v WBA (a) - 9/8/2025 - The Big Kick-Off!

[Herbie6590]

To the Hawthorns it is to start the new season.

Here’s the recent results against the Baggies…

 

[philipl]

In common with most of the Championship, the local Baggies are not exactly delighted by the transfer window so far. The biggest change is likely not to be signing but a fit again Daryl Dike coming up against us. That guy is a highly mobile monster with a strong finish who is highly likely to get the better of our defenders, whoever they may be. Busy afternoon for Toth but we should be competitive elsewhere on the pitch against one of the Championship dark horses for promotion.

Rovers to play well, not take key chances and go down to a hard luck but not undeserved 3-2 defeat.

[Mercer]

A huge task ahead - opening games in the Championship don't come much more difficult than this.

Not impressed with any of our new signings so far and I think we go into this game far weaker than we were last season.

We needed quality additions in early and it hasn't happened.

Momentum and confidence is everything in the Championship and a bad result on the opening day can set the tone for the rest of the season.

Sadly, I think WBA will win by at least 2 goals. 

[StHelensRover]

I'm going down for this game (or up? It is England's highest altitude football ground), anything can happen on the day. I was there when Richie Smallwood kept a clean sheet and I was there when Big Mak turned into Haaland there last year. Both very bizarre matches.

I'm not optimistic though, I would take a draw now.

Edited 10 hours ago by StHelensRover

[joey_big_nose]

On paper feels like WBA are big favorites but each season we surprise by coming out of the blocks pretty well. I like Ismael, has the team fit and motivated and tactically tight. Think we have a decent chance.

[roverandout]

Wouldn't be surprised if we lost our first 2 games.

[MarkBRFC]

This will be the most comfortable home game WBA have this season.

WBA 2 Rovers 0

[Mattyblue]

We know what happens from Christmas, so the season the good starts stop I think it’s pretty obvious what happens next. So yeah, three points please 😬

[simongarnerisgod]

i reckon we can get a result at wba,they have money problems,hav`nt recruited much and their new manager ryan mason is in his first job,0-1 to us,yoshi with a last minute goal😄

[roversfan99]

West Brom have signed 3 players. Nat Phillips who had a really strong spell at Derby. Another defender from the MLS and a striker for big money from Scandanavia.

They already have a strong core full of Championship proven players and a couple of really direct wide players.

[roversfan99]

The right back situation is an important one into next week. West Brom are really strong out wide.

We cant be playing Montgomery there. Hes a young midfielder filling in and he will likely get run ragged. Miller seems unlikely to be fit even if hes signed imminently and he looks to be our most likely first choice so Alebiousu should be used there.

[Ossydave]

5 hours ago, philipl said:

In common with most of the Championship, the local Baggies are not exactly delighted by the transfer window so far. The biggest change is likely not to be signing but a fit again Daryl Dike coming up against us. That guy is a highly mobile monster with a strong finish who is highly likely to get the better of our defenders, whoever they may be. Busy afternoon for Toth but we should be competitive elsewhere on the pitch against one of the Championship dark horses for promotion.

 

 

Where have you plucked this information from?

West Brom have had a good window with Heggebo/Philips/Campbell.  They haven't lost anyone of note either.

Added to that, Dike is injured and turning into a right crock, so scrap that part of your post too......

[RevidgeBlue]

God help us.

Expecting a heavy defeat, anything at all from the game will be a bonus I think.

[philipl]

52 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

 

Where have you plucked this information from?

West Brom have had a good window with Heggebo/Philips/Campbell.  They haven't lost anyone of note either.

Added to that, Dike is injured and turning into a right crock, so scrap that part of your post too......

 

Hugely relieved that Dike is injured 

They have Keeper issues and the sale of Heggem this week is likely to help reduce but not resolve a significant PSR problem.

[Andy]

VI will have us organised, but a few new cogs still fitting into the machine.

A draw would be a good results on the first day, but I'll go with a 1-0 Rovers win.

Goal from a set piece halfway into the 2nd half, then backs to the wall defending to see the game out.

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, Andy said:

VI will have us organised, but a few new cogs still fitting into the machine.

A draw would be a good results on the first day, but I'll go with a 1-0 Rovers win.

Goal from a set piece halfway into the 2nd half, then backs to the wall defending to see the game out.

Who is taking the set piece?

[sharpysharps86]

6 hours ago, roverandout said:

Wouldn't be surprised if we lost our first 2 games.

Hull away and Norwich at home aren't exactly bankers either. Could be a very difficult start to the season.

[davulsukur]

--------------------Toth

Monty--Hyam--McLoughlin--Ribeiro

----------Tronstad---Travis

Hedges-------Cantwell-------De Neve

---------------------Ohashi

I'd be surprised if we came away with anything tbh. A draw at best.

Edited 2 hours ago by davulsukur

[sharpysharps86]

Haven't followed WBA's transfer activity at all but new, young manager, renewed hope in front of a home crowd. I recall they won comfortably in Mowbray's first game back there last season, so wouldn't be surprised if they come racing out of the blocks. The key will be to contain them in the first 20-30.

That aside, maybe it was just yesterday's performance but I am very fearful going into this game. None of the new signings so far look like they improve us from last season, in fact I'd argue we look worse.

Suspect neither Miller or whoever the other player they're close to signing will be ready for this one. As such I'm predicting this to be the starting 11:

                             Toth

Montgomery   Hyam    McLoughlin     Ribeiro

  Hedges      Travis      Tronstad       De Neve

                          Cantwell

                           Ohashi

Does not look like a very good team at all. Very few goals in there.

WBA 3 - 1 Rovers (Ohashi)

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

37 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Who is taking the set piece?

Toth ?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

25 minutes ago, sharpysharps86 said:

Haven't followed WBA's transfer activity at all but new, young manager, renewed hope in front of a home crowd. I recall they won comfortably in Mowbray's first game back there last season, so wouldn't be surprised if they come racing out of the blocks. The key will be to contain them in the first 20-30.

That aside, maybe it was just yesterday's performance but I am very fearful going into this game. None of the new signings so far look like they improve us from last season, in fact I'd argue we look worse.

Suspect neither Miller or whoever the other player they're close to signing will be ready for this one. As such I'm predicting this to be the starting 11:

                             Toth

Montgomery   Hyam    McLoughlin     Ribeiro

  Hedges      Travis      Tronstad       De Neve

                          Cantwell

                           Ohashi

Does not look like a very good team at all. Very few goals in there.

WBA 3 - 1 Rovers (Ohashi)

 

Montgomery at right back after yesterday ? De Neve instead of Kargbo ? 

[Hasta]

I’m always of the opinion that you have to be fairly poor player-wise and lack tactical nouse to go down. It always surprises me how limited sides who are sat comfortably mid-table can appear sometimes.

Therefore until I’ve seen how our lot gel I’m going into it with an open mind. The most likely result I feel is a defeat, but it wouldn’t be surprising if we were saying they looked fairly poor after the game and we come away with  a decent result.

The obvious issue is right back. Montgomery looks a big risk and Alebiosu is a complete unknown.

Edited 2 hours ago by Hasta

[chaddyrovers]

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Who is taking the set piece?

Cantwell

[roversfan99]

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Cantwell

Best of a bad bunch but not a set piece taker.

We need to try and find one.

[chaddyrovers]

I think its very clear what the team will be for the first league game of the season, Ismael has made sure they have plenty of game time and they have been mainly started every game

21 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Best of a bad bunch but not a set piece taker.

We need to try and find one.

Look like De Neve and Cantwell be our set pieces takers from the 5 pre season games