booked: Greening, Gera, Albrechtsen. Goals: Greening 11, Kamara 27, Hartson 85 pen. Wolves: Murray, Edwards (Little 83), Breen, Craddock, Clapham, Ricketts, Henry, Potter (Craig Davies 72), Olofinjana, Bothroyd, Johnson (Clarke 63). Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Wheater. Booked: Craddock. Att: 26,606 Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

West Brom v Arsenal
Kevin Phillips misses out again for West Brom with a calf injury but Darren Carter returns after a ban. But Neil Clement and centre-half Thomas Gaardsoe are both still absent. Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos will make his first appearance since dislocating his shoulder playing for Switzerland at the World Cup. Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor will also start as Gunners boss Arsene Wenger gives run-outs to fringe players and others recently back from injury. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal (from): Almunia, Poom, Hoyte, Djourou, Senderos, Clichy, Flamini, Song, Denilson, Walcott, Aliadiere, Adebayor, Toure, Fabregas, Rosicky, Hleb, Van Persie.

Birmingham v West Brom
Midfielder David Dunn will miss Birmingham's derby clash with West Brom because of a hamstring problem. An ankle injury is keeping Neil Kilkenny sidelined, while Matthew Upson (Achilles) is not expected to be back until mid-November. West Brom striker Kevin Phillips only has a slim chance of being fit to face Birmingham because of a calf injury. Pascal Zuberbuhler, Chris Perry and Jason Koumas may return after missing the Carling Cup loss against Arsenal.

Birmingham 2-0 West Brom
Birmingham continued their revival with a third win in eight days thanks to Gary McSheffrey's double over Midlands rivals West Brom. The striker put the Blues ahead after 19 minutes with a curling free-kick that gave Pascal Zuberbuhler no chance. West Brom had two appeals for penalties turned down but finished with 10 men after Paul Robinson's late dismissal for a reckless foul on Damien Robinson. In injury time McSheffrey chipped in from close range to wrap up the points.

Birmingham 2-0 West Brom
Birmingham continued their revival with a third win in eight days thanks to Gary McSheffrey's double over Midlands rivals West Brom. The striker put the Blues ahead after 19 minutes with a curling free-kick that gave Pascal Zuberbuhler no chance. West Brom had two appeals for penalties turned down but finished with 10 men after Paul Robinson's late dismissal for a reckless foul on Damien Robinson. In injury time McSheffrey chipped in from close range to wrap up the points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blues boss Steve Bruce on Paul Robinson's sending off for an elbow on Damien Johnson: \"When I saw it again on TV, it was a horror show. He knew what he was doing,\" said the Blues boss. \"I hope officials clamp down on things like that because it was appalling.\" West Brom boss Tony Mowbray: \"I was tempted to say we could have scored 14 goals today and we had plenty of opportunities. That's football. \"But I was generally happy with the performance of the team. \"You can't win every game but I've said to the players if they perform like that for the remaining games they will win a lot more than they lose.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Martin Taylor, Sadler, Johnson, Muamba (Danns 89), Clemence (Nafti 76), McSheffrey, Bendtner, Jerome (Larsson 67). Subs Not Used: Doyle, Campbell. Goals: McSheffrey 19, 90. West Brom: Zuberbuhler, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Perry, Robinson, Gera, Greening, Quashie (Hartson 67), Koumas, Kamara, Ellington. Subs Not Used: Hoult, Watson, Chaplow, McShane. Sent Off: Robinson (86). Booked: Gera, Kamara. Att: 21,009. Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).

West Brom v QPR
West Brom striker Kevin Phillips is back in training after a calf injury and could feature against QPR. John Hartson (wrist) could play some part but Paul Robinson is absent after he was sent off against Birmingham. QPR could hand a first start to on-loan Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne if Pat Kanyuka does not recover from the knock he sustained at the weekend. Marc Bircham (hamstring) may be missing while Simon Royce is expected to be preferred to Paul Jones in goal again.

West Brom 3-3 QPR
Marc Nygaard grabbed a late goal as QPR twice came from behind to earn a point in a thriller at the Hawthorns. West Brom led when Nathan Ellington scored from an acute angle after Jason Koumas' shot was saved and Diomansy Kamara made it 2-0 with a drilled shot. Damion Stewart's far-post finish gave QPR hope on the stroke of half-time and Kevin Gallen turned in Dexter Blackstock's cross to level matters. Kamara slid West Brom ahead before Nygaard netted from close-range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom manager Tony Mowbray: \"We dominated from start to finish and threw away two points. It was poor defending - you can't get away from it. If you score three at home you expect to win. \"We created plenty of chances which was pleasing but it's probably the first time I can say since I've come that we weren't solid at the back. \"I have felt very safe at the back over the last three or four weeks but I couldn't say that on this occasion.\" QPR boss John Gregory: \"West Brom are the best side by a long, long way that I have seen in this division. \"You are almost looking at a Premiership side and quite frankly they should get automatic promotion with the team they have got. If they don't then they are selling everyone short. They were tremendous for the first 20-25 minutes. \"I feared the worst. I thought they should have killed us off but they didn't and to be fair that's a testament to the group of lads I've got. We are better than we played tonight, we gave away silly possession and gave away poor goals.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Brom: Zuberbuhler, Watson, Perry, Curtis Davies, Albrechtsen, Gera, Greening, Wallwork (Hartson 86), Koumas, Ellington (Phillips 73), Kamara. Subs Not Used: Hoult, Chaplow, McShane. Goals: Ellington 8, Kamara 40, 54. QPR: Royce, Mancienne, Rehman, Stewart, Bignot, Ainsworth, Lomas, Smith, Cook, Gallen, Blackstock (Nygaard 63). Subs Not Used: Paul Jones, Milanese, Ward, Rowlands. Booked: Smith, Bignot, Lomas. Goals: Stewart 45, Gallen 48, Nygaard 83. Att: 17,417, Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).

Derby v West Brom
Midfielder Morten Bisgaard is pushing for a recall to Derby's starting XI after shaking off a hamstring problem. Giles Barnes will play but Matt Oakley (sciatica) and Michael Johnson (hamstring) are set to miss out. West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has admitted first-choice keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler is lacking confidence and could turn to Russell Hoult. Left-back Paul Robinson is banned while Darren Carter (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked, and Nigel Quashie is out.

Baggies star Kamara claims award
West Bromwich Albion's Diomansy Kamara has been named as the Championship's player of the month for October. The Senegal forward found the net six times in five league games during the month, including braces against Ipswich and Queens Park Rangers. Kamara, who will be 26 on Wednesday, has now scored eight goals this season. The other contenders for the award were Stoke's Lee Hendrie, Preston striker Danny Dichio, Burnley keeper Brian Jensen and Luton winger Carlos Edwards.

Chaplow challenges WBA after loss
Midfielder Richard Chaplow says West Brom need to learn to win after Derby came from behind to beat them in Saturday's Championship match. The 21-year-old fired the Baggies ahead but the Rams replied with two goals in three minutes to take all three points. \"Conceding two goals in that second half was obviously devastating for the lads,\" Chaplow told the Express & Star. \"In the last two games, even though we've dominated them, we haven't won and we've got to learn to win.\"

West Brom v Norwich
West Brom playmaker Zoltan Gera faces a late fitness test on his calf and striker Kevin Phillips could return. Midfield duo Darren Carter and Nigel Quashie have both returned to training and may be called into the squad, but Paul Robinson remains suspended. Dion Dublin will stay at the heart of the Norwich defence with Gary Doherty a week away from a return. Doherty has a back injury and fellow defender Craig Fleming is still struggling with a hamstring strain.

View Full Version: West Bromich Albion