West Brom Preview

[Mike E]

Club history

The West Bromwich Football Club as we know it today, played its first match against Hudsons FC on 23 November 1878. Borrowing a ball from another local club they drew 0-0 in front of a handful of enthralled spectators, beginning a tradition of dull as f*** football that continues to this day.

Ten months later, on 20 September 1879, West Bromwich Strollers were formed as an official club by a group of workers from the George Salter Spring Works, many of whom participated in the initial Hudsons match. These men from Salters, still without a ball between them (heehee) went to the nearest shop that sold footballs, in Wednesbury, where there were already the three flourishing clubs; The Old Athletic, another Strollers by coincidence and Elwells.

 

Cooper’s Hill, a roughly triangular shaped piece of wasteland inspiring Tony Mowbray's modern 'tactics', and Dartmouth Park were alternately used. The players would carry a pair of portable goalposts with them because they were never quite sure where they would kick off. Hence the name Strollers. The first formally recorded match, as Strollers, was played on 13th December 1879 against Black Lake Victoria at Dartmouth Park and was won 1-0.

Soon the name Strollers was thought to sound too casual so they changed it to West Bromwich Albion in 1880. The suffix was derived from an old foundry district in West Bromwich of the same name, where several of the members lived. The support for the Albion was such that paying spectators demanded to be entertained, for which purpose an enclosed ground was required. This was found on Bunn’s Field, also known as 'The Birches', located off Wallsall Street. With the still growing support Albion were in need of yet another venue. Four Acres became their new home in 1882.

 

Despite a staggering 16,393 crowd in 1885 for the visit of our beloved Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion had eventually outgrown Four Acres and 'Strolled on' again, this time to Stoney Lane, only a short walk from the club’s previous grounds. By 1900 Stoney Lane had degenerated to such an extent that it had become one of the worst in the First Division, attendances had slumped to around 6,000, and the club faced a financial crisis. Another move was thought best for the revival of the club’ s fortunes.

When the board took out an option on a 10 acre site, West Bromwich Albion found their permanent home at the now familiar The Hawthorns. So-called because the club’s secretary, Frank Heaven, had discovered that hawthorn bushes had flourished in the surrounding area at one time. To this day, the Hawthorns remains the highest football ground in England above sea level! It was also, incidentally, the first ground to successfully implement electronic turnstiles.

 

The new ground brought with it the team nickname The Throstles, the Black Country word for Thrush, commonly seen in the hawthorn bushes from which the ‘ground’ took its name. My dad reckons, after chatting to Eric Morecambe in the 70s, that this nickname was the inspiration for one of his longest running gags. For example:

'Have you got the Throstles?'

'No, I always walk like this!'

The joke was the oft repeated with potentially funny sounding words greeted by the same punchline; 'Have you got the sprockets/scrolls or other word topical to one of Ernie Wise's 'Plays what I wrote'.

For many years a thrush ‘lived’ at the ground in a wooden cage which was hung above the player’s tunnel. Later the club had a replica of a large thrush perched on top of the half-time scoreboard at the uncovered Woodman Paddock. It also inspired the design of the official club badge, with a throstle, perched on a branch, depicted on a background of the blue and white club colours.

 

West Bromwich Albion have alternatiely used the throstle and the town’s first coat of arms as their insignia. The arms were granted in 1882 and except the millrinds, which represent the iron and brass foundries, the items are all derived from the arms, crest and supporters of the Earls of Dartmouth, who were formerly seated at Sandwell Hall. The ostrich feathers in the crest, nowadays associated with the Heir Apparent, were introduced into English royal heraldry by Edward III, who probably derived it from his wife, Philippa of Hainault. They represent willing obedience and derenity. The shield with the stag’s head is charged with blue stars and fleurs-de-lys alluding to the sparkling water of Sandwell Spa.

 

Less readily explained than the crest is the nickname 'The Baggies'. It is a mystery defying a solution; we do not know what to believe but you will enjoy whatever version. In its early days The Hawthorns had only two entrances, one behind each goal. On match days the gatekeepers would gather up the takings at each end and be escorted by policemen along the sides of the pitch to the centre line where there was a small office under the stand. The gate money, mostly in pennies, amounted to a considerable sum and was carried in large cloth bags. It wasn’t long before some wag in the crowd started shouting “here come the bag men!” at their appearance in front of the main stand, and this developed into a chant of “here come the Baggies!”, giving the team its unnofficial nickname.

Another version claims that in early days of the club’s history, many of the supporters worked in the local ironworks and because of the intense heat, tended to wear very loose, baggy clothing. Since most of them would go straight to the match after work, it resulted in a very oddly attired bunch standing on the terraces at the Hawthorns, and led to the nickname of ‘Baggies’.

A more surprising idea? The name Baggies was given to Albion’s ironworker fans by Villa supporters. They used to put on their moleskin trousers on Saturday afternoons, with belts worn instead of braces, and periodically they would give a sailor’s hitch to their unmentionables when they began to sag over their boots. When Albion and Villa clashed at the old Perry Bar Ground large numbers of Albion fans walked to the game. The ironworkers kept together in groups, many of them with their trousers at three quarters mast, and when near the ground, they were greeted with cries of `Here come the Baggies of Bromwich'”

Finally, all labourers in the Black Country wore trousers from a thick material called `duck’. When new, it was snow white, but with frequent washing went a dark hue. When repairs were necessary, at knees and back, the dark trousers were repaired with snowy white `duck’. This gave a bulky appearance to the patch, so labourers with these patches were generally called Baggies, as they looked like flour bags, and hence the taunt from Villa supporters back in the old days...

 

Random fact: West Brom full back George Shaw was the last player born in the 19th century to earn an England cap.

 

Celebrity fans:

Eric Clapton, Frank Skinner, Adrian Chiles, Lenny Henry, Joe Lycett, Liam Payne. Probably others?

Previous Meetings:

I honestly can't remember very many. I vaguely recall Keith Andrews scoring a fantastic volley against them once?

Shared players:

Mowbray (ugh), Reid, and I'm sure a great many others.

Current form:

7pts from 9, rather like us! They've just swept promotion favourites Sheffield United aside 4-0, so not expecting an easy game!

Standout players:

You'll have to forgive my ignorance.

Prediction:

Dunno. Loss?

 

Edited August 18, 2021 by Mike E

[Wood26]

Had Rovers on the laptop and WBA on the tv tonight. 
 

They score for fun. Sheff United only scored 20 goals last year and none so far this year.

In a way WBA play to our strengths, we are suited to an end to end open goal fest. Still expecting nothing from the game, anything draw and above would be a great result.

The key is to not get dicked.

[roversfan99]

West Brom will be favourites but in a home game in the Championship off the back of 7 points from 3 games, merely avoiding a thrashing is not the attitude to have. We should be confident of getting something, as hard as it will be.

[Wood26]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

West Brom will be favourites but in a home game in the Championship off the back of 7 points from 3 games, merely avoiding a thrashing is not the attitude to have. We should be confident of getting something, as hard as it will be.

Agreed, that’s what players should be thinking! I’m talking as a fan

[Sparks Rover]

3-0 West Brom

[Tom]

A point would be a good result but I think we can beat them, they have some cracking individual players but the way Ayala has started the season I think we can contain them.

Sat here delighted at the start to the season but I’m greedy and want us to keep pushing and not be content with merely putting a shift in because it’s against one of the favourites

 

[Sparks Rover]

A perfect game for Tesco to reduce the gate fee to £20 and £10, bit of momentum,  teams doing OK    early season get a bit of excitement in .......£32 what a cock.

Edited August 18, 2021 by Sparks Rover

[roversfan99]

I wonder what the team will be. I am not really a fan of changing systems to match opponents but West Brom play a 343 and are very direct. I wonder if we will go to a back 3, I suppose that will depend on Nyambe's fitness as throwing in Pike for such a hard game might be a baptism of fire.

There is also the potential to stodge up the midfield a bit and perhaps bring in Davenport or Clarkson for Buckley. And I would definitely bring in Chapman for Dolan with Gallagher moving into a central position.

[lraC]

I enjoyed the preview, so thanks Mike. This fixture, always brings to mind that our club legend Simon Garner had a spell with them and of course scored at Turf Moor.

Its probably one of our toughest games this season and after our start, if we can remain unbeaten, I will be highly delighted.

[cesus]

Having just seen the West Brom goals from last night I think we need to be practicing defending long throws into the box. Sheff Utd certainly hadn't!

[1864roverite]

WBA arrive full of confidence having battered Sheff Utd. They have a style of play where they try to overrun the midfield and defence and then bombard the back 4 with long stokelike throw ins which have reaped rewards for them.

The two central defenders are peripheral to a positive result in my view.

How do you combat the throw ins? Sheff U capitulated big time and all 4 goals were avoidable but just like last year they showed they have little fight. Rovers will be a different prospect in that we have two defenders who can actually win headers, step forward Ayala, this is the game for you to shine and this is the game to show you havhe the strength and stamina to play 3 games in a week.

I dont expect to win indeed I predict a loss (like the 3 previous games). 2-0 WBA and as I will miss the game due to other longstanding commitments, I will be watching from afar having sunk quite a few sherberts down in Eccleshall.

Enjoy the game and lets see just how much fight this Rovers squad have in them. 

[davulsukur]

It's going to be a big call to see if Ayala plays or not. I wonder if Nyambe had been fit to play last night, if he would have been rested.

[tomphil]

If we get stuck in like we have been then there's nothing to fear they are a championship side like us not Barcelona. Anybody can beat anybody, no doubt our gaffer will be talking them up into one of the games biggest but as long as we can keep our momentum going we'll be fine.

Such a pity that berk in a suit has ruined a possible good gate just to squeeze loyal Rovers fans and travelling west midlands hordes.

Rovers  1     WBA   1

Diaz from the spot after Frank Skinner gives baggies an early lead.

11,191

 

 

 

[JohnGo]

8 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

A perfect game for Tesco to reduce the gate fee to £20 and £10, bit of momentum,  teams doing OK    early season get a bit of excitement in .......£32 what a cock.

They use the same model as all clubs. Maximise revenue for a single game rather than increasing the fan base, and increase the seasons revenue. It’s no way to get lost supporters back through the gates.

[1864roverite]

WBA have not sold out their initial allocation of 2500 and have a max uptake of 3000 atm.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, cesus said:

Having just seen the West Brom goals from last night I think we need to be practicing defending long throws into the box. Sheff Utd certainly hadn't!

Yeah, we’ll need Ayala for this one. Regarding Mike’s preview - Bryan Douglas scored the best goal I’ve ever seen at Ewood against them back in the day.

[Admiral Nelsen]

Almost certain to be a step above anything we've faced so far. I'm just glad we're going into the game with 7 points from 9, rather 1 or 2 and already with the pressure cranked up.

 

It's not often I'd take a draw before the start of any Championship game at Ewood, but I would for this one.

[Bigdoggsteel]

I think we will sneak a win here. 1-0 

We're going up, we're going up 🙂 

[Butty]

These and Fulham nailed on for top two. Really tough game on sat. If we can get a draw I’d be buzzing. 

[TruRover]

Kaminski 

Nymabe/Pike Carter Ayala Lenihan Pickering

Buckley Travis Rothwell 

Diaz Gally

Wear Brom play at 100mph and rely on a high intensity press to force errors and create chances. We can best counter that by going direct and bypassing their press, and with Gally and Diaz up top we have the physicality and power to not only hold up the ball but also to hit Brom on the counter. 
 

There is no doubt that for long parts of this game we are going to have our backs up against the wall, but we have the defensive unit to stand up to that, especially with 5 at the back. Having said that we could really do with Nymabe being fit.

If we can stay in this game then we can throw Dolan and Chapman on for the final 20/30, who will hopefully take advantage of tired legs. 
 

This is a free hit for us considering our recent form and West Brom’s rightly so favourites tag, so am looking forward to it without much pressure. As always though am optimistic that we can get at least a point, maybe even 3. 

[Oldgregg86]

Going to be a tough afternoon. If we can  Nick one or keep it tight and get a clean sheet it’s would set us up nice for the next few games. The main thing for me is we don’t get thumped, young lads lose confidence and we start a death spiral. We need to learn to pick ourselves up after defeats and go again 

Edited August 19, 2021 by Oldgregg86

[Baggie192]

Being a Baggie think this will be a draw we still need a few attacking options

[Torgeir]

Great preview, Mike E!

Having watched the first three matches on TV, I will miss out on this one. Don't think their team looks too intimidating. Hopefully Ayala, Rothwell and Nyambe will be fit for this one, but I fear at least one of them will miss out. Clarkson from off the bench to score a screamer in the 85th to win it?

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

15 hours ago, Mike E said:

Previous Meetings:I vaguely recall Keith Andrews scoring a fantastic volley against them once?

Did it earn us a point?

Edited August 19, 2021 by Wing Wizard Windy Miller

[Admiral Nelsen]

5 minutes ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

Did it earn us a point?

 

It did, 2-2 at their place alongside a Benni McCarthy goal if memory serves. Not sure if it was a volley though, thought it was just a shot from outside the area.